2024 Reviews | Best Tractor Grapple / Top Rated & Heavy-Duty

Welcome to our comprehensive article where we focus on choosing the Best Tractor Grapple for your specific needs. Selecting a tractor attachment can be confusing at times, especially if you don’t really know what your looking for. We hope this article answers your questions as they relate to tractor grapples. We review and recommend some excellent models that we feel are worth your money.

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2023 : Well-Made Tractor Grapples

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72″ Titan Tractor Grapple

Rock Grapple, Skeleton Loader —

Features & Specs :

• Skid Steer quick tach
• Durable Powder Coated finish
• Replaceable teeth
• Open Tine Bottom for sifting debris
• Frame built with 3” x 3” steel tubing
• (2) 2.5” bore x 8” stroke hydraulic cylinders
• Max Opening Height: 35.5″
• Specifications:
  Outside width: 74″
  Inside width: 73″
  Length: 49″
  Spacing between tines: 4″
  Steel thickness: 1/2″
  Cutting edge: 1” x 74” 
  6 Cast Teeth
  Weight: 1,050 lb

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Intro | Best Tractor Grapple?

Grapples are useful implements for farmers, builders and construction workers or the ranch and homeowners with a large wooded property. Mounted on mini loaders and tractors, it can pick up almost every material imaginable. Municipal vehicles commonly use tractor grapples for waste pickup and storm clean up, tree services and wood processing.

You have to be careful — obviously — these are powerful tools engineered to tackle a range of tasks, saving you from back-breaking work. Imagine if the ancient Egyptians had a few tractor grapples (and tractors) to help build the pyramids. Either way, these grapples will remove trees and debris — reposition loads, and move earth, brush, rocks and more, in a controlled manner.

Tractor grapples are perfect for handling and sorting tree lengths. You will use it to load, unload, and transport timber, boulders, and utility poles. Uproot brush, collect debris, and other odd shaped or hard to lift material.

If you are fortunate enough to own a skid steer, Bobcat, or a John Deere type tractor. You can do the job a lot faster and safer with a suitable tractor grapple. Some types are suitable for uprooting small trees and brush. It will pick up the leaf pile that you collected with the walk behind blower and put it in the compost. It will be useful when removing rocks. With the correct attachment, you can even break soil.

To match your tractor to attachments like a grapple, you have to consider two important variables.

1. The hydraulic couplers on the grapple must match the couplers on your tractor
2. The hookup of the grapple must be compatible with the working end of the tractor.

Hydraulic Couplers

Hydraulic couplers are used on the end of the hoses that connect the powered attachment to your machine’s hydraulics. The coupler attaches quickly and securely, providing a leak-free connection. You have to clean this coupler each time before you couple up to make sure that it lasts longer, and performs as it should.

Two styles of couplers are in use, the first one to discuss is the older Pioneer style coupler.

Pioneer style couplers were used on most of the older machines and tractor equipment manufactured before 1996. The flat-faced style couplers have since replaced them. It’s easy to distinguish between the old Pioneer couplers and the newer style couplers:

• The old style male end has a nipple protruding out of the end that’s sealed with a ball.
• The old style female end has an open-ended hole with a ring of ball bearings around it.
• The ends of the new style flat-faced couplers are both sealed with a type of lid.

There are exceptions, and you may possibly find some other types of couplers on attachments. Fortunately, most companies sell adapters for flat-faced couplers and older adaptors.

Modern flat faced couplers are used on most machines manufactured after 1996. The most common being Parker FE. The most common size Parker FE on regular flow machines has a ½-inch internal port. You check by measuring across the tip of the male, which should have a 15/16-inch external size.

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Types of Tractor Grapples | Applications & Uses

A vast range of attachments are available for tractors and skid steer tractors. The range of grapples seems endless and will vary depending on the supplier. Of these, only three types of grapples will be covered in this review.

(1) Root Grapple

Root grapples are the most popular for compact tractors. They are often used to transport limbs that have broken off or were pruned from trees. A root grapple with dual upper clamps makes for an excellent choice with odd shaped loads because they clamp down individually. One lid can stop once it gets down to the large end, and the other will stop against the smaller end.

You can save some money with a single lid grapple, the lower part of the grapple is the same as the dual upper clamps. It will do the same job, but you don’t have the same control over uneven loads. We’ll review a selection of Root Grapples, for Compact, Utility, and Full-Size Tractors.

