I know everything attachments has a cult following here but...

[Peter 315]

Did you look at titan Implements also....Our Implements | Titan Implement, LLC

 

[BackRoad]

Yup...I drank the kool-aid...

Four of my dozen (+) implements are EA...including a grapple that has been worked really, really hard...and remains unscathed.

After four months of actively looking for a used 8' heavy duty 6-way back blade, I happened to find a one year old EA listed. It was an anomaly, an older gentleman was selling everything he had due to failing health.

Interesting how very few used EA implements show up on Marketplace or Craigslist.

It may be there are lots of people like me - once in the cult, they choose to stay in it...

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

k0ua,

Well said.

I fully understand that there are folks on here that will only buy an item because it's high priced. There are also folks on here that will only buy the cheapest of anything they can find. Most folks are somewhere in between. There are also folks mixed in there that have no idea that there are different grades of steel, and why that should (or would) matter. "Steel is steel", right?

Steel is NOT "steel". It makes a huge difference.

I get that there are guys that will likely never stress a piece of equipment (even a cheaply made one) in their lives. They do some puttering around projects, mostly around their own house (nothing wrong with that), or other light duty projects for neighbors, side jobs for beer money, etc. A cheap, weak, poorly designed, mild steel (or even garbage steel) tool like a grapple will last them a lifetime of service. Great. Power on, go forth and be merry.

But there are some guys on here (not me) that really do work their equipment in harsh, demanding situations, digging/prying up rocks, concrete, ripping up asphalt, ripping out trees, whatever. And they do this every day (again, not me). They need a piece of gear (grapple in this case) that won't fold up, bend up, collapse or break. Because if it does, they're productivity is down and that costs them money plus lost time on the jobsite.

I've worked as a machinist in a factory that made attachments. Not EA, but a "name brand" never the less. I can tell you, not only the material used (grade of steel), but the design matters. Some attachments are made for the hobbyist market (nothing wrong with that) and some are made for the industrial/professional market. I realize that not everyone would know this, but there it is. If you want a hobbyist attachment, go for it. Get one. But wizzing on another tool because it was designed and built for a much harsher life than you will put yours through, just because it costs more means either you're completely ignorant (there is a difference between "ignorant", and "stupid"-Ignorance can be cured with subject knowledge-Stupidity is a life choice) of how these things are made, or you are deliberately trolling.

As a light duty, "hobbyist" type user, I will probably not be in the market for one of EA's grapples. That doesn't mean they're "bad", nor "overpriced". It just means I'm likely not going to be a buyer for one of those.

 

[fried1765]

Yup...I drank the kool-aid...

Four of my dozen (+) implements are EA...including a grapple that has been worked really, really hard...and remains unscathed.

After four months of actively looking for a used 8' heavy duty 6-way back blade, I happened to find a one year old EA listed. It was an anomaly, an older gentleman was selling everything he had due to failing health.

Interesting how very few used EA implements show up on Marketplace or Craigslist.

It may be there are lots of people like me - once in the cult, they choose to stay in it...

That EA 6-way Deluxe back blade is one he11 of a fine tool.
I have had two by other manufacturers .....junk by comparison!

 

[Cycledude]

EA has a great website but there’s nothing like being able to actually look at equipment close up in person.

 

[goeduck]

I believe most TBN members simply move some brush with their grapples in which case the lower cost grapples will work just fine. EA grapples are superior to most but many do not need a Mercedes when a Chevy will do. I have 3 grapples, none of them are EA but I move the same loads EA customers post pictures of and brag about. I know what I am talking about. Good grief, they are grapples, big clamps on the front of your FEL, not exactly rocket surgeon construction. But to those that line the pockets of EA, EA THANKS YOU.

 

[oldballs]

I'm a very old homeowner DYI guy that has attachments from LandPride, TSC, et al, and EA. But it is only at EA that I have gotten outstanding customer support and how-to videos. Cheers, to EA....but I ain't no "Cultist".
Mike

 

[Hay Dude]

Anyone use adjustable forks with a grapple? You get a 2-fer and it works pretty well.
Also, sometimes you can find really well built Bobcat brand attachments. A few hours can of gloss spray paint, the thing can look like new and be skid-steer tough. I should have bought these and made em pretty.

 

[fried1765]

Anyone use adjustable forks with a grapple? You get a 2-fer and it works pretty well.
Also, sometimes you can find really well built Bobcat brand attachments. A few hours can of gloss spray paint, the thing can look like new and be skid-steer tough. I should have bought these and made em pretty.

You couda brought 'em to me, an I wouda sandblasted 'em, and coated 'em with two part black marine epoxy fer ya!

 

[goeduck]

Sawyer Rob uses a set, I think his has one jaw instead of two. There are a few other members who do as well. I wish I had a set.