The Most Economical Way to Add a Grapple

Grapples are great for moving around a lot of items. If there's brush down in the forest, if you have a log to pick up to chain saw, if you want to move around some fence posts, having a way to clamp down on the load makes the job so much easier. But a lot of us don't have tractors with quick attach buckets, we may not want the hassle of switching implements often, or we may be on a budget and not want to spend a lot of money on a grapple. The Add-A-Grapple is the answer.
The Add A Grapple is a device that mounts on the sides and top of the loader bucket (see my installation video here: • Installing the Precisi... ) and gives the ability to use the bucket for a grapple. The standard Add A Grapple fits loader buckets from 60" to 79" and comes in single and double grapple modes. There's also a Mini Add A Grapple for sub compact tractors that will fit buckets from 36" to 55" wide with a single grapple. It's the most economical way I've ever found to add a grapple to a tractor.
I tested the Add A Grapple in different scenarios, moving brush, rocks, fence posts, waste hay and lifting logs, and once I got the hang of how to use it, it worked great. The Add A Grapple works best if you tilt the bucket going into the load so when the grapple comes down to clamp on it, the tip of the bucket and the grapple touch just above the ground. It's pretty amazing what you can pick up and move with this device on the tractor.
If I were going to use the Add A Grapple extensively for brush removal, I feel like a tooth bar on the bucket would enhance the productivity. Having a method to "comb" the ground for brush without digging in, in my humble opinion, would make the device much more effective. It still works well just like it is.
All products in this video are available here: asktractormike.... You do have to have front tractor hydraulics to run the Add-A-Grapple, a kit to give you that option is here: asktractormike....
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[@gckshea]

Mike, that grapple looks like it did just fine. Beats hauling a branch at a time by hand!!

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Mike, that looks like it could really do some good work, for someone who doesn't have a dedicated grapple. Good video and good interview with the owner.

[@Hiker63]

Great timing. I’m actually looking for a cheap alternative.

[@JoeSoslick]

Great video, thanks for sharing. This looks like a great tool for those of us who do minimal grapple activities, and with limited storage space.

[@mr.redneck2715]

I recently bought a skid steer rear quick attach to 3 point and will hook the grapple on the rear of my tractor. It will be for moving logs in the winter when the snow blower is on the tractor. I have two sets of hydraulics on the rear and will need to figure out how to use them. I have the hydronic top link but will have to figure out how the other hydraulic function will open and close my grapple. Worst case scenario I run two hoses from the third function. This may be an industry first!!

[@johns6290]

I have a Woods root grapple and it stays on the loader almost all summer. In the winter I put the bucket on till we get an ice storm.

[@martybernier9313]

Helped run a 5 acre apple orchard for 35 years. Hate picking up prunings.

[@bobgutman9691]

Mike, I have a very similar tractor TC40DA. Thanks for the video,

[@powderriver2424]

Always a good bit of info you share.

[@dwayneloftice2326]

What a great idea and solution

[@garycooper4982]

that looks to be a great and affordable product

[@catfishinwithcrow685]

Great info Mike as always thank you

[@stumppiler1002]

Put a bolt on tooth bar on the bottom and it will help get under the brush. I gotta get me one of these grapples, thanks.

[@CT_Yankee]

I have a set of bolt-on trash forks for my Kubota L2850 BF500 loader (60" bucket), as well as an aggressive tooth bar that also bolts on. Add-A-Grapple sounds like another good toy to add to my collection. My challenge is how to position the grapple attachment on the bucket to work best with either of those add-ons. In addition, I suspect that my loader control (7 ports) is capable of power beyond which could allow me to add the hydraulics for the grapple AND retain full curl & dump control for the bucket. What are your thoughts?

[@deheinsite]

Finally, a video showing the add a grapple in use. Awesome to see it in a practical use setting. I have a pin on FEL and contemplating adding a Quick Attach conversion and Grapple, but dollars and Cents don't make sense for me (around $1600 to $2200 total). I would also have to have a QA plate welded on to my current pin on bucket.

[@Charlesgrantsmith]

How do you plump the hydraulics for the extra cylinder(s)?

[@jilescochran3912]

It still does better then by hand .

[@terrihammond7407]

I'd like to buy it in Canada. I've searched with no luck. Any suggestions?

[@tominsc9909]

The Green's machine thumb cost less, but is more involved to get it mounted and probably doesn't work as well.

[@purplemartin2233]

Had a greens thumb for years mounted it in 1 hour and it works fantastic!

[@leedawson8301]

Busted my grill last night trying to move limbs. Rolled that limb under my bucket, as I went over it it turned up. I need a grapple....

[@alanbloodworth2653]

I need a grapple with a 3 point attach.

