55" or 60" Root Grapple EA vs MTL

[Logan979]

trying to decide on pros and cons with 2 different grapples for a Kubota L3901 55 " EA Root Grapple vs MTL 60" RG anyone have experience with the 2 ? suggestions and opinions welcome. Thank you for all replies. A36 vs AR 450 steel.

 

[BRMyers]

All I have is experience with one of them, the 55" EA Root Grapple and I the grapple is GREAT!

 

[TractorGuy]

Is this the MTL grapple in question? MTL CV- Compact Vertical Tractor Root Grapple — MTL Attachments

I didn't know they made this. Web site says all sizes are sold out and I never saw it so I'm wondering if it's a new model?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

At EA, we're into designing and producing the best and I am able to recommend the most IDEAL grapple for subcompact tractors up to 100+ horsepower tractors. Not just one that'll fit and work ok; I'm talking the absolute best grapple you can possibly mount to your tractor. When you choose ideal, performance and results will be optimal and very impressive.

Wicked Premium materials can't be touched..

Plate Steel used:
Hardox 450 has a yield strength of around 175,000 lbs minimum yield. That is 75% stronger than 100K steel, and 250% stronger than 50K steel. The strength of AR450 steel can improve weight savings over 50K much like 100K material because a thinner material can be used without sacrificing strength.

Round Tubing..
DOM, or Drawn Over Mandrel, tubing is made from a cold-drawn electrical resistance welded tube that is drawn through a die and over a mandrel to create dimensional accuracy, dependable weld integrity and an excellent surface finish(which we manually scuff so the paint will hang on). DOM has high tensile and yield strength, so It is generally chosen over welded tube where high pressure or large workloads are needed such as the manufacturing of race cars and motorcycle frames.

Materials are nothing without design. Wicked materials are spot on and the design is right there with it.
The dozer-like tine geometry of the rake style promotes a tractor's ability to push the serrated, laser cut tines through the ground with ease and the design keeps the load as close to your loader pivot pins as possible to MAXIMIZE lift capacity like none other.
The root rake style allows you to pull brush, vines and other debris backwards, which isn't recommended with many long bottom grapples. Besides pulling backwards, you can also pull down. Reach up and snap a limb off the tree if you feel like it.
The root rake style will easier "unload", so you can hover over the trailer, dumpster, pile, etc., open it up and whatever you've captured is gone!

Our design keeps the load closer to your pivot pins than any other.

The most photographed grapples EVER!!

You don't have to just take my word for it. There are 224 customer reviews for the Wicked 55 on our website and 67 Wicked 60 reviews. The total count of combined Wicked Grapple reviews on our website is over EIGHT HUNDRED!

We are more accessible and interact with our customers more than any other manufacturer in the industry, by a long shot. I started the HUGE Wicked Grapple thread here on TBN back in 2012 and my EA Channel Group on Facebook has 8,600 members who share grapple and attachments adventures every day!

EA Wicked is, no doubt, a larger investment up front, but it is an investment which soooo many say is well worth it.
Here are some excerpts from a similar thread in the orange forum..

I can't say enough good things about our Awesome, Valued customers. They're a huge part of our success and we treat them like family! I hope you'll join the EA Family. I'm here and eager to talk about grapples every day, just as I've done since the first Wicked was made. You won't be disappointed.
Travis

 

[cholland]

Only experience with the EA 55" Wicked grapple. I don't think I've ever seen a negative comment on the quality.
It's lighter than others so it doesn't affect the lifting capacity as much. And it's basically bomb proof. I have lifted and twisted things and sure I was bending a tine, but no it's still strait. Great workmanship and the paint stays on surprisingly well with all the abuse it receives. I only ever take it off if I need the bucket to move material.

