Great video! Removing the leaning tree was quite an undertaking. Danny is a very skillful tree surgeon. He definitely knew what he was doing. You did a great job moving the leaning tree with Johnny. Tim, thanks for sharing the lessons you learned with us.
Great combination of voiceover and live background, you join them together flawlessly, nice work. I like the way you show the learning curve with new attachments, many people won’t admit they weren’t perfect when trying new things out.
1 - THANK YOU for helping that lady out that needed the clean up. 2 - There is always a learning curve!! I don't care what your doing, it's always there, nobody is an expert the first time. 3 - We appreciate you being humble. We ALL make mistakes. By showing us yours will help us learn & improve! Thanks Tim & family :-)
As a new tractor/grapple owner myself, I really appreciate your video... To my own surprise was just how hard it is to see from the seat while operating... It helps to have a "ground/support" person helping/directing/signals with the angles and motion...Thanks.
Hi Tim May I suggest next time you have a dangerous tree snag as on your video you tie a long chain or rope to the base and drag it out from a safe distance.
All great tips!!! Since I mostly work alone I find a nice bull rope and a couple snatch blocks (pulley type) are my favorite redirection accessories. Some of that wood was really nice and straight grained, shame it couldn't be milled... Thanks Tim! 😃👍
I would have pulled the tree down with a chain, as previously suggested, anchored low at the base of the tree after laying it over one of your larger precut logs to provide "lift" to the base of the tree to help prevent it from digging into the ground when you started pulling on it. Excellent video, as always. Hope to meet you and the family at the "show".
Glad to observe your learning efforts. They say you learn a lot more from observing mistakes and I’m glad you were willing to share yours and admit to them. I recently bought a grapple bucket (4 in 1) for my DK-45SE. It’s from Titan and very heavy duty. Your video saved me some mistakes and I couldn’t agree more about it being seriously useful.
Great video! We watched it in class today. Keep up the great work and thanks for the narration technique- helps my students follow your thinking process!
Great Job and video Tim. You did a good job of explaining what you were doing and learning. And I agree about the communication with your crew always very important in those type of situations for everyone to know what they are doing!!! Have a great day and God Bless
What I appreciate most is your honesty in admitting your mistakes and breaking them down, to help others in the same situation. It's hard to point out our mistakes, let alone publish them. My body is full of scars from a lifetime of learning mistakes the hard way. I still keep going, try and learn from my mistakes, and pass on the knowledge when I can. Now here's my "coming up with reasons to use my tractor" 2cts. Take the fence out, using the tractor, pull tree down, using the tractor. Get 3pt post hole digger, put fence back up, using the tractor. Lol. Growing up in the northern Wisconsin woods, there are never a shortage of dangers when cutting trees. I love you stressed the communication, and the idea of video taping if only to get a different angle to review and see mistakes. Keep trucking, I enjoy your videos.
We have a saying at work......if you never make a mistake it probably means you aren’t doing any work. We learn a lot of different ways but one of the biggest ways God teaches us is through our mistakes. Keep it rolling Tim 😎👍
That was our thought. There is not enough video of the 'behind the scenes' preparation stuff. It gets too boring. So, best I can do is to narrate some of the thoughts we were having during the projects. Thanks for your comment.
Great video. I just got a grapple for my BX23S.. There is a learning curve with everything new. I took some good tips away from what you shared. Especially with loading the grapple with logs on the ground. Thanks
Use a chain to pull the tree down and avoid a permanent twist/kink/damage in the FEL. Roll the grapple forward until both teeth are touching ground, while spanning 2 logs, then close and wiggle as you close to nestle them in the jaws. Oh, there you did it. And you figured out to continue to pressure the jaws closed as you work. If hydro power is not sufficient, it will fail, you'll drop loads, and this means you don't have enough HP to do a decent job. Seems like you're figuring it out nicely.
Absolutely!!!! No sir Tim no 1025r. Perhaps in my future! LOL. I've had a 430 GT since 72 I completely restored! with some important attachments! Love it. A 1025 would fit in my garage with little angst. LOL. It's finding room for the attachments.
If there were no challenge to it, there would be no fun. I agree on the brush cutter. Deciding how to tackle the situation is the fun part. Just mowing out in the middle of a field is less interesting.
You had the perfect project to learn the ropes of the grapple. I like the way you are editing some of your videos, adding some slow motion on certain things you are trying to point out in your voice overs. I think explaining situations helps the viewer understand what you are trying to do or not trying to do. It seems to me you are doing more of that and that's a good thing, at least IMO. We haven't made a final decision whether we attending the farm show, but we may show up.
I really hope you guys come. We got an AirBnB, as the hotels are EXPENSIVE. After we booked it, Christy and I realized that we should have called you and got a suite with multiple bedrooms. Oh well. We really hope you can make it.
Thanks for another great and informative video. I keep a 40 foot cable handy and use it with my tractor to pull those hangers down. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about taking a fence out when I move them.
Yea, as I said to another commenter. I simply didn't think of using a chain to pull it until I was editing the video. I suppose I had a new tool (grapple), and that was all I could think about! Pulling with a chain would have been the best approach. ...assuming Johnny could have pulled it.
flick22601 be amazed about what you can do with a tractor that look to big for you to pull youd have to get rid of the brush hog for your drawbar or 3pt to pull from
With my 8N I hook on to the bucket and pull the hanger.backwards with a chain. That way it puts the tractor between me and the butt end if it decides to kick and I can see what's going on. Don't know if those two 1/8 inch pins on the JD quick hitch will stand up to a heavy pull.
B Laquisha 7/8 lift pins not 1/8 and 3/4 top link pin. My boom pole grandpa built years ago was setup with cat 1 pins. the pins lock washers broke with age and the pins were rusted bad you couldnt turn the nuts so i finally just cut the lift pins off and replaced them with cat 2 pins. The 3pt should be able to handle all the power its tractor puts out just as long as you respect it and dont slam them by having say 10ft chain slack and mashing the hydro pedal. Ive stood my tractor up on the rear pulling with the boom on a cat 2 3pt using a cat 1 implement
Tim you did great. Live and learn, just be careful when doing your projects. I noticed one of the comments about you running out of room in your barn. Just a thought what about making another roof high enough to put your bucket, grapple and couple other attachments under so you can have that extra room inside. Anyways, keep up the good work Tim and stay safe.
