Now I Need A Grapple. . .

[k0ua]

This might help identify which connectors you have existing on your tractor.
This is the 1/2 inch AG connectors

1/2" Ag Hydraulic Quick Connect Tractor Couplers, Ball Pioneer Style ISO 5675 w/Dust Caps - - Amazon.com


And here are the Flat Face connectors.

Amazon.com: 1/2" Skid Steer Bobcat Flat Face Hydraulic Quick Connect Couplers/Couplings Set w/Dust Caps: Home Improvement

 

[kenmac]

This might help identify which connectors you have existing on your tractor.
This is the 1/2 inch AG connectors

1/2" Ag Hydraulic Quick Connect Tractor Couplers, Ball Pioneer Style ISO 5675 w/Dust Caps - - Amazon.com


And here are the Flat Face connectors.

Amazon.com: 1/2" Skid Steer Bobcat Flat Face Hydraulic Quick Connect Couplers/Couplings Set w/Dust Caps: Home Improvement

when my 3rd function kit was installed. Kubota dealer installed male fittings on the hoses.
When the grapple arrived. it also had male fittings on the hoses. So, I had to go buy two female fittings

 

[jjp8182]

Since the diverter question seems to be answered, I'm going to be a complete oddball here and say that for some things a wider grapple can be handy. Personally I went with a 66" EA Single Lid Wicked Root Grapple for Compact Tractors on my L3560 (for a first grapple) as it mostly covers the width of my tractor and I wanted that in the event I had to clean up severe storm/tornado damage (which could include pieces of houses or other debris that isn't tire friendly and is strewn across a large area).

The second "grapple" I bought was a Danuser Intimidator for pulling posts/trees. Between the two I can use the Intimidator to pull bushes/small trees in quick & messy pull & drop approach, and then use the width of the single lid grapple to push/rake all the debris into a pile to be scooped up and hauled away in fewer trips. The L-bottom style grapple is also is handy when I'm laying things in the grapple by hand (e.g. final clean up, or cleaning saplings/trees out of a fence line). Can't say I've run into an situation where having the single-lid vs. a dual-lid grapple has been an issue, but that's just my experience and I have haven't had to move large rocks - mostly just stumps, trees, a lot of brush/bushes and other vegetation (if it's long enough to bridge the gap between multiple tines it can be grabbed).

Have also looked at the "Add A Grapple" grapples, Igland GR 20 style grapples (which would seem great for logs and large boulders), scrap grapples (a side-less solid bottom bucket with lid) and many other style of grapples. So as noted in the original post different grapples for different folks and different methods/uses. So which grapple you get depends on what you'll be doing and (to a degree) what other implements you have or plan to get.

BTW I just looked at the Artillian website (first time in a while) and it looks the company is under new ownership (don't believe it started as a part of Curtis manufacturing) -- which to me raises a few questions since I'm no longer seeing the recommendations regarding tractor size for the products. One of the reasons I originally went with EA over Artillian was that I bought pallet forks with my tractor (new I wanted/needed them to unload future implements) and my L3560 was listed as being at the upper end of the size range of tractor the Artillian Frame/Forks were (at the time) supposedly designed to support. Which meant I could have used them, but may have run into issues if starting doing things near/beyond the tractors limits.

From what I've seen some manufacturer's seem to rate their equipment to the max size of tractor it would handle where others (like EA seems to) will add a bit more margin in their tractor size recommendations, and some don't provide any recommendations at all leave the user to make an educated guess based on the implement weight..... personally I prefer to keep the implement under 1/4th the loader's rated lifting capacity (but not "too light"), but will go above that if/when it makes sense.

One final thought - one of the nice things about (at least some of) the EA grapples is the tines on the top lid will line up with the tines on the bottom which can permit picking up some very small items (using a top and bottom tine like a pair of fingers to pinch the item).

 

[jonsstihl]

I have an EA wicked 60" single lid and the minimum pinch you are refering to is actually about 3/4 inch . the tines clamp down all the way but due to slack in the pins and such the lid can be lifted about 3/4 inch without much effort.

