Everything Attachments Root Grapple Issues

[NH Mike]

Ok guys, here we go!

On 02/27/2014 I placed an order with Everything Attachments for the 72 inch "Everything Attachments Tractor Loader Root Rake Grapple" Part number-ETA-CMP-RRG-72 with the flat face connectors. Total for grapple was $2,295 plus $75 for the couplers.

Today is March 21st 2014 and my grapple arrived at the Boston Yellow Freight terminal, so I picked it up after work and brought is straight home to check it out. I will tell you this, it looked great when I picked it up. the metal cutting and welding looked very nice. So I backed into the yard and fired up the ASV while I went inside to get tin snips for the metal banding that was wrapped around the grapple and the undersized pallet that was quite broken. I guess the pallet wasn't an issue as it just needed to sit on a truck, but on with the story... I removed the grapple from my truck, set it down and un-banded the grapple. All smooth so far..but here we go.

Im going to start with a design flaw that renders the grapple unusable in its current form. My skid steer is an ASV PT-60 with a manual quick attach. The problem lies with the hose guard on the top of the grapple. Its a metal cover designed to protect the hoses, but in this case the cover contacts the pin levers and will not allow the grapple to mount under the top mounting surface. I tried everything and its just not going to fit in its current form. This was a huge fail right off the pallet, brand new and unusable!

So i decided to plug the hoses in to the machine and open the grapple as part of my attempts to attach it to the skid. Plugged them in and opened the grapple. Everything looked good from inside the cab. Got out to take a look at things and found a big puddle of hydraulic fluid from the uppermost fittings that were not even finger tight. then as I looked around I found more problems. The fittings look bent, the grapple pins were falling out because hardware to hold them in wasn't there at all, the grease fittings for the grapple pins were never installed, and the cylinder safety clip fell out onto the ground.

Now most of this is small stuff, but I come from a manufacturing background and I can tell you this- A FINAL PRE-SHIPPING INSPECTION WAS NEVER DONE!! I don't understand how this could have left the shop in this state, its basic manufacturing, you build, you inspect, you test and you ship. Its simple!

I wasn't able to speak with anyone at EA as they were closed at the time of my discoveries, but i will tomorrow and I will post the progress.

 

[Muhammad]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

Thread restored per user request.

 

[George2615]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

I'm sure they will make it right. Just calmly explain what you found, offer to Email them your pics and let them know you are not satisfied.

I know what you mean because I lost some faith in the dealer I just bought my new tractor from. I received a copy of the inspection check list the dealer's mechanic performed prior to my picking it up. When I got it home and posted some pictures here I mentioned I had a hard time getting traction on the snow while plowing. Another member suggested the tires looked over inflated. I checked the tires and found the rears were set at 50 PSI. On the tires I found a persons name and 20# written in white crayon on the sidewall. On the check list it said the tires were checked and set but I then knew they weren't checked at all. I made me wonder if they checked anything on the list at all so I did my own check using their list.

 

[NH Mike]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

Im sure they will make it right too. I purchased the grapple from them mostly due to the response they provide when issues arise on this forum. And don't get me wrong, the grapple quality is wonderful, it really is well built, and Im not sending it back. But the condition of the product to my doorstep is an issue and sometimes companies need to look back at the basics when production gets a little out of control.

The post is just my story, and its factual..

 

[CalG]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

You just got to look at any attatchment as a "Kit of parts".

The mfg. can't possibly have every make and model of every tractor and skid steer to confirm a smooth fit up.

Missing hardware is another issue entirely. But it is a frequent addition to the "read this First" instructions that come with most stuff these days. "If you find that there are parts missing, please contact......."



The falling clip? Ahh you can deal with that I'm sure.
The grease fittings on the other hand. Inexcusable! Make them send you some!

I would bet that the margins on "consumer" attachments are not so high that expectations of Rolls Royce treatment are a bit out of line.

I'm sure you will get all these issues resolved with a single polite and descriptive phone call.

Sure looks like a substantial piece! I paid $1.64 a lb. for steel today for some fabrication work I'm doing. What did you pay for yours?

Cheers

Cal

 

[GManBart]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

And don't get me wrong, the grapple quality is wonderful, it really is well built, and Im not sending it back.

Then why the inflammatory "everything wrong" thread title? If everything was wrong it wouldn't be "wonderful quality" would it?

 

[NH Mike]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

Ok the title might sound worse than i meant it to ( Im not a journalist)

 

[murphy1244]

Re: "Everything Wrong Attachments"

How about " Something Wrong Attachments"

 

[Verticaltrx]

I've bought a few attachments from tractor implement manufactures that had the 'skid steer quick attach' and had to do a bit of work to them to actually get them to fit a true skid steer. Just because they call it SSQA doesn't mean it's right for a skid steer. The tractor implement mfg's are making 'skid steer' attachments for tractors, not skid loaders. There are several things that are different about the geometry of a skid loader vs a tractor loader that sometimes make supposed universal attachments incompatible. Everything from roll back angles (most forks and buckets made for tractors don't have enough roll back when used on a skid steer), to lower pin location, to having a proper fit on the wedges.

Hopefully you can get it to fit without having to rework too much.:thumbsup:

 

[NH Mike]

If it were a hydraulically activated pin setup it would fit without issue, I'll post the fix when the deed is done.