[@TractorMike]

I actually know one company that makes such a critter and it's the same folks that make the Tractor Caddy. Here's a link: www.tri-l.com/3pt-sub-compact-grapple. E-mail me at [e-mail] if you're interested.

[@matthewgreen2081]

Where do I get the price

[@TractorMike]

Matthew, click on this link to see all of the Add-A-Grapple products: asktractormike.com/products-for-sale/tractor-attachments/add-a-grapples/.

[@phatrides222000]

Ill take my real grapple all day over this.

[@SA-lr1sf]

if you make the side walls to be removable, that bucket become much more useful for logs and brush.

[@jc-botaman1077]

Very informative video Mike, lots of good information. That is a very reasonably priced alternative to a dedicated grapple attachment. Looking forward to seeing you find uses for it.

[@thnksno]

With the kind of brush piles I have. I find forks work great, the trick is compacting the brush before forking it. Just drop the loader on the pile, the branches interlock. Another thing, while making the pile as you drag and throw stuff on it. Simply orient the pile, throw or pull everything parallel. If you lay a rope down first, you can cinch the pile with a loop and pull it away.

[@garydavis5185]

I can pick up more brush with my fork attachment than my neighbor can with his grapple. It would sure be nice if they could make an add a grapple to my fork attachment.

[@TractorMike]

Here ya go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3vVc3mweJuHZpY :).

[@PhyllisWilliams-e9y]

Look this over. We will have one.

[@semco72057]

That Add A Grapple seem like a nice implement to have for your tractor and I may look at getting one for my tractor and add it to my bucket part time. I have reached that age where I can't do what I use to do as a young man and need any help I can get and that would be great to have attached to my front loader. Thanks for sharing this information with us all.

[@dwayneloftice2326]

Spent over 30 years in a 60 acre peach orchard and know all TOO well the tons of prunings that are generated each year. Also had a hydraulic "bull rake" (home-made) to tackle removal to several Greyhound Bus size burn piles!! Now growing winegrapes and a Add-a-Grapple is in my future!

[@flapjawentertainment6956]

It is a nice addition to your bucket. but be warned this is for light duty. I have spent another $1,000.00 on extra stiffners Stronger support on the bucket. Had to get it bent back in shep and more. Very light duty

[@tfisadog5260]

I don't have a quick attach bucket so a couple years ago I purchased this and it is the best money I have spent. I just purchased enough hydraulic hose to reach my rear remotes and plastic tie the hoses to the bucket while using it. I just figured out I can pick up two small bales of hay at a time and I think I can pick up three if i purchase the other grapple. I highly recommend this product.

[@PennsylvaniaFarming]

Looking at one for pen pack manure handling

[@davidbiggerstaff7116]

Check out the Thumb grapple, same concept

[@dieselfitter1669]

Great video. This is what I need.

[@hphillips7425]

Good setup for a pin on bucket

[@dfougere7998]

Hi Mike I noticed you have a sicle bar mower on the back of your tractor would that work good for mowing along a ditch can it angle down far enough, I would prefer a boom mower but my tractor is not big enough to handle it so I’ve been told I have a 37hp premium compact cab tractor

[@TractorMike]

Yeah, that's still the best option for small tractors and ditches but the title of this video is "My Love/Hate Relationship with a Sickle Mower" and that's how I feel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWWVeZeJgb1koqc.

[@philipmartin2622]

I have a couple clamp on forks on my John Deere bucket for scooping up limbs. How would this work with the add a grapple??

[@shadowulf]

I was thinking the same thing. A pair of short bolt on forks could slide under, then clamp with the grapple.

[@bobdavis6103]

Mike, how difficult is the actual install process and how much does the single grapple weigh?

[@TractorMike]

Bob, just 4 holes in each side of the bucket and you're on. Here's me putting it on and it shows how to position it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ_amWZjgaeIhrM. Single Add-A-Grapple weighs 142 lbs.

[@reltcl1995]

How much are they

[@sunhawk61]

You had a sickle bar cutter on there. Well there is a whole different video on pitfalls and dangers

[@TractorMike]

Yup...and here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWWVeZeJgb1koqc.

[@bryankyger501]

could you plumb it into the rear remote

[@TractorMike]

Absolutely!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Great video. I actually just went to Sedalia and picked this product up from Bill And I got a little tour of the facility where they manufacture these

[@pondacres]

$700, that smokes the cost of Titan's smallest grapple. Ok, this ain't bad at all. Thanks for the info.

[@davidriverman5346]

Hi I own John Deere 5520 my Hydraulic pump went ,I was wondering how hard are they to change out, and is there any tricks I should be aware of. Also is this part able to be rebuilt, the part is about $900.00 from the dealer.