Which bobcat/grapple does the least turf damage?

[DanielSon]

Which bobcat/grapple does the least damage?

So I posted this on my website. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylzN2agKEiA

I figured that you guys might be interested to see the minimal damage that occurs.

We took out a huge oak tree. We scuffed the grass one time which could have been prevented because the driver did not listen to me about turning.

Anyway, I love Ryan's equipment. Don Ryan really knows how to take care of customers. I used to have and implemax, and compared to Ryan's grapple, well, there's just no comparison.

Don is also a great guy. When I have had issues in the past he has been super fair about the pricing for updates etc.

This grapple opens 72 inches wide. I almost never come upon a pile that my guys have stacked that I can't fully grab. It's great for the grass because I never have to spin in order to "get that last piece".

Has anybody seen results like these with other equipment?

 

[allmark]

The oprerator of the machine makes all the difference too. I use an implemax without the hydaulic rotation and it works well too. If you understand you cant spin the machine and make the wide turns.

 

[tnttree]

Nicely done Video, excellent work on minimizing damage on that jobs cleanup. Kudos go to YOU the operator of that machine.

I totally agree that a "skid" type grapple is more efficient than any bucket style grapple. Saving trips by carrying things out long instead of cutting bucket width lengths which with that jobs access would have necessitated more trips in and out. I like Don also, he is a good grapple sales competitor.

I would take issue with your comments that a customer must insist on a tracked machine though, maybe insist on a very conscientious competent owner operator running the machine like yourself would be closer to the truth. Yes a wheeled "Skid" would have left the yard in worse shape, butt maybe not so much Bobcats Steerable A300 WITH TURF tires though.

http://www.google.com/images?q=bobcat+A3...ved=0CDEQsAQwAw

Do you have any experience with an articulating loader? with big turf float tires they are super low impact and will do minimal to No damage. Compared to any "skid" type machine, track, A300 or a wheeled skid, they leave a much smaller footprint. One exception would be the ASV green track and their unique suspension system I would not include them in the typical skid category.

http://www.asvi.com/press_release_detail.cfm?NewsID=30

1 DAY AFTER RAIN and given the job seemed to be a pretty strait shot for access . . your Bobcat lug style tracks might have given an Articulating machine a go for the (less turf damage)money but with only 12 trips in its hard to say.

Put just one obstacle to go around on in that straight access that job had, And I would put all my money on the articulating machine doing less damage. I would lobby that anybody who has experience running both track & wheel skids and Articulating loaders would have to agree.
Any other multi machine operators out there? Comment?

I would not bet against ASVs "Green Track" though. Given that great advantage of the ASV, 1 big downside is that operator visibility is very limited compared to Articulating machines, same could be said for all the skids out there also.