How to Use a Root Grapple on a Farm Tractor

A grapple rake makes firewood processing easier.

A grapple on your tractor's front end loader adds a new dimension of dexterity and precision. You're no longer limited to just scooping: Now, you can grab. If the grapple is attached to a root rake, rather than to a bucket, you're even able to grab things below the surface of the soil. Your tractor must be equipped with an extra hydraulic circuit and with an appropriate control for that circuit before you can add a grapple--familiarize yourself with the controls before engaging in any work. As in normal loader operation, the main hydraulic controls lift the rake up, lower it down and curl it on an axis at the lower rear portion of the rake. The third hydraulic control opens and closes the grapple.

Instructions

Moving a Brush Pile

1. Approach a brush pile and lift the arms so that the rake is positioned above the pile.

2. Curl the rake forward to its limit.

3. Open the grapple.

4. Lower the arms slowly as the rake enters the pile, then close the grapple.

5. Simultaneously curl the rake backward and lift the arms. This will clear a portion of the brush from the pile, which you can now move to a more appropriate location for chipping, burning or composting.

Clearing Roots from the Soil

1. Open the grapple.

2. Curl the rake forward, so that the rake tines are at a slight downward angle relative to the ground.

3. Apply downward force on the lift arms, but do not lift the front tires completely off the ground. You must maintain steering control.

4. Drive forward slowly and carefully. You will feel the rake tines engaging roots. Maintain control of the tractor at all times. A deeply embedded root may fail to yield, and the tractor can flip over in an instant if you're moving too fast. Never do any root clearing work at a fast pace.

5. Curl the rake backward and lift the arms when the rake is full or when the tractor first begins to loose traction.

6. Move the roots to a conveniently located brush pile for burning or composting.

Moving Firewood

1. Cut firewood to a length three of times the length that you normally burn in your fireplace or wood stove. For example, if your stove accepts 16-inch wood pieces, cut the wood to 48-inch-long pieces.

2. Stack logs that are manageable. Leave large logs where they were cut.

3. Open the grapple.

4. Lift the loader arms and curl the grapple rake forward, so that it is positioned directly above a large log or stack of smaller logs.

5. Lower the arms and close the grapple around the logs. Curl the rake backward.

6. Move the logs to a spot convenient for storage of your final wood pile. Cut to final length and split, as needed. This process involves much less hand lifting and allows you to use a saw buck to do half or more of your chainsaw work.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is not intended to be a substitute for the owner's manual for either your tractor or grapple rake. Read, understand and follow all safety guidelines found in those manuals.

• Never operate a grapple rake without a properly ballasted tractor.

References

• "Grapple Rake Owner's Manual"; Millonzi International; 2003