OP Edit: 4/11/24

So here's the situation. I made the mistake of stopping at the Museum of the American GI on Monday on my way back from watching the eclipse to look at the Humvees Hawk-Aggie has for sale and now I really want one. Here's how it relates to this thread....

This morning I got on Ritchie Bros auction to get a few more grapples to flip, hoping that I can sell some grapples and sell my '98 Jeep and have enough to buy a Humvee. I wound up winning 12 grapples, which is way higher than normal. Guess today's auction just had less traffic, lucky me.

I have sold a bunch of these grapples in the past on Craigslist, FB, and even one here and I usually can get $800-$1200 profit if I'm patient. The prices I'm going to list below are for me to make $550 profit per unit to hopefully sell them quicker. I'm happy to share the invoice with anyone that is skeptical. I will list them $400-$500 higher on CL and FB so this really is a TexAgs special.

Would you be better off buying direct from Ritchie Bros? Yes. It's a great website and I recommend everyone check them out. It's where I bought my SxS, hay forks, ZT mower, and pallet forks. Keep in mind there is a minimum $100 buyer fee and 8.25% taxes added on. The biggest pain is getting loaded. I have been there for 4+ hours before and they are only open on weekdays so I usually burn a day of PTO to get loaded so I'm hoping that's where I can add $550 in value for you.

All that to say, below is what I have for sale and the prices. 281-798-7919

5- 78" Grapples, dual claw: $1600
3- 72" Grapples, dual claw: $1600
1 - 68" Grapple, dual claw: $1600
3 1 - 60" Grapple, dual claw: $1600
2 - 48" grapple, single claw: $1200

They come with skid steer hydraulic connections but I can put tractor fittings on them at no cost. They all have skid steer quick attach couplers which most non-green tractors use.

For $400 extra I can cut up the SSQA connections and weld on John Deere adapter plates. See further down in the thread for pictures

Price?

Updated OP

$1300

Bump. Open to reasonable offers.

Bump for OP edit.

How long are the hydraulic lines? I don't have a third function on my tractor so I'd have to run them to my rear remotes.

3-4' 6'. I was able to buy everything I needed to run off my rear remotes from tractor supply for around $200. You are welcome to check out my set up and move some logs if you want to get a feel for operating with the rear remote. It's a bit cumbersome at first but not hard once you get the hang of it. Sure beats $800+ for the valve switching kit. The hardest part is having the rear remote control on the same side as the FEL joy stick so you can only operate one at a time or use your left hand on the joystick.

Any idea on brand and weights of each size? Assuming by the looks that they are A36 steel and light duty grapples, not a bad thing.

They are tagged as "all star" on Ritchie bros but I have never seen where you can buy them direct. Some come with "made in USA stickers" but no idea if you can trust that. I would guess 500# for 48" up to 900# for 78".

Here's a "testimonial" from a guy that bought a 60" to put on a skid steer a few months ago. He was skeptical about the durability with a stronger machine (my tractor is 55HP) but he seemed happy.

If anyone manages to break one of these I'll trade it out or do what I can to fix it.

Picked up the grapples today. I'm converting a SSQA bucket I bought for a buddy to John Deere connections. I'll post pictures of that once it's done in case any JD guys are interested.

Been thinking about it, but trying how to add the third function for ease of operation.

I start researching and then get distracted.

Any links to a a third function kit and instructions?

Edit - Found your location in the title.

I'm just south of Conroe. I didn't spend too much time looking at valve switching kits due to the price. I just ran long hoses off the rear remotes to the FEL. Cost me around $200 all in at tractor supply.

If you send me your model number I would be happy to research valve switching kits. Install appeared fairly easy

Kubota MX 4800

I think this the one I keep leaning towards

Also suggested size of grapple?

I have a 55HP and I would keep a 68" or 72" for myself if I were to choose. Can't really go wrong though. Even the single claw 48" is very capable, just harder to manage wider loads. I have pushed these grapples to the limits of my tractor (picking up rear wheels or FEL maxed out on power) and they still have plenty to give.

I'll read up on switching kits for your tractor if I get some time tomorrow.

You're welcome to come test one out on my tractor to see how it feels operating off the rear remotes. It's a little cumbersome at first but easy to get the hang of.

Quick review of the kit you posted leads me to believe it's not a valve switching kit but a true 3rd function. When I was looking for my tractor it seemed like they all switched from one function to another. For example, in grapple mode you would lose the curl function and vice versa. It seems like yours could curl, lift, and grapple all at the same time which is really cool.

tamc93 said:

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Kubota MX 4800

I think this the one I keep leaning towards

Also suggested size of grapple?

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General rule of thumb is to go with the same size as your bucket, maybe one size larger.

What you want to look for is the weight though - buckets are surprisingly light, and your FEL capacity includes the weight of whatever implement you have on there.

So if you can pick up 1500lbs with your FEL, but your bucket weighs only 250lbs, you have an actual capacity of 1250lbs. Anything heavier than the bucket will negate your actual lifting capacity.

coolerguy12 said:

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They are tagged as "all star" on Ritchie bros but I have never seen where you can buy them direct. Some come with "made in USA stickers" but no idea if you can trust that. I would guess 500# for 48" up to 900# for 78".

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This is what I found on them for weights:

Quote:

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Root Style Grapple , * Made for Low HP Tractors and Skidsteers
Made in USA / Our grapple uses A36 steel with " sides / middles / and tongs. 2" x 8" Cylinder. Opens at 36". Compare and Save.

60" $1500 approx 525lbs
72" $1500 approx 575 lbs

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cool idea, may look into this for where I live. everyone and their mom has a skid steer and needs a grapple

Here's my 5 year old son cleaning up the hay from around our feeder. Sure would like to not will all these grapples to him.

I bought a SSQA bucket at the auction for my buddy with a John Deere tractor. Was able to cut it up and weld on a couple fittings to get it to connect to his John Deere. I would be willing to do this on a grapple for a John Deere but would need about $400 extra. It was a crap ton of cutting and welding plus the cost of the adapter plates. I'm not a professional welder by any means but it will hold.

Bump

Bump in case anyone needs a last minute Mother's Day present!

I think I'm in. Text me at (281) 814-7972

Hey what is your email address?
Or text at 3612125648

Just texted

Sold my last 72" tonight and have the 68" sold pending funds to a texager. Still have 48", 60", and 78"

Sold the 68" to Shoefly. Down to 48", 60", and 78"

coolerguy12 said:

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Sold the 68" to Shoefly. Down to 48", 60", and 78"

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Thanks Coolerguy, awesome piece of equipment. My sons looked it over and both said it looks well built. The best part was the price! I can't wait to start stacking.

Hope y'all enjoy it!

Sold two 78" grapples today. Edited quantities.

My jeeps transmission also took a dump over the weekend so I need to get that fixed before I go pick up a Humvee. Otherwise I would have been listing it this week. Bummer.

Down to 2 - 48", 1 - 60", and 2 - 78". I also think I figured out what was wrong with the jeep transmission so hopefully I'll have that fixed soon and ready to list.

My company is interested in one of the 78". Thanks!

Down to 2 - 48" and 1 - 60". Would be ready to go buy a HMMWV this weekend except my Jeep's transmission crapped out and is currently at a shop for a rebuild. Hopefully I can get that back together next weekend and listed.

I sold 3 grapples via TexAgs and the rest on CL and FB. Been a pretty good run.