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No alternative to EA attachments in my mind. You pay just a bit for quality, but it's not a lot more. How many times have you bought cheap chinese junk only to have it fail after a couple uses? I've done it, but usually it's a boogie board that we take to the beach and destroy. Grapples from...

Nice job! Nice to have the ability to grub and cut brush, grapple logs, load and spread dirt with the bucket, AND use a box blade - All while never leaving the seat! :D #WickedArmyGrapple

We had a little fun here in Conroe and kids stayed up way too late playing in the white stuff. (Per my forum handle I am originally from Canada, so it must have been something in their genes that caused them to want to run around outside at midnight...) It's a rare event for the Houston area...

These two knew each other and were comparing notes before leaving the lot. Tried to get back to my truck so I could donate a few staps to them, but by the time I got there the lady in the black truck was racing out around the corner and the gentleman was backing out quickly with that unsecured...

Now I can finally get some sleep. :D Way to go 'Stros!

Very true. Different degrees of silliness to be sure...

Finally getting around to last weekend's work and play. Was supposed to be cool and ended up being 90+ degrees! Mowing 17 acres with scattered wooded areas took a full 8 hours. There is something therapeutic about cutting tall grass and weeds for a desk jockey like me. Enjoying the...

A Wicked Grapple provides lots of geometric options for running a sling to move all sorts of things around! A real back saver.

Just dug this picture out from Sunday the 27th of August as Harvey's outer bands were training across Conroe. The water usually flows in that small rock bed at the bottom of the ditch. You can see where the water line got to while at Church and this is when we got home around 9:30am. I think...

Helped a neighbor fix his driveway rock wall at the town place. These things sure are back savers and give everyone a good excuse to drink beer at 10am on a Saturday... :drink:

Changed oil in the generator this a.m. Thankfully we may have dodged a bullet here North of Houston. Still - you can never be too prepared... Stay safe and dry all!

Re: The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! With all due respect IT, I think folks are simply getting weary of your frequent attacks on EA and its customers. This is the Wicked Grapple thread after all and we appreciate what Travis does to keep us in the loop. We do like our grapples and...

IT - First off, we love you... Now I DARE you to say something negative about this happy EA Wicked Grapple Picture! :D And by the way, this South Korean Made tractor could lead the charge north if it hits the fan anytime soon. The North would be running from the sharp serrated tines that...

If my info is correct, here's a classic picture from Northern BC in Canada. I think this elevator was moved in the early 80's and that truck was a "Dragon Wagon" if anyone remembers those from the WWII era. Anyone with better identifying info please share.

In addition to the pics Travis posted above, I have found the "teeth" enable me to grub out and remove stumps that are WAY bigger than I should be able to remove without a backhoe. So I am in IT's and Cat's camp here regarding grabbing roots. I simply work in from the edges and push in and...

^^^^^

EA Wicked grapple. 54" or 60". They also sell the WR Long 3rd function kit which is a direct bolt on and works well. Single Lid Wicked Root Grapple Lightweight Strong Large opening SINGLE LID Compact Tractor Dual Lid Wicked Root Grapple from Everything Attachments DOUBLE LID...

AMEN!

Best Attachment Ever = EA Wicked Grapple! :D Second best = steering wheel spinner - and it's a close second...

You are 100% right. I should have started with "Don't try this at home." I'll reiterate my earlier comments on this not being optimal and me doing a lot of yelling from a relatively safe distance. Should have had cribbing like this: To be fair though - the shed was empty... :D

Wicked Grapple useful feature #296 - Better visibility than a bucket when performing tight maneuvers with big loads... Also discovered new use #297 - Can pluck out offending fences and fence posts that get in your way when moving the neighbor's shed down the road from one yard to another...

Mass deportation effort seen here as hundreds of undocumented pallets head south on I-45.

A neighbor of mine picked up a shed from another neighbor, and needed it moved a few hundred yards down and across the street. I offered to help not realizing how big a job it was. (12'x 20' metal shed and a couple of fences needed to come down). It actually went fairly smoothly and no one...

I was doing a good deed this weekend and admit it looks ultra sketchy - which it was... :eek:

A narrow single lid is also best for putting food in my belly! I guess I might worry about twisting my loader too if I had a Kioti, but Mahindra's are pretty tough, so the extra few inches of grapple width on either side don't bother me at all. :p (Sorry IT - you started it...) :D Now in...

Picked up a quick hitch from Ranch Ex. (Sourced through Walmart.com and delivered for free)...

Don't know how I managed for so long, trimming and hauling limbs at the homeplace, without a Wicked Grapple. Work around the house has become so much more enjoyable!

They are on the move. Looks like the big pallets are recruiting younger ones to form a "Pallet Youth" militia?

This popped up on my FB page... I've seen a few guys approaching this level of failure, but the gold medal goes to this guy.

