Help! SSQA to a JDQA Grapple?

[Ribz]

After researching grapples, I decided to pull the trigger on a third function for the FEL on my Kubota Grand L 4740. Had the dealer install the kit and I should be ready to go. After looking at a number of companies and reading people's opinions, the Wicked 55 was my choice. Called to talk about ordering only to find out the extremely long wait. I was told 8-12 weeks minimum.

So... Scoured the net for a used one. I found only one, but it was only two hours away. 2009 model that was barely used. Yay me. Drove up, saw it operate on the ground hooked up to rear remotes on a non FEL Deere on the lot. It's a JD dealership. He said he didn't have anything else to demo it working. The salesman knew I was putting it on a Kubota. I didn't think to ask, even though it looked different, about the set up. I was more concerned about leaks, and working cylinders and got distracted. You can probably see where this is going.

Get home only to discover it's built for JDQA, my Kubota is of course SSQA.

Am I screwed, or is there a cost effective way to hook up this grapple? It's the only used one in the country I can find. With the wait time for a new one being SO long it will be fall before I could get one and I have projects I was planning in the coming weeks. Don't want to waste money renting. Most are too heavy to leave me much lift capacity. Loaders themself eat up about half of my capacity on the LA 854 FEL.

Signed,

Befuddled in Kentucky

 

[Peter 315]

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steers/adapter-and-mounting-plates/quick-tach-adapter-%E2%80%93-fits-skid-steer-converts-to-john-deere/169214.html

 

[Yander]

There are probably adapters to take jdqa to ssqa. However, by the time you buy it and get it the way you need it you definitely haven't saved any money. I call the dealer and tell him it was a mistake you need to take it back. At least try

 

[rScotty]

That is such a common problem that local JD dealers used to have those adapters for sale. The dealer might even have a used one and certainly knows where to find one.

I'd say that making sure it is the right implement for the customer is part of the dealer's responsibility.
In this case it sounds like their salesman should make it right.

They have cost you time and aggrevation. Around here that is something every dealer works hard to avoid. If they have an adapter, they may want to cover the delivery .
rScotty

BTW, I bought my Titan SSQA/3pt adapter plates from a Kubota dealer who stocks Titan adapters.

 

[4570Man]

Cut the JD mount ears off and order an inexpensive SSQA plate to weld on.

 

[Ribz]

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steers/adapter-and-mounting-plates/quick-tach-adapter-%E2%80%93-fits-skid-steer-converts-to-john-deere/169214.html

Peter 315, that looks like the ticket! Thanks you so much.

Yander, taking it back would cost me a tank of diesel and about 5 hours round trip. There isn't another available that I can find. This one is half the price of a new one and immediately available. If I end up another $315 into it, I think I'm still good. Seems like it opens my resale possibilities if it then fits either system. At 92 lbs, it isn't cutting into my lift capacity too bad. This adapter appears to just clip on with no welding. I'll have to check with Everything Attachments Monday and make sure there aren't any issues with this set up.

 

[dusty3030]

I wouldn't mess with an adapter, just get it welded up to SSQA. Cut off the pins and JD ears and have SSQA welded on.

 

[Ribz]

I wouldn't mess with an adapter, just get it welded up to SSQA. Cut off the pins and JD ears and have SSQA welded on.

Thanks for responding, but why? What's the advantage?

 

[dusty3030]

Thanks for responding, but why? What's the advantage?

Less weight overall and less slop in the connections.

You can make sure you are using good steel and having it welded up correctly if you either do it your self or have someone you trust convert it.

Makes it easier for you to sell if you decide to get rid of it later for some reason.

 

[4570Man]

I wouldn't mess with an adapter, just get it welded up to SSQA. Cut off the pins and JD ears and have SSQA welded on.

If you have a welder it would be cheaper, it would be less slop, and probably lighter.

 

[Ribz]

Less weight overall and less slop in the connections.