Doesn't change much about the function and I still love my grapple. It just surprised me when I was building my brush grabber.

Just putting that info out there in case some people had a very specific application they were planning to use a grapple for.

 

[k0ua]

One final thought - one of the nice things about (at least some of) the EA grapples is the tines on the top lid will line up with the tines on the bottom which can permit picking up some very small items (using a top and bottom tine like a pair of fingers to pinch the item

).

One thing I did to my grapple was to add a "plate" top and bottom so that I could pull up small saplings, pull grape vines out of trees etc. You can read about it here if you like. It took a couple of permutations before I was satisfied with the result, but I leave it on all the time now, even though it is totally removable.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...d-grapple-bush-grabber.html?highlight=grapple

 

[4570Man]

The grapple on my M59 is a Favor grapple. It wasn’t cheap either at around 3 grand but it’s high tensile steel construction and lightweight. It’s around 600 pounds and it’s rugged built. The M59 has twice the capability of the machine in question and it has no chance of damaging this grapple.

 

[jezreel]

Boy Howdy I am really finding out things I didn't know, I didn't know. Here are the connections they put on. I am assuming these are the correct fittings.

 

[jezreel]

The grapple on my M59 is a Favor grapple. It wasn’t cheap either at around 3 grand but it’s high tensile steel construction and lightweight. It’s around 600 pounds and it’s rugged built. The M59 has twice the capability of the machine in question and it has no chance of damaging this grapple. View attachment 682314View attachment 682315

I've been reading the info on the Faver website. I like what I'm reading. What grapple model is that on you M59

 

[Jstpssng]

Those look like the right ends, you just need to get fittings on your grapple to match.
The comment that Koua made about diverters is spot on. That's what I have and while it does work, I have to constantly remind myself that I can't curl and open or close the bucket at the same time. I'm constantly losing my load because I forget... But they came on the tractor, so I'm not complaining.

I believe that Messick's sells Artillian, if you think that's what you would like. It appears they may need more plumbing after all though... Artillian HSM-SPM4P-F This is the diverter kit which you're referring to.

 

[jezreel]

Those look like the right ends, you just need to get fittings on your grapple to match.
The comment that Koua made about diverters is spot on. That's what I have and while it does work, I have to constantly remind myself that I can't curl and open or close the bucket at the same time. I'm constantly losing my load because I forget... But they came on the tractor, so I'm not complaining.

I believe that Messick's sells Artillian, if you think that's what you would like. It appears they may need more plumbing after all though... Artillian HSM-SPM4P-F This is the diverter kit which you're referring to.

Yep. . . I really like the system, but having to buy the extra kit is a too much. I just want to make the right grapple decision the first time. I am very pleased with the MX5400, and I want to get a quality grapple as well.

 

[Jstpssng]

Yep. . . I really like the system, but having to buy the extra kit is a too much. I just want to make the right grapple decision the first time. I am very pleased with the MX5400, and I want to get a quality grapple as well.

Guys that have the EA speak highly of them. I have a MTL which is a bit heavier but was only half the price. You also might look at Land Pride (made by Kubota). When I was looking they were priced comparable to the EA. I went with a wider grapple, but all it really does for me is add another 50 lbs of weight.

 

[kenmac]

I just want to make the right grapple decision the first time. I am very pleased with the MX5400, and I want to get a quality grapple as well.

I have been very pleased with my EA grapple. Like I mentioned before. I did have an issue not long after I bought it. EA paid for return shipping back to them, made the repairs, then shipping back to me.
Would another company say it was my fault and say the repairs are on me ?
I don't know, but I know what those at EA did, and they did the right thing..

I run it on my CX 105 and it has held up to that beast !

Excellent customer service !

 

[k0ua]

Boy Howdy I am really finding out things I didn't know, I didn't know. Here are the connections they put on. I am assuming these are the correct fittings.
View attachment 682338

Yep, those look fine, now just tell the grapple supplier you need a male and a female AG also known as ISO-5675 also known as Pioneer.

