EA Wicked Grapple Carnage!

[rustyshakelford]

Well I finally found the limit of my grapple! Looks like I'll be needing atleast one cylinder unless I can get a replacement rod and maybe a second one. It's only 1/2" or so from closing all the way.

I shoved over a pine tree while the ground was soft from all the rain. Come down easy enough but the root ball was being stubborn. I grabbed it in the middle and went forward to try and roll it out of the hole and pop and remaining roots. Went all the way I could one way and moved to the other side to push it back. I moved to the back and when I cycled the grapple I noticed the right hand lid was about 10" from closing. Checked it out and looked like a bent rod. Wasn't until I went home and popped the pins out till I saw the damage. Hopefully I can get some new ears to weld on. Guess I'll be calling Travis to see if they would sell me some.

I am taking full responsibility of this. My tractor is 11k lbs iirc and this grapple was designed for subcompacts. I also was putting the lids in a bind, never had any issues before but today was my day. Consider what this has been thru I'm still very happy with it and recommend it.

Brett

Bent rod

Bad side mount

What it should look like

 

[CalG]

That notch is a weakness in the design. You can fix that! ;-)

The cylinder rod can be straightened, It will weep a bit for ever more, but not so much as to really be an expense.

 

[jeff9366]

I am taking full responsibility of this.

My tractor is 13k lbs iirc and this grapple was designed for subcompacts.

I also was putting the lids in a bind.

TractorData.com: TractorData.com John Deere 5055E tractor information


Why did you buy a grapple designed for a sub-compact tractor, when a bare JD 5055E tractor weighs 5,000+ pounds?

 

[rustyshakelford]

TractorData.com: TractorData.com John Deere 5055E tractor information


Why did you buy a grapple designed for a sub-compact tractor, when a bare JD 5055E tractor weighs 5,000+ pounds?

EA hadn't begin working on a utility size grapple yet. After seeing the abuse that Eric does to his 6010 I figured I'd give it a shot. Still very happy with it and I'd say that after everything I've done with this grapple if this is my breakdown, I can live with that. These things are great.

Why would you link a tractor data spec sheet? I'm very aware of my tractors size and have even pointed out in the original post about me knowing I was way outside what it was designed for.

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

That notch is a weakness in the design. You can fix that! ;-)

The cylinder rod can be straightened, It will weep a bit for ever more, but not so much as to really be an expense.

Honestly it's held up great! They designed this for a sub compact tractor and this is the only thing I've broke and it was from me torquing the lids I think. This is the first damage for these I've seen and I would considered this abuse. There's no way I would be able to damage one made for my size tractor if I got one of them.

I still say these are the best grapples on the market! I'll look into straightening the rod. Have torches, presses and vices. Doesn't look very bad but keeps it from retracting all the way

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

Here's a picture of a 5055e if anyone is wondering. Loaded rears and had my mx7.

Brett

 

[Ivan49]

Honestly it's held up great! They designed this for a sub compact tractor and this is the only thing I've broke and it was from me torquing the lids I think. This is the first damage for these I've seen and I would considered this abuse. There's no way I would be able to damage one made for my size tractor if I got one of them.

I still say these are the best grapples on the market! I'll look into straightening the rod. Have torches, presses and vices. Doesn't look very bad but keeps it from retracting all the way

Brett

Do not heat that rod as it will remove the chrome and leak like mad and don't ask how I know LOL. If you have a hyd press you cab straighten it out. Use a piece of angle to check it with for straightness. Been there and done that

 

[s219]

I say your lucky something more expensive didn't break! It's risky to push on something with the FEL using engine power and traction since you can easily break stuff. If you stick with hydraulics only, you normally hit relief before things will break.

 

[Xfaxman]

Honestly it's held up great! They designed this for a sub compact tractor and this is the only thing I've broke and it was from me torquing the lids I think. This is the first damage for these I've seen and I would considered this abuse. There's no way I would be able to damage one made for my size tractor if I got one of them.

I still say these are the best grapples on the market! I'll look into straightening the rod. Have torches, presses and vices. Doesn't look very bad but keeps it from retracting all the way

Brett

A local hydraulic repair shop can straighten the rod without damaging it.

 

[Aquamoose]

The Anbo would have suited you better. With the steel they use, I've yet to bend a single tine while I was maxing out on the capabilities and more. The tractor will break before the grapple gets a ding.

 

[japody]

Here's a picture of a 5055e if anyone is wondering. Loaded rears and had my mx7.