 

[WoodDuck]

From an engineering standpoint, I prefer the one-piece tines that curve up from the bottom to the top of the grapple, like EA has. Spreads the stresses more evenly than having a sharp angle in the back of the lower tines. Having said that, it does looks like MTL did add some gussets and reinforcement in that area to help with this. Not a terrible design overall, but it does weigh nearly twice what a 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple does; meaning your tractor will lift a little less with the heavier attachment. I'm assuming that's the EA grapple you were referring to anyway, since you mentioned 55" width. The EA Root Grapples with single/double lids and longer lower tines come in a 54" width. The AR450 steel in the EA grapples isn't a bad thing either. The stuff is tougher than a woodpecker's lips. You didn't really specify what you were going to be doing with the grapple, so I'm just spit-balling here. If price was not your prime consideration though, I'd get the EA and never look back. Lots of positive testimony to back it up. One of the reasons I bought the EA grapple myself.......

 

[goeduck]

EA is undoubtedly the better grapple but it comes at a premium price. If you are just moving brush and for most Grapple uses, the MTL is probably fine. EA will get you more lift capacity since it is lighter. MTL will save your pocketbook substantial money.

 

[Logan979]

RE: WoodDuck, removing Rhododendron and small white pine with a L3901 Kubota. what are the pros and cons of single vs double top Jaw ? EA single MTL double.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

From an engineering standpoint, I prefer the one-piece tines that curve up from the bottom to the top of the grapple, like EA has. Spreads the stresses more evenly than having a sharp angle in the back of the lower tines. Having said that, it does looks like MTL did add some gussets and reinforcement in that area to help with this. Not a terrible design overall, but it does weigh nearly twice what a 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple does; meaning your tractor will lift a little less with the heavier attachment. I'm assuming that's the EA grapple you were referring to anyway, since you mentioned 55" width. The EA Root Grapples with single/double lids and longer lower tines come in a 54" width. The AR450 steel in the EA grapples isn't a bad thing either. The stuff is tougher than a woodpecker's lips. You didn't really specify what you were going to be doing with the grapple, so I'm just spit-balling here. If price was not your prime consideration though, I'd get the EA and never look back. Lots of positive testimony to back it up. One of the reasons I bought the EA grapple myself.......

Thanks for the business, sir, and thanks for the great info. Concerning the tine reinforcement.. All current Wicked Grapple rakes feature gusseting for upper and lower tine support. The gussets are angled and sized properly, so ground penetration and ripping ability isn't compromised. If yours doesn't have them, I'll be glad to send out a set for ya!
Travis

This one is on the table, partially welded..

Ready for paint..

Ready to EAT..

This is the single most muscle flexing, rubbish removal showing, compact tractor capability proving video I've ever seen..

 

[shooterdon]

I wanted the EA, but as a hobby user could not justify the price and went the MTL...$1000

I have the dual lid. Use it for picking up brush and handling logs for firewood processing. I have not used it much but it does what I need it to do. I am 69, so something that will last my lifetime and with limited use, is different than someone who may need 30 years of hard use for their needs.

You will not regret getting the EA if you can afford it. But the MTL might be all you need. Only you know what your situation is.

 

[goeduck]

I wanted the EA, but as a hobby user could not justify the price and went the MTL...$1000

I have the dual lid. Use it for picking up brush and handling logs for firewood processing. I have not used it much but it does what I need it to do. I am 69, so something that will last my lifetime and with limited use, is different than someone who may need 30 years of hard use for their needs.

You will not regret getting the EA if you can afford it. But the MTL might be all you need. Only you know what your situation is.

I think there are a lot of members on here who could do just fine with an MTL and save a lot of money.

 

[WoodDuck]

Thanks for the business, sir, and thanks for the great info. Concerning the tine reinforcement.. All current Wicked Grapple rakes feature gusseting for upper and lower tine support. The gussets are angled and sized properly, so ground penetration and ripping ability isn't compromised. If yours doesn't have them, I'll be glad to send out a set for ya!
Travis

I think you may have misunderstood me Travis, probably how I worded it. I was trying to point out that MTL had most likely added the extra reinforcement (and increased the grapple weight some more) in this area due to the sharper angle in the "crotch" of their grapple being more susceptible to breakage than a "curved-tine" design. I was in no way implying that the EA grapple wasn't reinforced in the same area. My 60" Wicked Root Rake Grapple isn't missing anything reinforcement-wise that I'm aware of! Sorry for the confusion guys!

