Branch Manager Grapple.

[colb]

Thanks for the heads up. I've been running my Avant 528 like anything I could lift or push or pull was fine, it would either do it or nother have the power to do it.

You may be able to. Lots of variables. Tracks might generate more force proportionately to machine weight than tires, your cylinders may be beefier, etc. Mine busts when I am maximizing the force I can exert on a tree root system to tilt it out of the soil. I can be gripping the root ball directly, or be gripping the trunk at the base of the tree. Nowadays, having broken two cylinders, I pluck a few more side roots before ripping out, and keep my machine at ~80% max leverage.

 

[tree MDS]

Hey Dave,

Is there a trick to hooking up the remotes to the Grapple? When we try to connect them, one guy has to do the couplers while the other bumps the hydraulic lever. Both of them are usually cussing. Whats the trick?

The worst thing is taking the grapple off and leaving the hoses exposed to direct sunlight. They lock right up when you go to put it back on. We always try to find a shady spot for ours, that and do all the other tricks mentioned.

 

[Fivepoints]

It also helps if you don't clamp the bmg all the way open or all the way closed. We always shut the machine off and bleed the pressure down before disconnecting.

 

[Serf Life]

Likewise and no issues even in sun. Tip for that is having the correct wrench and or crow’s foot for cracking the fittings stored on the mini (in the tube or sleeve with manual etc).

 

[MA Arborist]

I think it depends on which machine you have.

We hardly ever had a problem reconnecting couplers on our 323 Dingo

Now we have a 8 series Kanga and 8 times out of 10, we have to crack a fitting (to relieve pressure) to reconnect. It’s a pain in the ass and we’ve tried every method to alleviate the issue.

 

[tree MDS]

Mine might have a little more pressure than your average dingo, not sure.

 

[Merle Nelson]

I think there is a fix for that guys. Avant has the mechanical advantage of leverage in a 10 inch long handle and I think there is mech advantage in some camming action too. Never a challenge to connect or disconnect.

Branch manager has a similar add on product/connector.

 

[MA Arborist]

Mine might have a little more pressure than your average dingo, not sure.
View attachment 75152

What? That little thing?
No way!