bgtrck458
New member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2009
- Messages
- 9
- Location
- NH
- Tractor
- Massey 1635 cab / kubota B8200D / 2001 Bobcat X331
I recently purchased a 60" grapple rake from W.R. long through a local dealer. The model is the RBG 2 which is designed for compact tractors with a lift capacity under 2k. I run a small cord wood business and use the grapple for moving logs and the slash generated from felling and processing trees. The grapple is mounted on a 2010 Massey 1635, which the sales person from W.R. Long assured me was exactly the size tractor they had designed this grapple for. With less than 5hrs. on the grapple I can tell you it is VERY poorly manufactured. I had broken one tooth off the grapple and bent another in less than one hour. I could not believe an implement advertised as being able to remove roots from the ground couldn't even handle some branches. I figured I must have hit a large rock I didn't see and the damage was from operator error. WRONG. Upon inspection of the remaining teeth I found they were only tack welded to the frame of the grapple. I couldn't believe it, several of the welds didn't even contact both pieces of metal. Not poor penetration, NO CONTACT AT ALL. I paid 2135.00 for this thing with shipping and I am going to have to do probably 5 hours of prep and welding to get it through 20hrs. of use. I can't believe a company with such a long history and good reputation could have such terrible quality control or poor engineering. has anyone had any experience with this product? Is there a similar grapple for around the same money which isn't trash?