Loader I broke a part on my loader

[foggy1111]

Today I was using my Gator Grapple....and was using it pretty agrressivly to push some down timber and stumps. Evidently I bent the top u bracket where the bucket (or grapple) attaches to the loader and this in turn broke the casting on the loader. (I figured there was a reason JD puts gussets on their buckets (and Gator didn't.....^&*$%^& ).

I'm going to get my camera and will post some pics in a few mins.....but I cannot access JD parts from this computer....and I wonder if someone can tell me what JD part number W52417 "holder" is going to cost me? This is the casting on the LEFT side (when sitting in the seat). Grrrrrr I hate when you gotta rebuild a piece of equipment.

 

[foggy1111]

Heres a pic of the broken part (the casting). The "U" shaped saddles on the grapple are strectched and the pin on the grapple is bent and the hole in the pin is elongated. :confused2: I was using it hard.....but that's sometimes what you do with grapples. yikes.

 

[smalltown]

foggy if I did it corectly

Part Details

Part Number: W52417
Part Price: 90.00 USD
On Hand: 0 Check Other Stores
Description: HOLDER (LH)


Hope that helps

 

[foggy1111]

Heres a closeup of the pin in the grapple. I cannot beleive I did this. :confused2:

 

[foggy1111]

foggy if I did it corectly

Part Details

Part Number: W52417
Part Price: 90.00 USD
On Hand: 0 Check Other Stores
Description: HOLDER (LH)


Hope that helps

PS tell my what dealer and maybe I can search that dealer for you

Thanks smalltown!! The part price is not as bad as I thought it may be. My Dealer is Northland JD in Brainerd MN. They have a couple of stores. I will call him to get one coming in the morning.

The part can be replaced.....the grapple is gonna take a little re-engineering job. I suggest if anyone has a Gator (Markham) grapple that you add some gussets to the U connector - just like JD does on their buckets. (and save yourself some greif and $$) Mine are streched pretty bad.

 

[kennyd]

WOW! My grapple has the super heavy-duty top hooks and not the bent steel ones like in your picture. Was yours bought after the Markham's sold?

 

[foggy1111]

Yeah, mine was bought after Markhams had sold (but they had not yet told anyone they sold).

I thought about this last nite....and it's really annoying that those hooks streched....which caused the problems. I wish I would notice stuff like this sooner. I got a hunch there will be more folks with this problem.

I've only used my grapple a few hours before using it all day today. The grapple worked very well....but this sure sux.

 

[kennyd]

Yeah it does suck. I can see the top hook opening up-but bending that pin is almost unbelievable! That thing is like 1 1/8" or so!