Just like when getting a new cat or dog at the house, make sure and introduce the implements to each other properly so that they get to know one another and work together effectively! :cool:

Yes - all of this. :D Travis - I think its time to re-post the Grapple Man's Creed again... Any of y'all with a service background may recognize the form that I have adapted from is the far more glorious Rifleman's Creed. :drillsergeant: Grapple Man's Creed This is my grapple. There are...

Just curious what you all are doing on start up for optimal longevity and performance. The manual for my 2538 HST states to turn key to the left and then start once the light goes off. (It's an oil pressure light though, not the glow plug.) :confused3: Since the manuals seemed a little...

We already have that forum... :D http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/284456-share-pics-people-hauling-towing.html As to the term Redneck, I own it loud and proud. Even when wearing my suit in a room full of New York bankers. Snowback could be derogatory for Canadian...

Perhaps you could just let the cutter hang over the back end of the trailer a bit? In TX we can have around 4' hanging out the back as long as it is flagged properly. I used to flip the rear tail wheel up to save a couple feet, but now I just flay the wheel and strap it to the cutter so it...

That's fantastic! Nice fabricating. Hope my crummy cell pics and rambling plumbing description helped. Pretty soon you'll be doing this!

Please do not stop short in front of a loaded Semi. Also check your mirrors when coming on to a sudden traffic jam. Better to be in the ditch than to be involved in this. Prayers for all affected.

Maybe there is someone with a Mahindra 3016 that can help you out with pictures? I do know that the WR Long kits that EA sells are basically custom made to bolt right on for each machine. Even the hose lengths are pre-cut and EA makes sure your connections all mate up with the grapple too...

LOTS of discussion on this topic in the forums. I run a 60" single lid unit from EA on my 2538 and love it. Many folks report great success with grapples in the 50" range as well. Check this discussion linked here for lots of ideas on narrow vs wide and single vs dual lid. The thread is...

I would get both the thumb and the grapple, but I assure you in no uncertain terms that you will not regret a grapple if you have trees and stumps/roots to move around out in the woods. The picture below is a 60' EA Wicked Grapple and it has only been off the machine twice since I bought the...

Yup - I too think you have narrowed in appropriately. In my opinion the 1526 will be plenty for you on one and a half acres. We purchased a Max 25 back in 2012 and it served us very well for almost four years of sporadic, but vital use on a two acre partially wooded lot. More than capable of...

I love my nephew, and I hope he has some serious ratchet strap magic going on up front here... At least a lot of weight is up front. :eek: Everyone's gotta work, and sometimes you need to play!

I missed this one earlier as well. I think you'd love the TYMs. Mine is a Mahindra 2538 which is essentially the T394 you are looking at. It's been bullet proof so far with 6' implements. As for what you end up with, just make sure there is a great dealer and parts/service department nearby...

Alright - I settled on a very well reviewed 10W solar unit from and outfit called Micro Solar. Picked it up on Amazon and delivered in two days. It appears to be well built and sealed nicely. Installation was very easy with only four screws and a hole for the cable to run into the shed...

Thirty minutes worth of moving out of the shed and cleaning up some Magnolia trimmings. Santa's little helper had to get her glamour shot in!

Oh my that does look terrific! And for dessert some Bacon-Walnut Chocolate Bark with a dash of sea salt.

Indeed! A very Merry Christmas to all!

Your list of "to do's" are basically what I was looking to do. I too studied the L3901 just like Mike did. (Just had seat time on the lot though.) That is a very nice tractor as well, but my primary needs involve a lot of loader work and moving trees and stumps around. The 2538 is just a...

And then Monday morning... brrrr... Feels like home. :D Here's the source for more slides and info. WEEKEND COLD FRONT APPROACHES — (Sorry to all my Canadian family and our northern TBN friends. I know this is not really a big deal, and yes, I will probably still be wearing shorts...

:eek:

The GPS locator unit on my 2538 has just enough parasitic draw to make parking the machine for a couple/few of weeks at a time problematic. Time for a battery maintainer I guess. Anyone have either of these units, or perhaps want to suggest another low cost solar option or better idea? Panel...

Just a quick shout out to Travis and the team at EA for exceptional service and quick parts delivery! I'm enjoying my 7' Extreme Duty Lansdcape Rake immensely. Even though I have been exceptionally rough with it, I have only broken one tine when accidentally backing into a pine tree. The...

Cold front's coming...

I just put this pic in the grapple thread, but it shows how big the ROPS are. Lots of height and width for protection. Look at the pivot point and you can see how the bar sits pretty far out back when lowered...

Well I'll vouch for EAs design. 37" has been plenty wide open for me personally, and it's strong like bull with loads of force for crunching large piles down. New shoppers should feel confident that you can grab pretty darn much all the brush you want with an EA grapple. It's just so light...

