Grapple Grapple on a Kubota B2920

[TXwoods]

94BULLITT, you're right. I've been grappling with the SSQA dilemma since early in my quest. I very much value the option of future SS attachments but I worry that the extra 200 lbs or so might negate the usefulness of the grapple. I need all the advice I can get on this question.

I didn't ask about flush face connectors because I'm not even familiar with the term. Just started from zero to learn tractor hydraulics. I'll be sure to check on that when the time comes to order.

Thank you for reminding me about the EA grapple. I've watched most of Ted's videos and when I started my grapple search, I started with his new in-house product, the ETA-WRG-CMP54 at 349 lbs for $1860. Along the way, I moved away from Wicked by three things. First, I had difficulty connecting with EA (I only have e-mail) and when I did, the feedback fell well short of the questions I asked. Second, I became convinced that the narrowest grapples, the 48" ones, were the best for my tractor and the Wicked is 54". Third, most of the grapple talk I found was from the mid 2000s when Millonzi was in business and prices were $500 or $600.

Now that I've been reset to 2013 prices and am favoring a $1415 product, I should take a fresh look at the Wicked. I'm right on the edge of EA's free shipping zone so if I can get that, it would cut the price difference about in half. And 3" on each end isn't a whole lot more. Plus the weight of the Wicked is 8 lbs less.

Valuable thoughts. Thank you again.

 

[rbtjr]

TXwoods, I have a Kubota L3800 with both a Wildkat 48"economy grapple and a WR Long OBG2 56"grapple. We had a stand of pines thinned last fall. I was anxious to get started with some debris clean-up. After much research on TBN and elsewhere, I decided on and ordered the WR Long OBG2. It was backordered. The Wildkat factory is about 60 miles from me, so I decided to buy the Wildkat 48, use it until the OBG2 came in, see which one I liked the best, and sell the other one. I like them both so much that I dedicated some of the timber money and am keeping them both. If I had to pick one, it would be the OBG2. It is sturdier and very well built. It has zerks for lubing. Etc. However, the Wildkat is marginally better for clearing new ground and picking up small loose debris. The reason is that the little spades at the front of the tines join in the rear (i.e., at the wide end of the spades). In my opinion, the effect of this is to do a little better job of grubbing out small roots and such. I had read about the square tube at the top of the Wildkat being weak because it was only 1/8" thick. Before I bought the Wildkat I called and asked specifically about this, and I was told that they had changed to 1/4" tubing. I asked a second time and was told the same thing. However, I have since read on TBN that Wildkat still uses 1/8" tubing, and I can't tell whether or not the tubing on my unit is in fact 1/4". All things considered, if I had to pick one, it would be the OBG2. As to taking the grapples off and on, my loader came with the SSQA system, and it works fine with my loader bucket and both grapples. As to the hydraulics set-up, I have the WR Long 3d function arrangement and I really like it. Hope this helps.

 

[NHbotanut]

TXwoods,

Your 2920 is a little bigger than my 7610. I have the WR Long RBG2-48 with thier electric valve kit with the rocker switch mounted on the joystick.

I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. It has done everything I have asked it to do and more. I find it great to move and stack logs, rocks and brush. My 7610 does not have the SSQA system, so I have to put in and remove the 4 pins. It is a pain sometimes, as it can be as fast as a couple minutes to hook up, or as long as 10. Depends on where I have it stored. My long range plan is to convert over to the SSQA.

 

[Burtonbr]

NHbotanut, That is a huge log your moving there, it is amazing at what can be done with these machines.

This has turned into a great discussion about grapples and options for the Bxx20 tractors, I like seeing all the real experiences of everyone to compare. I think everyone agrees you can't go wrong with any grapple attachment and it is handy for a lot of things.

TXwoods, that is a HUGE pile of brush and saplings, that is how I used to have to move brush, what a pain to get off and get a chain around the bucket and hooked, now my grapple probably wouldn't be able to handle that large of a pile but it sure would be easy to get it all moved in 2 trips without getting off and in the dirt.

When I was trying to decide on the grapple for me, the cost of a SSQA grapple and the loader adapter was way out of my budget, though I would still like to have both SSQA, pallet forks, root grapple and I think being able to mount this this thumb to a set of pallet forks would have a lot of uses too.

For the quick attachment I was just about ready to order the pin on B1658 when I read this thread on the new b2650/b3350 and the SSQA style QA that is available, a member, Jim_Wilson, has ordered one and I would like to hear his review before I decide. you can read about it HERE if you already haven't. That is out of my budget too but I sure would like to have a universal QA and not have to make pin on mounts for all the accessories I'd like to have.

I have a Hydraulic top cylinder on the 3 pt. and the thumb grapple on the other rear remote and it works real well for me though I am going to chage the grapple to a diverter soon Mostly because I think that is a better method than the hoses run all the way from the rear.
The rear remotes are available as a add on kit from Kubota but I didn't like the way they mounted and saw a few others that had made their own versions and with their help I was able to do it a little cheaper than the factory option. you can see some more info HERE and HERE

I didn't know squat about hydraulics before a few months ago and adding the remotes is not that difficult once you figure out how the system works it is very simple actually.

Good luck on your search for the grapple that will suit you, I know no matter which you decide on you will wonder how you ever did without it.

 

[Dingo Man]

Dingo Man, I definitely am conflicted on grapple price vs confidence. I'd like to get a $1000 grapple but don't want a broken top bar like I saw in pictures of some Wildkats on TBN. I'm leaning toward WR Long because of reputation.

Since seeing Burtonbr's pictures and comments on the bolt on thumb type grapple, I'm now studying those. Looks like they'll do the brush moving job but not the root digging. I wonder if a bucket with a tooth bar can dig roots like a root grapple can.

I did look at North American Implements - the Gator 48" Light Duty Root Grapple is a product of theirs. Is that the one you just ordered? Did you order directly from NAI? What was their price? How much for shipping? Maine looks about the same distance from NC as Texas.

Thanks for your ideas.

To be honest I thought Gator went out of business and I was under the impression NAI took over. They are probably one in the same. I order the 48"LD root grapple with two extra bottom tines direct from NAI. Their sales rep "Stella" is very nice to deal with. She quoted me $1016 for the grapple. $145 to ship to a dealer and $230 to ship to a residence.

You may want to give Wildkat a call they seemed to be confused what material they are acutally using on their units. I was told 1/8" tubing but others on here were told 1/4". It is very possible the lady I spoke with was not familiar with exactly what I was asking.