Grapple MTL eBay Inexpensive Root Rake Grapple

[CincyFlyer]

Budget and time concerns both prevented me from getting a lighter-weight (and stronger) EA unit, so for under a grand, delivered, I got an MTL 72" dual-lid grapple, in Kubota orange (to set off the Mahindra red) as advertised on eBay. I've played with it for several hours, and have no complaints; it works just fine, it's reasonably well built, not super-heavy (shipping weight was about 550 lbs.), has grease fittings and cylinder covers, and it's made in the USA. The seller (who is the manufacturer) called me and asked what kind of connectors I wanted, so it came ready to rock and roll.
I'm not going to do any actual root raking (except perhaps in the loose dirt where I've back-hoed several stumps) so there should be no real issue with strength. Mainly I'll move logs, brush piles, and construction debris from the money pit in the background of the picture. It would be nice if it was 100 lbs. lighter, but that would cost me more than a grand, and it can lift the largest log I have laying around and great gobs of brush with no issues.
So if money is tight, no need to fear the cheaper.

 

[davemhughes]

Budget and time concerns both prevented me from getting a lighter-weight (and stronger) EA unit, so for under a grand, delivered, I got an MTL 72" dual-lid grapple, in Kubota orange (to set off the Mahindra red) as advertised on eBay. I've played with it for several hours, and have no complaints; it works just fine, it's reasonably well built, not super-heavy (shipping weight was about 550 lbs.), has grease fittings and cylinder covers, and it's made in the USA. The seller (who is the manufacturer) called me and asked what kind of connectors I wanted, so it came ready to rock and roll.
I'm not going to do any actual root raking (except perhaps in the loose dirt where I've back-hoed several stumps) so there should be no real issue with strength. Mainly I'll move logs, brush piles, and construction debris from the money pit in the background of the picture. It would be nice if it was 100 lbs. lighter, but that would cost me more than a grand, and it can lift the largest log I have laying around and great gobs of brush with no issues.
So if money is tight, no need to fear the cheaper.
View attachment 559739

I like it....and more importantly, you like it

 

[Omega Woods]

Budget and time concerns both prevented me from getting a lighter-weight (and stronger) EA unit, so for under a grand, delivered, I got an MTL 72" dual-lid grapple, in Kubota orange (to set off the Mahindra red) as advertised on eBay. I've played with it for several hours, and have no complaints; it works just fine, it's reasonably well built, not super-heavy (shipping weight was about 550 lbs.), has grease fittings and cylinder covers, and it's made in the USA. The seller (who is the manufacturer) called me and asked what kind of connectors I wanted, so it came ready to rock and roll.
I'm not going to do any actual root raking (except perhaps in the loose dirt where I've back-hoed several stumps) so there should be no real issue with strength. Mainly I'll move logs, brush piles, and construction debris from the money pit in the background of the picture. It would be nice if it was 100 lbs. lighter, but that would cost me more than a grand, and it can lift the largest log I have laying around and great gobs of brush with no issues.
So if money is tight, no need to fear the cheaper.
View attachment 559739

Cool, thanks for sharing. This place is actually within driving distance to me so I could also save the shipping.

 

[TractorGuy]

I've been looking at their stuff for a while. I may eventually get one of the Xtreme rock grapples. I need to talk to them about making one that will pin on my backhoe or see about converting my hoe to quick attach.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Cool, thanks for sharing. This place is actually within driving distance to me so I could also save the shipping.

Their eBay price included shipping, I don't know if you can get more $$ off by picking up. Hopefully so!

 

[Teachu2]

That's about 2.5 times the weight of my EA. On a bigger tractor, the extra 300lbs wouldn't be a big deal, but on my just-big-enough tractor - it matters. That's 25% of capacity, gone before I start.

 

[handcuff]

CincyFlyer, thanks for reviewing that grapple - I really appreciate it! I am trying to make the same decision you were: Do I get the MTL grapple, or do I opt for the higher expense of an EA grapple. I don't have a grapple now, so don't know how much I'm going to use/need it on my land. As such, I have a difficult time justifying the higher expense (almost double) for a 'part-time' attachment. That isn't a slam on their product or the value/cost, it's just a reasonable review of tools I need to purchase and the ROI that they will give me in my particular circumstance (needing to get bush/logs/firewood, but not dig a bunch of rocks or roots out).

With that being said, I'd be very interested in any additional/extended review you have of the MTL grapple. I'm looking at their 60 or 66 inch double-lid, so very similar to what you bought. I'd be interested in your take as it relates to weld quality, fit-and-finish, strength of tines, and how 'close' the jaws get to each other - how much can I grab/drag brush between the teeth vs. how much brush is going to escape. Other things of importance would be the opening sizes (both front and back of 'jaw') and if there are things you think the tool is 'lacking' or needs improvement. Are the hoses and hydraulics protected properly? Did it fit on your SSQA without any fitment issues, etc.

...and lots of pictures. =D

Of course, if you are anything like the rest of us, you are busy and this is all secondary - I just wanted to say that I really appreciated the information and it landed at the perfect time. I have been searching MTL reviews over the past week or two and only found 1 semi-review (yours being the second).

 

[CincyFlyer]

That's about 2.5 times the weight of my EA. On a bigger tractor, the extra 300lbs wouldn't be a big deal, but on my just-big-enough tractor - it matters. That's 25% of capacity, gone before I start.

Yeah, but compare grapple to grapple, and the EA is lighter, but not by that much. This is the "flat bottom" grapple, not the clamshell.

 

[Teachu2]

Yeah, but compare grapple to grapple, and the EA is lighter, but not by that much. This is the "flat bottom" grapple, not the clamshell.

You missed my point, CF, which was that the MTL is too heavy for smaller CUTs like mine.

 

[otherpinz]

I have the MTL Extreme 84 and some Titan products. I can tell you right now the Titan welds look like they were done by a palsied simian but hold together. The MTL on the other hand has pretty welds. Again mine is an Extreme 84 and might not be a direct comparison. If you want more info let me know. I am a slow and bad typer -Typist?