Interesting - but how does it hook to the bottom pin of the JDQA?
If you look at the video around the 2:00 mark, he's attaching it to the JDQA, but it doesn't look like the bottom pins in anywhere. I hope I'm missing something.
I have had one for about 45 days or so the cost was around 1350 like most things it has its limitations. I have used it for brush clearing to moving downed trees and branches takes a little getting used to but for about the cost of adding the extra set of hydraulics does a good job. And it attaches just like the bucket or forks.
That looks really impressive. I wouldn't mind having one of those. That would make the firewood situation a lot easier and the log piling too. Please keep us updated with how you like it.
Looks like Westendorf improved them with the Cross Bar. With that Improvement I Might consider a set now. They Have had the Brush Crusher out for a few Years Now. A farmer down the road from Me has a set for a Year or so I think it's a BC 500 Model :flag_of_truce:
Looks like Westendorf improved them with the Cross Bar. With that Improvement I Might consider a set now. They Have had the Brush Crusher out for a few Years Now. A farmer down the road from Me has a set for a Year or so I think it's a BC 500 Model
This seems like a better design with the crossbar. Watching the first video, I don't understand how over time the small factory rod that spans between the quick attachments on the loader wouldn't get bent when picking up tapered loads. With the crossbar, the cylinders stay matched, and I would think that the small factory bar that spans between them would be much less likely to be twisted out of straight.
While I think this design is clearly better than the first version, I'd still prefer a grapple with full control even the the cost is more because of the needed 3rd function or diverter.
Watching the videos it's easy to see the limitations, like dumping especially.
I agree with that, one thing I noticed is the lift height is severely limited, and its design forces the load to be carried higher. I could see it being very touch and go if your property is uneven or steep. Being able to roll a traditional grapple up and carry the load lower is a huge advantage.
I agree with that, one thing I noticed is the lift height is severely limited, and its design forces the load to be carried higher. I could see it being very touch and go if your property is uneven or steep. Being able to roll a traditional grapple up and carry the load lower is a huge advantage.
I dig, scoop, wrench and pry with my grapple... I also like nay, need to have fine enough control over it to pick one branch/log from a pile of them, or from some brush. Alternatively I also like to go into a log pile and grab as many as I can. A hydraulic grapple is the only way I can go that-the Westendorf can’t do many of those functions.
Not to rain on anyone's parade..... it looks like a well built brush grapple that uses the curl function to close the jaws. Ingenious no doubt, but very limited in its versatility. I am sure there are folks on a limited budget who have a use for such an attachment, and it will serve them well understanding its limited capabilities.... I would love to do a side-by-side comparison to a hydraulically-operated grapple to demonstrate the pros and cons of each. That would be an interesting comparison.
Kudos to the Westindorf team for their ingenuity at providing a low-cost solution!
For my use, the EA 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple is the standard that its competitors need to beat!
I already have the Cadillac of grapples, and Artillian Grapple.
I was considering having one made to fit on my 375A backhoe to tear apart a beaver damn. The plan was to use the bucket curl to actuate the grapple action.
I am closer to having tractor access to the old beaver damn. If I ever get there, I might follow through with the plan.
As a simple grapple for occasional use they might be a pretty handy solution, especially if they have added some engineering to prevent twisting the loader frame.
Interesting. I don't really need or want a full-on grapple and hate to spend that much for something that will have relatively limited use, and pretty much for brush only.
A forum community dedicated to John Deere tractor owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about towing, PTO’s, reviews, attachments, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