Also a shot of the grapple helping load its little brother "EA Extreme Landscape Rake" on the trailer for a few days of fun... :D

Just another success testimonial for the 60" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. (And for nch209 - you won't regret either the 54" or the 60". I agree that narrow is good. I went with 60" as it is 6" narrower than my bucket, but still perfectly matches the width of my tractor so I can gauge where...

I know, I know - no such thing. BUT - anyone with an early model 2538 HST from last year should check with their dealer to see if they have the new updated programs loaded on a laptop. My machine was running great, but the throttle has always seemed a tiny bit sluggish and "bouncy". I chalked...

Yeah - Point taken Steve. Perhaps you did not read my internal mea culpa in my post though - this one is just a fun brain teaser to be figured out. Also - that's just my opinion - I have lots of them, and none are perfect. I really hope I am wrong about the ball being dropped early in...

Local dealer allowed me to have an EA Landscape Rake delivered to his place, so I returned the favor and fixed some ruts in the back area of his parking lot. If you need a great, heavy rake, you should check out the EA Extreme unit. Very impressed!

Trimmed up a pine tree in town today. Those limbs were a lot heavier than I thought they'd be, so I had to get the right tool out to carry it all to the firepit! What to do with these?!? Aha! What did we do before grapples?

Interestingly I do not find it very difficult to dump. At least not in my personal hands on experience... I have not used a smooth grapple and cannot compare, but I have had no major hangups that would cause me grief with the Wicked Grapple. And I have plenty of reasons to not have a pile...

In my opinion, only the OP has a legitimate gripe about Mahindra not calling him back immediately. With all due respect, from a practical standpoint the tractor appears to be on track to be fixed in roughly the time frame they told him from the get go. Nothing to see here save for a legitimate...

It's been like a "Worst Stuck Exhibit" around our place this year! Here is today's entry just outside our community's back gate/fence. Looks like a crew installing fiber ran into a nice wet spot. Plenty of claw marks where they tried to pull out with the bucket. Also a tow chain in front...

Yes - very wise. Or....

OK - I was not there, so I am just relaying this as explained. The Tractor is a Kubota L2600dt 4wd. There was a rough trail down into a ravine so I can see how the angle leaned the ROPS far enough over to contact the tree. I was able to get a non-gory pic of the after-math from the next day...

****** Warning - some graphic details here. Met some friends for dinner after Church last week and learned all about a freak accident that happened to my buddy's father in law back in July. The FIL had joined us for the meal as well. He'd been running his midsize Kubota through a smaller...

Atta boy! My favorite hats.

:welcome: Glad to have you here! The 2538 has been a great machine for me and many others. Check out the Mahindra forum for some good discussions. As mentioned above - we'll be happy to spend your money. :D You can't go wrong with a grapple - the 2538 is made for one!

So as I was at Northern Tool yesterday to pick up an ATV weed sprayer, I saw this bad boy near the check out. With these terrific rains we have been getting, I had to have it! Over 2 feet long and that orange floating disk should be visible for miles! Just a little obnoxious, which I like as...

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I am not sure how that works. Are you talking about possibly rubbing on the PTO shield if using some weird implement with an extremely low top link connection? That is a minor deal and I highly doubt that would be an issue for me. Sure I have only used a...

So awesome Oledadger! Impressive haul there. No backhoe for me, but I have found that the 2538 is powerful enough to let me work around the edges ripping out roots with my Wicked Grapple, and they rocking out some pretty good sized stumps for the burn pile. Here are two decent sized stumps I...

I'm getting this one back on track. AND Mahindra did in fact win out over possible JD's and Kubota's on my small hobby tract in Texas! :p

Anyone who is interested in showing support for those who defend and protect us from wrong doers, please consider putting a "thin blue line" on the back of your vehicle. I have had countless civilians and LEOs stop me to say thanks for sporting the small simple wrap below. Now more than ever...

Yes - that will work too. :thumbsup: Anything along these lines will do the trick. It's important to note that the original cut and weld job is taking the yoke back in a direction opposite to the original slight bend just after the pin, so it's working against itself even worse right now. My...

I like this one too. Put it up on the grappling fun thread originally, but good here as well... Did not notice the awesome shadow until later. Will need to make sure and get whole grapple shadow in next time!

A picture of what my mind sees... Doing this will result in what you see here: Good luck!

God Bless America! (Tractors sure do beat walking in the neighborhood parade...) :laughing:

Today is a good day to put this right here... Happy Independence day!

Happy Independence Day All!

Happy Independence Day All! My wife had to grab this pic as we lined up for the neighborhood parade. We ended up being the honor guard!

I love Home Depot! This was still wrapped with plastic on the pallet, but not sure it's secured properly... :p Also - check out the tailgate and tell me what's keeping this from sliding back aside from those bungee straps.

