Grappled with Millonzi, and paid the price.

[canoetrpr]

On the topic of the Horst universal skidsteer adapter, Island, I wonder how different they actually are between the different tractors.

They must have a blank of some type that they drill the holes in the appropriate position for each model of tractor once they get an order, rather than actually building different ones for different loader pin patterns.

I ask because I am wondering if a used Horst adapter from say Island's tractor would fit a loader other than a Kioti CK20 or CK30.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm actually surprised that folks here order things like a grapple with pin mount. I don't have universal skidsteer on my tractor but if I needed a grapple or forks or a hay spear (both of which I have eyed), I would go through the hassle of getting an ATI or Horst skid steer mount and converting my bucket to it.

I agree, there are major benefits to having the universal skidsteer style. However, I think what convinces most people to use the pin mount is that Millonzi only charges about $100-150 extra to build the grapple with a brand specific pin mount while a universal skidsteer adapter costs more than $500 plus extra shipping.

For someone who expects to frequently switch between the grapple and the original pin mount bucket there is also the issue of needing to put a universal bracket on the stock bucket. In my case, after I added my skidsteer mount grapple on my CK20, my original bucket literally never went back on the tractor until I traded it in.

One other point in favor of the universal skid steer attachment style grapple: you can easily sell it to just about anyone. Even brand specific mounts are not always consistent within a brand as you go up or down in horsepower or if you compare tractors of different series. Having a pin mount grapple pretty much limits your ability to sell unless it is for a popular current model JD or Kubota where the market is big enough to find a buyer.

 

[IslandTractor]

On the topic of the Horst universal skidsteer adapter, Island, I wonder how different they actually are between the different tractors.

They must have a blank of some type that they drill the holes in the appropriate position for each model of tractor once they get an order, rather than actually building different ones for different loader pin patterns.

I ask because I am wondering if a used Horst adapter from say Island's tractor would fit a loader other than a Kioti CK20 or CK30.

Well, I know the Horst adapter I got for my CK20 does not fit on my DK40se or I would have switched it myself (I like the Horst better than the DK40's universal adapter).

I am sure you are correct that the only part that differs for different brands/series of tractor is the "rabbit ear" that contains the holes to match up with the FEL pins.

For a company with a computerized plasma cutter or something equivalent, it really should be pretty simple to make those things one at a time so long as they have the exact correct measurements. I get the feeling that Millonzi may be having the customer measure (maybe someone who has bought one of the pin versions can chime in here). I know when I was buying my grapple from them a few years ago I considered having a pin mount and they said they would go to a Kioti dealer to measure the pins. That is a pretty rough way to measure compared to getting some engineering diagram with the exact measurements and angles. I imagine they now have a book of measurements that have worked for the more common tractors so I would guess that the problem noted earlier in the thread with the JD mount was a production problem at Millonzi or some variation in size on the JD side of the equation.

 

[flINTLOCK]

John Kennedy was most helpful before purchase of their stone rake and boom pole. I spoke with him several times when considering which grapple to buy, but ultimately decided on clamshell for my applications. Never used email communication with them, but would certainly work with them again if I need other implements. Surprised about the pin problems. My skidsteer type attachments fit as advertised.

 

[gmercer]

Originally, they sent me a diagram for the JD 400 series loader. My loader is the 522 (500 series). My forks have a plate that has 2 pins. 1 14" from the top mount and 1 18" from the top mount. This accomodates both 400 and 500 series loaders.

When my LD-48 arrived, it had the 2-pin configuration similar to my forks. This is different from the original drawing they sent me, so maybe this was the first one that they built like this. They were very close on the dimensions, but the top bracket was not wide enough to fit down over the top of the loader foot. I used my grinding wheel to shave some of the steele off of the inside of the bracket, and that let it slip down.

Perhaps Millonzi could purchase just the foot from JD or salvage one and use it to test fit all orders before shipping. That would be a nice touch considering shipping cost these days.

Update: The LD-48 is now locked and loaded. I purchased the two hydraulic hoses (15 ft. each) to run back to my rear remotes and I am off and grappling. So far, so good. I really do like the product and I am very glad that I went with the light weight model (thanks to IslandTractor for that bit of info.).

I will upload some photos later. Thanks to all for their response.

 

[psj12]

What is the Millonzi web site. I could not find it.

 

[kennyd]

What is the Millonzi web site. I could not find it.

http://www.miproductsgroup.com/

 

[Silver_Knight]

Geez, years of posts and not a single bad post regarding Millonzi....until I order one. My shipping was rather slow also. Have not installed the LD60 grapple or the pallet forks yet. I'll find out later this week how the QA plates fit and how the grapple works.

 

[westbrooklawn]

When I added the WR Long bolt on bucket grapple to my Kubota L3400, I bought Kubota's QA adapter for my LA463 loader. I then added QA plates to my existing bucket and my forks... the ability to change quickly between them is great. The QA adapter from Kubota was aorun $400, but I have since found the website below which sells one for $299... several specific pin on models are available, and anyone interested in switching to QA might want to check it out.

Skid Steer Q/A Adapters for Frontend Attachments

 

[IslandTractor]

The QA adapter from Kubota was aorun $400, but I have since found the website below which sells one for $299... several specific pin on models are available, and anyone interested in switching to QA might want to check it out.

Skid Steer Q/A Adapters for Frontend Attachments

That is a great find. Has anyone ordered and tested one yet? At $299 it makes an awful lot of sense to do it this way rather than have Millonzi (or WRLong or ATI) make you a pin specific grapple. Just the ability to resell the grapple as a standard QA would easily make up the price. Add to that the ability to use other skidsteer attachments on your tractor and it seems a no brainer to me.