The plan is for a truck to bring my 60" HD Root Grapple Rake from Titan tomorrow afternoon! Hope to have a picture for them and a video of my own on it. Looks like a dandy. I can no longer bear hug down limbs after a storm. Some are leg diameter. Upper leg that is so the weight is up there. I plan to saw with my jaws as well. Better in the air than in the dirt. Martin
Great training material Mr. Tim !!! Also you have a great crew to work with !!! That means a lot !!! I appreciate you sharing all the information !!! The more I watch your videos the more I am convinced that my little BX is way under powered compared to your JD. Continue to be safe my friend and God bless you all !!!!!! Eddy
Great video. I agree it can get dangerous in the woods especially when your alone. You should have someone else to keep an eye on the equipment operator.
That was a very informative video. The grapple looks like a great attachment to have. Your video sure shows that there is quite a learning curve with using one.
Right now, I am using a set of pallet forks for moving logs around. It works pretty well, but you do need to be aware of the balance point for the logs that you are lifting. Does the grapple require additional hydraulic connections to the tractor? Can you operate the jaws independently from each other?
it does require a 'diverter kit'. I show the installation of that in another video. Let me know if you can't find it. I cannot operate the jaws independently of each other, but there is no need. They each clamp down as hard as they can, and they don't have to be 'even'. Not sure if that makes sense. The jaw of least resistance moves first. ...but if you keep going, both will clamp (or release).
Very nice job. I'm still learning how to work my 4-way bucket. I don't have the flat land you have, so I just push some of it over a knoll/hill for safety sake.
No Tim, it was put on by the John Deere dealership where I bought the 3039r and I'm not computer savvy enough. try Frontier equipment; they supple Deere You really have to keep your wits about you because of the added weight when bucket is loaded with gravel. I use a ballast box all the time with it.
Without a FOPS or cab even small branches falling can whack the Dickens out of ya. I always recommend wearing a hard hat for any open station tree work. Great vid making that diverter valve earn it's keep! That would take some getting used to for me, after having a 3rd function on everything I have used up to this point.
Tim, I thought you did just fine for the first time operating a grapple. Yes that tree was,a little hairy at first but you handled it slow and easy. Thanks for the update. Take care and God bless.
Mark a spot on your bucket position rod (sharpie) that indicates the proper position to keep the grapple arms from digging into the ground. This will keep you from tilting the grapple too far during a pick-up. Hope this is a clear description.
I know you’ve been beaten up enough about NoT using a chain to drag the tree safely, but honestly, (luckily) you were smart enough to drop the load as the tree became unsnagged AND that didn’t twist and torque your grapple tines, even though that tree looks small, it probably weighs as much as that tractor... definetly a do’s and donts video...I’m in the market for a rock bucket grapple and haven’t thought about continuing to clamp while curling!
Great video.... I own one of these 1025 tractors but I don't have the backhoe. I have been wrestling with the idea of trading in my Johnny for a unit with a backhoe but now that I've seen this video, maybe I just need a grapple bucket. I have about four acres of land to clear and I thought a backhoe with a thumb would help. I have to say I appreciate your honesty in your videos. We all make mistakes or could have made better decisions at some point, and real men admit to that fact. You take it a step further and use your mistakes as a teaching aid. Walk tall - you deserve to. God Bless. Michael
If you are picking up a bunch of small sticks placing them in front of a tree as you drive up to the pile it will compress and help get more into grapple.
That's quick learning from what I see. Not sure if it's dangerous to keep the jaws open when pushing large objects, but I personally prefer to keep the jaws closed when pushing large upright objects (like trees) since it seems to create fewer points that could catch the object if/when the object starts falling and twisting under it's own weight. Really about the only time I open the jaws is when I'm picking an object up - or I'm going to use the lower tines like a rake. Granted I'm also working with a single (large) lid grapple, so the effect is sort of like having a big fist that I use to push on a (preferably living and upright) tree while keeping the tree inline with the axis of the tractor drawbar (which reduces my worries about creating undesirable torques through the loader arms). So with that I basically use the tree trunk as a convenient lever to push on and break the rooks on one side of the tree, then once the tree has fallen the rootball can be rolled (like a wheel) to break the remaining roots, at which point it's just a matter of picking up the tree and hauling the whole thing off. While I haven't tried it with a double lid grapple, I suspect that method would work just as well with one, so I figure it was worth sharing as it took me a while to learn that technique for quickly removing trees. Of course, when that little trick dawned on me it also taught me that sometimes it's worthwhile to literally backup and approach the problem from a different direction, because sometime it's just necessary to do something "stupid", but the really trick is just to take the time to find the smartest way to do it.
Artillian does not want us to push with the top jaw of the grapple. The bottom jaw is super strong, but the top not suitable for pushing. They want it to be clamping only.
ahhh... well, that's interesting as from what I understand the manufacture recommendation for mine (it's not an Artillian grapple) is just the opposite. I guess it just goes to show that's worthwhile to read manuals and look to manufacturer direction as different manufactures may have very different recommendations for similar types of equipment. Either way I'd think the technique for pushing over trees should work lid closed or open -- in fact thinking throw it, there might be cases where lid open might help lower the overall contact point on the tree (which should help to keep the trunk stiffer and avoid flexing)
Unless you're cutting them, trees will typically fall the opposite way you think. I recently unbound a leaner with my log peavey only to have it slide and wedge further into another tree. I considered many ways to get it to fall only to settle on pulling it from the base with my Honda Pioneer, it was leaning away from where I would pull it. Fearing it would slide down and come at me when I pulled the bottom out, I added extra chain to my choker to put some distance between me and the tree. I barely tugged it and then froze as I watched it fall toward me, better to stay under the ROPS was my thought. It glanced off a smaller tree and fell about 5ft to my left. It wasn't pretty, but nobody else was there to see it and it's now on the firewood pile!
