The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #811  
Last year, we switched to net wrapped round bales. Now I don't know how we will hold things together without hay string. Zip ties is the new baling wire. Seeing as how I am new at this and all of you have been so helpful, let me ask a question. When we hook up the grapple bucket there will be about 50 feet of hydraulic hose full of air. Does that pose a problem?

Nope, just keep cycling the grapple lids and air will be replaced with hydraulic oil.
 
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   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #812  
I have permanently attached mine with baling twine about 5 times.
My CK20 lines were held in place with HF zip ties that lasted three years before I cut them when The tractor was traded. Never underestimate the quality of a slap dash solution!
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #813  
My CK20 lines were held in place with HF zip ties that lasted three years before I cut them when The tractor was traded. Never underestimate the quality of a slap dash solution!

While this is true, don't discount the pride of ownership that can come from a beautiful and well engineered permanent solution. Different strokes for different folks, for example one of my best friends, is an amateur radio operator like myself, but I don't think he ever has owned a permanent mobile radio installation in any of his vehicles, while I have always trended to making permanent well crafted neat installations. Maybe because I worked in the Land Mobile industry for a period of time and performed many of such installs in commercial vehicles.
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #814  
Nope, just keep cycling the grapple lids and air will be replaced with hydraulic oil.

And recheck the fluid level afterwards. Two 50' hoses and large cylinders might drop it down below the bottom mark, depending in where it was prior.
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#815  
Reviews received over the weekend:

From Bob in NY He has our 54" Single Lid Wicked Grapple on his Kubota L4740.

Holy grapple Batman!
"I haven't used it much yet but the whole experience has been great. From the great website and instructional videos to the great grapple it's been a good experience. Used it this past week to move some fallen trees in the hedgerow and to remove a large pile of trimmings from an old maple. 54" was the right size for my L4740 and hookup was a snap- perfect fit!"


From Alan in VA. He has our 60" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple on his Kubota L3130.

Love my Wicked Root Grapple.
"I've been using my grapple steady since I received it. So well built, tough as cut nails. The standard hoses were to short for my tractor. EA fixed me right up without question. I spent a long time researching which grapple to buy. I have, without a doubt, purchased the best compact tractor grapple on the market.
As for customer service, emailed questions were answered very quickly both before and after they had my credit card number.
Everything Attachments is top notch!"
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #816  
My CK20 lines were held in place with HF zip ties that lasted three years before I cut them when The tractor was traded. Never underestimate the quality of a slap dash solution!

A quote I heard somewhere, and it has stuck with me.....

"Nothing is as permanent as a job done temporarily"
My server rack made out of 2x4s comes to mind.
I actually did replace all the zip ties on my grapple install with nice clamps and brackets. Got lucky with one bracket. Misses my grill guard by probably only 1/2". EEKS.

That quote is probably a variation on "Nothing is as permanent as a temporary government program". And that is an entirely different subject.
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #817  
I fully understand Koua's point about pride in a well done installation but on the other hand, where would we be without zip ties, duct tape and baling wire?

I don't mean to be facetious, but there are also efficiencies in using "temporary" solutions. If running hydraulic hoses to a grapple from rear remotes, a single length of hose can be routed under the tractor, up the FEL post and down the FEL arm to connect with the grapple hoses if you use zip ties. That can be accomplished in about ten minutes. If doing a nicer permanent installation, you'd invest hours and need to do some drilling and painting. You also have to consider that removing the FEL would be much more complicated with a permanent hose mount unless you break the system into two lengths of hose with two extra sets of quick connects so half is permanently attached to the FEL and the other half to the tractor. $$$ . Another consideration is that if the hoses snag on something there is a better chance that the hose will survive (so long as you recognize the problem) when a zip tie breaks rather than when a permanently secured hose is torn apart.

These are all personal choices and I fully understand where James is coming from but nobody should be dissuaded from installing a grapple for fear that they don't know how to "permanently" attach hydraulic lines. Indeed, a truly fastidious person would route the whole system with metal tube and use vulnerable hose only at flexible bends the way big excavators are rigged. My advice would be to rig a rear remote controlled setup temporarily at first to see that everything works the way you expect and to then consider more permanent and neat installation modifications. That was my intention when I rigged my CK20 grapple to rear remotes. It would have cost me a day of grapple work to have futzed with a fancy permanent set up before getting to work. In my case, as the tractor was at my summer home, I could either spend a weekend doing a nice "permanent" installation of hoses, or, I could spend the same time in the seat doing toe to toe combat with Mother Nature. I suppose there were rainy weekends that I could have spent in the barn doing a nicer hose installation but that never rose to the top of the priority list. I left well enough alone.
 
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   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #818  
I fully understand Koua's point about pride in a well done installation but on the other hand, where would we be without zip ties, duct tape and baling wire? I don't mean to be facetious, but there are also efficiencies in using "temporary" solutions. If running hydraulic hoses to a grapple from rear remotes, a single length of hose can be routed under the tractor, up the FEL post and down the FEL arm to connect with the grapple hoses if you use zip ties. That can be accomplished in about ten minutes. If doing a nicer permanent installation, you'd invest hours and need to do some drilling and painting. You also have to consider that removing the FEL would be much more complicated with a permanent hose mount unless you break the system into two lengths of hose with two extra sets of quick connects so half is permanently attached to the FEL and the other half to the tractor. $$$ . Another consideration is that if the hoses snag on something there is a better chance that the hose will survive (so long as you recognize the problem) when a zip tie breaks rather than when a permanently secured hose is torn apart. These are all personal choices and I fully understand where James is coming from but nobody should be dissuaded from installing a grapple for fear that they don't know how to "permanently" attach hydraulic lines. Indeed, a truly fastidious person would route the whole system with metal tube and use vulnerable hose only at flexible bends the way big excavators are rigged. My advice would be to rig a rear remote controlled setup temporarily at first to see that everything works the way you expect and to then consider more permanent and neat installation modifications. That was my intention when I rigged my CK20 grapple to rear remotes. It would have cost me a day of grapple work to have futzed with a fancy permanent set up before getting to work. In my case, as the tractor was at my summer home, I could either spend a weekend doing a nice "permanent" installation of hoses, or, I could spend the same time in the seat doing toe to toe combat with Mother Nature. I suppose there were rainy weekends that I could have spent in the barn doing a nicer hose installation but that never rose to the top of the priority list. I left well enough alone.

I have the WR Long 3rd Function on both of my tractor's. Installed in-line QD's in hoses, to front QD's for grapples, right next to where the FEL hoses break for un-installing the FEL. Also using the black UV Resistant cable ties to keep hoses in place.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #819  
I have the WR Long 3rd Function on both of my tractor's. Installed in-line QD's in hoses, to front QD's for grapples, right next to where the FEL hoses break for un-installing the FEL. Also using the black UV Resistant cable ties to keep hoses in place. Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet
On my current tractor, I also have a WRLong diverter mounted on the right FEL arm. Only need to disconnect the factory QDs for the loader as the grapple circuit is on the FEL arm. Only downside is that I see the diverter but it doesn't get in the way.
 
   / The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! #820  
Fingers crossed, taking delivery of a Branson 5220R tomorrow. Looks like a good candidate for a 66" dual lid grapple. Thoughts for using this on a 55 hp, 4200 lb tractor?

Forgot to add, 2100 capacity on the loader at full height, 3500 lbs breakout force.
 
 

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