After of a year of grappling with my grapple decision I decided on the Westendorf Brush Crusher BC 4200. I'll cover why, my order and delivery experience, and first use.
I like your reasoning for this attachment. I too would love a grapple but it's hard to justify the large expense for something that would get used a couple times a year. I wasn't aware of the existence of the brush crusher but you've given me something to look into now. Nice video and thanks for the information.
Good video, nice to see Westendorf took two of suggestions after receiving my grapple. They listen to customer feedback. I wish they would strap the loose pipe to the pallet to reduce paint scratches. I like how you used the painter scaffold to store the grapple, great idea.
I’ve been studying the Brush Crusher for several months. I’m intrigued by the 4250 instructions. I have the Artillian forks and front hoe. I have considered that someday I may add the grapple. However I switch between the Front Hoe and forks often enough to know that switching between the grapple and pallet forks would be a PITA. So for the money and convenience the Brush Crusher looks promising. The beauty of pallet forks is having them ready to go. Moving things on and off the Artillian frame won’t get easier with aging.
I own an excavation business and I feel as though you would have been better off just getting a full fledged grapple .. kind of reminds me of don't send a boy to do a man's job. Nice video review shows real life performance.
Thanks for sharing this...I struggled with the same decision and I understand the difficulty of trying to decide when spending more money is worth it. The brushcrusher works fine with picking up logs and items that span the two grabbers, but a hydraulic grapple has a much wider range of uses for logs, brush, digging out trees and dragging/leveling ground. Just FYI, I went with an Everything Attachments Wicked 55” grapple and absolutely love the uses I have discovered. I keep it on my tractor far more than the bucket. As far as pricing, It was about 1800 for grapple and 850 for the 3rd function.
A Tale of Three Cabins 239lbs EA 55 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple Revolutionary EA Wicked Root Grapple Rake for Subcompact and Compact Tractors. Ultra Lightweight and STRONG! Free shipping within 1,000 miles! Ideal for Subcompact & Compact Tractors under 40 HP Our Price: $1,995.00
Thanks for the great video. I've got a 4215 on order for my 2038. I agree the Artillian would be nice and probably a little more useful but the cost is sustainably higher.
The guy on Good Works Tractor was on youtube today with this none 3rd functiongrapple. as well as another onhe was demonsrtaiting & it look good as well. it came with an electric rocker 3thumb switch.
I watched another video earlier this evening where the gentleman had ordered the middle row of jaw teeth for the top & bottom jaws. it sure made a difference when he was moving his brush, limbs, logs, firewood & so on. i need one for my John deere 1025R
@10:10 you showed me exactly why I need not apply. They make a middle row of teeth for this (more Adds weight) but would help in situations of lose small stuff. I hope you are enjoying it though!
Added the center teeth and it's a world of difference. I helped my neighbor moving some large boulder embedded in the ground. Wish I had my camera cause they were like icebergs. What you saw above the dirt was a fraction as to what was below. Really tested to its limits and tractor and BC did well. Take Care, Tom
I opted for the 3rd function valve and the EA 55" wicked Grapple. My cost was right at $3,000 for the grapple and to have the dealer install the 3rd function. I had looked at the brush crusher and just felt it wouldn't meet my needs as well as a full grapple would.
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 Did you get the Independent Lift option for your MMM? If so, that is why the dealer told you you couldn't get the 3rd function kit. But that is no longer so, I think. I heard somewhere (I think on GTT) that it is possible to do it now with JD parts.
The $5000 is pretty outlandish - I got an MTL Attachments 48" grapple bucket, $890 with free shipping. Yes it requires the 3rd function, but adding that in totals not much your than the $1300 for this thing, and vastly more functional. It has been great on my midsize Kubota, is completely controllable without that wonky broken lower jaw kind of effect that this thing has. If others looking haven't committed to this thing yet, keep looking...
I went with the lightest model by Artillian, the catch is you need their fork frame to attach their sections which adds to the overall price. If I ever move to a hydraulic model I think I would go with the Wicked.
