Grapple - anybody have an Avant's grapple?

ATH

ATH

Been here much more than a while
Location
Findlay, Ohio
Looking at small articulated loaders... Haven't settled on a brand (maybe narrowed down to: Intrepid, Avant, Cast, Case???)

If I go with an Avant, should I get their grapple or is Branch Manager the best bet (or TNAttachments)?

I'm assuming Branch Manager because it opens wider and only weighs 50# more...and has the rake option...but curious if anybody has used both and has an opinion.
 
ATH said:
Looking at small articulated loaders... Haven't settled on a brand (maybe narrowed down to: Intrepid, Avant, Cast, Case???)

If I go with an Avant, should I get their grapple or is Branch Manager the best bet (or TNAttachments)?

I'm assuming Branch Manager because it opens wider and only weighs 50# more...and has the rake option...but curious if anybody has used both and has an opinion.
Click to expand...
I’ve used both grapples
They’re both winners in my book
The power rotate on bmg was little too fast for my liking, whilst grapple open /close were slow feeling. This may have been the machine it was on not the grapple. Was a giant we demoed for a couple weeks.
It’s opposite on our Avant grapple which is our go to. Fast open close superior grip power and a moderate rotation speed . Got ditch witch with non power bmg that just sits for long periods to come out rarely. Avant all day everyday for us
 
ATH said:
Looking at small articulated loaders... Haven't settled on a brand (maybe narrowed down to: Intrepid, Avant, Cast, Case???)

If I go with an Avant, should I get their grapple or is Branch Manager the best bet (or TNAttachments)?

I'm assuming Branch Manager because it opens wider and only weighs 50# more...and has the rake option...but curious if anybody has used both and has an opinion.
Click to expand...
Are you looking at a 423 series avant?
 
Treetopflyer said:
That’s a good question Brando
I’m not a fan of that machine personally it leaves a lot to long for as a treeman but the 528 has the sweet spot for us as compact and very capable for most our usual business
Click to expand...
I'm debating a 423 to be the small machine. With the right tire combo it'll squeeze through a 36" gate. We've got a 755i for big stuff, need a small machine.

(Want a giant 1200tele but don't have much local dealer support).
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
Brando CalPankian said:
I'm debating a 423 to be the small machine. With the right tire combo it'll squeeze through a 36" gate. We've got a 755i for big stuff, need a small machine.

(Want a giant 1200tele but don't have much local dealer support).
Click to expand...
It’s funny you say that.. Going through that sized gate is impressive .. I had a ditch witch sk350 for that I got rid of and realized it was a mistake , so I’m back on the hunt for another micro mini loader myself..
How often do you encounter that scenario where you can’t drop a fence section and only have that small gate access I’d have to ask before spending that money myself
 
Brando CalPankian said:
Are you looking at a 423 series avant?
Click to expand...
423, 523, 528 .... whatever it takes.

629f8d86-a25f-4941-b2a9-e8d337185f9c_thumb.jpg


But seriously, at this point they are all on the table. Not needing to move big logs often. Looking for brush clean up & tree planting (auger, pallet forks (ideally hydraulic widening)).

So I think a 423 would serve our purposes up until about 3" caliper trees...so that's probably the biggest thing pushing me towards a 500 series. If the larger machines had higher flow for the auger that would help lean towards those more.
 
Last edited:
Treetopflyer said:
It’s funny you say that.. Going through that sized gate is impressive .. I had a ditch witch sk350 for that I got rid of and realized it was a mistake , so I’m back on the hunt for another micro mini loader myself..
How often do you encounter that scenario where you can’t drop a fence section and only have that small gate access I’d have to ask before spending that money myself
Click to expand...
Next to never. But everything else we've acquired has miraculously gotten used a ton once we got it. The proverbial "if you build it, they will come".

I mostly want a smaller machine for a lighter footprint. There's times where the big machine still makes marks on the yard. A lighter machine would be gentler on turf, and give us options for loading implements/backup if one or the other has an issue.

Mini skids are heavy and take a lot of matting. I don't like mats if I don't need them. Plus, avant is FAST in comparison. Efficiency makes things funner.
 