(2) Root Rake Grapple

Root Rake Grapples don’t have a slatted floor, like the root grapple. It’s fitted with more robust shanks with scarifier ends or tines, suitable for ground engagement. The ends are heavy and replaceable. They are excellent for breaking roots of a reasonable size and are suitable for cleaning ground, broken or just at the surface, as well as gathering roots, limbs, and debris. The material collected is held against the scarifier tines with the grapple lid. We’ll review Root Rake Grapples for Compact, Utility, and Full-Size Tractors.

(3) Grapple Buckets – Scrap Grapple.

A Grapple Bucket is a variation of the Root Grapple that has a slatted or solid bottom and low cut sides. Material wider than the bucket is secured by the lid or lids. Scrap grapples with solid bottoms are ideal for moving trash and other debris during a cleanup effort without losing material.

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Tractor and Grapple Connections —

Your modern Skid Steer tractor has a quick style Skid Steer attachment hookup that will fit all skid steer grapples. Its flat faced hydraulic couplers should match most attachments. But not all tractors use the same type of couplers. To clarify things and make sure that you order the correct type, I’ll explain the four types of adaptors that are most commonly used.

(1) SSQA, QA, and Quick Tach or Quick Attach (Bobcat)

The attachment adapter on the tractor arms uses two spring-loaded levers at the top that couples to the attachment. The levers each engage a pin at the bottom. Measured center to center, these pins are approximately 32 inches to 35 inches apart. This type of connection is normally known as the Quick Attach Quick Tach (QA, SSQA), originally created by the Bobcat Company. Which they patented and used as an easy method to connect and disconnect attachments.

Because of this patent, many companies created their own connection methods, with the result that attachments made for one manufacturer would not fit others. Meaning that if you changed machines, you would have to adapt your new machine to all your attachments. After the patent expired in 1994, most manufacturers started making the Bobcat style Quick Tach available on their machines.

(2) The Hook and Pin used on some John Deere loaders

To connect to an attachment, the loader arms adapter must slide under the top hooks. The bottom pins on the attachment then slide into the bottom of the loader arm and you secure it with a cotter pin. This connection is used on most 200, 300, 400, and 500 series John Deere loaders. Changing attachments is more convenient than the old pin-on style. But users still tend to convert to the SSQA or Quick Tach connection, which is easier and faster.

(3) Older multiple pins

Many older front end loaders use an arrangement of multiple pins to connect attachments to the loader arm and hydraulic cylinder of the implement. It is not very convenient and is time-consuming. I highly recommend replacing this type of connection with the Quick Tach.

(4) Global/Euro

This connection is found on larger subcompact and utility tractors. It can be easily distinguished by the spring loaded handle on one side of the loader arms. You will connect the tractor to an attachment by tilting the arms forward. Slide the upper bar under the brackets of the implement. Then tilt the arms back to align the bottom pin slots. Lastly, you pull the spring handle out and turn to engage the pins that run horizontally from side to side.

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Reviews | Titan Attachments

In this article we’ll be reviewing 10 of the best tractor grapples, in total :

• Seven grapples that fit the Skid-steer style hookup:
  • Three bucket style grapples, two HD root Grapple Rake Clamshell grapples and two rock bucket grapples.
• Three Grapples that fit the s- 500 series hookup

You will notice that the attachments range from 48 inches to 84 inches wide. If you are not sure what the importance of the width is, or which size is best for your needs, read on. I explain it as we go along.

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Titan Attachment grapples with Skid steer Quick tach style hookup

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48″ Grapple Bucket with a Skid Steer Attachment

Best tractor grapple for the money.

Features

• Universal skid steer style hookup – Greasable pins and bushings
• Hoses and flat faced couplers are included – Single 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Weight: 450 lbs – Width: 48″ Opening
• Height: 34″ – Side thickness: 3/8″ – Teeth Length: 24″ – Teeth Thickness: 3/8″

Overview

This Titan Attachment grapple is engineered to be lighter and more economical. It has six slats at the bottom, roughly 9 inches apart and 24 inches long. The design is suitable for picking up and moving anything that will not fall through, like 10 inch or odd shaped rocks and logs. When applied correctly, it is durable with gusseted teeth and high strength tubular steel cross members.

