Ventrac Power Bucket Grapple!

[@ventrac]

You forgot to mention it looks cool too!

[@steiger256]

It does look really cool.

[@samstone2007]

Great video, very helpful and informative

[@InsightLandCare]

One of my first videos of the Ventrac was a 2 day job building a raised garden moving alot of ties just like you did. Saved alot of lower back pain for sure.

[@geoffweinstock6846]

Very useful attachment. Thanks for sharing

[@billlumberge3508]

I have to say that the high side option for this bucket is better option for me. You see this machine works great when you have it working in tandem with another machine. So the mini ex 1.7 tonne (a thumb on this machine is much handier than say your ventrac). And you just push material into your bucket with the high sides. I must say that grapple is good for tree work but we managed without. We would make forks with branches and stack buckets tall with deadwood from a Forrest.

[@AnomadAlaska]

I've been looking at Ventrac as a replacement for my compact tractor. The front end loader and grapple/pallet forks/bucket sure are handy on the tractor. For mowing its a no-brainer to make the switch though. The audio is great now, by the way.

[@steiger256]

A front end loader does come in handy sometimes. The front loader was the only thing questioning me going compact or Ventrac when I sold my Steiner. A front loader is nice to be able to load material on a trailer or in the back of a truck, But I would very rarely have to do that. I have found I can drive on a trailer to land or unload with the power bucket. The grapple on the power bucket is a great tool like it is on a compact tractor. At the end of the day for me being able to change from several different attachments in a minute and having the mower deck out front out weighed the loader. I Don think now after all of these years with having a front mount mower that I could go back to a belly mower. The hydraulic flip up option for cleaning the deck was the best thing ever invented. I guess it just depends on each individuals needs. I love my Ventrac. I have been working on the audio. I am glad it sounds good now. Thanks

[@AnomadAlaska]

My Chief Financial Officer loves your and other Ventrac videos. She thinks it's something she would be confident operating as a mower on our steep Appalachian property. We're seriously considering one.

[@steiger256]

@@AnomadAlaska You will not find a better machine on steep property. Have A dealer bring you one to demo to check it out. If you have lots of steep property the higher HP gas options may be a better choice. I hear the diesel lugs on the hills. I have to do a hill test with mine someday.

[@dlmp70]

Great video! Very helpful info. Thank you!

[@steiger256]

Glad to help.

[@trailsmadeeasy]

I love mine one of my best tools. Huge time and back saver. Lastly nice stripes man.

[@steiger256]

Im glad I got it. The Ventrac does stripe very well.

[@tazmankb26]

Great video and I love my bucket and grapple- back saver!

[@HollerTenn]

Really helpful, thanks. In the market for a Ventrac + attachments for our farm... can see now, I need this.

[@unclelala4216]

What a back saver !

[@tazmankb26]

One added feature- main bar on grapple is hollow so you can slide a tool in there like shovel or steel rake and transport while using the grapple.

[@steiger256]

Thanks. That is a great idea.

[@JoeMcpad56]

Awesome video! Grapple has so much versatility. Also, what do you use for your camera and audio? Both are very crisp.

[@steiger256]

The camera is a Gopro 8. The audio is is Boya wireless mic that I got. I had comments complaining about the audio, And I agree I needed to do something to make it better. It works very well and did not cost very much. The voiceover was recorded on a Sony digital voice recorder. The voicerecorder makes it easier for me to upload it to my computer.

[@JoeMcpad56]

@@steiger256 Oh ok. Thank you so much!

[@dinothinker3909]

The grapple bucket is what I use the most. It is the attachment that I leave on my Ventrac when not performing a special task requiring a different attachment. I cleared 9 acres of land with just the grapple bucket and a trailer, and it was a huge amount to clear. Including concrete slabs left from an old sidewalk. The grapple bucket goes everywhere with me on the property. I use it like a carry all. Throw my tools in there etc. And that thing can dig surprisingly well with the teeth on there. I wouldn't want to dig a pond with it, but it will dig into this adobe clay we have around here, so we'll that I actually have to be careful digging and moving dirt.. A couple of side notes, I think there is a lower weight lift limit with duals on, I thought I read that it is possible to bend an axle. Also, for awhile when I first started using the grapple bucket, I would move up to an object to pick it up, slide the teeth under the object, then clamp down with the grapple only, then I would raise and curl the bucket at the same time expecting what I had clamped down on to remain tightly clamped in the grapple. You might have noticed that it sometimes seems to lose its grip, or like the grapple doesn't seem strong enough. What I noticed was, when you curl the bucket, the geometry changes a bit. So what you have to do is, while you are raising and curling the bucket, keep the grapple closing at the same time, don't let off the hydraulic pressure of the grapple while lifting and curling something. This keeps the grapple clamped down through the lift. It works awesome. And finally, thanks for the shout out on your snow removal video. Yes, weight transfer 2 or 3 really helps. I actually found myself using 3 this winter after the hydraulics really warmed up. The only other tips I had was that I switch to the polyurethane edge in winter. And I also make sure that I have 3 points of contact on the ground. The blade edge, and the two adjustable feet. I adjust that on the flat garage floor. I drop the feet until they hit the floor and won't freely turn anymore. If memory serves, its around 12 or 13 washer spacers. This will help take pressure off your cutting edge while plowing.

[@steiger256]

Man clearing 9 acers is impressive. I have been trying not to lift to much with the duels. I am going to have to check on the weight limit. I pulled a rock out of the ground today and was amazed the ventrac pushed it out. It was pretty big. This maching never stops impressing me. I have been getting better with the grapple now that I am getting more hours using it. Thanks for that advise with weight transfer. It really does make a difference. I will have to play with the adjustment on my dads blade with the poly edge.

[@cameronhestler2693]

There is nothing in the Power Bucket manual about a lower weight limit for dual tires. You can’t use duals with the Versa loader as it might damage the axle. I presume that’s because it’s a heavier implement that can lift a load much higher.

[@nbragtop]

Would you show how your Power Bucket digs a hole. Like if you had to bury a pet or dig up a pot of gold. It seems the Ventrac will do about anything but dig a hole. Wondering if your teeth on your bucket will allow you to dig?

[@johnevans6053]

What is the lift capacity on the bucket? I am asking because if you wanted to grapple a large log. And do you need to worry about having the weight off center when grappling like you do on compact tractors?

[@steiger256]

I think it will lift around 500 lbs