Brett

All said, nice setup!

 

[rustyshakelford]

View attachment 466982

View attachment 466983

The Anbo would have suited you better. With the steel they use, I've yet to bend a single tine while I was maxing out on the capabilities and more. The tractor will break before the grapple gets a ding.

That sure looks nice but th EA has been excellent and was just what I was looking for.

All said, nice setup!

Thanks. Had some issues with the tractor but most of the bugs have been finally worked out.

Brett

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I like your attitude Rusty. :thumbsup:
Please chronicle your repairs here as I expect to do the same one day.

 

[wmonroe]

I like your attitude Rusty. :thumbsup: Please chronicle your repairs here as I expect to do the same one day.

I agree. It's nice to read about someone who doesn't automatically bland the manufacturer and demand free parts. Good for you rustyshackel and I hope you're back at it with the grapple very soon.

 

[D2Cat]

If you attempt to straighten the cyl. yourself, use a hyd. press and put brass on the bottom edges and where you put pressure on the rod. No heat required.

 

[CalG]

Honestly it's held up great! They designed this for a sub compact tractor and this is the only thing I've broke and it was from me torquing the lids I think. This is the first damage for these I've seen and I would considered this abuse. There's no way I would be able to damage one made for my size tractor if I got one of them.

I still say these are the best grapples on the market! I'll look into straightening the rod. Have torches, presses and vices. Doesn't look very bad but keeps it from retracting all the way

Brett

Rusty, that wasn't a condemnation, that was recognition of an opportunity!

Everything I own is a "kit" to be improved upon. Thanks for sharing your "kit".

 

[rustyshakelford]

I like your attitude Rusty. :thumbsup:
Please chronicle your repairs here as I expect to do the same one day.

Will do!

I agree. It's nice to read about someone who doesn't automatically bland the manufacturer and demand free parts. Good for you rustyshackel and I hope you're back at it with the grapple very soon.

When I bought this they tried to steer me towards a utility grapple that they also sell. It wasn't one they they build but rather offer. I knew the risks when I ordered it and am still glad I did. Like I said, this was on me. Kinda like mowing over a rock you know is there and it gets kicked up and breaks the back glass. Not the manufacturers fault. Own up and go on.

I'll update tomorrow when I have a chance to call EA for some parts.

If you attempt to straighten the cyl. yourself, use a hyd. press and put brass on the bottom edges and where you put pressure on the rod. No heat required.

I think I'll just get a new cylinder or at minimum a rod and then try to straighten this one. I have a 20t press but just steel arbor plates and no brass laying around. I don't think it will take much but don't want to burr or nick this one up

Brett

 

[MinnesotaEric]

EA hadn't begin working on a utility size grapple yet. After seeing the abuse that Eric does to his 6010 I figured I'd give it a shot. Still very happy with it and I'd say that after everything I've done with this grapple if this is my breakdown, I can live with that. These things are great.

Why would you link a tractor data spec sheet? I'm very aware of my tractors size and have even pointed out in the original post about me knowing I was way outside what it was designed for.

Brett

EA makes a great grapple! Keep this thread updated with the repair.

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

Timely post. Was back dragging a small stump out of moist soil last night with one of the lids.

Now I have a 1" gap there
Nothing appears to be bent.

Would not recommend that use with a 60hp with loaded rears.

EA Wicked 72"

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Timely post. Was back dragging a small stump out of moist soil last night with one of the lids.

Now I have a 1" gap there
Nothing appears to be bent.

Would not recommend that use with a 60hp with loaded rears.

EA Wicked 72"

That's too bad.

Cab-on 60hp compact tractors with leaded tires puts these machines into the 7-8000 pound working weight and can create way more momentum stress than smaller tractors.

FWIW, I only use the lids to clamp on material that is already reasonably loose. For small stumps, I first push them using the leading cross bar, then I drop the leading crossbar behind the stump and back up. At this point the stump is usually "reasonably loose" and I clamp down and pull it out.

Backdragging with the lids is asking the grapple's cylinder and lid mounts to take the entire weight of the tractor, a thing that grapples are not designed to do.

Also, while I'm discussing technique, I don't like back dragging anything that can force the entire weight of the tractor into the curl rams, as they aren't strong enough to take the weight of the tractor momentum and come to a sudden and unexpected stop.

That said, I bent my righthand lower tine on my grapple only when a hose burst and the all the weight from a beaver-cut, green-tree I was manipulating fell on my grapple awkwardly as I was backing up and the tine took the weight of the tractor.