Stay safe all!

You will love the EA grapple if you go that route. For your machine the 50" compact would probably be perfect. Perhaps you could get away with the 54" single lid unit. I run the slightly larger 60" that has the larger mouth opening, and I have never found it to be a limiting factor for my...

LOL! That one had the best clarity from a quick Google image search, eh Bruce? I didn't even notice you had used that! I'd say great minds think alike, but mine is only "so-so". This type of image was shown earlier in the other post, but the importance of the differences of angle are...

This is a cold response and I need to go look at your other thread as well. I reserve the right to change my opinion after seeing what others wrote there... I think it is simply the angle of your mounting bracket/fork from pivot to wheel. Perhaps the top was bent at some point. If you look...

I had to read that twice and then think about it... My mind was showing me images of a giant, largely maned, African lion running wild in the snow! (Then it finally dawned on me that you were after a Cougar - AKA "Mountain" Lion!!!!) LOL! Sorry, I've been down south too long. Are your...

Enjoy your new machine Chinton! A WR long third function fits like a glove on the 2538 and works great for me and at least a few others. In this thread linked, Roughshod shows off his two rear remotes in post #45. Maybe hit him up in a private message...

Seems legit...

Haha! Good catch. I've seen day/time readings out of whack, but they usually don't take us into the future! Perhaps that date would be more appropriate if this were the vehicle we were hauling.

Aha - eagle eyes! Good job two bit! I was struggling too, but two bit sleuthed this one for us. Makes me think of these definite hauling no-no's: (Look closely...)

This one is so right, it's just wrong!

Wow - the disguises are getting more and more clever! Always check your 3,9 and 6 when visiting someone's home. Never know when a pallet will be ready to grab you!

Saw this beside a new building construction site the other day. Poor thing was lonely. Too bad Xfaxman wasn't there to show them how to get it out! :D Doesn't look too bad, eh? OK - now I get it...

Although I agree completely that the bolt idea above is the sure fire way, have you considered simple lynch pins to secure the clevis pins and retain ease of switching without tools? I use these on my 6' Medium duty to secure the clevis pins and have never had a problem in the woods/brush. A...

^^^^THIS!!!!! Thursday was a great day until about 4:45pm, then the gates of heaven opened and rain came for the next 24 hours here. Water filled ditches and was flowing down roads. Many high water rescues in and around our place, but we stayed dry. Just some excitement for the kids...

For clarity - when I said "this machine with implements can still be hauled around with a half ton as well - barely..." I meant that I can move a fully loaded 20' trailer with tractor and implements safely using my Ram 1500 half ton truck. Sorry for being unclear, but that is funny... :cool...

I love the 2538. HST was a must for me as I do only a little true straight line ground engaging. Mostly loader and cutter work in the woods where i need to moderate speed frequently. A cab would be great, especially in the summer down here, but I would have it torn off in about a week in the...

Wohoo! I just received my new $20k hat, on the right, to go along with my 4 year old $13k hat on the left! :cool: These are actually pretty darn nice. Seriously though - Thanks Mahindra. I will wear these proudly in public!

I think that will work well for you. I was in a similar spot on needing the space to move the whole kit around from home base to property, and ended up with a 20' trailer, but I think my spread is a bit longer than yours all, so the comparison still works. (The 2538 has a compact wheelbase, but...

So after 35+/- hours, both oils are still clear to my eye. I was expecting manufacturing slag and burrs to make it dirtier after this much run time. There is so little discoloration that I can hardly see the level on the dipstick, or recognize the very slight shadow of the level line at the...

Let's see the gear and implements that you can haul around property or from the pond to barn as needed all in one fell swoop. Bonus points if you can haul all the implements together, but pics sampling all of your kit laid out with pictures works as well. :thumbsup: Kudos to MossRoad for the...

The videos above point out the features that pushed me to stay with the Mahindra branded Kodiak stuff. (Fully welded decks, single pieces of deck, smooth underbelly, strong tail wheels, etc...) Good luck!

LOL! This little beast is indeed my Swiss Army Knife. The real lynch pin holding it all together is a 60" EA Wicked Grapple. It has cut outs in the grapple lid that make this funky setup work. (They catch the top of the upper link box-blade bracket, and it clamps down perfectly around...

I hear that! Thieves really chap my hide. Hence my dilemma with this concept... If only everyone was good. This is what I am imagining will happen with me too. I see possible big benefits there, but I might be overestimating my ability to get out there and work. I too am getting close to...

LOL! Yes dynamite is good to put on stumps. Or one of these: Using the search function here will get you loads of info. Here was an older discussion as an example for some ideas for you: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/127192-alternative-stump-removal-options.html

:welcome: Always liked that Ford model. This is not mine - it's from the web, but if I recall correctly, I think Grandpa had one of these same tractors in the 70's when I was younger.