You can make sure you are using good steel and having it welded up correctly if you either do it your self or have someone you trust convert it.

Makes it easier for you to sell if you decide to get rid of it later for some reason.

Hmmm. It makes sense there could be some extra slop in the connections. I don't understand how cutting off the JD parts will help the value of it. If the adapter works for this application, it allows both set ups. Seems like a win to me.
Regarding weight, the adapter only adds 90 lbs. Seems negligable.

 

[Yander]

I thought that adapter would be more money than it is. That's not a bad price.

90 lb on a tractor of Yours size is negligible. Unless you're really good at fabricating and like to do it I would also go with the adapter.

By the time you buy what you need to weld and hire a welder it will be more than the adapter probably.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Both Option are good it is your decision, the adapter plate doesn't look any heavier to me then a standard SSQA plate you can always tack weld the adapter plate on so you don't have any play and you will have both options ... although keeping it flexible for the next guy is like not driving your truck to keep the millage down for the next guy or not having s#x with you GF for the next guy... so you do what's best for you and realistically it won't be worth less depending on what adapter plate is on... it was JDQA you wanted SSQA the next guys will probably want some other type.

 

[4570Man]

I thought that adapter would be more money than it is. That's not a bad price.

90 lb on a tractor of Yours size is negligible. Unless you're really good at fabricating and like to do it I would also go with the adapter.

By the time you buy what you need to weld and hire a welder it will be more than the adapter probably.

You really don’t have to be good at fabrication. Anyone with very basic welding skills can buy a skid steer plate for half the price and weld it on. If the op doesn’t own a welder the adapter would be more appealing.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

After researching grapples, I decided to pull the trigger on a third function for the FEL on my Kubota Grand L 4740. Had the dealer install the kit and I should be ready to go. After looking at a number of companies and reading people's opinions, the Wicked 55 was my choice. Called to talk about ordering only to find out the extremely long wait. I was told 8-12 weeks minimum.

So... Scoured the net for a used one. I found only one, but it was only two hours away. 2009 model that was barely used. Yay me. Drove up, saw it operate on the ground hooked up to rear remotes on a non FEL Deere on the lot. It's a JD dealership. He said he didn't have anything else to demo it working. The salesman knew I was putting it on a Kubota. I didn't think to ask, even though it looked different, about the set up. I was more concerned about leaks, and working cylinders and got distracted. You can probably see where this is going.

Get home only to discover it's built for JDQA, my Kubota is of course SSQA.

Am I screwed, or is there a cost effective way to hook up this grapple? It's the only used one in the country I can find. With the wait time for a new one being SO long it will be fall before I could get one and I have projects I was planning in the coming weeks. Don't want to waste money renting. Most are too heavy to leave me much lift capacity. Loaders themself eat up about half of my capacity on the LA 854 FEL.

Signed,

Befuddled in Kentucky

A skid steer quick attach is a skid steer quick attach. We have dear John, Kubota, bobact, they all swap around with each other.

 

[4570Man]

A skid steer quick attach is a skid steer quick attach. We have dear John, Kubota, bobact, they all swap around with each other.

The John Deere tractors have a different version that’s not compatible with SSQA.

 

[2manyrocks]

SSQA dimensions were posted here: Making a SSQA Mounting Plate

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

The John Deere tractors have a different version that’s not compatible with SSQA.

That is exactly the kind I torched off and welded a ssqa to. Still have the torched off pieces laying here. Two hook brackets on top and two pins on bottom. Converted all six tractors to ssqa. They were all different, they all the same now. But you were talking ssqa, I must have missed tractor.

 

[Ribz]

... although keeping it flexible for the next guy is like not driving your truck to keep the milage down for the next guy or not having s#x with you GF for the next guy...

My 2017 Ford Superduty has 15,500 miles, and I never kiss and tell.
I is what I is.

Thanks

 

[Peter 315]

My 2016 Ford Superduty has 17k on it...