foggy1111
Elite Member
Yep....agreed....that JD hardware costs more than it seems it should. I simply lack a lathe to make the pins or a torch to heat and bend metal.....or I would build it myself.
I forgot to get the gusset plates when buying my other QA hardware. I went back and paid about 15 bux for what amounts to a couple of 1/4" plates. These could easily be made with flat stock for a fraction of the cost.
However.......I do feel these are necessary as otherwise the hooks WILL open with heavy use.....and can spoil your day. My hook mishap cost me about $450 in repairs to my loader and grapple.....and would have been avoided with the right gusset plates installed on the hooks by the manufacturer of my grapple. (Markham / Gator.....grrrrr)
Still.....it coulda been worse.
I forgot to get the gusset plates when buying my other QA hardware. I went back and paid about 15 bux for what amounts to a couple of 1/4" plates. These could easily be made with flat stock for a fraction of the cost.
However.......I do feel these are necessary as otherwise the hooks WILL open with heavy use.....and can spoil your day. My hook mishap cost me about $450 in repairs to my loader and grapple.....and would have been avoided with the right gusset plates installed on the hooks by the manufacturer of my grapple. (Markham / Gator.....grrrrr)
Still.....it coulda been worse.