The item only weighs 450 pounds, so it is suitable for smaller skid steer type tractors. Although it is referred to as a grapple bucket attachment, it does not have sides. It is open-ended and can take loads that are longer than the 48-inch width. The slats, gussets, and sides are 3/8-inch-thick and mounted to tubular steel cross members. The 48-inch Grapple Bucket is not intended for heavier duty, commercial grade work. This includes uprooting trees, or digging rocks or roots from the ground.

The single lid has two teeth of 3/8 inch thick steel, strengthened with braces. It is operated by a single 3,000 PSI cylinder, and opens to a height of 34 inches.

The universal skid steer style hookup has greaseable pins and bushings, and is equipped with hoses. Flat-faced hydraulic couplers are included. The hoses are protected against pinching by a hose spring. Some users commented that additional brackets are needed to support the hose. It’s because the hose gets into harms way.

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NOTE : The trucking company needs your phone number to schedule the delivery. Without it there will be delays. Make sure your information is up to date when ordering.

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72″ Skid Steer Root Grapple Bucket Attachment

Ideal for picking up and moving small logs, brush, debris, and other odd shaped or hard to lift material.

This grapple is not intended for heavier duty, commercial grade work that includes digging or pulling trees, rocks, roots from the ground.

Features:

• Universal skid steer style hookup – protective canvas sleeve keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use
• Hoses and flat faced couplers are included
• Twin 3,000 PSI cylinder – Weight: 621 lbs
• Width: 72″ – Opening Height: 32″ – Teeth Length: 30.5″ – Top Teeth Thickness: 1/2″ – Bottom Teeth Thickness: 3/8″
• The serrated leading edge provides exceptional grip and can easily tear through small roots and brush.
• Twin 3,000 PSI cylinders
• Weight:  621 lb
• Width : 72″
• Opening Height : 25″
• Teeth Length : 30.5″
• Top Teeth Thickness : 1/2″
• Bottom Teeth Thickness : 3/8″

Overview

The Titan 72-inch root grapple bucket does not have skeleton sides, it is open-ended. Its sides are 1/2-inch-thick and 24 inches long and it has 7 teeth of the same dimensions. The front cross member is tubular steel and strengthened by gussets. The rear member is manufactured from square tube steel that’s braced at the back. The opening between the teeth is roughly 8-7/16 inch wide. It’s ideal for picking up and moving small logs, brush, debris, and other odd shaped or hard to lift material. This grapple too, is not intended for heavier duty, commercial grade work, like digging or pulling trees, rocks, and roots from the ground. Its sole purpose is to lift and move things. Nevertheless, the serrated leading edge provides excellent grip and can easily tear through small roots and brush.

It has a dual lid design that securely holds odd-shaped material. Each lid is fitted with two teeth that are 24 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. The lids have tube steel cross members with wide braces attached to the teeth. The Opening Height is 30 inches and cylinder back stoppers prevent the upper clamps from getting stuck in the upright position. It also prevents them from becoming overextended.

The Universal skid steer style hookup has greaseable pins and bushings and hoses with flat-faced hydraulic couplers. A Protective canvas sleeve keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use. Each of the upper clamp lids are equipped with their own 3,000 PSI cylinder.

The unit weighs 700 pounds, and its overall width is 72 inches. Its efficient, lightweight design will not tax your loader’s power, allowing you to work faster

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Titan 46″ Skid Steer, Stump Bucket — Grapple Attachment

Extreme Duty, made from ½ steel. Best tractor grapple if you need to remove and/or move tree stumps, roots or rocks.

Features:

• Rip up and dig out stubborn tree stumps, roots, or buried rocks with the Titan Extreme Stump Bucket Grapple!
• Fit :Universal Skid Steer Attachment
• Extreme Duty Construction: Frame built from massive 4” x 4” x ¼” steel tubing; Bucket, Grapple, and
• Serrated Edges made from extreme duty 1/2″ steel
• Components: 1” x 15” Cutting Edge with 3 Cast Teeth; 2.5” bore x 8” stroke – hoses and couplers included!
• Dimensions: 48” from back of bucket to end of cutting edge; 18.5” deep from top of frame to bottom of bucket.
• Weight: 643 lbs
• Frame: 4” x 4” x ¼” steel tubing
• Cutting Edge: 1” x 15” w/ 3 cast teeth
• 1/2″ Steel Construction

Overview

With this extreme-duty stump bucket grapple, you can rip up and dig out stubborn tree stumps, roots, or buried rocks. This one is a true bucket with high sides. It’s ideal for picking up and moving small logs, stumps, debris, and other odd shaped or hard to lift material. The frame is built from 4-inch by 4-inch, ¼-inch steel tubing. The bucket, grapple, and serrated edges are made from heavy-duty 1/2-inch steel that’s adequately braced. This is an efficient, lightweight design that is strong and should last longer.