Great videos. I never thought a compact tractor could do the heavy work you are doing. But I won't be giving up my JCB 215 anytime soon, maybe get a Johny like yours to keep her company.
Don’t worry Tim you did just fine like you said you were just learning the same thing could’ve happened to anybody as far as I’m concerned you did a good job👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You touched on it, but still curious why you pick up so much from the fully dumped position and not as much like a set of forks??? That fully uncurled position is quite a weak on for the loader. Just curious. Maybe I'll ask over at GTT cause there are so many comments here. I have same name there. Good vids though!
After living in WV most of my life, it’s crazy to me how flat it is where you live. They say folks from WV are born with one leg shorter than the other so we can traverse the hills. I say, that’s not a leg, lol.
As far as danger, we’ve found ourselves in some nasty situations at work taking trees down. Especially when the trees get stuck in neighboring branches. I’d like to say I’ve gotten pretty good at scooping up logs on the pallet forks, dumping them into a pile and picking them all up at once. Not just that, I managed to do it in an area where the trees were so close together you had less than an inch between the wheel and the tree. Something else to take into consideration. When learning something, don’t try to master efficiency right off the bat. Get a feel for it first. Once you feel competent with normal operation then you can start to work on productivity. I noticed you trying to pick up a large load of logs all at once. Take a few less, an amount you know you’ll be able to handle. And work up from there.
I would have used a chain to get that one tree down. You are only linked in one direction to it and from the video, it appeared that you would have at least one second from the time the tree was clear at the top to before it was down to fence level so you could have pulled it far enough to not hit the fence.
Tim, When are you going to give more details on the new Grapple? Also, could you give us some info. on their joystick switch and maybe compare the difference.
Tim I'm just curious why wouldn't you guys tie a rope on that leaning tree and pull it down safely from a distances ?? I'm only curious as to why that wasn't a option ? I know i wasn't there lol glad everything worked out great ! Thankyou for the great video's !! God Bless !
Ahh see i only asked because in the other video's a rope was used .... Anyway you got the job done safely ! Its nice to see "the learning curve" of all the different implements
Since you asked: I dislike the term "Safety Sally" way too dismissive of very real dangers and taken completely out of context by inexperienced and irresponsible operators. I actually knew a guy got killed by a dead-fall sitting in a tractor seat in his own backyard. There is a reason they call them "widowmakers." Lesson learned? A long chain, cable or rope hooked to Johnny and pull the deadfall down from a safe distance is always the preferable way.
Well, David. I have known folks killed or injured with equipment as well. I think Safety Sally's are a particular type of person that wants to point out every potential crazy outcome no matter how remote. They want to insist that they (and only they) know best. To follow all of their rules essentially means that you can't do the job. If pushed, they usually will say 'hire a professional'. My analogy is this. When your child is 1-2 yrs old waddling through the kitchen, you tell them "Stay away from the stove, it is hot". ...no matter if it is hot right then or not, you teach them to avoid the stove. By the time they are teenagers, you are asking them to stir the mac-n-cheese, etc. ..and by the time they are 25, you are saying, "Hey! you need to be cooking for yourself. You can't afford to go out all of the time, you MUST cook!". You are a long time watcher, and I very much appreciate your ongoing comments and support. So, I think you'll understand that one of our objectives on this channel is to help folks move from the 1-2 yr old model to the teenager model. You CAN do this stuff. Some of the stated safety rules are guidelines aimed at 1 yr olds rather than rules aimed at someone with a bit more experience. Recognize the danger, but push the situation a little bit. Just take your time, stop and talk it over if necessary, and sometimes push a bit harder. It often takes that type of determination to accomplish the goal. This is why we show some approaches and techniques that cause some to go crazy. Having said ALL of that...you are right on the 'pull with a chain' approach. I thought of that approach LONG after the project. In fact, I thought of it while editing the video. Even made a little commentary scene about wishing I had used that approach. However, I was afraid that it would distract from the video and generate a rash of 'you are an idiot' comments. Anyway, good call on that idea. Again, thanks for your comments. I hope you find my response respectful.
Thank you for the response. I hope you took mine in the same character. As you wrote I tried to offer what I feel like is a safer alternative. That being said I have been and continue to operate tractors since I was a teenager and admit I'm firmly in the do as I say not as I do camp. I still screw up and learn everyday.
> I still screw up and learn everyday. Exactly. We make mistakes. As long as they are 'contained' mistakes, we learn, and get better. I did in fact take your comment very positively. Your comments are always excellent (and sometimes a hoot!)
Well seeing as you pointed out all the mistakes, you took all the wind out of my sail. Actually I didn't see much that I wouldn't have tried too. I did see something that I have been thinking about. I think I'd want the grapple that had the one piece gripper the width of the rake. Not sure I'd like the 2 piece system. Thanks for the video and showing the learning curve.
Just fine Tim however long chain/strap and make a logging choker on one end and just pull it down slow. Would have worked out well too. I like to watch this as i'm just into the market for the 1025r right now and eventually going to get the grapple.
Excellent video. Thankyou for sharing. Just remember, like ya said, its all a learning process with new equipment. Im still learning with my 1025R as well and im at the 50hr mark. Its ready for all the filter & fluid change over kit. I gottuh question for ya. What type of control are you using to close & open your grapples with????
It looks like he has over 300 lbs on the back just with the suitcase weights, not to mention the weight of the quick hitch and the frame the weights are attached to. Probably over 350 lbs. A box blade made for that size tractor is not going to weigh any more than that.
Good informational video Tim. Thought you did a great job. I live in Michigan, and I haven't been down to the Kentucky show in years. Would be nice to go again. But so much to do and very little time. The more videos you post of that grapple, the more I want one. But they sell the grapples in singles right? So I'd have to buy two if them to match your setup correct?