Very interesting concept for this grapple. I'm not endorsing this, but I would be extremely leery using this with heavy loads. The amount of stress that is placed on your fully extended hydraulic cylinders would make it much weaker while pulling and lifting. Be careful and watch stressing those cylinders too much.
I too have the Brushcrusher. Excellent points concerning additional cost and weight of grapples in general. The Brushcrusher bc 4250 is out, however Westendorf is having difficulty keeping up with demand with all three of their bc models. Thanks for posting nice video!
Dave Steen that’s a good question. I hear rumors that Westendorf is going to be releasing some sort of add on to increase functionality. I’m wondering if it’s along those lines.
A Tale of Three Cabins thank you. I saw your post on Facebook where you mention the possibility of buying a traditional grapple, with 3rd function. Your review of the no 3rd function required grapple seemed mostly positive. Good Works, who sells them, couldn’t hide their frustrations. TTWT came out completely against them, mentioned if your not getting a 3rd function grapple, just make due with forks. I was on the fence until I read you are considering a 3rd function grapple. Now I’ll either go 3rd function, or wait for a deeply discounted, used 2 function. I’m fortunate that one micro-small grapple manufacture named ctattachments dot com is a hours drive from me, so I can just drive there and get it, eliminating shipping cost. I think its a one person operation. The biggest minus with this company is there are just no reviews out there on this grapple. Maybe you could contact them and work something out.
I did check out there website a few times in the last year and a half. Their grapple looks nice, not priced bad, and is lightweight. You are right not much other information on it. I wouldn't mind testing it, but I think my subscriber count (which is growing) would have to be a bit higher.
A Tale of Three Cabins for what its worth, try showing your view count. Your brush crusher video has 28,000 views from people who are likely compact or sub-compact tractor owner and interested in a grapple. When focused on that niche, you are doing very respectable. I wish Brush Crusher gave you some code where customers who use your code get a small discount so they could tell how many people view your video then buy. Hope you remain safe during this crazy virus period. Thank you for your replies.
Thanks for sharing!! Beats the cost of installing a grapple and asso. hydraulics..After watching the video, I think if you connect the two sides at the top grapple and the bottom free swinging portion you could increase the functionality. You would have been able to grab those odd short logs...Just my two cents..
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 I got package deal loader 48" land scape bucket 3rd valve and grappler. 3rd valve and grappler added around 2200. Whole package was 17042.00 tax included. 2019 1025r.
Not impressed, I feel you are going to be repairing your ram seals maybe even Rams due to over extension. Video helped me decide not to get that over the grapple though, thanks!
I'll definitely pass it on if I have any issue. Just received some add on teeth upper and lower the other day. I've installed them and should have use videos out soon. Merry Christmas
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I am thinking about this for my 3032e. Great video, very informative. Thanks
I like your reasoning for this attachment. I too would love a grapple but it's hard to justify the large expense for something that would get used a couple times a year. I wasn't aware of the existence of the brush crusher but you've given me something to look into now. Nice video and thanks for the information.
Looks like you had some fun there! Thanks for taking the time to make this video! 👍👍
Good video, nice to see Westendorf took two of suggestions after receiving my grapple. They listen to customer feedback. I wish they would strap the loose pipe to the pallet to reduce paint scratches. I like how you used the painter scaffold to store the grapple, great idea.
I’ve been studying the Brush Crusher for several months. I’m intrigued by the 4250 instructions. I have the Artillian forks and front hoe. I have considered that someday I may add the grapple. However I switch between the Front Hoe and forks often enough to know that switching between the grapple and pallet forks would be a PITA. So for the money and convenience the Brush Crusher looks promising. The beauty of pallet forks is having them ready to go. Moving things on and off the Artillian frame won’t get easier with aging.
Cool attachment, thanks for sharing. Good price point as well.
Thanks for the video. Nice alternative to pricey grapple.
Found a used one for my 1023e. Used it today for the first time and very happy with it.
Very neat. Thank you for sharing.
Looks like a decent alternative to the grapple. I think with experience it will work out good for your needs
I own an excavation business and I feel as though you would have been better off just getting a full fledged grapple .. kind of reminds me of don't send a boy to do a man's job. Nice video review shows real life performance.