It is only 45 7/8-inches wide and 18.5 inches from the top of the frame to the bottom of the bucket. From the back of the bucket to the end of the cutting edge, it’s 48 inches long. The total length from the rear of the frame is 59¼ inch. The cutting-edge measures 1-inch x 15 inches with three cast steel replaceable teeth on the working end. The bottom of the basket is solid and not slatted. The weight is only 643 pounds. The back pin and bushing of the cylinder is greasable with a grease nipple. It seems that the rest of the pins and bushings are greased by removing them. It would be a pity, removing and re-fitting the pins is not a convenient method and can be time-consuming.

This is a strong, versatile attachment that will be used for many tasks. My only concern is that the single 2.5-inch bore cylinder with an 8-inch stroke is not protected in the extended position.

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60″ Extreme HD — Root Grapple Rake Attachment

Best tractor grapple for clearing your land of rocks, logs and various other odd shaped debris.

Features:

• Universal skid steer style hookup – Greasable pins and bushings
• Hoses and flat faced couplers are included – Twin 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Replaceable bucket teeth make for easy maintenance and extend the life of your grapple rake.
• Width: 60″ – Opening Height: 50″ – Side Thickness: 1/2″ – Teeth Length: 35.5″ – Teeth Thickness: 1/2″
• Replaceable cast bucket teeth
• Weight: 815 lbs
• Width: 60″
• Opening Height: 50″
• Side Thickness: 1/2″
• Teeth Length: 35.5″
• Teeth Thickness: 1/2″

Overview

This Universal skid steer style hookup grapple has greaseable pins and bushings, fitted with grease nipples that will make maintenance an easy task. Replaceable cast bucket teeth is another advantage because it extends the life of the grapple’s working end. This grapple is quite heavy, it weighs 815 pounds, but it offers a lot. It is 60 inches wide, and the opening height is 50 inches. The sides are made up of two slats joined by braces. It is manufactured from HD grade steel. Ultra-high-strength HD steels are often used in applications requiring high strength, such as safety parts, structural parts, bumpers, and rails.

The sides are 1/2 inch thick. The Teeth Length of 35.5 inches allows you to securely pick up all load types, even though the lid is a single unit. The bottom end teeth are all doubled up like the sides and manufactured from 1/2-inch steel. This grapple rake is ideal for picking up and moving rocks, logs, brush, debris, and odd shaped material. The extra-wide opening of the rake style grapple makes pushing and gripping large loads easy, this thing can almost grab a small car.

Some pictures show the grapple with a cross member near the cutting end and some without. I found some feedback that confirms that it is installed about 8 to 12 inches from the tips of the teeth. The bottom is slatted with two open-ended sides and 4 teeth, it is not styled as a bucket.

All these grapples are sold with Hoses and flat-faced couplers. The 60-inch Extreme HD Root Grapple Rake uses twin 3,000 PSI cylinders to open the full-width upper lid.

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84″ Extreme HD | Root Grapple Bucket

Clamshell design

Features:

• Compatibility: Fits most skid steers with universal style hookups
• Usage: Make short work of digging rocks, picking up brush, etc.
• Durability: Made of thick HD steel that stands up to tough jobs
• Included: Grapple rake, hydraulic hoses and flat-faced couplers
• Greasable pins and bushings
• Hoses and flat faced couplers are included
• Twin 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Replaceable cast bucket teeth
• Weight: 1,225 lb
• Width: 84″
• Opening Height: 50″
• Side Thickness: 1/2″
• Teeth Length: 35.5″
• Teeth Thickness: 1/2″

Overview

This is another Titan Attachments grappling hook manufactured from HD grade steel that is designed for heavy work like digging rocks, picking up brush, etc. It fits most skid steer adapters with universal style hookups and flat-faced couplers.