Tim, I'm a bit concerned about Johnny's frame. Up front you have the grapple and heavy logs, hanging way out in the back it looks 300 or 400 pounds. I'm not sure where the fulcrum point is. Just aft of the front wheels I guess. Just a thought. I don't knew enough about this stuff to plug a nickle.
Well, he is built pretty tough, especially for his size. The front axle is likely the most vulnerable point. The rear ballast helps to relieve some of the stress on it.
George Post while i haven't used a 1r I have operated both a 6r and 5m that have been ballasted with both liquid in the tires and a Brown tree cutter (couple thousand pounds) out on the 3pt hitch and the machine with a grappled load that I discover has more tension or weight than i calculated always pivots on the front axle. While the it's built to take the weight what happens is issues with the 4wd as the coupling that drives the front axle isn't designed to move the whole machine plus weight of the load. Besides stablity it's one of the reasons that ballast is so important.
Did I catch that you can clamp down with the diverter valve while raising the loader arms? Researching the 1 series I seem to find conflicting information on simultaneous bucket roll + lift/lower.
Well, the info is 'conflicting' because the machine will technically do two functions at once, but there is not enough hydraulic flow (or perhaps the scv isn't smooth enough) to do two functions smoothly. You kind of learn to deal with this. It is entirely workable.
Hey Tim. I picked up a 1023 model and I’m looking at equipping it with a rear mount mower. Just wondering what size you have on the back of Johnny in the video? I am gauging what mine can handle. Thanks. Really enjoying all of your content.
I had used the rotary cutter just before this video. I may post that... just a couple minutes, but good stuff. I took it off just after and replaced with heavy hitch to be more handy.
It fits by about 1/2 inch. In fact, as I drive in, I have to push the door up the last 1/2 inch or so to keep from catching the bottom of the door. I have already caught the bottom of the door a couple of times,and bent it a little bit.
Hey Tim, I removed the rubber boot covering my main hydraulic control lever on my John Deere 1025R to lube it. Have you done a video on replacing this boot or getting it to fit back in there to keep the weather out?
Not much detail...I did so in the diverter kit install video just before this video, but not too much detail on putting the rubber grommet back in. I just stuffed it in and went on. Probably didn’t get it in right.
Great video! Removing the leaning tree was quite an undertaking. Danny is a very skillful tree surgeon. He definitely knew what he was doing. You did a great job moving the leaning tree with Johnny. Tim, thanks for sharing the lessons you learned with us.
Thanks very much, Lod!
Great combination of voiceover and live background, you join them together flawlessly, nice work. I like the way you show the learning curve with new attachments, many people won’t admit they weren’t perfect when trying new things out.
1 - THANK YOU for helping that lady out that needed the clean up. 2 - There is always a learning curve!! I don't care what your doing, it's always there, nobody is an expert the first time. 3 - We appreciate you being humble. We ALL make mistakes. By showing us yours will help us learn & improve! Thanks Tim & family :-)
Thanks Duke!
Thanks for willing to be vulnerable in order to help others. You're a class act!
Thanks Jim. Very Kind.
As a new tractor/grapple owner myself, I really appreciate your video... To my own surprise was just how hard it is to see from the seat while operating... It helps to have a "ground/support" person helping/directing/signals with the angles and motion...Thanks.
Thanks Tim. I bought a new grapple and will be mindful of your lessons learned
Hi Tim May I suggest next time you have a dangerous tree snag as on your video you tie a long chain or rope to the base and drag it out from a safe distance.
Especially since there is no FOPS on that machine.
and then crush the fence... He did it okay.
All great tips!!! Since I mostly work alone I find a nice bull rope and a couple snatch blocks (pulley type) are my favorite redirection accessories. Some of that wood was really nice and straight grained, shame it couldn't be milled... Thanks Tim! 😃👍
I would have pulled the tree down with a chain, as previously suggested, anchored low at the base of the tree after laying it over one of your larger precut logs to provide "lift" to the base of the tree to help prevent it from digging into the ground when you started pulling on it. Excellent video, as always. Hope to meet you and the family at the "show".
one day at a time we all should learn something every day! enjoy the new tools!
That new grapple has done absolutely nothing to keep me warm over the last week or two :-)
Great video Tim. It's hard to appreciate how hard the grapple is to see and operate from the seat unless you've experienced it first hand.
Loved the video. Always say we learn more from out mistakes and seeing others mistakes than seeing it done right 1000 times.
Yep!
Glad to observe your learning efforts. They say you learn a lot more from observing mistakes and I’m glad you were willing to share yours and admit to them. I recently bought a grapple bucket (4 in 1) for my DK-45SE. It’s from Titan and very heavy duty. Your video saved me some mistakes and I couldn’t agree more about it being seriously useful.
Great video! We watched it in class today. Keep up the great work and thanks for the narration technique- helps my students follow your thinking process!
Great Job and video Tim. You did a good job of explaining what you were doing and learning. And I agree about the communication with your crew always very important in those type of situations for everyone to know what they are doing!!! Have a great day and God Bless
What I appreciate most is your honesty in admitting your mistakes and breaking them down, to help others in the same situation. It's hard to point out our mistakes, let alone publish them. My body is full of scars from a lifetime of learning mistakes the hard way. I still keep going, try and learn from my mistakes, and pass on the knowledge when I can. Now here's my "coming up with reasons to use my tractor" 2cts. Take the fence out, using the tractor, pull tree down, using the tractor. Get 3pt post hole digger, put fence back up, using the tractor. Lol. Growing up in the northern Wisconsin woods, there are never a shortage of dangers when cutting trees. I love you stressed the communication, and the idea of video taping if only to get a different angle to review and see mistakes. Keep trucking, I enjoy your videos.
