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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- In this video I try out the Heavy Duty RK by Top Dog Granite Grapple on The RK 37 Compact Tractor, I have use the Grapple on the RK 55 but curious if the RK 37 has enough to handle it well. I hope this set up works well for cutting firewood, clearing trails, and clearing woods.
www.rktractors.com
I miss the Rk tractors on the channel but i still enjoy watching. My plan was to buy a grapple for the RK55 with our tax return buuuuuuut, the wife decided that we needed a new front door and a new kitchen. Maybe next year grapple, maybe next year
This is like window shopping before Christmas. I wonder if my wife will agree. Thanks for sharing.
Nice set with that tractor!!👊
OK Mike, You convinced me...the RK37 would be the perfect tractor for me! That grapple looks like the cat's meow!
Can’t believe you pulled out those trees. Bam. Done. Also, thanks for the safety tips too. Once I made a sharp turn and almost hit the garage.
Yep! You found the camera, Mike! Love it all.
Sunday morning with a marathon run of Mikes videos, always good.
Yes Sir, the little engine that could. Great information Mike, enjoyed this one as always. Keep up the great videos. Back to my dreaming
Just bought the grapple for my Kubota B2601. That implement is So much of a time saver. It can root out a lot of vine material when digging but still leaves the top soil in place. I'm in Southern Oregon so it can pick up downfalls and brush. Love it!
Besides the bucket, the grapple looks to be the handiest attachment. Another good video, Mike.
Great job and a very handy attachment. Slow and steady is the way to go.
Very nice video Mike... Great advice....And nice to see you outside the cab.....Cheers
In Western Washington I use my grapple for ripping out blackberry bushes. I get the same feeling of joy when tearing them out of the ground and stacking them in my burn pile! Good video Mike!
With that piece of equipment you have her cleaned up in no time
That's next on my Christmas list. Greetings from Central Vermont.
That’s a nice grapple! Looks like it does great work
Thanks Mike for sharing, I have a real need for a grapple and have been doing my homework before purchasing one, I have a 32 hp tractor so I'm looking for a 55" or 60"
Another great video mike keep them coming.
Word to the wise if the back of the grapple bucket is open, and your lock levers for the quick attach are in the open behind it, put a piece of plate across the back of the bucket to protect them. Made this mistake with a skid steer and snapped one of my latching levers off with a limb that pushed straight through. I can't tell for sure in the video if yours is set up where they can be hit but might save ya a lot of headache if it is! Enjoy the videos! South Eastern Ohio here.
Mike, I recently read an article on NPR news about Lyme disease on the increase in your area. Be sure to check for ticks when you get home.
MIghty fine tractor work, Mike.
Hello Mike
That was a good video! I wonder sometimes if you would be better to have an 8 ton excavator for your property to dig out roots, clean ditches , load the trailer etc. But then watching the RK 37 at work with different attachments it's quite a handy size tractor . Looking forward to seeing more 👍
The video quality is really nice with that new camera. Grapple looks like a lot of destructive fun 😈😈
Great info Mike and you have it right on about breaking them if you don't take your time no matter what brand you have they all will break if you push them too hard ! Hope our RK gets the tractors in soon I like to look them over have a great weekend and take care and God bless ! Kioti Curt 😁😉👍🚜
Hello i am just south of litchfield illinois rural king store #4 they did not even have the RK yard rakes to look at ! they say they will be getting them and the tractor but dont know when they will get them in and dose RK even have a 3pt carryall like TSC they cant find one in the book !! thanks
RK Tractor Guy: Hopefully we get an RK store in Oneida, Tennessee in the near future.
You definitely need a store somewhere between Athens and Huntsville, AL.
And soon!
Yes i thought it was a RK one but they could not find it in the book do you have a # for it and could i get one sent to the store ?? and is that the newest version of it ? looks like you can use a quick hitch with it !! thanks !
Great Video Mike... We are in the process of purchasing a new tractor and would like to have the Grapple as one of our addition to the unit. Like you in PA we also have that undergrowth that will take over the world if you let it go. They recommended to have the Grapple to weigh within 50lbs of the bucket weight to keep the tractor balanced don’t know if you were aware of that... God Bless...Chief {NYS/ADK}
Hey, you've done pretty good Mike! I don't remember you knocking one over before (unless you cut it out lol). I like the camera up on the ROPS, nice view up there.
Would like to see how you operate the rake. Please show some footage of that.
the log test with that 37 is something i wanted to ask you to do so yippee
This video quality is amazing!
A suggestion for you Mike. In the next grapple video do a close up walk around of the grapple so that we can see its features, tine thickness, hydraulic location etc. It looks very similar to grapples made by Quick Attach Attachments, is that the manufacturer of these?
