Grapple Skidsteer Express won't stand behind their grapple!

[IslandTractor]

Anyone interested in this outcome should go to the Hydraulics forum and open the thread entitled "Leaking Hydraulic cylinder" dated 5/13/2012. See the OP's post dated 5/15/2012.
It looks like a clear message has been sent from this grapple thread to SSE and they got it.:thumbsup:

All power to the TBN people!

Now we just need to be responsible about using the forum to discuss these sorts of claims and insure that it doesn't become a wild bitching contest. The doctrine of Caveat Emptor applies here and we are all responsible for insuring that what we buy fits our needs. Warranty issues deserve to be dealt with promptly and fairly, we would all agree. What is tricky with internet purchases of trucked equipment is the potential for large shipping fees for returns and the need to consider local contracted repairs rather than return. Those policies should be made clear by the dealers but IMO there is equal responsibility on the part of the customer to understand this issue. Buy from a local dealer if you want turnkey service. It is complicated because, unlike the current case which was a simple manufacturing defect, many complaints relate to breakage. Some guys can break anvils. Indeed, threads like this raise the specter of Caveat Venditor (Let the seller beware) as there is significant risk to one's online business if their name is dragged through the TBN mud by either justifiable or unjustified bitching and moaning about a breakage etc. Vendors who live by TBN can die by TBN too. I would hope the moderators can be fair to both sides.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Why are you guys buying grapples made from 1/2" steel or T1 for that matter? Those might be reasonable materials for a true skidsteer grapple but are WAY overkill for any CUT grapple. Check the weight of a 1/2" steel grapple compared to 3/8". Subtract that difference from your net load. How precisely does that heavy grapple help you get jobs done? Any threads on TBN reporting how big ole CUTs are destroying 3/8" mild steel grapples? I haven't seen one. But I have seen lots of guys pissing away money on oversized overspec'd grapples that will not get work done as efficiently as a light duty 48".

Not all of us are using CUTs. I have bent 1/2" mild steel using a mid sized 80 HP tractor. It is not that hard to do. 3/8" mild would bend like a pop can on a 100+ HP machine.

 

[RDrancher]

Originally Posted by IslandTractor
Why are you guys buying grapples made from 1/2" steel or T1 for that matter? Those might be reasonable materials for a true skidsteer grapple but are WAY overkill for any CUT grapple. Check the weight of a 1/2" steel grapple compared to 3/8". Subtract that difference from your net load. How precisely does that heavy grapple help you get jobs done? Any threads on TBN reporting how big ole CUTs are destroying 3/8" mild steel grapples? I haven't seen one. But I have seen lots of guys pissing away money on oversized overspec'd grapples that will not get work done as efficiently as a light duty 48".

I'm in favor of overkill to a degree. After all, not all of us are hobby ranchers.

Not all of us are using CUTs. I have bent 1/2" mild steel using a mid sized 80 HP tractor. It is not that hard to do. 3/8" mild would bend like a pop can on a 100+ HP machine.

Yep. And some of us that do have CUT's use them commercially. I've broken ripper shanks, numerous sway links, a few OEM and grade 8 replacement bolts, broken an FEL tower and completely wore out the bottom of a heavy duty bucket after welding on it to repair broken welds for a couple of years. All this in a little under 2000 hours.

 

[IslandTractor]

Not all of us are using CUTs. I have bent 1/2" mild steel using a mid sized 80 HP tractor. It is not that hard to do. 3/8" mild would bend like a pop can on a 100+ HP machine.

No argument if you are using skidsteers or Ag type >50hp tractors or if you are using grapples commercially. My point is that unless your loader lifts more than 3000lbs 3/8" is certainly adequate. I surely agree the momentum with a tractor weighing in excess of 8000lbs or so might also do some damage when hitting a big rock or stump.

My comment was aimed at the typical <50hp CUT owners on TBN who are often persuaded by dealers to oversize grapples and to buy grapples in the same width as their primary bucket. All that does is hurt the pocketbook and the net lift capacity for a CUT owner. Most dealers are still not very savvy about what type of grapple works best with a CUT and they tend to size by horsepower using standards developed for skidsteers. It boils down to the same issue as appropriately sizing rotary cutters for typical CUT owners. Most will be fine with a standard duty cutter, almost none of them would ever hurt a medium duty cutter and heavy duty cutters are rather absurd unless used daily in a commercial setting.

 

[Timm250]

The replacement grapple arrived yesterday afternoon. I haven't used it yet but will probably try it out this weekend.

 

[TCowner]

I'm one who believes that Skidsteer Express stepped up to the plate and did what what right here. I think they should have responded a little faster to the request for help from the purchaser and perhaps a little negative publicity on this site could have "encouraged" the right response. But respond they did.

To send to replacement grapple, and take care of the freight, is about all one can ask. Based upon what has been posted here, if I needed a grapple or other attachment the offer, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

Again, maybe a little slower than I would like but I think their response fits with my view of what good customer service is about.

 

[KYGIRL]

Business Entity Detail - Business Services Online

Business license also revoked in Arkansas.

 

[IslandTractor]

Business Entity Detail - Business Services Online

Business license also revoked in Arkansas.

The business license issue is not so dried and cut. They had a license in AR for only 11 months in 2003/4 and the revocation was "administrative". Not sure that means anything and perhaps was just a business decision to not pay whatever licensing fees etc were needed. Not sure.

They are not accredited by the regional BBB but that just means they are not subscribers to the BBB service. Nevertheless, they have an A- rating from the regional BBB. There are three complaints listed in the past three years. Two complaints were resolved with assistance from BBB. In one case the customer was satisfied and in the other the BBB states the business made a good faith effort but the customer remained not satisfied.

I'd say one would need to look into more detail before assuming that having a revoked license in a neighboring state means much of anything.

http://www.bbb.org/memphis/business...istributors-in-cordova-tn-44008246/complaints

 

[dustinfox]

Hard to say what that means... My business name with the SOS expired for two years without me knowing it.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

I think all that means is they didn't fill out a form and/or send a fee payment to the Secretary of State. The state doesn't "revoke" licenses to do business for bad business practices (other than the bad business practice of not sending a check to the state for the license fee ).