Grapple Failure

[IslandTractor]

By the way, here is a photo of the tower design of the EA "wicked" 50 inch single lid grapple. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=368598"/>

Looks like an engineer was involved rather than just a welder. Looks good. I think EA may use less than 1/4" but high strength if I recall just as their tines are 5/16th rather than 3/8th but are high strength.

 

[CalG]

Looks like an engineer was involved rather than just a welder. Looks good. I think EA may use less than 1/4" but high strength if I recall just as their tines are 5/16th rather than 3/8th but are high strength.

IS that one of those $2k grapples?

Wicked expensive repair on the OP failure. I would fix it for that ;-)

'Getting what you pay for........

The design of the WG is simple, elegant even. But I bet anyone of us could work it to failure ;-))

 

[k0ua]

Here is the last thing an embedded rock I want to dig out see's
The tines still match up perfectly top and bottom and I have dug out several stones that I think weighed close to 1000 lbs.
It does seem that the steel is high quality in this unit.

 

[k0ua]

IS that one of those $2k grapples?

Wicked expensive repair on the OP failure. I would fix it for that ;-)

'Getting what you pay for........

The design of the WG is simple, elegant even. But I bet anyone of us could work it to failure ;-))

I paid $1295 with free shipping... it is now $1395 with free shipping.

 

[sdef]

The link supplied only takes me to the OEM's main web site and not to a particular grapple I can compare the specifications on. I have read the first 6 pages of this post, skipped the rest of them and have the following comments based strictly upon my personal experience with the equipment I purchased and how I am using it, all on my very densely wooded, extremely rocky land. The clay is so dense one is not able to use a Bully Tools pointed shovel to manually dig a hole of any size, with the clay wet or dry. I am using the tractor to dig up tree stumps I have left and dig out large rocks/small boulders using a CID stump bucket, WildKat 48" rock grapple bucket (525#) and Dirt Dog 72" (710#) ROBB. I purchased all of this equipment knowing lesser built attachments would not survive my usage.

While deciding on my equipment purchases, I called the retailers or OEMs for specific information on construction, especially WildKat due to earlier posts on TBN about 1/8" metal. Many made equipment of varying robustness, designed I believe for competitiveness in this market we enjoy. This means there are equipment in various weight/strength vs. cost ratios and one needs to know what one's needs are and make the correct purchasing decisions.

Rest assured that most of the ground engaging equipment equipment sold at TSC, Agri-Supply, Northern Tool, many farm stores and tractor dealers, and everything I have seen advertised on CraigsList in my area, would be damaged in short order on my property and attached to my tractor. I believe that all of the structural steel in my equipment is at least 3/8" and I seem to recall some 5/8" in my rock grapple. I have used all of my attachments to the maximum capabilities of my tractor- every time I use it, and only have some scratched paint and a broken tip on one of the ROBB's shanks to show for all of the usage. I have had a rock and a stump in the grapple (very low to the ground) that caused the rear tractor tires to slowly bounce off the ground as I gingerly moved each item out of my way, and I have loaded rear tires, along with that ROBB on there, plus 100# of tools. When I dig out a stump, I usually end up with an 8' - 10' diameter hole, 3.5' - 4' deep. The large diameter is due to large rocks below ground level surrounding the stump. All of my equipment seem to only have high quality components, including the Parker hoses and Italian 1/2" ISO 16028 couplings on the WildKat rock grapple.

I will purchase any more equipment I may need from any tractor equipment OEM I currently own, as they have proven to me they make quality equipment for my needs. Plus all of the FEL attachments have a great fit to the skid steer tool bar with no slop. I am very pleased with it all.

Attached are a few pics of my property, most of which have been posted on TBN in other posts. The rocks in the bucket are not the large ones, with each one coming close to maxing out the tractor.

 

[The Fred]

I find this kind of wining from the OP so typical of our failing modern society. Unfortunately, its prevalent on this site. The guy bought the economy grapple because he was too cheap to buy the beefy one. That's fine, I do the same thing all the time. He then latches onto something a little too big or heavy for the grapple and it bends a little bit. Sure, it happens, you bought the cheap one, you should expect it. The rest of the unit is working fine. Fix it yourself and move on. Instead of blaming himself for misusing it, he publicly shames the manufacturer of the grapple and guilt's them into giving him a new one to save face. Isn't that just great. I really hope you feel good about yourself. You know what, some people like me like a lighter weight grapple to work with. I'd rather use it carefully and have the extra lift capacity.

Pretty POOR third post. The company should stand behind there JUNK period!

I'm with Richard (OVRSZD)......where's the popcorn?opcorntub:



Fred

 

[IslandTractor]

IS that one of those $2k grapples? Wicked expensive repair on the OP failure. I would fix it for that ;-) 'Getting what you pay for........ The design of the WG is simple, elegant even. But I bet anyone of us could work it to failure ;-))

As I recall they sell the EA light duty for something like $1400 including shipping.

 

[k0ua]

As I recall they sell the EA light duty for something like $1400 including shipping.

I got mine for $100 less,.. I got in on the "ground floor"

 

[redtailfarm]

If for some reason you pursue replacing it, I would strongly consider the Anbo line.
I have used one for my L39 and can attest to its strength. I do not baby it and it doesn't need to be. Anbo claims the steel is stronger than T1.. no argument from me there.
It is probably the most used implement I have.
Good Luck!

 

[bhh]

I find this kind of wining from the OP so typical of our failing modern society. Unfortunately, its prevalent on this site. The guy bought the economy grapple because he was too cheap to buy the beefy one. That's fine, I do the same thing all the time. He then latches onto something a little too big or heavy for the grapple and it bends a little bit. Sure, it happens, you bought the cheap one, you should expect it. The rest of the unit is working fine. Fix it yourself and move on. Instead of blaming himself for misusing it, he publicly shames the manufacturer of the grapple and guilt's them into giving him a new one to save face. Isn't that just great. I really hope you feel good about yourself. You know what, some people like me like a lighter weight grapple to work with. I'd rather use it carefully and have the extra lift capacity.

While I respect your opinion and right to express it here, I must take issue with your suggestion that I have not been fair and honest in my recount of the situation. I'll repeat once again for the record, the grapple has not been abused or misused. The 25 hours is indeed an estimate but one I have a high degree of confidence in since the tractor itself has only 42 hours and the FEL splits its time between pallet forks and bucket. Given that I also own a (Landpride) Box Blade and Rotary Cutter that I use with this machine, neither of which requires grapple use, I think the 25 hours estimate is probably on the high side.

I also find it puzzling that you find an honest review of a product indicative of the decay of modern society but have no problem with what might be considered by some as a mean-spirited personal attack and let's face it, you're pretty much calling me a liar and you were rude in the way you did it. The irony is that from my perspective, one of the biggest problems in modern society is that too many people no longer seem willing or able to engage in a polite, respectful dialog with someone who has a point of view other than their own. The need to resort to derogatory and disparaging comments as a substitute for a well-articulated differing opinion is something I simply do not understand and I actually find this forum is usually a refreshing alternative to that sort of behavior. I am no longer a young man but was brought up to treat people with respect, even those with whom I disagree. I suspect you probably were as well so while I ponder exactly how I feel about myself, perhaps you might do the same.