Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project

   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #1  

crazyangel

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2012
Messages
329
Location
Western New York
Tractor
Kubota L5740-HST; Kubota RTV900
Over the Winter I was fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase the prototype Wicked Grapple from Everything Attachments, and I scooped it up before the deal slipped away. It was built and tested by EA without paint, but I wanted to give it an added layer of corrosion protection before putting it into service. It took a few months to get the project started though because I don't have a heated shop and NY Winter is just too cold for painting. When the weather turned this Spring the project got under way, and I snapped a lot of pics along the way. Here is a summary of the project....

Since the grapple had been put through its paces on Ted's tractor during the trials, it needed to be cleaned and have some surface rust removed before priming. It still had some of that fantastic red Carolina dirt on the teeth when I received it....

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So I disassembled it and used a power washer to clean it up.

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To clear the surface rust off the welds and such I brushed on a rust remover I came across online called "Rust release SuperGel".

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It worked great. Brush on. Let sit for an hour, and then power wash again to rinse off the gel. Here is what it looked like afterwards....

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With the hardware cleaned and rust free it was time to move on to the primer. I chose Duplicolor self etching primer in a rattle can, and was happy with the results.

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I also wanted to add some grease fittings to the hinge points. So before top coating, I drilled and tapped the jaws for 1/4-28 zircs.

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For the top coat I chose to go with the Kubota brand Bright Orange II paint. I thought long and hard about picking up a HVLP sprayer for the job, but at the end of the day I had to admit to myself that I don't have a lot of use for it. It would be cool to own one, but it would have added expense to the project. I just couldn't justify it. So I picked up a bunch of rattle cans and went to town on it...

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After letting it cure for a couple days it was time to reassemble and put it to work.

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Here it is in action, and I couldn't be happier!

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Thanks EA for designing a fantastic product. On top of that your service can't be beat. I am really grateful that I was able to purchase the prototype, and look forward to getting a lot of work done in short order as I clear the lot for our future home. Happy tractoring all.... :tractor:
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #2  
Nice job, let the fun begin.

Dave
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #3  
Nice write up. The grapple looks good.
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #4  
Thanks for sharing and for the kind comments. Looks great. Now there's at least two orange Wicked Grapples out there!
Travis
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Thanks for sharing and for the kind comments. Looks great. Now there's at least two orange Wicked Grapples out there!
Travis

Hahaha. I know - I wavered between black and orange, but at the end of the day 94BULLITT's turned out so good on his Kubota that I was inspired to copy it on mine. The stock black looks beastly!
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #6  
It wouldn't take much to snag this lynch pin and pull it out of there. I recommend replacing them with cotter pins.

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   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project
  • Thread Starter
#7  
It wouldn't take much to snag this lynch pin and pull it out of there. I recommend replacing them with cotter pins.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=316901"/>

Good thought. I am assuming you are meaning a traditional bent cotter. I originally had hairpin cotters on there and they were getting snagged. So I decided to try the lynch pins because they are lower profile. Haven't had a problem yet but I agree that a traditional bent cotter would be belt and suspenders safe. Thanks!
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #8  
Hey your rattle can prep and paint job turned out really nice.. good job!:thumbsup:

James K0UA
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #9  
Good thought. I am assuming you are meaning a traditional bent cotter. I originally had hairpin cotters on there and they were getting snagged. So I decided to try the lynch pins because they are lower profile. Haven't had a problem yet but I agree that a traditional bent cotter would be belt and suspenders safe. Thanks!

Yep, bent cotter pin. I have lost a lot of the bigger lynch pins off of the 3 point, in the past, so I know it can happen.

:thumbsup: on the paint job.
 
   / Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Prototype Paint Project #10  
Nice job !

I wonder if there is a way to have Peanut autograph it now that its at your place........
 
 
 
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