This product is heavy, it weighs 1,225 pounds and, as such, is the heaviest of the grapples we review. The question arises, is it not too heavy for your machine? With this thing attached to it, what is the maximum weight it can lift? Titan does not specify any limits so we can assume that the limiting factor matches the capabilities of the loader. The specification sheets of your front end loader will give you an indication of the heaviest recommended attachments it can safely use. It will also indicate the maximum allowable load on the machine arms, especially when extended.

But remember to lower a heavy load slowly. Stopping a heavy load suddenly after it has gained downward momentum may result in damage to the loader or tractor unit. Move slowly and keep the weight close to the ground for better balance.

The grapple is 84 inches wide and opens to a height of 50 inches. The teeth are 35.5 inches long, it can easily take more than one log from a pile or handle huge rocks. Surprisingly some sites give different dimensions to the above. Some give the length of the teeth as 42 inches, it seems the opening from the upper teeth tips to the bottom teeth tips is 48 inches. The teeth at the bottom are spaced 13 inches apart so it’s not designed to pick up small rocks. From the bottom end of the grapple to the top of the closed clam it measures 32½ inches.

The sides and grapples of this clam style grapple all look the same and are manufactured from 1/2-inch-thick HD steel. Two pre-cut forms are welded together with braces in-between to form a dual tooth side and slat for the bottom. This is a heavy duty grapple with 7 Replaceable cast bucket-teeth.

The replaceable bucket teeth, grease nipple, greasable pins, and bushings extend the serviceable life of the grapple. It too has twin 3,000 PSI cylinders to control the upper lid; hoses and flat-faced couplers are included with the deal.

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72″ Rock Bucket Grapple Skeleton Loader w/ Teeth

Grab and clear out unwanted rocks and other debris while allowing valuable dirt to sift through the rock bucket tines and return to your land!

Features:

• Fit: Universal Skid Steer Attachment
• Extreme Duty Construction: Frame built with 3” x 3” steel tubing; Rock Bucket and Grapples both made from extreme duty 1/2″ steel
• Components: 1” x 74” Cutting Edge with 6 Cast Teeth; 15 half inch thick solid steel tines, 2 hydraulic cylinders – 2.5” bore x 8” stroke – hoses and couplers included!
• Skid Steer quick tach
• Durable Powder Coated finish
• Replaceable teeth
• Open Tine Bottom for sifting debris
• Frame built with 3 x 3 steel tubing
• (2) 2.5 bore x 8 stroke hydraulic cylinders
• Max Opening Height: 35.5″
• Outside width: 74″ / Inside width: 73″ / Length: 49″
• Spacing between tines: 4″
• Steel thickness: 1/2″
• Cutting edge: 1 x 74
• 6 Cast Teeth
• Weight: 1,050 lbs

Overview

This is another well-constructed rock bucket grapple, skeleton loader with replaceable teeth. This one has braced sides from the bottom cross member to the upper rear cross member. The rear cross members are manufactured from 3-inch by 3-inch steel tubing and well braced at the rear. The Rock Bucket and Grapples are both made from extreme duty 1/2 inch steel.

The cutting edge, with 6 replaceable cast teeth, are manufactured from 1-inch flat steel. The bottom of the bucket is constructed from 15 half-inch thick solid steel tines welded to the front cross member. The tines are supported by another cross member, roughly 12 inches back from the front teeth. The spacing between the front teeth (center to center) is 13¾ inch and the tines are spaced 4 inch apart.

It measures 49 inches from the back of the frame to the end of the teeth. The inside bucket is 14.5 inches deep from the top of the bucket to the top of the tines. The dual upper lids are equally well constructed. They are braced and open to a maximum height of 35.5 inches. Each lid is controlled by a single 2.5-inch bore x 8-inch stroke hydraulic cylinder. Hoses and flat-faced couplers are included. The dual lid has the advantage of securely grabbing odd shaped loads.

It weighs a hefty 1,050 pounds, making it well suited to heavy-duty work like grabbing and clearing out unwanted rocks and other debris. At the same time, allowing valuable dirt to sift through the rock bucket tines. This grapple is well suited to general use and constructed to last a long time. If it suits your equipment, this is the one I’d recommend. It is versatile, and the durable powder coated finish will last longer than a simple spray finish. The pins and bushings have grease nipples to simplify the maintenance task and keep them dirt free.