 

[4570Man]

I've been reading the info on the Faver website. I like what I'm reading. What grapple model is that on you M59

I think it’s an SCX 62”. BTW a Favor grapple doesn’t come with hoses to hook to your machine. I felt like it should’ve but since it was a fantastic product otherwise I’m not worried about that.

 

[m1garand762]

The best thing you could do is to call travis and get a quote. From experience dealing with him he will work with you on shipping. I have many ea manufacturered implements and the quality can not be beat. They are worth the wait

So, when looking at the EA Attachments I see two grapples. . . Wicked Root Grapple for Compact Tractors and right next to it, Wicked Root Grapple for Large Compact and Utility tractors. I assume, for my MX5400 I would need the Large Compact and Utility Tractor version. The choice there is 55" and 72". There is no 60". Would 55" work just as well as 60".

Also, I know this has been hashed out on many forums, but the Free Shipping within the continental US is bogus, as I am 150 miles outside of their radius and I don't live in Mexico:smiley_aafz:. Am I to assume it is full shipping cost anywhere outside the shipping radius?

Thanks for the info so far.

 

[LD1]

I got a tomahawk grapple. Good match for my MX and I havent destroyed it yet.

They were one of the most affordable when I was looking.....And a local shop stocks their products too:thumbsup:

Tomahawk Attachments :: Tomahawk 66" One-Cylinder Brush Grapple

 

[mred2]

If you call EA, they will also help as the what type of grapple. Root or root rake, etc. Look at their site and they list several types of grapples with different widths. They know their products and what they were made for. Advise here is very good, but it doesn't cost anything for their advise. All accounts here is that they are great to work with.

 

[jonsstihl]

it appears the artillian uses a diverter so that you can move each lid independently. I don't see where that would be useful. I think you could get the artillian without the diverter and plumb the two lids to the same circuit so they are both controlled by the same switch.

 

[fried1765]

I'll second that.. A EA wicked 60'' grapple is one tough grapple.

@ only 400 # it's most likely the lightest grapple on the market in the 60'' size

Why does weight matter ? A heavier grapple reduces lift capacity

It ain't cheap but If you want a strong build grapple, you won't find a better one

People like them so much, there is most likely a 2-3 month wait


customer service is second to none. I when I had an issue with my grapple. They paid shipping back to their plant, made repairs, and paid shipping back to me,

Does any other grapple manufacture do that ?

Like everything else, it depends on how much use you expect to have for a grapple.
I love EA products, but the EA 60" Wicked root grapple is $2650.
In my case, the bottom teeth on that grapple were not a design I felt would work well for ripping vines out of trees/bushes.
In addition, I will only use a grapple occasionally, since I have EA forks, a bucket, ratchet rake, and a very capable 11' dig hoe.

I bought a 60" root grapple from Mid State Attachments (Denton NC) for $1152.
Certainly not nearly as precisely made as EA stuff, but still, seemingly very capable.
It does not have any zerk fittings at the wear points, but I will remedy that, for just a very few additional $.

$1152 v/s $2650 is a $1502 difference, and as above, the EA tooth design was not acceptable for my use anyway.
The EA grapple weighs 400#, while my grapple weighs 500#.
Not a big difference for my Kubota L48TLB.

BTW: Mid State Attachments shipped me the wrong grapple first.
No problem!
They paid return shipping, and immediately shipped the correct model.
GREAT folks to deal with!
Maybe it is in the North Carolina water?

 

[jezreel]

Okey Doke. . . I called EA and talked to Travis. Really nice guy and very helpful. Learned a lot from a short conversation. Not knowing what I don't know, I kinda focused on the Wicked Root Grapple with the dual lids and long bottom tines, but after talking to Travis, I believe I am leaning more toward the Wicked Root RAKE Grapple. Grabbing brush, logs and pulling vines out of trees seem to be in the wheelhouse of the first one mentioned.

I like the EA a lot, but as Fried1765 and others mention, there are other grapples out there that will do the job and at an easier price point.

Shipping would be $35 to get it to my pick-up point. But 10 Weeks Out! ! ! I'd love to have a business that was that busy.