 

[WoodDuck]

RE: WoodDuck, removing Rhododendron and small white pine with a L3901 Kubota. what are the pros and cons of single vs double top Jaw ? EA single MTL double.

Thanks for the reply.

The single/double lid debate has been around forever. The double lid design allows you to pick up odd-sized loads with less struggle in a lot of people's opinion. (Think one big rock and one small rock at opposite ends of grapple when closing. Logs/firewood/brush applies also. Single lid stops when it hits the bigger object, not gripping the smaller object at all.) I have a "root rake" grapple myself, which is a "clam-shell" design with a single lid all the way across, and much shorter lower tines than a "root grapple" does. If i was in the market for a root grapple with the longer lower tines and lid(s), I'd likely go with a dual-lid I suppose. I spent some time on a skid steer with a dual lid grapple once, and got along with it pretty good moving a stump pile. I could get a big stump in one side of the bucket and a few smaller ones in the other end, and still have them all tightly clamped for transport across the field. Just had to remember to wait for both lids to clamp tight before taking off. As the hydraulic pressure/flow will always take the path of least resistance, usually one lid opens or closes before the other. Wasn't a big deal to me though. I've never used a single-lid longer-tined "root grapple", so I'm probably not the best one to ask about those. Plenty of other people here that have used both I'm sure! Best of luck with whatever you choose!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I think you may have misunderstood me Travis, probably how I worded it. I was trying to point out that MTL had most likely added the extra reinforcement (and increased the grapple weight some more) in this area due to the sharper angle in the "crotch" of their grapple being more susceptible to breakage than a "curved-tine" design. I was in no way implying that the EA grapple wasn't reinforced in the same area. My 60" Wicked Root Rake Grapple isn't missing anything reinforcement-wise that I'm aware of! Sorry for the confusion guys!

Ah, after looking a little closer at theirs, I see exactly what you mean. Yes, even with our superior material aside and with their gusseting present, our curved, continuous tine is MUCH stronger. We do not piece tines on ANY of our grapples, long or short. Another weakness of theirs is the lids. One side mounted cylinder pushing each lid is VERY stressful. It will cause premature wear and twisting, sooner or later.

Our 239 pound Wicked 55 was strong and impressive right out of the gate. I mean, the very first one survived a torture test with Ted and our L6060.

After that, it was cleaned up, painted and went to live on a New Holland TC.
It is still on it and very healthy to this day!

BUT, as with all EA attachments, we are constantly looking for room to improve things. Since the first one, we have made a few changes.
We increased the outer lid tine thickness to 3/8" and added DOM tubing to the lid and for support through the lower tines(vs. the original bolt in plates).
The current Wicked 55 is stronger and more rigid than ever!!

The 400 pound Wicked 60 you have and it's 660 pound, 66" big bro...
Well, they've been bulletproof from the get go!!
How do we know?

Well, here she is with EA Team member, Nate. :laughing:
Travis

 

[flashpuppy]

Look, Travis builds WONDERFUL equipment. There is no doubt or argument about that. There is not a single negative thing I have to say about anything EA makes. I also think they are wonderful at sharing knowledge and make the community better as a whole.

With that said, are they worth 2 to 2 1/2 times the price of an MTL unit? To me, the answer is: No. I have a 66 MTL I run on my M7040 Kubota. I have replaced one cylinder at a cost of $80 and the only reason it needed to be replaced is because I did something wrong (had a 30 log I was carrying and slammed into another standing tree on accident. The leverage I placed on it caused the cylinder to start leaking pretty badly. Probably could致e just resealed it but figured there was a good chance I bent the rod some as well). I have run this grapple hard for over a year and am entirely satisfied.

So satisfied in fact that when I was ready to buy attachments for my new Kubota SVL75 track loader that MTL is again where I went. Got there heaviest grapple this time in 72? Again, for less than half of the competition I do not know how you can go wrong. Also got their stump bucket, smooth edge bucket, a hi-flow 72 brush mower. Simply amazed at how quick they deliver, the quality of the product and above all is the great pricing.