I'm struggling with potentially biting the bullet on some type of onsite tractor storage. Our property is 40 miles from town. 30 minutes by car or truck and 45+/- minutes when loaded with trailer. Not really that bad in the overall scheme of things. It is somewhat of a chore/pain to load...

Touche! And with a flail end to ensure max destruction. Now if I just swing wide maybe could avoid the direct hit and catch a side point with this one... (Again - I fear my little tractor will be outgunned by someone else.) :cool:

I really want to use a Crocodile Dundee type quote here, but I'll bet money someone will trump this one too! :laughing:

Thank you gwstang. Have you considered running for President this year? You'll have my vote as the pickings are a little bit slim it seems. :) A couple days ago we finally got around to helping a neighbor get a tree out of the yard after the recent storms. Rain started again today, so...

Just found this thread. Pure gold! A couple years ago while they were building houses near our place in town I had the opportunity to help pull out the builder's dirt guy a few times. It had been pretty wet while they were finishing up and the terrain is flat. When they took the big JD out...

Or this one from earlier in the thread...

That picture is awesome Brandi! Should send that to Mahindra so they can use it in print advertising!

Here is a WR Long third function kit that I purchased from EA. (Everything Attachments) It plumbs in right there at the loader control and the button to control the grapple lid is the switch on top. Here is a shot of the two hoses that run from the third function to the front. Basically...

My input is similar to the above notes - Peel what you can with a plastic scraper, but don't try very hard, then place a dabs of some Goof Off on the remaining sticker residue, let it melt the remaining paper/adhesive for a few seconds and then wipe off with paper towel and you're done...

Very pleased with these simple Blue tooth sound protectors: 3M WorkTunes Wireless Hearing Protector with Bluetooth Technology - - Amazon.com I too used earbuds under regular muffs and that really sucked, especially when I yanked the cord out of the earbuds when jumping off the tractor...

Could not help myself. Here's a couple pics of hauling medium/well flank steak - light duty, single lid, narrow grapple. (I prefer rare, but four kids to please, so...) Load and haul Dump in eat pile - success All these grapple pics have my mind spinning 24/7 on grapple uses and needs. :D

I hate when websites confuse me with their trickery... The price I saw in my mind was for the tractor pictured WITH front end loader as in the shot below from the website... My bad. I did not see the "tractor only" disclaimer, and even then I am personally pre-programmed to think of FEL as...

I'll second the EA /WR Long 3rd function valve recommendation. Works very well on the 2538. Oh - and get a steering wheel spinner too. The 2538 is a nimble beast that turns on a dime and that spinner will be super helpful for loader/grapple work.

Congrats on moving down the path. See - I told you it was a beehive. :laughing: The veteran grapple users here on TBN have tons of experience and knowledge, and some have a little passion too. They all helped me in my decision process and I am grateful for that. $20 bucks says you will be...

Agree with Ken. The forks do look like a good solid option as well, but it may be difficult to grub roots and brush cleanly like in this picture below. I have a pair of clamp on pallet forks for my bucket when needing to move pallets. Probably just need to decide on whether you need to do...

I use these - seem to work well. Amazon.com: Trimax UMAX5 Premium Universal 'Solid Hardened Steel' Trailer Lock (fits all couplers): Automotive I don't think regular bolt cutters could break it, but maybe a torch... Better than nothing. I suppose they could still wrap chains around or...

Must have been a Monday...

See yellow hi-light. Couldn't think of a better word for the portion of grapple lid that hooked the three point upper link bracket of the box blade! Sorry for the confusion. :D

YES. Oui. Si. etc... Necessity (IMHO) At least when it comes to any kind of tract with woods and brush. It is just so handy at our place. I would also recommend a third function kit simply for the ease of use and general simplicity of one handed operation. if you haven't already, please...

Round Two! Nice to hear that lake Travis is finally full again... Perhaps that spillway will get some exercise this week. Lord knows Lake Conroe and Livingston dams are huffing and puffing nicely. I'll take it now, and would love to see this in June/July/August too.

Hmmm... A new idea for those of you with a backhoe? :)

Safety seemed a logical forum for this one. I think this kind of deal might be the right setup for the next Mahindra commercial where they's always showing the grumpy old JD owner at the end. Video is hosted at liveleak, thus a link is needed. Grab your beer and enjoy! LiveLeak.com - Front...

Sorry picture below is not great. Just talked to dealer about this. Tractor comes with Mahindra Brand Heavy Duty SAE 15W-40 and that is recommended for engine year round by this dealer. The chart below shows that you can use thicker or thinner based on prolonged weather extremes in either...

Really enjoying all of these setups! Nice trucks and equipment folks. Here's little red: - 2011 Ram 1500 - 34" E rated tires and rear air lift helper coil bags - using a 14,000# Equalizer WDH when hauling trailer - 20ft Load Trail Med Duty Trailer - +/- 10,400# capacity incl trailer -...

