WildKat grapple

Got a new toy for my new toy! I've been wanting a grapple bucket since I first saw WKPoor's four or five years ago. I was going to build one but all my loaders were either too small or big to be working in the woods. But now that my Brother and I bought a skidsteer I just had to have one. While looking at pictures trying to figure out how I wanted to build one I found some reviews on TractorByNet. Of a WildKat grapple bucket. Even their econo bucket was very well built. And only $1050 and $188 for shipping. So I ordered one up and it came in last nite. And I got to play with it for a hour or so today. And it sure is handy!

It opens up to 36" and all the tines are 1/2" steel plate.





No problem lifting and moving logs around now.



Even grabbing it one end so I can hold it off the ground and cut it up.



Then I grabbed some 30" popple rounds and moved them to the splitting pile.



Then on to picking up brush and moving it to the burn pile.







This is the biggest log I moved. A good sized willow trunk. Clamped it down and lifted it no problem.





I still have to get to the JD dealer and see if I can get the foot pedals changed over to hand controls. Trying to run the bucket with foot controls is just awkward and jerky. While I am sure I would get better with them I just don't see me being able to get the smooth action I can with hand controls. But it can sure clean up a mess fast. And I am really looking forward to getting all the brush and logs cleaned up on the trails I made at the farm.

Billy

Looks like you will get a lot of work of that bucket. And I believe you will be able to get the hang of the foot controls after a while. Looks good.

You are having way to much fun with that thing. Looks like a good deal. When I saw the title of the thread i though we were going to get to see you wrestling a wildcat. What a disappointment.

Billy - you have the neatest toys!

Billy,

That looks like a great new “toy” for the Ax Man!

Have fun with it and be safe,

Billy:

Yeah.. you sure have some neat tools... errr toys I can see where a skid steer with a grapple would be real useful on any woodlot. Really useful and along with the rest of the accessories it makes for one of the most versatile pieces of equipment around I would think.

Keep having fun with the JD and more please sir ! cause you know we are addicted to em

That looks like a very useful attachment, I can see you getting a lot of good out of it.

Now you will need another wood lot soon.

Thanks Billy

I'm sure I will get better with the controls. But if I can change them over I will hand controls are just a lot smoother and natural for me.

Cool John

I don't think would be as much fun as dancing with the lister

Thanks BigDog

Ya know me I just love toys I can work with

Thanks David

Take care my friend

Thanks Rudi

I am looking for a hyd posthole digger for it. And taking my 3pt pto bushhog and and converting it to a skid steer front mount hyd drive.

Thanks Gary

Its a back and time saver for sure

Thanks Dale

Its going to take a while to clean up my 120 acres. But I will always be looking for more places to play

Billy

i got about three acers of land you and your toys can come and play in april.

Billy:

What about the limbing, cutting and splitting application Boy you could be in the firewood business real fast



I really like how the skid steer attachment works. Go through a pile of wood really fast and species wouldn't matter much I think.

Cool John

Neat Rudi

Thats the nicest one I've seen. The only problem with them is that they require fairly strait wood.

Have a great day my friend

Billy

Nice rig you have there Billy, I've placed tires on probably a hundred of them over the years but never had the pleasure to drive any of them.
Please be careful climbing in and out while loaded and never pass under the load.

Thanks Yogie

I have to pop the bead on one tire and clean it as its leaking air all the way around it. I've seen what happens when a hose blows on the boom of a excavator. Definitely don't want to be under one!

Billy

Thanks Yogie

I have to pop the bead on one tire and clean it as its leaking air all the way around it. I've seen what happens when a hose blows on the boom of a excavator. Definitely don't want to be under one!

Billy

Braking the bead down is easy Billy since they're usually a half size, let the air out and it'll probably unseal on it's own.
Might need to place a ratchet strap around the outside to get it to seal back up.