Thanks for sharing this...I struggled with the same decision and I understand the difficulty of trying to decide when spending more money is worth it. The brushcrusher works fine with picking up logs and items that span the two grabbers, but a hydraulic grapple has a much wider range of uses for logs, brush, digging out trees and dragging/leveling ground.
Just FYI, I went with an Everything Attachments Wicked 55” grapple and absolutely love the uses I have discovered. I keep it on my tractor far more than the bucket. As far as pricing, It was about 1800 for grapple and 850 for the 3rd function.
Michael Cavender what is the weight of the Wicked?
A Tale of Three Cabins
239lbs
EA 55 Inch Wicked Root Rake Grapple
Revolutionary EA Wicked Root Grapple Rake for Subcompact and Compact Tractors. Ultra Lightweight and STRONG! Free shipping within 1,000 miles!
Ideal for Subcompact & Compact Tractors under 40 HP
Our Price: $1,995.00
A Tale of Three Cabins it’s right around/just over 200lbs.
Thanks for the great video. I've got a 4215 on order for my 2038. I agree the Artillian would be nice and probably a little more useful but the cost is sustainably higher.
The guy on Good Works Tractor was on youtube today with this none 3rd functiongrapple. as well as another onhe was demonsrtaiting & it look good as well. it came with an electric rocker 3thumb switch.
I watched another video earlier this evening where the gentleman had ordered the middle row of jaw teeth for the top & bottom jaws. it sure made a difference when he was moving his brush, limbs, logs, firewood & so on. i need one for my John deere 1025R
Rodney Leonard around $1,300. I also added the top and bottom teeth with a video on it.
@10:10 you showed me exactly why I need not apply. They make a middle row of teeth for this (more Adds weight) but would help in situations of lose small stuff. I hope you are enjoying it though!
Added the center teeth and it's a world of difference. I helped my neighbor moving some large boulder embedded in the ground. Wish I had my camera cause they were like icebergs. What you saw above the dirt was a fraction as to what was below. Really tested to its limits and tractor and BC did well. Take Care, Tom
I bet you can make a tray to go across the bottom to help hold the smaller items.
I opted for the 3rd function valve and the EA 55" wicked Grapple. My cost was right at $3,000 for the grapple and to have the dealer install the 3rd function. I had looked at the brush crusher and just felt it wouldn't meet my needs as well as a full grapple would.
Did you get John Deere's third function. I've read others getting it, but my dealer told me it wasn't available.
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 no, my tractor is a Kubota Grand L3560HSTC, but I did get the Kubota manufacture 3rd function valve and not the EA valve.
@@ataleofthreecabins1025
Did you get the Independent Lift option for your MMM? If so, that is why the dealer told you you couldn't get the 3rd function kit. But that is no longer so, I think. I heard somewhere (I think on GTT) that it is possible to do it now with JD parts.
@@warped2875 I didn't get the MMM. I'm still not sure why they told me that.
The $5000 is pretty outlandish - I got an MTL Attachments 48" grapple bucket, $890 with free shipping. Yes it requires the 3rd function, but adding that in totals not much your than the $1300 for this thing, and vastly more functional. It has been great on my midsize Kubota, is completely controllable without that wonky broken lower jaw kind of effect that this thing has. If others looking haven't committed to this thing yet, keep looking...
I went with the lightest model by Artillian, the catch is you need their fork frame to attach their sections which adds to the overall price. If I ever move to a hydraulic model I think I would go with the Wicked.
Very interesting concept for this grapple. I'm not endorsing this, but I would be extremely leery using this with heavy loads. The amount of stress that is placed on your fully extended hydraulic cylinders would make it much weaker while pulling and lifting. Be careful and watch stressing those cylinders too much.
Thanks, I'm definitely going to go slow with my use on this and keep cause an effect in the forefront of my mind.
I too have the Brushcrusher. Excellent points concerning additional cost and weight of grapples in general.
The Brushcrusher bc 4250 is out, however Westendorf is having difficulty keeping up with demand with all three of their bc models.
Thanks for posting nice video!
An excavator with a mechanical thumb comes to mind
The other holes are for add a center tooth for smaller items.