Re: The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!! It's taken a few tries to get trailer weighting and balance right, especially since I haul with a half ton, but finally nailed it this week. (Another full thread in trailering forum on the trials and techniques.) Even with the extra tounge...

Awesome Tom! Glad we were able to grow up the right way an are still here to tell people about it. So back to EA Wicked Grapples - I have to wonder if Ted, Peanut, Travis and the team purposely designed my 60" Single lid to work PERFECTLY with by Mahindra 2538 Bucket and Boxblade? Check this...

Updated weather is still intense, but getting a touch lighter... https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/plains-heavy-rain-flood-threat-severe-mid-april-2016

Final report - success achieved Static unloaded truck measurements to wheel well lip - Front 38", Rear 40". Using Equalizer Hitch and coil helper bags with 30 psi. BEFORE - TRUCK NOSE HIGH AND TRAILER TONGUE HIGH - Equalizer provided shank with hitch at lowest setting and all implements on...

Hope everyone's got their rain coat ready! Just got equipment put up, and tarped up what isn't under cover. Should be an interesting few days! Stay safe and get to high ground sooner than later if needed folks!

Not so much a crazy accident as an almost squashed small car, by me, and I think it would have been their fault. Hauling the 2538 today and always keeping my eyes peeled, but you just can't see 'em all. Keep your eyes on the left. This was a close one and the ride was a lot more jerky than...

Finished up three days of cutting and hauling/burning some limbs and debris yesteday. Love the warm and humid spring mornings. Summer heat is about to be here!

Another root saw application. Clean up time... Good safety discussion on this one at another thread - please see this thread here for safety details - all is well http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/211635-grappling-fun-picture-thread-26.html#post4429399

That's the deal k0ua - you nailed it. Thanks also to the others above with their concerns as well. I understand and appreciate it - for both my safety, and for the woods around our place as well. Probably not the most cautious approach dumping limbs onto fire, but I was satisfied that...

Fun times cleaning up this week. Piled a bunch of big logs for later burning, and burned a bunch of small stuff and stumps that I uprooted. What a great tool!

Just a quick update and note of thanks for the suggestions and advice above. *** Disclaimer - I am not finished yet and appreciate that I still have some load balancing and shank work to do, so please don't crucify me for sharing this interim update. I hauled 40 miles today after a few more...

Cutting grass, refining mulch and knocking down sapplings with a brush cutter in rough terrain or in the woods is a lot easier with a grapple! (No getting off to move dead fall to the brush pile, and you're able to remove some smaller stumps that were going to make the cutter angry.) Also...

I really enjoy this view... Hauled tractor out to property today and continued cleaning up logging/mulching aftermath. It's amazing what a 6ft cutter on a 38 HP machine will chew up! Also - anyone ever pull vines down with their grapple? So much easier on the hands and back - especially...

Don't you hate it when you're brushogging and find a nuisance stump? No problem when you have your grapple! Step 1 - Quick grub and gentle push Then just pop it up and away you go to the burn pile! (Darn things are like icebergs - always more than meets the eye!)

There are some really bad, smaller, "fly by night" logging crews who give the whole industry a bad name. We are still working after 6 months to clean up the aftermath/utter destruction left by a crew who was supposed to selectively log off some of the pines for the prior owner of our tract so...

A buddy of mine from up north is one of the smartest and hardest working guys I know. He definitely puts all his equipment through their paces, especially his truck when building fence! (Love ya Mike! - I hope you're not on TBN. If so I owe you a beer...) :laughing:

Yes agreed - on a serious note it may even get the front tires completely off the ground! I'm impressed that it wasn't doing a wheelie in the picture. Looks like the front axle on the trailer might be helping keep that from happening. BUT - you are correct in that using the bags to lift the...

Welcome Blackgreyhounds! Exciting time for you. I'll add my 2 cents to the great feedback above. In my opinion the dealer, (both sales and service experience), should be a big part of your decision. After a very similar recent process looking for a new tractor, we decided on the Mahindra...

Agree with Big Boy Toys. Letting the Mrs. get familiar with, and enjoy the tractor is a win win for everyone! My wife handled a Max 25 SCUT with ease and has no problems with this mid size 2538 either. They're both HSTs. Happy wife, happy life!

Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery! Although our Mahindra Max 25 with spring seat worked fine for four years, (great machine to be sure), I chose to have the dealer add a suspension seat upgrade on the Mahindra 2538 we recently upgraded to. (Direct bolt on from the 2540). It's main...

He needs one of these "Tow Alls". Video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b734eSPO1gI

Too much fun! OK - I think the challenge for some in understanding all of this perfectly is that our tractors are boring. Let's figure out where the center of gravity is in this example if someone hands her a cold beer for her left hand? Then, how far does she need to adjust her right leg...