You do not only grease the pins and bushings to reduce friction, but it must also be done regularly to expel old grease. In doing so, you replace the old dirty grease with dirt free grease and expel all moisture. This extends the serviceable life of your equipment that is exposed to the elements, debris and dust during operation.

The universal skid-steer quick-tach attachment has an integrated step in the center of the bucket. This allows the skid steer attachment to enter easily and be secured slip-free.

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82″ Rock Bucket Skeleton Grapple Loader w/ Teeth

Best tractor grapple if you need to do some serious heavy-duty work.

Features:

• Grab and clear out unwanted rocks and other debris while allowing valuable dirt to sift through the rock bucket tines and return to your land!
• Fit: Universal Skid Steer Attachment
• Extreme Duty Construction: Frame built with 3” x 3” steel tubing; Rock Bucket and Grapples both made from extreme duty 1/2″ steel
• Components: 1” x 82” Cutting Edge with 6 Cast Teeth; 17 half inch thick solid steel tines, 2 hydraulic cylinders – 2.5” bore x 8” stroke – hoses and couplers included!
• Dimensions: 49” from back of frame to end of teeth; 4” tine spacing, 82” actual inside bucket width, 14.5” deep from top of bucket to the top of tines

Overview

The 82-inch grapple from Titan Attachments is another one of the well-constructed buckets. If you need more space between the bucket side walls, then this one should be great. It has significantly deep bottom tines. Really deep, 49 inches from the back of the frame to the end of the teeth, with a 4-inch tine spacing. The actual inside bucket width is 82 inches and the bucket is 14.5 inches deep from the top of the bucket to the top of the tines. The heavy-duty skeleton frame of the bucket has 3-inch x 3-inch steel tubing. The rock bucket and grapple are both made from extreme duty 1/2-inch steel. It has the same integrated step in the center of the bucket to securely hold the skid-steer attachment. Like the 72-inch model, this one provides the durability needed for most demanding jobs, in the toughest conditions.

It is perfect for grabbing and clearing out unwanted rocks and other debris. The 6 cast teeth can be replaced when worn down. The teeth are spaced 15¼ inch and 16¾ inch apart. The bucket is constructed in the same way as the 72-inch model. The height from the bottom of the bucket to the top end is 31¼ inches. It has 17 half-inch thick solid steel tines and 2 hydraulic cylinders with a 2.5-inch bore x 8-inch stroke. The cutting edge is 1-inch x 82 inches and it weighs 1,200 pounds.

It has a durable powder coated finish like its smaller brother. If you need the extra width, this is an excellent alternative to the 72-inch rock bucket grapple.

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Titan Attachments grapples with John Deere Quick Tach 200 – 500 series hookup

These grapples from Titan Attachments fit John Deere loaders that match a hook at the top and a pin at the bottom. When hooking up to the loader, the attachment is tilted forward and hooked under the upper hooks. Then you lift the attachment to let the bottom pin set through and lock the pins. To ensure compatibility with a wider range of loaders, the Titan attachments are fitted with two sets of pins at the bottom. The top pin set fits H120, D120, 210, 200x, 200cx, 300cx, 300x, 305, 400x, 400cx, 410, 419, 420, 430, 440, & 460 series loaders. The bottom pin set fits 500, 510, 520, 521, 540, 541, & 542 series Ag loaders.

Titan 48″ Grapple Bucket Attachment for John Deere

Best tractor grapple if you own a John Deere tractor.

Features:

• Fits John Deere
• Top pin set fits H120, H130, D120, 210, 200x, 200cx, 300cx, 300x, 305, 400x, 400cx, 410, 419, 420, 430, 440, & 460 series loaders.
• Bottom pin set fits 500, 510, 520, 521, 540, 541, & 542 series Ag loaders.
• Does not fit any loaders equipped with the Global/Euro style or universal Skid Steer style mount.
• Hose spring keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use.
• Greasable pins and bushings
• Couplers that fit John Deere are included
• Single 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Fits John Deere Quick TachWeight: 450 lbs
• Width: 48″
• Opening Height: 34″
• Side thickness: 1/2″
• Teeth Length: 33″
• Teeth Thickness: 3/8″

Overview

This is an example of the grapple attachment from Titan Attachments that fits the John Deere style Quick-Tach tractors, using the pin set hookup. It is fitted with two sets of pins at the bottom to match more tractors. It does not fit any loaders equipped with the Global/Euro style or universal Skid Steer style mount.

