[sennister]

Sorry, you are right. There isn't a cylinder for the grapple. I was wrong. Confusion eliminated.

 

[CJadamec]

I mean if you want to get picky about it the original question was if I needed to worry about the transmission relief valve when adding the grapple. The answer to that was no, it's really not a worry.

Also there was a question of shimming the implement pressure which again is probably not needed and since I still have a ton of warranty left on my tractor, that probably a bad idea.

The grapple needs a cylinder and was intended to use the angle cylinder. If for some reason you have a spare cylinder by all means use it. On the promo video it shows that the bracket used to reposition the cylinder also locks the quick hitch in position to prevent it from angling. So I cant say that using a third cylinder would save much time when switching from grapple to blade.

If there is question on the usefulness and durability of the grapple then there is a multipage long post on another tractor forum of lost of people saying how much they love it. I for one have no doubt in my mind that the grapple will make my tractor more useful. If I'm wrong about that than I've still ended up with finally getting the front hitch for my tractor which makes getting a blower or plow much easier down the road.

 

[BOBL]

Buying a third cylinder would be a true waste of money. Just like shimming, buy the grapple and use it as intended before you decide that a third piston is needed. All you need is the angle kit for the quick attach front mount. Everything else, bracket, pins, comes with the grapple.

 

[nastorino]

Hmm might be pulling the trigger on one of these

 

[CJadamec]

Hmm might be pulling the trigger on one of these

Shoot the Mark, at innovative, an email or phone call. He said he has some grapples coming back from powder coat at the end of the week.

 

[nastorino]

I've chatted with him a couple months ago when I first stumbled across the grapple. I was shocked to hear he had been making them from 2016ish and I have never once seen a post or pic . I thought it was a one off or he was out of business. Turns out he just doesn't do a lot of advertising because they're built out of a home workshop like how so many others started out.

 

[so.fulton]

CJ..... looking forward to seeing you make use of that grapple!

 

[CJadamec]

I think I first saw the grapple when I bought my tractor back in 2018 and it's been on my wish list ever since.

We had a really bad gypsy moth infestation that year and the woods around my house took a beating. I have a lot of dead fall wood that needs to be cleaned up and am looking forward to not having to do it all by hand.

My financial official picked up a new (used) car this spring and I bargained for a budget for some tractor toys, er um attachments.

 

[CJadamec]

So I have another question for who ever might see it.

I have the choice between getting a hydraulic top link for my 3PH, or the 54" front blade. Both are useful in their own way and I have plenty of work scraping and grading to do.

Having the top link would sure make 3PH work a better experience. It's also a 20week lead time to get from fit rite.

Having the front blade would let me do all the fun things you can do with a blade. It's also something that is easily picked up at any of the local dealers and is a normally stocked.

I'm now on the fence on which to get over the other. Please internet people help me spend my money.

 

[eric102]

You need both

For dirt/gravel work the hydraulic top link makes life so much easier for adjusting the box blade and LS rake cut angles on the fly plus easy hookups with a quick hitch. It can also lift the implements quite a bit higher by retracting it all the way in when transiting rough ground.

The front blade is awesome in the snow but I've never been able master leveling dirt with it, for me a box blade works much better either pulling or pushing. I also use the hydraulic front hitch with my thatcher, works great in the float mode or for lifting it up in tight turns and clearing obstacles.

 

[BOBL]

I've had no issues using the 54" blade and hydraulic angle kit to move loam, rock, or anything alse that get's in the way of it. I have had zero, nadda, none, zip, no use for a hydraulic top link, even with my box blade.

 

[CJadamec]

I think I'm leaning towards the top link. It takes a long time to get. I already have a box blade so I can already do blade work.

Other than the obvious use for snow is there any other compelling reason to get the front blade?

 

[eric102]

Other than the obvious use for snow is there any other compelling reason to get the front blade?

Some have added the tractor shovel attachment to the blade, doesn't look real useful to me but I already have a loader on my 3320 for moving dirt and mulch.

 

[nastorino]

So I have another question for who ever might see it.

I have the choice between getting a hydraulic top link for my 3PH, or the 54" front blade. Both are useful in their own way and I have plenty of work scraping and grading to do.

Having the top link would sure make 3PH work a better experience. It's also a 20week lead time to get from fit rite.

Having the front blade would let me do all the fun things you can do with a blade. It's also something that is easily picked up at any of the local dealers and is a normally stocked.

I'm now on the fence on which to get over the other. Please internet people help me spend my money.

I wouldn't buy the 54" as it isn't wide enough when at full angle. Sure you can buy the superior extensions making it 72" but the fact you have to drill and fit it yourself is lame. For me the fitment was horrendous. I HIGHLY suggest the CTA 66" plow with the UHWM poly edge. I have used mine for the last 2 years to move mulch, top soil, moving brush and branches, and to roll de-limbed logs around. I didn't have a grapple or loader so using the plow to roll them into piles was much easier for me. Oh and it works great for snow

I don't have a 3pt on my x758 but when I get a 2R or 3R I will be adding a hydraulic top link.

 

[BOBL]

The 54" blade is wide enough to cover the width of an X7xx at full angle.

 

[BOBL]

Sorry gents, but I just made a deal on a new 1023e and the deal included my Innovative grapple. On the plus side I'll now have a JDAV20F.

 

[Zimmersci]

I have all the same uses everyone else has, except....... I had an old oil fired boiler that fell into the side of my steepest hill 25 years ago, and the same with an old washing machine. As the years went by I must have tried 100 times to pull them out of the side of the hill, up to the top, then down to the corner 500' away. Couldn't do it with my Explorer, Kubota, GT18, or X580. So by that time they were covered in vines, poisen ivy, and dirt.

The very day I received my grapple I mounted it (15 minutes), drove half way over the peak of the hill and bit down on the washing machine. I swore I heard it cry when the teeth of the grapple tore through the sheet metal and steel drum. I thought I heard it scream when I picked it up, backed up, turned around, and brought it down to the corner for Mr. Metal Man. Same thing with the 600lb cast iron boiler. Best tool I own!!!

I’ve had the grapple for 4 years on my X739 and it impresses anyone who sees its incredible performance. I seem to have an issue with the hydraulic cylinder (blade angle) not having the grip it used to have (“tore through the sheet metal”...). I have grip, but I think it has somewhat diminished. Any ideas brothers?

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

I’ve had the grapple for 4 years on my X739 and it impresses anyone who sees its incredible performance. I seem to have an issue with the hydraulic cylinder (blade angle) not having the grip it used to have (“tore through the sheet metal”...). I have grip, but I think it has somewhat diminished. Any ideas brothers?

Did you ever find a resolution to this? Looking to get a grapple and wondering if the shims are really needed or if the angler has failed some.

 

[teverk]

I used my Innovative grapple all last summer without shimming anything. I also lifted far more than 500lbs without any issue. I would recommend that anyone buying the Innovative grapple use the grapple and then decide if they need to shim. No exaggeration, but I felt very comfortable lifting 20 foot long 16" oak logs with mine. It's an amazing attachment.

PS - I'll know in the next couple of weeks if I'm upgrading to a 1 series, and if I do my grapple and wood chipper go up for sale.

I am looking at a Innovative grapple for my X739, do you need to remove the mower deck when you have the grapple on??
Thanks,
Steve Kopcial

 

[dkarst]

I am looking at a Innovative grapple for my X739, do you need to remove the mower deck when you have the grapple on??
Thanks,
Steve Kopcial

No, if I am going to do some serious work on rougher terrain, I drop off deck. If something fast, you can leave in place.