ATH said:
423, 523, 528 .... whatever it takes.

629f8d86-a25f-4941-b2a9-e8d337185f9c_thumb.jpg


But seriously, at this point they are all on the table. Not needing to move big logs often. Looking for brush clean up & tree planting (auger, pallet forks (ideally hydraulic widening)).

So I think a 423 would serve our purposes up until about 3" caliper trees...so that's probably the biggest thing pushing me towards a 500 series. If the larger machines had higher flow for the auger that would help lean towards those more.
Click to expand...
I use my Yanmar 425 with a shrub bucket on 4" caliper tree plantings. A few were clay soil, so heavy b&b. It did just fine.

I think the 423 is still rated at 1200-1500lb load. Unsure of the flow rate.

The g1200 is the baddest unit in that weight class.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
Brando CalPankian said:
Next to never. But everything else we've acquired has miraculously gotten used a ton once we got it. The proverbial "if you build it, they will come".

I mostly want a smaller machine for a lighter footprint. There's times where the big machine still makes marks on the yard. A lighter machine would be gentler on turf, and give us options for loading implements/backup if one or the other has an issue.

Mini skids are heavy and take a lot of matting. I don't like mats if I don't need them. Plus, avant is FAST in comparison. Efficiency makes things funner.
Click to expand...
I agree wholeheartedly
Avants are awesome
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
Treetopflyer said:
That’s a good question Brando
I’m not a fan of that machine personally it leaves a lot to long for as a treeman but the 528 has the sweet spot for us as compact and very capable for most our usual business
Click to expand...
Settled on a 528... We do a fair bit of tree planting and I'm just not sure the 423 will:
*handle 3" B&B trees well
*Have the flow rate for a larger auger

Came across a dealer's demo unit - with 200 hours , but being treated as "new" with warranty (and 0% for 2 years) of a new machine for about $8-10K less than a truly new machine.

Still haven't settled on a grapple yet, will start with a grapple bucket for the versatility and to save some money for now. Also came across Ryan's Equipment grapple to add another to the mix when that time comes! https://www.ryansequip.com/product/dangle-grapples/
 
Brando CalPankian said:
I mostly want a smaller machine for a lighter footprint. There's times where the big machine still makes marks on the yard. A lighter machine would be gentler on turf, and give us options for loading implements/backup if one or the other has an issue.

Mini skids are heavy and take a lot of matting. I don't like mats if I don't need them. Plus, avant is FAST in comparison. Efficiency makes things funner.
Click to expand...
Have you looked into the ditch witch Zahn? It doesn't have as impressive lift capacity as the bigger mini skids, but it is articulated and has wheels for less turf damage. I've seen videos of them run with duallies and foam filled for higher capacity.

I can't speak for each mini skid, but operated correctly my bobcat mt100 rarely needs mats unless it's a big removal with a tight path.
 
we run the 528, also have a ryan's power rotation grapple... the pusher bar makes it a tad tight for chipper feeding, but have adapted. it has enough power to really swing and turn pieces.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
RogerM said:
we run the 528, also have a ryan's power rotation grapple... the pusher bar makes it a tad tight for chipper feeding, but have adapted. it has enough power to really swing and turn pieces
Click to expand...
I’ve herd good thing about the Ryan’s grapples
Our Avant grapple rotate isn’t extremely powerful the grab is very strong though in my experience
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
The dealer I just bought the Avant from has sold all 3 (Avant, Branch Manager, Ryan's). He likes the Ryan's...said that is "the most common" - but I kinda think Branch Manager probably holds that crown. Probably a regional thing?
 
Jehinten said:
Have you looked into the ditch witch Zahn? It doesn't have as impressive lift capacity as the bigger mini skids, but it is articulated and has wheels for less turf damage. I've seen videos of them run with duallies and foam filled for higher capacity.

I can't speak for each mini skid, but operated correctly my bobcat mt100 rarely needs mats unless it's a big removal with a tight path.
Click to expand...
That looks sweet. Never seen one. I'll have to check it out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom