My
MTL RK5 arrived today. I'm a little less enthused but I hope after the learning curve I will be happier with my decision. Probably not fair to make an assessment based on first impressions. Most of my misgivings about the grapple itself are nitpicking. Some of my disappointment is the fault of my tractor and loader performance. I have just recently purchased this tractor and been piecing together the loader. I bought a used 420 Loader and installed larger bore cylinders in hopes it would provide some decent power.
I have some piles of roots mixed with dirt and I was hoping to drive into them, shake the dirt out, and pile the roots and debris. Somewhere between the type grapple I chose and lack of power with a 31HP tractor I could not just scoop up the piles. Some attempts just got a little on the tips of the grapple and the tractor would almost bog down. Next time I need to try the load match function on the tractor to see if that helps. Other times if I got a good load it was slow to lift which is not grapple related but due to loader power. The dirt is wet and didn't shake out as easily as I hoped. The debris I managed to get up and pile still has a fair amount of dirt left in it. I might should have got a root grapple instead of a rock/root design. My thinking on that was I wanted to be able to capture smaller debris but turns out it holds the dirt as well. There is going to be a bigger learning curve using the diverter valve function than I anticipated.
I am use to operating a 15,000 LB 85 HP backhoe so anything else is kind of a let down as far as power is concerned.
I ordered my grapple online Saturday evening and got a call from them on Monday. They gave me a day I could expect it and they acknowledged my note that I wanted tip type ag connectors. I was impressed they had the unit in stock, made contact quickly, and delivered when they said they would. I think the price is unbeatable also.
The JD quick connect interface could use some improvements. The locating pins that secure the mount are longer than what comes on a JD bucket so that leaves a gap or looseness between the loader mount. Their pins also have a boss behind the plate which make that stand off from the back plate on the grapple. I don't think either will cause a problem but it's just a nitpicking finish issue for me.
The hydraulic connectors were not the tip type I requested and were larger than what is on my tractor. The connectors I installed on my grapple lines were a match to the power beyond connectors that were on my 855 and also match the loader connectors on my 4310. Their claim that the unit came with 1/2" Ag connectors that match 99% of John Deeres may not take the smaller tractors into account. Turns out mine are all 3/8". I think when they called on Monday they should have asked me to get the actual numbers off my connectors so they could put compatible couplers on before they loaded it. Their delivery driver didn't have any others with him. The delivery driver was a MTL employee, not someone they hired to transport. He said the unit had flat faced skid steer couplers on it and they changed them to the ball type ag connectors before loading. Short of another solution I think they should have several type connectors with the unit so the delivery driver could leave you with a unit you could hook up and use. Add to that they used JIC connections on their hose ends so I couldn't just go to TS and buy couplers. I had to make a 60 mile trip to the hydraulic hose shop and buy $32 worth of couplers and adapters before I could try out my new attachment.
Their ad also says grease-able fittings but the cylinder pins are not on the unit I received. The grapple pins are grease-able and had been greased.
Other than that it's a decent looking, strong built, unit at a reasonable price.
