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

[ErikVann]

Yes my lucky day double post!

 

[Snowback]

Love this discussion on grapples - all 100 or so odd pages of it! I'm with Erik and was curious about the slightly wider lid on the 50" as well? It is a more open design, so maybe that width helps keep stuff in. EA Makes some great products it appears.

We just picked up a partly wooded tract of about 17 acres and I've had a clean up crew run a first pass with skid-steer grapple unit and mulchers to knock out some major logging debris via burn piles and some grinding of stumps. What I have left is manageable, but it's not a walk in the park. It will take some patience to continue reclaiming and maintaining while working around trees, and a grapple will help.

So I need your all's expertise on this one - Travis/Ted please weigh in too if you'd like. We are picking up a Mahindra/(TYM) 2538 in the next week or two, and plan on a grapple addition soon. As an engineer I completely understand the benefit of a narrower grapple getting more force into the dirt for root removal etc... Even though the 2538 comes with a 66" bucket and the tractor is 60" wide at rear tires, I don't think I need full coverage, although my brain will need to get over that... I'm thinking about the 50", 1/4" steel, lightweight grapple unit, or perhaps a 54"/60"/66" single lid with 3/8" steel. This 2538 specs show it has about 37 HP, weighs 4,100# and the loader has about 2,700# breakout force with 1,630# lift at pivots pins when at max height. Humbly looking for opinions here.

a) Will the 7" increased mouth opening be a huge benefit on the bigger grapples? (Or put another way, will I not miss it if getting the 30" opening, 50" wide compact unit?)
b) If getting a little western with the grapple, will this size tractor/loader end up overpowering the smaller compact unit and possibly damaging it? (Thus making the 54"+, thicker unit that opens wider a better bet.)
c) Anything else y'all might want to add - good, bad, or ugly - please feel free. What would you suggest or choose to buy, even if none of the above?

Ready, set, go!

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Travis ,
This question has probably been asked and answered before, but I haven't seen an answer.
Why is the lid on the 50" CUT grapple larger than the lid on the 55" standard wicked grapple?
Do others feel there is a advantage to a smaller ratio lid/overall width? I am a about to pull the trigger on one of the two grapples but am curious to know about his consideration. Thanks
Erik

For pinching, all of the Wicked Grapple top/lid tines meet the bottom tines. The lid is slightly wider on the 50" because the lower tines are further apart.

54" Single Lid

50" Single Lid

The lid on the 54" and 60" has more gusseting and plate steel, which contributes to the added weight.

We feel that the 30" opening on the 50" grapple is plenty for 35hp and under small compact and subcompact tractors.

Considering your tractor size and lift capacity, you could go either way. I'd lean more towards the slightly heavier 54" because the $$ difference is less than $200.
That Mahindra will have a ballasted weight of well over 4,000 pounds, so the extra 100 pound grapple weight shouldn't be felt.
I hope this helps.
Travis

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Love this discussion on grapples - all 100 or so odd pages of it!

It seems like we started it just yesterday, but the Wicked Grapple is about to reach it's 3rd Birthday! :birthday: resent: :cake:

It all started with this one right here. First pics from the delivery room. :laughing:

a) Will the 7" increased mouth opening be a huge benefit on the bigger grapples? (Or put another way, will I not miss it if getting the 30" opening, 50" wide compact unit?

I don't think it will be a huge benefit, but it certainly wouldn't hurt anything, especially on the 2538. If you were putting one on the Max 25 or 28....50" all day long and nothing more!

b) If getting a little western with the grapple, will this size tractor/loader end up overpowering the smaller compact unit and possibly damaging it?

We know there's plenty of people who "get western" on the regular. I haven't seen or heard of a bent one yet!
Here's Ted being Ted with our 50". The CT122 Bobcat is low HP, but it's not a light tractor.

c) Anything else y'all might want to add - good, bad, or ugly - please feel free. What would you suggest or choose to buy, even if none of the above?