I found your videos with a random search for Kubota tractors. I watched 2, and was hooked. SOooo, I went back to episode 1, and watched ever single episode. I clicked the like button on 98%, and loved them. I have noticed that over time you have gotten more advertising on your videos, and while to some that can be annoying, I understand that you get paid for those so keep up the good work. Another very good thing I have noticed is that your videos are getting longer. I am hopeful that at some point you will be into the 30min plus length with the "compressed" spots that you do. Now that I am all caught up I hit that bell so I don't let any slide by. I would like to know what the retail price is for each of the RK tractors equipped as you received them. I am in Indiana and have searched a few Rural King's around and have not seen any for sale yet. Maybe a topic for a video soon to come? Great job and keep up the good work.
Keep the tractor videos coming.
I have a 65" Woods grapple but it has the bar and longer tines on the bottom, I use it for similar work as you do but I also move a lot of boulders, in the 2' to 3ft variety. I always thought the longer tines on the bottom have helped me with the larger boulders but it does tend to dig up a bunch of dirt like you described. Not sure if you have a lot of large rocks on your property but would be interested in seeing how they compare. Mine also has in independent clamping which I think also helps me.
Lmao Mike! I hope you didn't break the new camera! That would be my luck! Slow and steady is the way to go.it does a nicer job than a root rake on a dozer or track loader.
I've been watching your videos for a few months now. You guys do a great job! I live in southern WV and have similar interest and property that I enjoy working on. I have a L3901 Kubota and you have convinced me that I really need a grapple. now. I've been looking around and I really do like the RK grapples and I am ready buy one now. The only thing holding me up is knowing if it will mount to my quick disconnect on my loader. I've been looking at the grapples on the RK website, but I am having trouble finding any information on how they mount. I don't know much about the variety of quick disconnects out there. It would be nice to see a video on details of how you mount your grapples. Maybe some close up pictures and some measurements and more detail on how it locks into place that would be helpful in determining if it work on mine. Or maybe direct us to where we can find mounting details. Thanks!
Mike if the RK 55 did not have the cab would it be better in the woods then this one? Trying to decide on tractor size.... Bigger is better most of the time but I will be doing a lot of brush clean up, wood and such...
I think the 37 for woods work
Great video! I need one of those
I know autumn olives are a pain but you should look into using them for jam.
Cameras need to understand that when a man is clearing brush, it's war. He survived. ;)
If your wife knew how much fun you're having with the grapple, she'd be jealous!!
Liked this one a lot!
Made nice work of that ..
Hi Mike, You already look like an old pro at grappling. Curios as to what the grapple weighs? The RK37 seems to handle it easy enough. Looking forward to the next test.
Good stuff enjoyed that!!
Hi Mike,
Excellent video! When you recorded the video did you keep any footage of the rake on the rear being used. If so, It would be cool to see how that attachment works too. Also on the RK37 is that solid frame too like the RK55?
Thanks, Jim
Thank works pretty good!
Great video Mike. We have invasive vines species on our property in Michigan that I'm sure are a result of the fall and subsequent curse in the Garden of Eden,! Great joy clearing them out for the fire. Now I'll dream about a grapple each time I face off with them. Quick question. I see you wear headphones. Are they just for noise protection or are they also for music?
Use the headphones for both
Mike - an arborist may have been cringing watching you dig that close to the oak tree. I would love to know the opinion from an arborist. I have stayed away from using the grapple in this way to keep from ruining the shallow root system of the trees. Rule of thumb is no closer than the tree canopy to the trunk. Too close and you will be intruding on the tree roots.
I stopped the video and scrolled down the comments to see if anyone mentioned the good tree roots. I have brush cleanup to do and don't want to wreck my red oaks, pecan, sweet gum and elm. I don't want the pine toppling over with destruction either.
Mike, I as wondering your thoughts on a cab vs no cab tractor while using the grapple in brush clearing situations? Would the cab block your view as the operator much?
how high does the loader dump at you think you can load logs and dirt into the back of the truck i think it said loading height is only 6 feet
Mike do u have tooth bar for your tracker and do u recommend.
Does nice work and it would work well with my CTL on grapple work or Mulcher work
Our biggest invasive species, imho, here east of Atlanta is Chinese privet. The state recently spent untold taxpayer dollars clearing it from a park that showcases the various lichens that grow on granite outcroppings. The darn stuff sends out root runners and you can have a single plant covering acres. It's nasty, insidious stuff. I'm not a hater, but I purely despise Chinese privet. And people are still using it as an ornamental in their landscape. Idiocy! A lot of folks would disagree and claim kudzu was worse, but that can be eradicated by fencing it in with goats or hogs, which love it for forage and will root it out.