I was picking up some compost today and this gentleman decided to have the loader operator put all 3 yards of his topsoil on his back trailer axle. I wanted to go move the wheelbarrow for him, but decided to mind my own business. There was a tool rack at front of trailer, but they could have...

I sure do enjoy all of these great pictures! Thanks everyone for sharing. :) Today I hauled in a trailer with two yards of leaf mold compost for my wife's hobby garden in town. I have no real need for a dump trailer, (except on days like this), so I get a good workout with the pitchfork and...

Welcome to TBN HappyTrails! :welcome: Lots of great people on this site who are very helpful. I relied on advice found here back in 2012 when making my first purchase which as very useful. Did not contribute much for a few years, and then came back for more advice for our recent...

Great example of front pivot doing its thing when not enough counter weight is used. It's a fun short video to watch at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRus_-ipbUo

EA 60" Single Lid Wicked - Mahindra 2538 - EA 3rd function kit

If I can put off turning on sprinklers in town for another couple weeks, I'll take that as a win with water rates having skyrocketed recently. Probably need to get a few burn piles ready to go too. Thanks for the heads up.

It may or may not have looked something like this for that as of yet unidentified 14 year old that I mentioned earlier. The kid can't remember much about that episode except that nothing broke and he was usually much more careful from that point on. On to that skidsteer dirt tipping...

Here is a new one up in Northern NH - $21,000 for just tractor. I think a lot of folks here love their Boomers. https://nh.craigslist.org/hvd/5445005620.html Here's a slightly smaller used Kubota a little closer perhaps: https://nh.craigslist.org/grd/5444909988.html You know, if...

Thanks foreman and txdon - I'll keep an eye out for that other thread. Thank you gentlemen also for voting - it is so important. I voted early back on Feb 16th. In and out in 10 minutes from seat, to booth, to seat of truck. I am grateful for our freedoms and was able to vote for the first...

Excellent advice up above. Everyone, shares great wisdom here. I had a Max 25 SCUT that worked great on 2 acres with 1 acre wooded, but I found that it was no match for 16+ acres of partially cleared woods with remaining deadfall and dense brush. Ended up with a unit that I could still tow...

OK - So that setup is an EA 60" single lid Wicked Grapple $1,799 - Single Lid Root Grapple I also purchased the matched 3rd function valve from EA. It is a WR long unit, but EA matches hoses and fittings to the grapple you purchase from them $787 after a $50 rebate - 3rd function auxilliary...

This just popped on my Facebook feed from Midland TX. Oops. Gotta give the hitch credit though eh?

No doubt Silvertramp and dieselcrawler... That could really hurt. Perhaps try one of these for just smooth ground operation, and then fold it in for the rough stuff? I almost lost my thumbs a few times while running old water trucks up and down really rough pipeline spreads up north while a...

Check out this thread. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/350682-equalizer-weight-distribution-hitch-worthwhile.html I only haul a few times a month and it's 45 miles each way on the interstate, but no problems so far. This Mahindra 2538 tractor is probably similar...

Thanks rankrank1. Egon also pointed this out and I agree wholeheartedly. Great insights and very true about the insurance and potential liabilities, etc... Just because you can doesn't mean you should. The realities of a half ton pickup constraint and the legal and rating limitations are...

LOL!

Trees are budding and flowering all over the greater Houston area. Neighbors Red-bud is starting to take off and the tree canopies are going to explode in the next week or two. Time for mulch and I'm tempted to fire up the tractor and start rolling the aerator around the yard. Do y'all wait...

Not all Taurus firearms are bad. I just went through a similar timeline and good CS experience with Taurus on their replacement program. Received a new G2 Millenium 40 cal a few weeks ago. Had sent in a perfectly reliable earlier model PT140 that was part of the repair or replace program. I...

Beating a dead horse, but might help newcomers understand why the counterbalance is desirable. Just another observation for purists who do a lot of loader work. Skidsteers are almost exclusively loader machines, and they seem to have a lot of built in counterweight behind the rear axle as...

Thanks Dave - good to hear a Dealer opinion too. Per your comment above - do you mean like this kind of gentle operator? (Sorry Ted - I had to do it...) :D I love the EA Wicked Grapples and I really enjoy watching Ted put these things through their paces. This is actually a good...

I think Old Pilgrim's point is that moving the loaded loader CG from in front of the front axle closer to the actual front axle by lifting it up higher will indeed help put some of the weight back on the rear axle. It would simply be the weight that was lifted off the rear during the initial...

At least he did a better job than his brother. Their dad had an even better setup back in the day. And Cousin Vinny from Jersey really like to show off with his tow rig and trailer.

