Attempted Grapple Destruction

   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #1  

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Before you watch the video, keep in mind.....

It's cheaper for us to tear up a grapple and scratch a new tractor than it is to fix multiple, untested grapples after delivery.

Ted's brother is a Kubota Dealer so we buy them at cost and then we'll sell them as "Only used on Sunday by Grandmother" :laughing:

The story behind this quick test:
We told a local customer that he could take delivery of this grapple in 3 weeks after product testing, but he started calling us every day wanting it sooner. Finally, we just let him have it, intending to make another for testing.
Since he was local, we knew we could fix any problems that may arise. The customer installed it on his tractor, and bent a cylinder in less than 10 minutes.
We were expecting to see abuse, but the grapple had no signs of even being used. We installed a new cylinder and hooked it to our new L6060 Kubota.
The customer came along with us to some property located a few blocks away from work to unleash the fury and see if the cylinder or grapple would fail.
As you will see in the video, we did everything WRONG that could be done. We pulled with the lids open, pushed trees down with the open lids.....A LOT of things that you shouldn't even think about doing.

Ted did not operate this tractor or grapple like any NORMAL operator in his right mind should, instead he morphed into a neurotic, clueless and impulsive MADMAN!!! He had his seat belt on and didn't care if the tractor flipped or whatever.....it wouldn't be the first tractor or skid steer that he's flipped.
The grapple survived with no damage, other than a few scratches.

The customer returned home with his grapple, satisfied that it must have been a bad cylinder.....but......he bent another in less than 10 minutes. We then figured out that the aux. valve installed by his dealer was plumbed wrong.
The pressure line from the pump was going straight to the aux. valve with no relief, resulting in tremendous, infinite pressure until something breaks... pump, line, valve, cylinders. It should have been plumbed to the power beyond, which has pressure relief built in via the loader valve. His dealer is coming out today to re-plumb the valve correctly.

If ANY grapple or tractor manufacturer saw their product being used in this manner, warranty would forever be DENIED!!!

We did not set out to make a video of this, but I had my phone and just had to capture it. That is why there is no talking from Ted telling you not to do this. For all he knew, I was just taking photos.
Travis

By the way, the grapple that we're testing is the new 73" Wicked Grapple for Large Compact and Utility Tractors.

 
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   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #2  
2 things. 1rst I want a job there in product testing, heck wouldn't even want payed to do that! Second I thought I was rough on equipment but makes me feel like I baby my tractor more then the wife does the kids. Very impressive and making a mental note to never buy any used equipment from you. Definitely new b7t never something after Ted gets done with it
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #3  
Holy Crap!!! I bet .Kubota didn't test their equipment that hard!!!
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #4  
My loader isn't strong enough to lift my rear wheels. =(
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #5  
We then figured out that the aux. valve installed by his dealer was plumbed wrong.
The pressure line from the pump was going straight to the aux. valve with no relief, resulting in tremendous, infinite pressure until something breaks... pump, line, valve, cylinders. It should have been plumbed to the power beyond, which has pressure relief built in via the loader valve.

An AUX valve without relief? Was that the factory valve? Add-on AUX valves nearly always have RVs.

Anyway, interesting video. At least I did not see you using the momentum of the tractor to ram
objects with the grapple or root-rake.
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction #6  
I am thinking some loaded rear tires and another 600 700 on the 3 pt. Would have been good. Yeah the ' bota got a workout. Grapple seemed to hold up pretty well.
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I am thinking some loaded rear tires and another 600 700 on the 3 pt. Would have been good. Yeah the ' bota got a workout. Grapple seemed to hold up pretty well.

He makes it look otherwise, but the tires are loaded. I saw it with my own eyes and was thinking the same thing!
850 pound box blade and a quick hitch on the back.

Travis
 
   / Attempted Grapple Destruction
  • Thread Starter
#9  
An AUX valve without relief? Was that the factory valve? Add-on AUX valves nearly always have RVs.

Anyway, interesting video. At least I did not see you using the momentum of the tractor to ram
objects with the grapple or root-rake.

Most valves do not come with it, but they are available. That causes problems if you have relief before the loader valve's relief.
The only good way to do it is to put the aux. valve in the power beyond line after the loader control valve so that everything is protected at the proper PSI and regulated by the tractor's relief valve.
Ted
 
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   / Attempted Grapple Destruction
  • Thread Starter
#10  
He makes it look otherwise, but the tires are loaded. I saw it with my own eyes and was thinking the same thing!
850 pound box blade and a quick hitch on the back.

Travis

Ted told me to see the fluid in the tires first hand, so I literally did. I now have pics......and fingers that smell like a tire!
Travis

20151008_144246.jpg 20151008_144236.jpg
 
 

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