What gear do you do this on? LMH?
Just curious Mike, between the RK 37 and 55 which do you like best? Thanks. Mark.
Thanks, ♥it!!
Mike, is this a clearing job (just the ground cover)that you would tackle with the RK24?
Good info Mike and love watchin these types of videos.....well done....lol hope you didnt hurt your camera....
Don Motz, luckily no and it was one of the little sony ones, glad it wasn't the new one lol
Do you have morel mushrooms in your woods? Found a few pounds today. Thumbs up
They are in the area but pretty rare on our property
Mike, i am in the market for a grapple. Curious to know if you would prefer a grapple with longer tines/teeth on the bottom for debris cleanup?
How do you control the open and closing of the grapple? Dose it run of the 3rd function switch off the back?
Josh JoshaN, no has 3rd function and hydraulics up front and you control with loader joystick
Ok thanks I have the tym 37 and it didnt come with the connections up front. I was just wondering if it was a separate kit? Would have gone RK but no store up here in NY.
RK Tractor Guy I have T394
Mike i know your a very bizzy Guy but you mentioned Building a Food Plot is that still on your list or did i miss it?
If I get a few dry days you will see some food plot videos later this week
Mike, you also mentioned when you first got the RK tractors that you were going to have to build a garage to keep them in. You aren’t still keeping all four tractors in your garage at the house, are you?
Mike look up the green weight log chart. It will give you a very good idea on how much your log weighs. If you can’t find a good chart let me know I have a very good one that covers almost everything I have found in the eastern part of the state that I could email to you.
Not too much horsepower for the size of the grapple. Wheels will spin before you hurt something.
👍
Explain in a video how you take down those 6 to 8 inch trees. Especially like a white oak tree with a stubborn root ball.
Bruce Ingram, good idea, I will do that. Thanks
Have a question for you: Besides a dozer what do you think is the most efficient way to strip off topsoil and pile it. Looking at stripping one acre sections and piling it into one pile to later screen. So maximum distance is roughly 90 ft. Depth of topsoil approximately one ft. Thanks in advance. Do you think this job is well suited for a tracked skid steer or do you think a tractor 40hp is too small for this job. Great videos.
Monique Melanson, Tracked Skid Loader would be the way to go, dont get me wrong you could do it with a tractor but I would guess 70 or 80 up skidloader with tooth bucket would do the job at least 4 times as fast with a decent operator
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately with the Cat rental here you can not get toothed buckets only straight edge. I would still lean towards the tracked skid steer as I think it would be less destructive (rutting) and quicker than the tractor.
where is your trailer that you like so much, save you some time
Hey Mike I have a question, I cant help to notice the RK tractors similarities to a Mahindra. Are the RK tractors rebadged from a Mahindra?
I am very interested in a RK Tractor but it seems they are not available to me in my area of Florida (Northwest FL)
If you didn't find your answer yet they are TYM tractors.
Hi Mike. 76 acres, mostly wooded in Muskingum Co., Ohio
Just bought the RK55, hydrostatic cab. Two questions:
1) Is the Top Dog Granite Grapple a prototype? I have looked for it, but cannot find it anywhere, and I really want one.
2) Do you have grape vine in PA? It is almost as bad as the multifloral rose bush here. It will pull down trees which breaks my heart.
David Scott Boring, I got the first one but they made a large order and they are available now. I'm sure RK tractor guy will chime in with more info
RK Tractor Guy Thank you
This grapple does not appear on the RK website, nor on the Top Dog website. It would be nice to be able to see detailed specs on it on line, especially since the nearest RK location is roughly 150 miles away.
Well....that isn't exactly correct @RK Tractor Guy. They haven't been delivered yet, they are on the way. As I went to Store 81 today, they don't have them. You are getting ahead of yourself a little bit.
Mike, love your videos! Been waiting for our local RK to get the new tractors and they are finally here in west central Florida. I have 15 acres of mostly wooded property and trying to decided on RK 37 or 55, open or cab (it gets awefully hot and humid for 9 months out of the year here). Looking to get grapple ( they tell me at least a month before available here), box blade, rotary mower and auger for now. Want to make trails, clear downed trees, build back stop with dirt for gun range, etc. I'm wondering how the 55 with the cab works with going through the low hanging branches in the woods. Do you think I'm over buying with the RK 55 for this size property? Also you said you were coming around on the shuttle shift, I'm still trying to decide on that also. My only experience is with Ford 2000 Industrial gas with 4 speeds & high and low range. Sorry so long, just wanted your opinion, which I value highly. Have learned a lot from you! Thanks and God bless you and your family.
