ready to buy the vermeer ctx-100 this year. which grapple, vermeer or BMG?

[erwin]

a replacement mini skid is on the budget for this year. pretty much decided on the new ctx-100. ready to buy any time before Dec. 31st as soon as Vermeer gives my the best price. If I'm getting the non self rotating one, I'll just get a Vermeer one since it looks more heavily built than BMG. However, I also want to consider the rotating one from BMG. What do you guys think? Thx. Erwin

 

[TopNotchEquipment]

Definitely get a BMG !!
Call me to discuss 6124549191

 

[erwin]

receiving delivery of my new Vermeer ctx-100 mini tomorrow morning along with 2 grapples, the BMG and Vermeer. I can keep both to try out for a while. I need to make a decision on which one to keep soon. I have only one job in the next two weeks that is large enough to use them. really would like to hear from you guys. Thx. Erwin

 

[Bucknut]

I need to make a decision on which one to keep soon.

Keep us posted. I always like to hear from guys who have used both.

 

[evo]

I’d say it depends on what you’re doing the most. Forget the hydoyrotate for a moment.

What is the weight difference between the two grapples? 50lbs is a lot for a small machine like a mini oftentimes working at max loads.

If I remember correctly the Vermeer has a locking pin which can make picking vertical logs coming off a lowering line a breeze.

The BM has a different geometry which has advantages

Now add in hydro rotate, this can be very useful but at the sacrifice of weight, and diligence around obstacles. Also one could twist up the hydro lines pretty bad. But if you’re feeding a chipper that’s where the huge advantage comes in

 

[erwin]

I’m not feeding the chipper with it. I’m already leaning toward non-hydro-rotating. The Vermeer is 80lb heavier.

 

[tnttree]

Curious did the Vermeer Dealer bring you both grapples?

obviously biased to the BMG, my 2-cents

Vermeer owners report shearing the pin routinely,
No rope bollard, receiver hitch, or handy saw scabbards
BMG
lighter - opens bigger - aggressive log dogs
has a universal joint that the grapple spins on
Rake and Clam options, (more to come)
The first, the original, 18 years Now . . . .
Blah blah blah
Thanks for your purchase - will welcome your critique

 

[erwin]

the sales rep is on the way to my place now with everything including the two grapples, assuming rotating bmg. The extra options n features of the bmg are definitely a plus. I know the non rotating bmg is 80 lb lighter than Vermeer. How about the rotating one. How much does it weigh.

 

[erwin]

Feels like I just robbed the toy store! The CTX100, two grapples, forks, two buckets all in my yard now. Only have 10 min to play with it before I have to go to work.

Played with the Vermeer grapple. Not really sure if I like it. Not exactly as expected. I imagined that the opening can be rotated to facing the side since most of the time after a tree is down and cut up, I have to approach the logs and pick them up from the side. Not true with this one. It only has 3 rotating positions: opening facing forward, opening facing ~45 degree to either side. Maybe I need more time to figure it out.

I thought that they’ll bring me a rotating BMG. It’s actually an old version non rotating BMG. Will play with it tonight. Might seriously consider the rotating kind now.

The machine is indeed a beast. I’ll need some time to get used to it, I truely feel intimidated by it. I’m sure the joy stick travel control will be a joy to use. However, I’m used to the bobcat lever control, so will take some getting used to.

With the grapple holding a big log, the boom is blocking my line of sight, kind of unexpected too. Need to get used to as well.

They brough me the wrong bucket. Instead of the largest material bucket, they got me a 42” tooth one. So, will switch it over.

Won’t be able to do a real field trial on them till April 6th. So main while, just playing around in the yard

 

[erwin]

just watched the Vermeer demo 3 youtube by August Hunicke. looks like the Vermeer grapple is capable of facing side ways. Guess I just need more time on it.

 

[Mitch Hoy]

I tried both and prefer the lock on the vermeer. It also seemed like the vermeer keeps the weight closer to the machine, which seems to negate the 80lb difference while being a beefier attachment. Just my 2. I know a lot of guys that love their BMGs.

 

[tnttree]

The lock would be mighty handy once in a while, the problem with it is, if you lock it in with a long log dragging or trying to Pinocchio a log all the leverage shears the pin and tears the grapple arms up. It also can be damaged because the grapple spins on only one axis. (Actually a operator error cuz the grapple just cannot do it) The one axis also sucks it doesn't feed a chipper for shite.

I tried both and prefer the lock on the vermeer. It also seemed like the vermeer keeps the weight closer to the machine, which seems to negate the 80lb difference while being a beefier attachment. Just my 2. I know a lot of guys that love their BMGs.

true dat the weight is closer on the Vermeer
My design does not lock, you heal the long material under my log dogs, so there is a little play, its not static like the Vermeers. and because you can carry a foot or two of the log behind the tilt pin of your machine, I would wager it actually can lift more.