Not calling anyone out because I have valued and enjoyed all of this discussion, but I do encourage some thought on this if you are still struggling. I noticed something here that a few folks are missing and it is critical. When one loads a loader, or forks, or a grapple - that weight/force...

In all seriousness, please do take the suggestions of the helpful and knowledgeable posters above who are correctly encouraging everyone to use appropriate counter balance when doing loader, fork, or grapple work. It absolutely WILL remove stress from your front axle and make the operation much...

I think the key to making sure you don't trash your front axle is to use THIS much counter balance... :p

Agree with all comments above. Like TechGuyTN, I added cruise to my recent 2538 purchase and also swapped in the suspension seat from a 2540. That was a life saver as our tract north of town is raw and rough. You might consider that swap as well. I was upgrading from an original Max 25...

Here's one in Mahindra Red. :p (With mCRD engine.) So far I love this beast, a 2538 HST. If we'd had a Cabela's around I would have checked out this sale action, but we don't and I love Mahindra's support, warranty, and local dealer here in Conroe TX, so this red version works for me. I...

Put in a few hours clearing logging debris this past weekend and was very impressed with the 60" single lid grapple. I put it through some hard paces and had no real issues. I did have to adjust my bottom cylinder clevis out a few turns after initial strenuous use so that the lid would close...

Now that there is funny RaydaKub! As for my wife, I was able to cajole her into helping move mulch in town. She caught on quickly and didn't even try to run me over. :p Not a bad bucket load there either in the second shot. I think she's a keeper.

Too much fun. I used to struggle with pulling down dead trees or cutting off at ground level. Now it's just a two direction grubbing of roots and then a tap at about ten foot up to push it down for haul off. (The dead top is to the left and it was grabbed in the same burn pile run as this base...

Great contributions here. I will be borrowing many of them. :thumbsup: In my opinion, the absolute best "minor addition" to any tractor, large or small, is a steering wheel spinner. (Sometimes known as a suicide knob when used on road vehicles.) Seriously - no better cheap add on to make...

LOL! Sorry about fanning the flame war! For full disclosure my 60" Grapple is middle to light weight, is not wide nor narrow, and does have a single lid, so I have no dog in this one and love all grapples equally. I do think that the little bitty grapple would be ideal if all one had was a...

Great find. Sure to cause even more debate, but only with pictures attached... Light weight? Check! Narrow? Check! Single lid? Check! This may be the best grapple EVER!!!!!!! :p

2538 in action - grubbing roots and piling limbs Compress and prep to mulch/cut Cut and cleaned up - holes back raked - only brought the machine off idle to get the cutter up to 540 RPM

The Max 25 HST we started with in 2012. Just sold it with 157 hours on it - perfect for 2.5 acres... And a few of the new 2538. Love this beast! Great Mid Size CUT that I can still haul with a half ton pickup.

OK - Still not able to get out to property, but was able to do some work around the house today. Piled up some cut limbs and grubbed out a few yaupons. Grapple backblades nicely as well. Move on over to cutting area Light, but bulky load Moved to cutting area Ready to drop for...

Just a little cleanup around house today. Grapple works well for backblading after root grubbing is done. Spreads dirt fairly well. Gather cut limbs and rip a few small yaupons out. Move to cutting spot - No burning in town. This is fun.

Thinking of all those working the in snow. Stay safe guys. I haven't been out to property for a while, but was able to trim low hanging limbs in town, grapple them all up, grub a few yaupons and cut/mulch everything up today. 70 degrees and sunny here. Pile and grub roots Move to cutting...

Just a couple more pictures for those considering a Mahindra 2538. So far so good. Picking up at dealer 20' Medium duty trailer (10,000# capacity) - could raise rear mower wheel and move tractor back for better balance, but a half ton dodge with a weight distribution hitch hauls this just...

I'm just going to leave this right here... Click following link for the video. Picture below is not linked, so click the text above. Video Here: LiveLeak.com - Badass Mini Front loader ** Volume**

Grapple Man's Creed This is my grapple. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My grapple is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My grapple, without me, is useless. Without my grapple, I am useless. I must clamp my grapple true. I must haul brush...

That looks like a solid setup you have for getting under root piles. The root grapple I picked up is from Everything Attachments. Chose it for design, strength, and low weight. Single Lid Root Grapple It is the 60", single lid version. Primary use will be for root grubbing, brush removal...

This Mahindra 2538 has a TYM chassis and a Mahindra engine. For what it's worth I was able get a cruise control module and different suspension seat shipped to the dealer in one business day after we purchased it. Mahindra has loads of these types of TYM chassis tractors sitting down at the...

How to move an old 10,000+ pound Dozer: (apologies if this is already posted on here. It's new to me...) Full video of this delicate operation can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jCIp4ckXEk 1) get out the welding torch, old trailer, and a tractor to pull it on the...