We have a saying at work......if you never make a mistake it probably means you aren’t doing any work. We learn a lot of different ways but one of the biggest ways God teaches us is through our mistakes. Keep it rolling Tim 😎👍
Thanks Much, Herman!
good job for demonstrating to us the do and don'ts of the grapple
We who never did anything like this learned what to do we thank you
PaK
Two Rivers Wisconsin
Good to show this sort of activity. Also, good work planning and preparing and looking after your tractor as well as you and the workers. Nice job!!!
That was our thought. There is not enough video of the 'behind the scenes' preparation stuff. It gets too boring. So, best I can do is to narrate some of the thoughts we were having during the projects.
Thanks for your comment.
Great video. I just got a grapple for my BX23S.. There is a learning curve with everything new. I took some good tips away from what you shared. Especially with loading the grapple with logs on the ground. Thanks
Thanks for the videos Tim. I will be looking for you at the Farm Show!
You'll have to yell. Obviously, I won't recognize you!
Hey you did better than I would do for the first time
Use a chain to pull the tree down and avoid a permanent twist/kink/damage in the FEL. Roll the grapple forward until both teeth are touching ground, while spanning 2 logs, then close and wiggle as you close to nestle them in the jaws. Oh, there you did it. And you figured out to continue to pressure the jaws closed as you work. If hydro power is not sufficient, it will fail, you'll drop loads, and this means you don't have enough HP to do a decent job. Seems like you're figuring it out nicely.
LOL!! Wisdom is indeed in the counsel of many. Great job. Stay safe. Learning quite a lot. Little tractor is impressive when used correctly!
...and in the counsel of the Lord.
Did you say you have a 1025r?
Absolutely!!!! No sir Tim no 1025r. Perhaps in my future! LOL. I've had a 430 GT since 72 I completely restored! with some important attachments! Love it. A 1025 would fit in my garage with little angst. LOL. It's finding room for the attachments.
Good job. Every attachment has a learning curve. Even with something as simple as my brush cutter. Learning when to back in to a patch or drive in.
If there were no challenge to it, there would be no fun. I agree on the brush cutter. Deciding how to tackle the situation is the fun part. Just mowing out in the middle of a field is less interesting.
Tractor Time with Tim What is the led light bar for on the toolbox?
That type of scenario you pull with a line and chain from safe distance FYI.
For sure. chain would have been safer and faster.
@@burtcmcalpine Yeah I was kind of wondering why he didn't put a strap on there and pull it. Then again fancy new grapple to play with.
Oh yea, go with the chain or strap.
Yup, yup. Twist that frame and throw you right off that tractor. Bend the loader, get hurt. Nah. Get a chain. Fencing is cheap.
Thankfully I’ve never made a mistake with my tractor. Wink, wink. Nice video Tim and really nice grapple.
Yea, now with all this video, I can't even lie about such a thing :-)
You picked it up, no pun intended, real quick. Excellent work and you are no a grapple pro!
Always fun to learn something a bit more 'complex'. This thing is fun to operate. ...but it really can make one look stupid.
You had the perfect project to learn the ropes of the grapple. I like the way you are editing some of your videos, adding some slow motion on certain things you are trying to point out in your voice overs. I think explaining situations helps the viewer understand what you are trying to do or not trying to do. It seems to me you are doing more of that and that's a good thing, at least IMO.
We haven't made a final decision whether we attending the farm show, but we may show up.
I really hope you guys come. We got an AirBnB, as the hotels are EXPENSIVE. After we booked it, Christy and I realized that we should have called you and got a suite with multiple bedrooms. Oh well.
We really hope you can make it.
That is a pretty good video on the grapple. Defiantly shows you have to use every attachment to really learn the tricks of the trade.
Thanks for another great and informative video. I keep a 40 foot cable handy and use it with my tractor to pull those hangers down. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about taking a fence out when I move them.
Yea, as I said to another commenter. I simply didn't think of using a chain to pull it until I was editing the video.
I suppose I had a new tool (grapple), and that was all I could think about!
Pulling with a chain would have been the best approach. ...assuming Johnny could have pulled it.
whit a rope is the good and safe way
flick22601 be amazed about what you can do with a tractor that look to big for you to pull youd have to get rid of the brush hog for your drawbar or 3pt to pull from
With my 8N I hook on to the bucket and pull the hanger.backwards with a chain. That way it puts the tractor between me and the butt end if it decides to kick and I can see what's going on. Don't know if those two 1/8 inch pins on the JD quick hitch will stand up to a heavy pull.
B Laquisha
7/8 lift pins not 1/8 and 3/4 top link pin. My boom pole grandpa built years ago was setup with cat 1 pins. the pins lock washers broke with age and the pins were rusted bad you couldnt turn the nuts so i finally just cut the lift pins off and replaced them with cat 2 pins. The 3pt should be able to handle all the power its tractor puts out just as long as you respect it and dont slam them by having say 10ft chain slack and mashing the hydro pedal. Ive stood my tractor up on the rear pulling with the boom on a cat 2 3pt using a cat 1 implement
Tim you did great. Live and learn, just be careful when doing your projects. I noticed one of the comments about you running out of room in your barn. Just a thought what about making another roof high enough to put your bucket, grapple and couple other attachments under so you can have that extra room inside. Anyways, keep up the good work Tim and stay safe.
The plan is for a truck to bring my 60" HD Root Grapple Rake from Titan tomorrow afternoon! Hope to have a picture for them and a video of my own on it. Looks like a dandy. I can no longer bear hug down limbs after a storm. Some are leg diameter. Upper leg that is so the weight is up there. I plan to saw with my jaws as well. Better in the air than in the dirt. Martin
Great training material Mr. Tim !!! Also you have a great crew to work with !!! That means a lot !!! I appreciate you sharing all the information !!! The more I watch your videos the more I am convinced that my little BX is way under powered compared to your JD. Continue to be safe my friend and God bless you all !!!!!! Eddy
That is interesting to hear, Eddy. I'd love to try a BX someday...just so that I could have a fair comparison.