The biggest advantage of my grapples "hanger" and universal joint, though is feeding the chipper . the neck allows it reach out much better over the feed table. oh you can also reach over fences

If you have ever carried your saw on your shoulder or between your legs while operating your mini - the scabbards come in awful handy at times

Blah blah - Sheet - too much typing --- I gotta toot my own horn, especially goin aganst the big dogs

 

[climbhightree]

View attachment 58452

Hmm that picture looks familiar I've done that a lot through the years...over fences, down over terraces (for logs or stump grindings)

The picture in Tci magazine was also very familiar

Ps - I know I gave you (Branch manager) permission to use some of my pictures

 

[erwin]

Thank all as well as for all the input and live discussion. I tried Vermeer a little more last night and became much better with it. Will give same amount of time tonight for the BMG. I don’t mind at all to have TNTTree here to give us direct input, I wish someone from Vermeer could be here too (but we all know how big business works). This is how competition makes product better. I did not see the chainsaw scabbard on the one Vermeer brought me. I assume it's a newer version. How much is your new version of the non-rotating one (assuming that’s what we’re talking about here) if I order it from you? You can PM me or post it here. The hitch receiver idea is good too. Does the adaptor come with it, if not how much? This might not be useful for me since I intent to move 5th wheel or goose neck with it. 1500LB tongue weight might be too much for it. I saw very few discussions on the internet so far comparing the two head to head. Hopefully someone will made a good youtube for this someday.

 

[southsoundtree]

Looks like there is an improved BMG Towing L-bracket. I like that.


Sometimes, simple, robust, and operator skills are the best combo. I 'knew' ZigZags would crack when I first saw them. I could throw my HitchHiker out of the tree. Works like new, not the HH2.


I work my BMG HARD. take a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. The grease zerks being too exposed is my biggest gripe.


Dave, I've said it before, and will say it again, people who haven't run a grapple don't know what a grapple is like to run. It's like describing Red or Blue, or Yellow to someone.

Video is where it's at. A collection of user tricks, professionally edited, would kill it.

I know I can't have figured out all the tricks, right!


Not a video of all the action-packed T.A.M.B. moves, super-tight, super-finesse, slow speed skills!

 

[erwin]

Looks like there is an improved BMG Towing L-bracket. I like that.


Sometimes, simple, robust, and operator skills are the best combo. I 'knew' ZigZags would crack when I first saw them. I could throw my HitchHiker out of the tree. Works like new, not the HH2.


I work my BMG HARD. take a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. The grease zerks being too exposed is my biggest gripe.


Dave, I've said it before, and will say it again, people who haven't run a grapple don't know what a grapple is like to run. It's like describing Red or Blue, or Yellow to someone.

Video is where it's at. A collection of user tricks, professionally edited, would kill it.

I know I can't have figured out all the tricks, right!


Not a video of all the action-packed T.A.M.B. moves, super-tight, super-finesse, slow speed skills!

Sean, I assume the BMG you are using is the non-rotating kind, right? My first decision in the next few days is between BMG and Vermeer. 2nd decision will be regular BMG vs. rotating BMG ($2000 more)

 

[evo]

Sean, I assume the BMG you are using is the non-rotating kind, right? My first decision in the next few days is between BMG and Vermeer. 2nd decision will be regular BMG vs. rotating BMG ($2000 more)

So the BMG comes with the hitch adapter, saw scabbards, chain grab, and bollards. All for about 3k give or take tax.
Personally I dislike the saw scabbards and I’m considering removing them and bolting on a plate for a winch in their place. I haven’t seen the grease zirt issue, so I assume because Southsound is old it’s a older style that has been addressed.
I won’t lie that I’m not gentle but also not abusive either. The quality of build is certainly great, however the steel used seems very soft. Dints easy, and I’ve had to take a grinder out to it to remove some serious gouges and burrs. Most of this is from just the grapple banging around or gripping the heal plate. If I were to build one from scratch there are certainly some things I’d change, but overall one would seriously think I’m ripping off the design because that is exactly where I’d start. I have about 40hours on it.
FWIW I have no intention of getting into the grapple industry. I’d much rather have a hydro winch integrated into the unit than a hydro rotate

 

[erwin]

Evo, Thx. I guess that u answered all my questions. So far I heard pros and cons for both manufactures. I'll spend some time on the BMG and see what I'm going to get.

 

[Mitch Hoy]

I just put saws in the gas tank pockets on my Vermeer 800. An ISC iron wizard fits in the crane eye on the boom for pulling with a midline girth hitch. The hitch on the bmg would definitely be handy, but we just unlock the swivel and grapple onto the tongue of our chipper to move it. We’ve learned to use the rotation limiters in the Vermeer grapple to help rotate to grab with the swivel unlocked. It feeds a chipper great, but not as great as a mini excavator, which I contract for big street side stuff, and will be using for crane jobs this spring. The hydrotator bmg may be the way to go if you have the cash. You will definitely have enough machine to handle it. The Vermeer with the rotator is $1000 more, I think.

 

[erwin]

Mitch, thx for the input. that's some good ideas. I don't think that Vermeer makes any rotating grapple.