The Titan 48-inch grapple bucket attachment for John Deere is not a bucket, but a clam style grapple. Its sides are the same shape and design as the bottom slats, so it does not form a bucket. Because of the design, it is possible to lift objects like logs that are longer than the 48 inch width of the grapple.

It has six slats at the bottom, roughly 9 inches apart and 33 inches long. The design is suitable for picking up and moving anything that will not fall through, like 10 inch or odd shaped rocks and logs. It has a lightweight design, and the tines are manufactured from 3/8 inch steel flats. The opening height is 34 inches, which is more than adequate for most tasks. The Side thickness is 1/2 inch. Considering the size of the attachment, it is a good design with strong square-tubing style cross members at the back. The teeth are supported with strong braces welded to a round cross member. It weighs 450 pounds.

A spring with a hoop at the top keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use. It has hydraulic couplers that fit John Deere couplers. Not the new flat faced design.

It has a durable design with gusseted teeth and high strength tubular steel cross members. This grapple is recommended for lighter grade work like moving surface debris, brush, and small logs. It is not designed for digging and pulling trees, rocks, or roots from the ground.

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60″ John Deere Root Grapple Bucket

fits Quick Tach 200 – 500 series

Features:

• Fits John Deere loaders (hook and pin).
• Top pin set fits H120, D120, 210, 200x, 200cx, 300cx, 300x, 305, 400x, 400cx, 410, 419, 420, 430, 440, & 460 series loaders.
• Bottom pin set fits 500, 510, 520, 521, 540, 541, & 542 series Ag loaders.
• Hose spring and protective canvas sleeve keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use
• Hoses and couplers are included
• Twin 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Weight: 565 lb
• Width: 60″
• Opening Height: 25″
• Teeth Length: 30.5″
• Top Teeth Thickness: 1/2″
• Bottom Teeth Thickness: .4″

Overview

The 60-inch John Deere root grapple bucket fits John Deere quick tach 200 to 500 series. Compatibility is ensured with two sets of pins at the bottom. The top pin set fits the John Deere H, 200, 300, and 400-series series loaders. The bottom pin set fits the 500 series Ag loaders. It does not fit any loaders equipped with the Global/Euro style or universal Skid Steer style mount.

This is not a heavy-duty unit, but rather a lightweight unit with 1/2-inch steel upper teeth and 0.4 inches (¹³⁄₃₂ inch) bottom teeth. The lightweight design won’t tax your loader’s power. The Titan 60-inch grapple is ideal for picking up and moving small logs, brush, debris, etc. It is well built and protected with a powder coated finish in John Deere green. The included hoses are long and protected by a steel spring and protective canvas sleeve. The sleeve should protect the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use. The hose ends are compatible with John Deer style hydraulic couplings.

The independent grapples ensure a better grip on difficult and uneven loads. Twin 3,000 PSI cylinders control the twin lids. The serrated leading edge of the bottom tines provide improved grip. This grapple is not intended for heavier duty, commercial grade work, like digging or pulling trees, rocks, roots from the ground.

The Grapple weighs 565 pounds, and the overall width is 60 inches. The eight 37 inches-long teeth at the bottom of the grapple are spaced 8½ inch apart. The opening height is a bit on the small size, only 25 inches. But I think this was measured from the upper cross member of 3-inch x 3-inch steel. From the top of this cross member to the bottom of the grapple, it measures 29½ inches.

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72″ Root Grapple Bucket

Fits John Deere Quick Tach 200 – 500 series

Features:

• Fits John Deere loaders (hook and pin).
• Top pin set fits H120, D120, 210, 200x, 200cx, 300cx, 300x, 305, 400x, 400cx, 410, 419, 420, 430, 440, & 460 series loaders.
• Bottom pin set fits 500, 510, 520, 521, 540, 541, & 542 series Ag loaders.
• Hose spring and protective canvas sleeve keeps the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use
• Hoses and couplers are included
• Twin 3,000 PSI cylinder
• Weight: 565 lb
• Width: 60″
• Opening Height: 25″
• Teeth Length: 30.5″
• Top Teeth Thickness: 1/2″
• Bottom Teeth Thickness: .4″

Overview

The Titan 72-inch grapple bucket fits John Deere & is ideal for picking up and moving small logs, rocks, etc. It is an extended version of the 60-inch grapple with 9 teeth spaced 9 inches apart. Like the 60-inch unit, it is well built with 1/2-inch steel upper teeth and ¹³⁄₃₂ inch (0.4 inches) bottom teeth, powder coated finish, and protected hoses. It is not a bucket design, but the ends are open, which allows you to pick logs longer than 72 inches.