Great video. I agree it can get dangerous in the woods especially when your alone. You should have someone else to keep an eye on the equipment operator.
That was a very informative video. The grapple looks like a great attachment to have. Your video sure shows that there is quite a learning curve with using one.
Well, it wasn't THAT bad. Within an hour, I was doing pretty well with it.
Right now, I am using a set of pallet forks for moving logs around. It works pretty well, but you do need to be aware of the balance point for the logs that you are lifting. Does the grapple require additional hydraulic connections to the tractor? Can you operate the jaws independently from each other?
it does require a 'diverter kit'. I show the installation of that in another video. Let me know if you can't find it.
I cannot operate the jaws independently of each other, but there is no need. They each clamp down as hard as they can, and they don't have to be 'even'. Not sure if that makes sense. The jaw of least resistance moves first. ...but if you keep going, both will clamp (or release).
I found your video on the grapple installation. That answered my questions. Like I said, that is a neat attachment!
Very nice job. I'm still learning how to work my 4-way bucket. I don't have the flat land you have, so I just push some of it over a knoll/hill for safety sake.
can you post a link to your 4-way bucket?
No Tim, it was put on by the John Deere dealership where I bought the 3039r and I'm not computer savvy enough. try Frontier equipment; they supple Deere You really have to keep your wits about you because of the added weight when bucket is loaded with gravel. I use a ballast box all the time with it.
Without a FOPS or cab even small branches falling can whack the Dickens out of ya. I always recommend wearing a hard hat for any open station tree work. Great vid making that diverter valve earn it's keep! That would take some getting used to for me, after having a 3rd function on everything I have used up to this point.
Tim, I thought you did just fine for the first time operating a grapple. Yes that tree was,a little hairy at first but you handled it slow and easy. Thanks for the update. Take care and God bless.
Thanks Ron. Did you get snow?
Mark a spot on your bucket position rod (sharpie) that indicates the proper position to keep the grapple arms from digging into the ground. This will keep you from tilting the grapple too far during a pick-up. Hope this is a clear description.
I know you’ve been beaten up enough about NoT using a chain to drag the tree safely, but honestly, (luckily) you were smart enough to drop the load as the tree became unsnagged AND that didn’t twist and torque your grapple tines, even though that tree looks small, it probably weighs as much as that tractor... definetly a do’s and donts video...I’m in the market for a rock bucket grapple and haven’t thought about continuing to clamp while curling!
Great video.... I own one of these 1025 tractors but I don't have the backhoe. I have been wrestling with the idea of trading in my Johnny for a unit with a backhoe but now that I've seen this video, maybe I just need a grapple bucket. I have about four acres of land to clear and I thought a backhoe with a thumb would help. I have to say I appreciate your honesty in your videos. We all make mistakes or could have made better decisions at some point, and real men admit to that fact. You take it a step further and use your mistakes as a teaching aid. Walk tall - you deserve to. God Bless.
Michael
Wow Michael. Thanks for the kind words. The Artillian grapple is amazing. However, I’m not sure it is a substitute for a backhoe!
Watch those widow makers Tim. Now you need a cage on Johnny to protect you. That grapple was the perfect tool for this clean up and fun to watch.
Great video! Thanks for letting us learn along with you. I'm new at this as well and this was very helpful.
Welcome Raymond!
If you are picking up a bunch of small sticks placing them in front of a tree as you drive up to the pile it will compress and help get more into grapple.
That's quick learning from what I see.
Not sure if it's dangerous to keep the jaws open when pushing large objects, but I personally prefer to keep the jaws closed when pushing large upright objects (like trees) since it seems to create fewer points that could catch the object if/when the object starts falling and twisting under it's own weight. Really about the only time I open the jaws is when I'm picking an object up - or I'm going to use the lower tines like a rake.
Granted I'm also working with a single (large) lid grapple, so the effect is sort of like having a big fist that I use to push on a (preferably living and upright) tree while keeping the tree inline with the axis of the tractor drawbar (which reduces my worries about creating undesirable torques through the loader arms). So with that I basically use the tree trunk as a convenient lever to push on and break the rooks on one side of the tree, then once the tree has fallen the rootball can be rolled (like a wheel) to break the remaining roots, at which point it's just a matter of picking up the tree and hauling the whole thing off.
While I haven't tried it with a double lid grapple, I suspect that method would work just as well with one, so I figure it was worth sharing as it took me a while to learn that technique for quickly removing trees. Of course, when that little trick dawned on me it also taught me that sometimes it's worthwhile to literally backup and approach the problem from a different direction, because sometime it's just necessary to do something "stupid", but the really trick is just to take the time to find the smartest way to do it.
Artillian does not want us to push with the top jaw of the grapple. The bottom jaw is super strong, but the top not suitable for pushing. They want it to be clamping only.
ahhh... well, that's interesting as from what I understand the manufacture recommendation for mine (it's not an Artillian grapple) is just the opposite. I guess it just goes to show that's worthwhile to read manuals and look to manufacturer direction as different manufactures may have very different recommendations for similar types of equipment.
Either way I'd think the technique for pushing over trees should work lid closed or open -- in fact thinking throw it, there might be cases where lid open might help lower the overall contact point on the tree (which should help to keep the trunk stiffer and avoid flexing)
Unless you're cutting them, trees will typically fall the opposite way you think. I recently unbound a leaner with my log peavey only to have it slide and wedge further into another tree. I considered many ways to get it to fall only to settle on pulling it from the base with my Honda Pioneer, it was leaning away from where I would pull it. Fearing it would slide down and come at me when I pulled the bottom out, I added extra chain to my choker to put some distance between me and the tree. I barely tugged it and then froze as I watched it fall toward me, better to stay under the ROPS was my thought. It glanced off a smaller tree and fell about 5ft to my left. It wasn't pretty, but nobody else was there to see it and it's now on the firewood pile!
Good story.
just goes to show you when you can see things from different angles things look different nice video
Great videos. I never thought a compact tractor could do the heavy work you are doing. But I won't be giving up my JCB 215 anytime soon, maybe get a Johny like yours to keep her company.
