Got a new toy for my new toy! I've been wanting a grapple bucket since I first saw one 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
It opens up to 36" and all the tines are 1/2" steel plate.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F380408_2214149688215_1681757389_1515154_571871523_n.jpg&hash=b6a3b5833f173097fd8aeae12fe2b084)
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F380408_2214149728216_1681757389_1515155_1933133921_n.jpg&hash=d8cfac5806775847f21bbb7c800775a4)
No problem lifting and moving logs around now.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F379551_2214127007648_1681757389_1515140_394191423_n.jpg&hash=5b607ddda7009886b75df848b5c1acd8)
Even grabbing it one end so I can hold it off the ground and cut it up.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F380408_2214149848219_1681757389_1515157_1762899980_n.jpg&hash=57d03ec03f06d5951a4a04ba6d2735d9)
Then I grabbed some 30" popple rounds and moved them to the splitting pile.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc7%2F380408_2214149888220_1681757389_1515158_1612031038_n.jpg&hash=a74ea761311fa43c66e2ee55f1885134)
Then on to picking up brush and moving it to the burn pile.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F380408_2214149928221_1681757389_1515159_222633756_n.jpg&hash=0448aaef2e9d37c817c194289d21f6cf)
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F409448_2214170008723_1681757389_1515162_1891141439_n.jpg&hash=b297b98086ae1b55ff01fffba49e83c4)
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F409448_2214170048724_1681757389_1515163_926008584_n.jpg&hash=efd4917660d4ceb7c7d764267ccf4da2)
This is the biggest log I moved. A good sized willow trunk. Clamped it down and lifted it no problem.
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F409448_2214170088725_1681757389_1515164_748096930_n.jpg&hash=3d48f5f8a891b15dbaa5e7d77ae860e8)
![WildKat Grapple WildKat Grapple](/talk/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F409448_2214170168727_1681757389_1515165_918989778_n.jpg&hash=3b749cd207bba4ebcb3216ba18329c1f)
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