The upper independent grapples make it easy to move difficult and uneven loads. The serrated leading edge of the bottom tines provides improved grip and can easily tear through small roots and brush. This grapple is not intended for heavier duty, commercial grade work. It is not intended for digging or pulling trees, rocks, and roots from the ground.

It’s got all the features of the 60-inch root grapple bucket including the spring-loaded protective canvas sleeve that prevents the hydraulic hoses from getting pinched when in use

The two independent upper grapples are each operated by a 3,000 PSI cylinder mounted on pin and bushing with greasable nipples. As can be expected, it is heavier than the 60-inch unit, weighing 621.7 pounds. Before you buy it, you have to look up the tables in your manual to determine if it will fit the vehicle.

The specified opening height of 25 inches is most likely measured from the upper rear cross member. The teeth are a comfortable 37 inches long, and the back end of the grapple is 29½inch high.

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How to Safely Use your Tractor Grapple

I’m someone who is concerned about safety. This comes from many years of attending safety meetings and induction courses. So safety is always on my mind. While writing this article, I’m thinking about the possible dangers of operating a loader with a grapple. I felt the urge to include a guideline of safe actions that won’t always be obvious to the untrained. Always keep in mind that a loader with a grapple can be hazardous and can cause serious harm or death.

Never fool around with this type of equipment, it’s intended for serious work and must be operated by a trained person. Never lift or carry anybody on the loader or in the bucket. For that matter, never allow anyone to get under the loader bucket or reach through the tines when the bucket is raised. If you need to dislodge something wedged in-between tines, lower the bucket first. Do not pass or work under a raised grapple, even if it is securely blocked or held in position, accidents happen. Be safe.

When you are working in built-up areas, you have to be more observant of overhead obstacles like cables, piping, overhead construction, etc. Avoid overhead wires and obstacles when raising the bucket. Contacting electrical lines can cause electrocution, or the grapples can get stuck on it and possibly damage it.

The hydraulic fittings used to operate the grapple are under 3,000 psi pressure. If you suspect a leak, never use your hands to feel for escaping fluid. Hydraulic fluid that’s escaping under pressure can penetrate the skin, and must be surgically removed to avoid gangrene. When searching for hydraulic leaks, wear eye protection, thick leather gloves and use a piece of cardboard or wood rather than your hands.

Always relieve hydraulic pressure before you disconnect hydraulic lines. I’ve seen people doing this without even wearing safety glasses. It’s dangerous, always wear safety glasses when using, repairing or servicing machines.

When servicing the grapple or replacing pins in cylinder ends, fulcrum points, etc., always use a brass drift and hammer to avoid injury from flying fragments.

Despite videos that went viral on the internet, depicting small children operating a big loader, I wouldn’t recommend this. Never allow children to operate the loader, it is not a toy and children generally lack the needed coordination and insight. Always be aware of all people, particularly small children in the area of operation. Cease operation whenever anyone comes within the danger zone.

Never stand next to the loader when operating the grapple, get in the seat so that you can quickly react if things go wrong. When lifting debris, rocks, etc. allow the dirt some time to fall through the tines before you move it. Tines can be spaced quite widely and will allow rocks to fall through. Always be careful when moving the loader with a raised loaded bucket and avoid obstacles like loose fill, rocks, and holes in your path. They can be dangerous for loader operation or movement. Be extra careful when working on inclines and keep the grapple close to the ground to lower the center of gravity.

When making turns, allow for the loader length and keep the extended grapple in mind. Keep it low and not raised high to see through underneath it, look over it. Even though the lifting equipment is very powerful and robust, stop the loader arms gradually when lowering or lifting. Rapid, jerky actions can damage the equipment.

Be cautious when handling large, heavy objects, such as logs, oil drums, etc. It can dangerously upset the loader’s balance, causing it to roll over, or upending the tractor.