Makes sense.
Great video - thanks again! I always learn something.
Don’t worry Tim you did just fine like you said you were just learning the same thing could’ve happened to anybody as far as I’m concerned you did a good job👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Good vid. A very educational vid. Thanks.
I thought you did excellent! its all a learning curve. I'm not sure if I want a grapple or a 4 in 1 bucket. cant decide.
Never tried a 4-in-1. Maybe I’ll get a chance sometime.
great vid Tim
You did just fine. Practice makes perfect.
You touched on it, but still curious why you pick up so much from the fully dumped position and not as much like a set of forks??? That fully uncurled position is quite a weak on for the loader. Just curious. Maybe I'll ask over at GTT cause there are so many comments here. I have same name there. Good vids though!
Rather than burning brush and downed trees, use them to make check dams in dry wash's around the property. You will be pleased with the results.
Very informative- thanks!
Great video. I have the same tractor it has 3200 hrs. (mostly mowing hrs.) Anyway fyi tannerite works well on widow makers & lots of fun.
After living in WV most of my life, it’s crazy to me how flat it is where you live. They say folks from WV are born with one leg shorter than the other so we can traverse the hills. I say, that’s not a leg, lol.
good job everything has a learning curve
Thanks Gerald!
As far as danger, we’ve found ourselves in some nasty situations at work taking trees down. Especially when the trees get stuck in neighboring branches.
I’d like to say I’ve gotten pretty good at scooping up logs on the pallet forks, dumping them into a pile and picking them all up at once. Not just that, I managed to do it in an area where the trees were so close together you had less than an inch between the wheel and the tree.
Something else to take into consideration. When learning something, don’t try to master efficiency right off the bat. Get a feel for it first. Once you feel competent with normal operation then you can start to work on productivity. I noticed you trying to pick up a large load of logs all at once. Take a few less, an amount you know you’ll be able to handle. And work up from there.
Good stuff. I think I mentioned that. It is often faster to pick up one and go rather than fiddling trying to get the entire stack
I think you did good, first time and all. A big round branch weighs more than it looks.
I would have used a chain to get that one tree down. You are only linked in one direction to it and from the video, it appeared that you would have at least one second from the time the tree was clear at the top to before it was down to fence level so you could have pulled it far enough to not hit the fence.
Tim, When are you going to give more details on the new Grapple? Also, could you give us some info. on their joystick switch and maybe compare the difference.
Video today showing precision grapple in use.
Tim I'm just curious why wouldn't you guys tie a rope on that leaning tree and pull it down safely from a distances ?? I'm only curious as to why that wasn't a option ? I know i wasn't there lol glad everything worked out great ! Thankyou for the great video's !! God Bless !
Didn’t think of that option until several days later!!! Had the grapple on my mind I guess.
Ahh see i only asked because in the other video's a rope was used .... Anyway you got the job done safely ! Its nice to see "the learning curve" of all the different implements
Tractor Time with Tim I guess when you have a hammer in your hand, every problem looks like a nail.
th-cam.com/users/tghoffmannvideos
th-cam.com/video/bRTIwWUg4fc/w-d-xo.html
See you in Kentucky Tim!
Looking forward to it!
Since you asked: I dislike the term "Safety Sally" way too dismissive of very real dangers and taken completely out of context by inexperienced and irresponsible operators. I actually knew a guy got killed by a dead-fall sitting in a tractor seat in his own backyard. There is a reason they call them "widowmakers." Lesson learned? A long chain, cable or rope hooked to Johnny and pull the deadfall down from a safe distance is always the preferable way.
Well, David. I have known folks killed or injured with equipment as well.
I think Safety Sally's are a particular type of person that wants to point out every potential crazy outcome no matter how remote. They want to insist that they (and only they) know best. To follow all of their rules essentially means that you can't do the job.
If pushed, they usually will say 'hire a professional'.
My analogy is this. When your child is 1-2 yrs old waddling through the kitchen, you tell them "Stay away from the stove, it is hot". ...no matter if it is hot right then or not, you teach them to avoid the stove. By the time they are teenagers, you are asking them to stir the mac-n-cheese, etc. ..and by the time they are 25, you are saying, "Hey! you need to be cooking for yourself. You can't afford to go out all of the time, you MUST cook!".
You are a long time watcher, and I very much appreciate your ongoing comments and support. So, I think you'll understand that one of our objectives on this channel is to help folks move from the 1-2 yr old model to the teenager model. You CAN do this stuff. Some of the stated safety rules are guidelines aimed at 1 yr olds rather than rules aimed at someone with a bit more experience. Recognize the danger, but push the situation a little bit. Just take your time, stop and talk it over if necessary, and sometimes push a bit harder. It often takes that type of determination to accomplish the goal.
This is why we show some approaches and techniques that cause some to go crazy.
Having said ALL of that...you are right on the 'pull with a chain' approach. I thought of that approach LONG after the project. In fact, I thought of it while editing the video. Even made a little commentary scene about wishing I had used that approach. However, I was afraid that it would distract from the video and generate a rash of 'you are an idiot' comments.
Anyway, good call on that idea.
Again, thanks for your comments. I hope you find my response respectful.
Thank you for the response. I hope you took mine in the same character. As you wrote I tried to offer what I feel like is a safer alternative. That being said I have been and continue to operate tractors since I was a teenager and admit I'm firmly in the do as I say not as I do camp. I still screw up and learn everyday.
> I still screw up and learn everyday.
Exactly. We make mistakes. As long as they are 'contained' mistakes, we learn, and get better.
I did in fact take your comment very positively. Your comments are always excellent (and sometimes a hoot!)
Nice video you are My favorite youtuber!
Thanks Victor!
Well seeing as you pointed out all the mistakes, you took all the wind out of my sail. Actually I didn't see much that I wouldn't have tried too. I did see something that I have been thinking about. I think I'd want the grapple that had the one piece gripper the width of the rake. Not sure I'd like the 2 piece system. Thanks for the video and showing the learning curve.
