Grapple Failure

[puckgrinder85]

You cant blame the tube for failing when your bending 3/8 steel perpendicular like that. Seems it would take a lot of force. The tube failing looks like a secondary failure after the fact. A little is good more is better right?

 

[94BULLITT]

You cant blame the tube for failing when your bending 3/8 steel perpendicular like that. Seems it would take a lot of force. The tube failing looks like a secondary failure after the fact. A little is good more is better right?

I think the tube was the weak link and bent first allowing the cylinder mount to bend.

 

[puckgrinder85]

I guess I'm not seeing it. How would the 3/8 steel bend after the tube broke half of the weld holding it to the tube. Seems you'd have lost most of your strength and it would keep tearing. Either way the point is there, this thing doesn't have just one bad weld, its bent to ****.

 

[94BULLITT]

I guess I'm not seeing it. How would the 3/8 steel bend after the tube broke half of the weld holding it to the tube. Seems you'd have lost most of your strength and it would keep tearing. Either way the point is there, this thing doesn't have just one bad weld, its bent to ****.

I looked at the pictures again. The cylinder mount probably did bend first and then the tube bent. That cylinder mount looks poorly designed in comparison to the ones on my grapple.

 

[bhh]

Hi all, i really appreciate all the input. I'll begin by saying this grapple was purchased new and put in service on a kubota l3800 last winter. The tractor itself has 42 hours and is in immaculate condition. The FEL has split that time between palette forks, a bucket, and this grapple and 25 is generous. If picking up a few Logs (pine) that max out my loader plus grapple capacity is abuse, i am guilty buy otherwise, i can assure everyone things ARE as they seam. I'll admit the grapple looks like crap l think the picture of the tractor speaks to the "abuse" it has endured.

I know its a joke but i cant afford to just ship this thing off to someone else and have no choice but to attempt a repair. Its pretty clear at this point that I'm going to end up with an $1800 grapple at some point but I cant do it now and have to make this serviceable through the balance of my immediate needs which is why i so appreciate all the suggestions in how to attempt a repair. That is really my only option at this point.

 

[bhh]

The 1/8" tubing on the Wildkat Econo model was documented here on TBN a few years back. I have a heavier Wildkat and it is very robust. When ordering, I asked about the 1/8" tubing Econo model and they said people claim they don't need a heavy grapple and that they are just "going to move shrubs with it". I am not weighing in one way or the other, it is just what they said.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/244801-broke-my-grapple-am-i.html

Personally, I would have built it with 1/4" tubing even if people say they are going to move shrubs. Pushing ( as in the link above) or pulling with the grapple lid is hard on the grapple if you think of the geometry, I try not to do it.

Wow, i wish i had seen that thread 13 months ago. This $1k would have gone a long way towards a real piece of equipment.

 

[TomSeller]

Wow, i wish i had seen that thread 13 months ago. This $1k would have gone a long way towards a real piece of equipment.

I am fairly certain it is just that 1/8" tube. I would do the repairs suggested by others and you should be good to go.

 

[blueriver]

Cut off the cylinder mount .. Clean the tube with grinder .. Lay a piece of 2x3x1/4 angle on the tube from grapple pivot to grapple pivot weld it on .. Clean up the cylinder mount and weld it to the angle

 

[RDrancher]

Some of you may have read my 4n1 bucket thread and the problems I had. One of the guys over at LS noted the similarities between Wildkat's 4n1 buckets and grapples, and those advertised on High Rock Skid Steer's pages. Makes me wonder who manufactures the products for Wildkat...

 

[jmc]

I remember a previous thread about a manufacturer using 1/8 wall and my faded memory was that the representative said they mistakenly used the wrong tubing. It might have been the thread IslandTractor did the cost calculation on. If they admitted it then, and it was this manufacturer, they're just hoping you fix it yourself. I don't buy the part about just moving shrubs. Good design anticipates reasonable use and the manufacturer should stand behind it beyond warranty.