Have you thought about having a tube with plates welded at the end that you could build a rake to connect the lower jaws?
I installed some new dentures a few months after this.
ruclips.net/video/WbW5tpKceSw/видео.html
Adding some horizontal bars in between would fill the big gap and allow grabbing smaller stuff. Easy add on.
I ended up getting some added teeth to bridge the gap. These were just released by the manufacturer.
Could pipes or rods be added in the holes to make a basket?
Dave Steen that’s a good question. I hear rumors that Westendorf is going to be releasing some sort of add on to increase functionality. I’m wondering if it’s along those lines.
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 It could be, looks like it would be more steady to use
You need to get the center bottom section and that will solve your log drop problem
♦️When you were comparing costs at 2:08 why did you selected two diverter kits? Do you have two tractors?
Wow, you are right, knock off $350. I priced them out so many times over the year must of left it in the cart.
A Tale of Three Cabins thank you. I saw your post on Facebook where you mention the possibility of buying a traditional grapple, with 3rd function. Your review of the no 3rd function required grapple seemed mostly positive. Good Works, who sells them, couldn’t hide their frustrations. TTWT came out completely against them, mentioned if your not getting a 3rd function grapple, just make due with forks. I was on the fence until I read you are considering a 3rd function grapple. Now I’ll either go 3rd function, or wait for a deeply discounted, used 2 function. I’m fortunate that one micro-small grapple manufacture named ctattachments dot com is a hours drive from me, so I can just drive there and get it, eliminating shipping cost. I think its a one person operation. The biggest minus with this company is there are just no reviews out there on this grapple. Maybe you could contact them and work something out.
I did check out there website a few times in the last year and a half. Their grapple looks nice, not priced bad, and is lightweight. You are right not much other information on it. I wouldn't mind testing it, but I think my subscriber count (which is growing) would have to be a bit higher.
A Tale of Three Cabins for what its worth, try showing your view count. Your brush crusher video has 28,000 views from people who are likely compact or sub-compact tractor owner and interested in a grapple. When focused on that niche, you are doing very respectable. I wish Brush Crusher gave you some code where customers who use your code get a small discount so they could tell how many people view your video then buy. Hope you remain safe during this crazy virus period. Thank you for your replies.
Looks like it works fine. Beats $5000.
im not impressed with the way it presses on the underside of the loader boom. it looks like the rams are fighting the boom to enable it to grip
Thanks for sharing!! Beats the cost of installing a grapple and asso. hydraulics..After watching the video, I think if you connect the two sides at the top grapple and the bottom free swinging portion you could increase the functionality. You would have been able to grab those odd short logs...Just my two cents..
Good Works Tractor has showed them, I think he said you could get a trird set of Jaws for them.
Yep I got the center teeth shortly after this video.
Doesnt seem bad....Great video but I wonder why so many people continually fold the rops..
That way they dont hit the top of their garage door and pop the front tires of the tractor up in the air.
Like watching videos. But I got 3rd value and grappler for my 1025r installed for less then 2200.
Ronald Davis I was pricing the Artillian grapple. What did you get?
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 Mine is the a Frontier 53 in. I paid $900.00 for it.
Ronald Davis wow, that sound reasonable. Did you get John Deere’s 3rd function kit too?
@@ataleofthreecabins1025 I got package deal loader 48" land scape bucket 3rd valve and grappler. 3rd valve and grappler added around 2200. Whole package was 17042.00 tax included. 2019 1025r.
I don't think your tractor could handle the weight of the other style grapple???
Artillian's is right around 200lbs as is Wicket's for the 1 series. Your right most others are too heavy (300 to 400lbs).
EA Wicked Grapples aren’t that pricy. $2k for a 55” and they are the best of the best.
Ea is the only way to go
Pick things up more centered or I see a bent loader arm in your future.
Not impressed, I feel you are going to be repairing your ram seals maybe even Rams due to over extension. Video helped me decide not to get that over the grapple though, thanks!
I'll definitely pass it on if I have any issue. Just received some add on teeth upper and lower the other day. I've installed them and should have use videos out soon. Merry Christmas