I really like that the 2 clamps can clamp an uneven load securely on each end.
Yah well you would have to point that out. I didn't think of that.
Good learning experience.
Great video!
Just fine Tim however long chain/strap and make a logging choker on one end and just pull it down slow.
Would have worked out well too.
I like to watch this as i'm just into the market for the 1025r right now and eventually going to get the grapple.
Excellent video. Thankyou for sharing. Just remember, like ya said, its all a learning process with new equipment. Im still learning with my 1025R as well and im at the 50hr mark. Its ready for all the filter & fluid change over kit.
I gottuh question for ya. What type of control are you using to close & open your grapples with????
Rodney, I have an entire video showing installation of the artillian diverter kit.
Easily my favorite attachment you have..... Everyone should have a grapple!
consider a box blade for ballast...good for ground work too. Nice video!
It looks like he has over 300 lbs on the back just with the suitcase weights, not to mention the weight of the quick hitch and the frame the weights are attached to. Probably over 350 lbs. A box blade made for that size tractor is not going to weigh any more than that.
Yep, I see that now, The first few minutes he was rockin the mower deck. That was the impetus for the comment.
I had just used the mower to cut some brush. Didn’t show in the video...
Good informational video Tim. Thought you did a great job. I live in Michigan, and I haven't been down to the Kentucky show in years. Would be nice to go again. But so much to do and very little time. The more videos you post of that grapple, the more I want one. But they sell the grapples in singles right? So I'd have to buy two if them to match your setup correct?
Yes. Of course you don’t have to buy it all at the same time. Start with just a single clamp.
Tim, I'm a bit concerned about Johnny's frame. Up front you have the grapple and heavy logs, hanging way out in the back it looks 300 or 400 pounds. I'm not sure where the fulcrum point is. Just aft of the front wheels I guess. Just a thought. I don't knew enough about this stuff to plug a nickle.
Well, he is built pretty tough, especially for his size. The front axle is likely the most vulnerable point. The rear ballast helps to relieve some of the stress on it.
Yea, kind of a new thought to add so much voice-over. It seems to be working well in these recent videos.
Next step, time elapsed video shot from a drone, with voice over explanations. I know, talk to the finance committee. Ha ha
Tractor Time with Tim Mighty Moe Excavating gives you a thumbs up !
George Post while i haven't used a 1r I have operated both a 6r and 5m that have been ballasted with both liquid in the tires and a Brown tree cutter (couple thousand pounds) out on the 3pt hitch and the machine with a grappled load that I discover has more tension or weight than i calculated always pivots on the front axle. While the it's built to take the weight what happens is issues with the 4wd as the coupling that drives the front axle isn't designed to move the whole machine plus weight of the load. Besides stablity it's one of the reasons that ballast is so important.
Those jaws seem pretty handy. You will be pro in no time.
Felt pretty good at it later in he project.
Great info! love your channel and love all of your videos. Make me think even I can do it....
your tractor looks as if its not scratched at all. Mine looks like I decided to polish it with rocks. How do you keep it so nice?
It has some wear, but we try!
I really like your narration during these grapple videos. Do you have a link connection to artillian ?
artillian.com/Grapple.htm
Thanks for your feedback. The narration has seemed to work pretty well.
Very helpful! Thanks!
Did I catch that you can clamp down with the diverter valve while raising the loader arms? Researching the 1 series I seem to find conflicting information on simultaneous bucket roll + lift/lower.
Well, the info is 'conflicting' because the machine will technically do two functions at once, but there is not enough hydraulic flow (or perhaps the scv isn't smooth enough) to do two functions smoothly. You kind of learn to deal with this. It is entirely workable.
Good stuff, now I know for sure! Thanks!
wonder if Artillian would "provide" a grapple for an old guy with a green tractor?
Hey Tim. I picked up a 1023 model and I’m looking at equipping it with a rear mount mower. Just wondering what size you have on the back of Johnny in the video? I am gauging what mine can handle. Thanks. Really enjoying all of your content.
4’
Tractor Time with Tim do you think it could handle any bigger?
I would not recommend larger
Great video Tim! Is the brushog on for ballast? Where’s all the snow?
I had used the rotary cutter just before this video. I may post that... just a couple minutes, but good stuff.
I took it off just after and replaced with heavy hitch to be more handy.
This was shot Dec 19 I think. Pre-snow. same project as "grapple does the work of 6 men"
I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO IT WAS REALY HELPFULL
good vid keep it up tim
I musta missed a video... why do you have the CASE backhoe since you already have the one for the JD?
I think you've missed several videos. Watch the videos in this playlist to catch up: th-cam.com/video/pRFhBCuL7po/w-d-xo.html
Perfect job.
The difference between a diverter valve and true 3rd function.
Good stuff!!!
i do this all the time and i start blocking it off until i get it short enough to handle or it falls to the ground.
Suggest you build your hinge then "break" the hinge with a winch or long chain pull. That should keep people and machine out of harms way.
How did you get Casey in the garage? It looks several inches higher than the door opening
It fits by about 1/2 inch. In fact, as I drive in, I have to push the door up the last 1/2 inch or so to keep from catching the bottom of the door. I have already caught the bottom of the door a couple of times,and bent it a little bit.
Hey Tim, I removed the rubber boot covering my main hydraulic control lever on my John Deere 1025R to lube it. Have you done a video on replacing this boot or getting it to fit back in there to keep the weather out?
Not much detail...I did so in the diverter kit install video just before this video, but not too much detail on putting the rubber grommet back in. I just stuffed it in and went on. Probably didn’t get it in right.
I was just checking that vid out. Thank you for your time and all the great vids!
Good video!
Thx!
Good information!!
Where will your booth be? We are coming to shop for a great deal on a tractor.
We don't have a booth. We will be wandering around the show ourselves.
Have you been to the show before?