RK Tractor Guy Thank you for such a quick reply. ((Still trying to figure out this IPad and Utube thing). The tractor guys also say if I want the Hydro that's another month out. Who do they need to talk to about getting this straight? Was fixing to buy another brand when I saw Mike post the new RK 55 so have been patiently waiting for them to get here. I AM BUYING something soon. Just trying to nail down between 37 or 55 and open or cab, SS or hydro. Thanks for any help. BTW, its Spring Hill, Fl store.
Jim Johnson, either one will do what you need, the 55 will just get the bigger jobs done a little quicker. Being in Florida I will say this, the air in the 55 Cab blows cold! Lol
Tony and Scott are who I'm dealing with. I spent over 2 hours with Tony Friday evening. He's the one telling me I can't get grapple or hydro 55 for a least a month. Thanks.
I'm starting to think there is a big disconnect between @RK Tractor Guy and the actual stores. So I went to the store today (#81), wondering where my RK55 is that I ordered a week ago, only to find out that RK doesn't actually have the RK55HC for another 4-6 weeks - the TAC ran out. My good news is since the Grapples were just delivered to the main distribution, I can have the grapple with my tractor now that it will be delayed for a month. But the fact that there are two stores that don't have the grapples, while being told here they are actually there...starting to make me suspicious of how the info is being distributed.
@RK_Tractor_Guy - Yes, I get that, and you can thank Mike for videos #124 and #128 for helping make up my mind to buy the RK55. He encourages sharing information and starting conversations which is a great thing, and really the only reason I replied to your post. I didn't reply to your post to create any angst, rather to share that my experience differed quite a bit from the information you provided and seemed to align with what @Jim_Johnson was saying. Yes, I've heard the exact same reply from John each time I've checked in on my order, that is, he is waiting a delivery date from the OH-TAC. I find it an amazing logistical feat that on Sunday when I was in the office, my tractor was in a container on a ship somewhere between FL and Lake Erie and today you are telling me that I'll have it by the weekend. I'll happily comment to everyone that you've delivered in a fantastic manner when my tractor is sitting on my property on Friday. I get the spot inventory issues and am glad that your sales have stripped your inventory, I'm just looking for a reliable answer rather than the conflicting info that I've seen to this point. Thanks for checking in, it is appreciated in any case.
how is the control handle for your grapple it looks like it is at a weird angle to use it
Dumb question: why not shred the unwanted brush with a Bush Hog shredder? I have several and the heaviest duty one will shred 4" saplings.
amos snow, that invasive stuff just grows right back if you dont take roots and all
Ah. Down here we have same problem with a few viney types but the pine,pin oak, sweetgum etc are controlled well with shredding.
...not to mention the stobs a bush hog leaves are a major PITA! ...on tires, on other attachments, on your walking in that area, etc. Clearing it all out is the only way to go.
New ground, plant some water melons!
That's a shuttle isn't it? How different is it to do bucket or grapple work with a shuttle vs hydro? I've only ever driven a shuttle one time, just from point A to point B, so limited point of comparison there. I've used a 8F2R pretty regularly for box blade, bushhog, and disking, and a borrowed hydro occasionally for bushhog and bucket work.
I always like hydro for loader work but the SS is growing on me fast
When you've a bit more time with the shuttle shift, any chance you'll do a video talking about the advantages and disadvantages of hydro vs shuttle?
Do you prefer your rk or your Kubota?
no comment
Brother Mike; please put a quality cover over your head. You have no idea when a limb is going to drop on your head but from my little experience, it’s when you’re making noise in the woods. I promise you when it happens you’re going to be in shock! They are cheap insurance!!!!!
Earl - definitely wear a good helmet. A face shield or safety goggles is important. Usually, Mike has his sunglasses on.
HumbleHeart LOL, well I won’t pick anymore but I recall not that long ago I was mowing at the easement bottom of my pasture when this large pine tree limb hit the ground right next to me; I felt the force of the limb striking the ground through the tractor. I have a pretty substantial hunk of steel shade over my head but that limb would have done some damage had it hit my canopy top. With some protection you have a chance.
Shop new chainsaw stihl 462
adan fernandez: I’ve been shopping for a Stihl 462 and to my knowledge they have not yet been imported into the US. None of the dealers seem to know anything about them or when they’re going to be imported. Is there someone out there who has information on them?
Cliffside Acres I would like you to make videos a new stihl chainsaw.
That’s a nice grapple! Looks like it does great work