My suggestion for your tractor is the 54" or 60" Wicked Grapple. Under $200 difference and less than 100 pounds heavier. If your tractor was any lighter or smaller, i'd sway back to the 50".

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all!

My pleasure! Questions like those only add to the value of this great thread!
Merry Christmas to you!
Travis

 

[Xfaxman]

Love this discussion on grapples - all 100 or so odd pages of it! I'm with Erik and was curious about the slightly wider lid on the 50" as well? It is a more open design, so maybe that width helps keep stuff in. EA Makes some great products it appears.

------------------------------- Humbly looking for opinions here.

a) Will the 7" increased mouth opening be a huge benefit on the bigger grapples? (Or put another way, will I not miss it if getting the 30" opening, 50" wide compact unit?)
b) If getting a little western with the grapple, will this size tractor/loader end up overpowering the smaller compact unit and possibly damaging it? (Thus making the 54"+, thicker unit that opens wider a better bet.)
c) Anything else y'all might want to add - good, bad, or ugly - please feel free. What would you suggest or choose to buy, even if none of the above?

Ready, set, go!

Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all!

It is only 25 pages on my computer because I changed settings to receive 40 posts per page.

a) I vote for the larger opening, it helps moving brush. I speak from experience, having grapples with a 44" wide 31" opening and a 72" wide 51" opening.

b) I don't think you have to worry about damaging it.

c) Have you ever been "tickled pink" ? You will be the first time you use a grapple! :thumbsup:

Merry Christmas!

 

[JDFla]

Ok. I think I have found the part I need. There is a 9/16-18 UNF thread in the Faster 1/4" quick connect that JD uses in the 3rd function kit for the H180. The most cost effective "fix" is a Parker 3/8-6 FHG5-S SAE Adapter 3/8 NPTF Male X 9/16-18 UNF Female. I should be able to use any 3/8" quick connect with a female 3/8" pipe thread. I'd rather not use an adapter but I can't find any place to order the Faster 3/8 quick connect with the 9/16-18 UNF female. I know they make it but I can't find anywhere in the USA that carries it.

Jsandy,
Did you go this route? I am in the same boat, JD 1/4" with 9/16 thread on an H165 loader needing to connect to an EA grapple with 3/8" connectors.
As I will have to order something - would like to get it right the first time.

Thanks

 

[Snowback]

Thanks guys!

Travis - that is terrific info and I really appreciate the clarifications and pictures. Perfect info to let me take the next step in decision making. Will chew on one of the 50" light weight or 54" heavier duty option with a couple of unique points I like on each of them. I'll probably need to call y'all about the 3rd function needs as well, but I don't want to hijack this great thread for that. I'll go you tube surfing tonight to see if I can get any smarter from other user vids as well. Please keep us informed when sales come around - sure wish I had been a month ahead of the curve to have seen your Christmas specials...

Thanks to Xfaxman as well - I appreciate your input too. I'm getting a little older, but tractors and grapples probably help get the stress out on weekends! Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Take care Everyone!

 

[blin]

All I want for Christmas is:
An ETA SLRG 60" Single Lid Wicked Root Grapple,
And A ETA 72", 6 Way Deluxe Value Scrape Blade for Compact Tractors with 25-50 HP V2.0!
Whew!!!
I ordered them today, and hope ETA can make it happen.
I'll try not to shoot my eye out!

 

[blin]

I was asked by ETA if I had 3/8" or 1/2" hose coupling. I have 3/8" on the tractor. Will there be a noticeable difference between one over the other?

 

[TomSeller]

I was asked by ETA if I had 3/8" or 1/2" hose coupling. I have 3/8" on the tractor. Will there be a noticeable difference between one over the other?

My knee jerk response... Not at all noiticeable a single lid grapple. Slightly noticeable on a dual lid.

Having three grapples, the lid response time is not really an issue for the weekend user or the semi agricultural user. It mostly matters to the pro skid steer user.