 

[PLanger]

Couple of tips arrived at through a ton of research and many hours of grapple use (nothing new here....you will find others have made the same observations including our friend, Jinman, R.I.P.): Many, many people have bought wider/heavier grapples and wished they had gone narrower/lighter....almost nobody has bought a narrower grapple and wished they had bought wider. This is especially true if you work in woods, tighter spaces or uneven ground. Think about negotiating through tight wooded areas with your bucket on. My bucket is 72".....it gets TIGHT in my working conditions. The reality is you really can't grab a lot more material by going a little bit wider with a grapple. Also, remember that the wider the grapple, the higher the twisting moment around your loader arms. Be careful, things can get bent with a wide, heavy uneven load...our compact tractor loaders are not as stout as a skid or track loader. In addition, narrower the grapples tend to be lighter leaving more lifting capacity to the payload. IMO, the MTL 48" single lid grapple with a 41" opening and a flat bottom (the flat bottom provides overall higher utility IMO), fully greaseable pivot points, protected cylinder, etc., is a killer unit/value at less than $900 delivered. This isn't one of the grapples the OP asked about, but more than plenty for a the smaller 3901. It's plenty for my larger/heavier 55hp.

 

[goeduck]

Look, Travis builds WONDERFUL equipment. There is no doubt or argument about that.... With that said, are they worth 2 to 2 1/2 times the price of an MTL unit? To me, the answer is: No.

Completely agree for most people. Most people move brush, etc. with them for goodness sakes, not exactly high stress. Who cares what they look like?

Even if you are lifting 2000 lbs. Spread across 10 tines that is only 200 lbs each tine. Be smart, save some money.

 

[TractorGuy]

I don't think this is the same model in question but here are some examples of what you can pick up and move with the 60" MTL RK5 grapple and a 32HP tractor rated for 1200 lbs lift.

I paid the extra $60 fee for home delivery so for $1200 total it arrived in my yard 3 days after it was ordered. I wasn't specific about what fittings I needed so I had to make a trip to town and spend another $40 on adapters and couplings to use it.

At the expense of a little extra weight the RK5 has a solid back. This prevents sticks from poking through and you can also do a little grading with it. Not finish grading but you can get it smooth enough to come back with a blade and finish things up.

 

[goeduck]

^^^ very nice. Moves brush and stumps just like the more expen$$$ive ones. :thumbsup:

 

[Rmart30]

Look, Travis builds WONDERFUL equipment. There is no doubt or argument about that. There is not a single negative thing I have to say about anything EA makes. I also think they are wonderful at sharing knowledge and make the community better as a whole.

With that said, are they worth 2 to 2 1/2 times the price of an MTL unit? To me, the answer is: No. I have a 66 MTL I run on my M7040 Kubota. I have replaced one cylinder at a cost of $80 and the only reason it needed to be replaced is because I did something wrong (had a 30 log I was carrying and slammed into another standing tree on accident. The leverage I placed on it caused the cylinder to start leaking pretty badly. Probably could致e just resealed it but figured there was a good chance I bent the rod some as well). I have run this grapple hard for over a year and am entirely satisfied.

So satisfied in fact that when I was ready to buy attachments for my new Kubota SVL75 track loader that MTL is again where I went. Got there heaviest grapple this time in 72? Again, for less than half of the competition I do not know how you can go wrong. Also got their stump bucket, smooth edge bucket, a hi-flow 72 brush mower. Simply amazed at how quick they deliver, the quality of the product and above all is the great pricing.

I agree with this. My MTL off ebay arrived in 2 days and its done everything ive wanted it to do. Ive had mine about 3 years now and its moved literally hundreds of trees while clearing 12 acres with not a hiccup or problem. EA makes good grapples. I just couldnt justify the cost difference.

as for size. You wont notice any difference with the wider one. Id go with the narrower. one.