762MM
Bronze Member
I got to break in the new grapple and put 14 more hours on the tractor. For those interested or considering, here are a few informative comments about my order and installation.
Application: Bobcat CT235 with 7TL loader and 7TB backhoe; dual rear remotes
As beneficiary of some of EAs educational videos and as a customer who likes their stuff, I had been considering one of their root grapples and have read several threads on TBN and elsewhere.
About 2 months ago I was in the Charlotte area. I decided to make a quick drive up to Newton. As I pulled up, I saw Ted working in the yard. We talked grapples and I got to see the little Bobcat CT122 as seen in several videos. Also, I got to meet Rick and Travis...as I left I think I caught a glimpse of Peanut. It was kinda fun to meet folks in person with whom I have seen or corresponded with online.
Anyway, after some conversation, I ordered a 50" Compact Wicked Root Grapple. Since I was paying for home delivery, I thew in 66" XTreme Duty Box Blade. Being a weekend hack, I also ordered the WR Long 3rd Function Kit specifically for my tractor to make things 'easy'.
A few observations in no particular order:
* EA was a couple weeks behind with certain inventory (my stuff included). No problem. To their credit, they cranked out my order and it shipped early via YRC as planned. I was told that YRC would call and schedule the home delivery part based on our mutual schedules - which they did. However they are prepared to deliver the day of arrival into your city...and begin charging storage...which was a little surprise. The only issue was that I wasn't home for another 5-6 days. Not that big of a deal...another $200 on top of the home delivery fee. Upon final delivery, the driver was very nice and and got to watch me get drenched as it poured down rain. But hey, I got to use my EA pallet forks to unload my grapple and box blade. The 3rd Function kit shipped from WR Long and arrived a couple weeks earlier, as expected.
* The grapple and box blade arrived undamaged and palleted/strapped very well.
* The 3rd Function kit is supposed to be tractor specific (as are the summary instructions). Installation space in general was tight - very very tight. The kit has a nice valve mount that attaches to the left rear of the tractor. So basically, you route from PB on the loader valve (which is underneath my right foot floorboard area) to the left rear of the tractor, then route back up to the loader valve area for your hose disconnects. Then another set of hoses route from this disconnect area along your loader frame to ultimately connect to your implement. No surprises there and this set up allows for you to remove the loader along with the hoses in an orderly fashion. The ag connectors leak like a sieve. Continuous drips and trickles. In two days of grapple/tree work at my home, I probably lost 1/2 gallon or more. I have spots all over the driveway, drips all over a trailer (tree guy's trailer), and all over the tractor. I am a bit frustrated with how bad the leaks are at the connectors. I know, I know - ag connectors leak some. But my loader and rear remote connectors don't leak?r at least non-detectible leaks. I may just order and buy new hoses. Visually, I can see fluid coming out all day long.
The grapple itself has been great.
Various pics below for your pleasure.
_________________________________________
3rd-function valve and WRL mounting plate:
Mounting bracket location on tractor:
Valve mounted on tractor:
First test grapple loads:
Couple random pics:
Application: Bobcat CT235 with 7TL loader and 7TB backhoe; dual rear remotes
As beneficiary of some of EAs educational videos and as a customer who likes their stuff, I had been considering one of their root grapples and have read several threads on TBN and elsewhere.
About 2 months ago I was in the Charlotte area. I decided to make a quick drive up to Newton. As I pulled up, I saw Ted working in the yard. We talked grapples and I got to see the little Bobcat CT122 as seen in several videos. Also, I got to meet Rick and Travis...as I left I think I caught a glimpse of Peanut. It was kinda fun to meet folks in person with whom I have seen or corresponded with online.
Anyway, after some conversation, I ordered a 50" Compact Wicked Root Grapple. Since I was paying for home delivery, I thew in 66" XTreme Duty Box Blade. Being a weekend hack, I also ordered the WR Long 3rd Function Kit specifically for my tractor to make things 'easy'.
A few observations in no particular order:
* EA was a couple weeks behind with certain inventory (my stuff included). No problem. To their credit, they cranked out my order and it shipped early via YRC as planned. I was told that YRC would call and schedule the home delivery part based on our mutual schedules - which they did. However they are prepared to deliver the day of arrival into your city...and begin charging storage...which was a little surprise. The only issue was that I wasn't home for another 5-6 days. Not that big of a deal...another $200 on top of the home delivery fee. Upon final delivery, the driver was very nice and and got to watch me get drenched as it poured down rain. But hey, I got to use my EA pallet forks to unload my grapple and box blade. The 3rd Function kit shipped from WR Long and arrived a couple weeks earlier, as expected.
* The grapple and box blade arrived undamaged and palleted/strapped very well.
* The 3rd Function kit is supposed to be tractor specific (as are the summary instructions). Installation space in general was tight - very very tight. The kit has a nice valve mount that attaches to the left rear of the tractor. So basically, you route from PB on the loader valve (which is underneath my right foot floorboard area) to the left rear of the tractor, then route back up to the loader valve area for your hose disconnects. Then another set of hoses route from this disconnect area along your loader frame to ultimately connect to your implement. No surprises there and this set up allows for you to remove the loader along with the hoses in an orderly fashion. The ag connectors leak like a sieve. Continuous drips and trickles. In two days of grapple/tree work at my home, I probably lost 1/2 gallon or more. I have spots all over the driveway, drips all over a trailer (tree guy's trailer), and all over the tractor. I am a bit frustrated with how bad the leaks are at the connectors. I know, I know - ag connectors leak some. But my loader and rear remote connectors don't leak?r at least non-detectible leaks. I may just order and buy new hoses. Visually, I can see fluid coming out all day long.
The grapple itself has been great.
Various pics below for your pleasure.
_________________________________________
3rd-function valve and WRL mounting plate:
Mounting bracket location on tractor:
Valve mounted on tractor:
First test grapple loads:
Couple random pics:
