Lightweight Root Grapple

[JBjunior]

I live in NC and seem to be surrounded (though most are a few hours away) by grapple manufacturers. WR Long seems to be the closest that offers a lighter weight grapple. I have a Mahindra 3016 and I am looking for a root grapple between 250-350 lbs. WR Long has the OBG2-48 and the RBG2-48, about $500 difference in price, and I can't figure out why their is such a big price difference. Anyone familiar?

I want a lightweight grapple but I don't want to sacrifice longevity/strength. Basically, I don't want to be able to bend/break this thing.

The best one that I have found that is the lightest and seems to meet my needs is the Everything Attachments 50" but I was a little turned off by them when I called to place the order and asked about a military discount and I was told conflicting information before ultimately being told they didn't offer one. I didn't expect a military discount, though I usually ask because most businesses offer them, but after getting conflicting information and then being given a "margin" speech instead of a "thank you for your service but....", I wanted to do some more shopping around before pulling the trigger to see if there was any other company I wanted to do business with. If it ends up being the best deal, I have no problem giving them my business because I buy based on value, not emotion.

I looked at Wildkat, but their lightest one is 420 lbs or so.

Any other companies/grapples to take a look at?

 

[ovrszd]

Good luck with your search. I can't guide you toward a specific manufacturer.

I can only say, lightweight equals light strength.

Maybe a bolt-on Grapple for your bucket would fill your needs??

 

[JBjunior]

Good luck with your search. I can't guide you toward a specific manufacturer.

I can only say, lightweight equals light strength.

Maybe a bolt-on Grapple for your bucket would fill your needs??

Thank you for the reply.

It wouldn't work for my purpose. I mainly want it for the root/under scoop purpose and the sides/bulk of the bucket wouldn't accommodate that. The Mahindra 3016 has a 1600 lb FEL, so it isn't a huge concern, I just want the lightest weight with the strongest bucket I won't be able to break... that I can buy.

 

[JBjunior]

Anyone else?

 

[k0ua]

I am pretty happy with my EA 50 inch. It is not A36 steel. It is a high tensile 80,000 psi steel. I use it on my Kioti DK35se, a similar sized tractor to yours.

 

[JBjunior]

Thanks for the information and picture! Good stuff.

 

[DieselBound]

The best one that I have found that is the lightest and seems to meet my needs is the Everything Attachments 50" but I was a little turned off by them when I called to place the order and asked about a military discount and I was told conflicting information before ultimately being told they didn't offer one. I didn't expect a military discount, though I usually ask because most businesses offer them, but after getting conflicting information and then being given a "margin" speech instead of a "thank you for your service but....", I wanted to do some more shopping around before pulling the trigger to see if there was any other company I wanted to do business with. If it ends up being the best deal, I have no problem giving them my business because I buy based on value, not emotion.

I looked at Wildkat, but their lightest one is 420 lbs or so.

Any other companies/grapples to take a look at?

I'm going to have to rant here.

I'm a vet (USMC) and I RARELY mention it. I don't believe anyone owes me squat. If you were like me -VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE- then you made the choice (unlike others who were drafted). Expecting handouts under the guise of "military discount" is expecting entitlements (we have enough of this permeating our society/country!). Those "discounts" are subsidies, written on the backs of all taxpayers (usually hitting the poor the hardest).

I don't want ANYONE "thanking" me for my "service."

Ditch the ego and get the EA grapple. Or, continue to look for handouts...

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I have a 900lb root grapple. I've bent two of the lower tines. Can't imagine what I would've done to a 400lb grapple.

I know you tractor is a little smaller but I think you will BE ABLE to damage almost any grapple. Especially one less than 500lbs. I think finding one you can't break is a pipe-dream. That doesn't mean you can't find one that is reasonably sturdy.

 

[JBjunior]

I'm going to have to rant here.

I'm a vet (USMC) and I RARELY mention it. I don't believe anyone owes me squat. If you were like me -VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE- then you made the choice (unlike others who were drafted). Expecting handouts under the guise of "military discount" is expecting entitlements (we have enough of this permeating our society/country!). Those "discounts" are subsidies, written on the backs of all taxpayers (usually hitting the poor the hardest).

I don't want ANYONE "thanking" me for my "service."

Ditch the ego and get the EA grapple. Or, continue to look for handouts...

I knew there would be at least one. I ask, because it is usually offered. There is no ego, and as I said I didn't expect it, I called ready to order. What turned me off was I was told conflicting things, such as "we sometimes do" and then told no. You are out of your mind if you think a discount, offered by a manufacturer, is "written on the back of taxpayers." This isn't a government "entitlement" it is a business taking a little less of a profit to provide a benefit to an individual. I am sure it doesn't happen very much in the North West (I know, I have lived there for years) but it is a common thing in the South East.

Thanks for your service.

 

[JBjunior]

I have a 900lb root grapple. I've bent two of the lower tines. Can't imagine what I would've done to a 400lb grapple.

I know you tractor is a little smaller but I think you will BE ABLE to damage almost any grapple. Especially one less than 500lbs. I think finding one you can't break is a pipe-dream. That doesn't mean you can't find one that is reasonably sturdy.

I hear ya, I am familiar with metals and their qualities, and know that lighter weight means thinner metals/less of it. But if 900 lbs is good for a 3500 lb weight capacity, then I definitely don't need that for a 1600 lb lift capacity. That is all I am looking for, the lightest that is reasonably sturdy.

 

[k0ua]

I am sure you know there are is wide range of steel yield strengths. A36 is just mild steel, with 36,000 lbs yield strength. Many/most grapples are built with mild steel. Others are built with stronger steels.

 

[JBjunior]

I am sure you know there are is wide range of steel yield strengths. A36 is just mild steel, with 36,000 lbs yield strength. Many/most grapples are built with mild steel. Others are built with stronger steels.

Exactly, which is one of the reasons I am asking here for thoughts/recommendations on companies (and if anyone has compared the OBG to the RBG from WR Long). WR Long is about an hour away. All the rest of the companies are about 3.5 hours away. I like the steel that EA uses, and called again to order a couple of days ago but was told there was a 2 week lead time, though they did have one of the larger grapples in stock, but not what I wanted. It seems the companies that have them in stock are either way too heavy or just not what I am looking for, which probably just means that the EA is what a lot of people are looking for.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

We genuinely appreciate your service to this great country. I'm sorry if the reply to your request came across as disrespectful.

I hope it wasn't me, but, if asked, I always give thanks and explain that I'll do anything I can do to help, but we truthfully put the best prices on our website. We do not inflate the prices just to run blowout sales for extra business. If multiple items are ordered to ship together, we can save on shipping and will be glad to pass the savings along!

We rely on quality and exceptional customer to build our business, not discount sales and coupons.

The Wicked Grapple is not just a lightweight grapple composed of high quality steel; it's our masterpiece! Do we charge more because of the popularity and demand? Not a chance.

We've recently added protective rear bars to all Wicked Grapples. We've widened the opening of our 54-72" models from 30 to 37". The price hasn't changed.

This reply went on longer than initially intended, but the truth is, I'm extremely passionate about these things. If any of you have talked to me on the phone, you already know. Customer service and Wicked Grapples are my #1s M-F from 6-6.

Oh wait, it's Sunday!! Gotta get ready for church!
Travis

PS. Please give me a call tomorrow. We get one lined up for you.
PS #2. WR long's build time is 4 weeks and they're more expensive.

 

[JBjunior]

We genuinely appreciate your service to this great country. I'm sorry if the reply to your request came across as disrespectful.

I hope it wasn't me, but, if asked, I always give thanks and explain that I'll do anything I can do to help, but we truthfully put the best prices on our website. We do not inflate the prices just to run blowout sales for extra business. If multiple items are ordered to ship together, we can save on shipping and will be glad to pass the savings along!

We rely on quality and exceptional customer to build our business, not discount sales and coupons.

The Wicked Grapple is not just a lightweight grapple composed of high quality steel; it's our masterpiece! Do we charge more because of the popularity and demand? Not a chance.

We've recently added protective rear bars to all Wicked Grapples. We've widened the opening of our 54-72" models from 30 to 37". The price hasn't changed.

This reply went on longer than initially intended, but the truth is, I'm extremely passionate about these things. If any of you have talked to me on the phone, you already know. Customer service and Wicked Grapples are my #1s M-F from 6-6.

Oh wait, it's Sunday!! Gotta get ready for church!
Travis

PS. Please give me a call tomorrow. We get one lined up for you.
PS #2. WR long's build time is 4 weeks and they're more expensive.

No worries, Travis. I will call you tomorrow.

 

[newbury]

Just a vote for EA's grapple.

I've been looking at grapples for 5 years and am just getting to the point where I can afford one.

OP - study some of the "product testing" videos that Ted does and try to read some of the lengthy threads on the various Wicked grapples. One thing you will probably find is that EA seems to quickly respond to customer comments and changes their product in response, like adding protective rear bars.

Most of the other mfg of grapples seem to be focused on price or strength, the cheap ones are not strong and the strong ones are not cheap but both the cheap and strong are heavy. EA has taken the steps to lighten their grapples by cutting holes and better steel.

Also ask about their price if you pick it up at the factory, I've read of discounts there, plus they will probably give you a tour and you will see another attachment you need.

 

[lennyzx11]

Just a vote for EA's grapple.

.

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)

 

[k0ua]

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)
View attachment 478913

Well... Ted does..:laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I'm going to have to rant here.

I'm a vet (USMC) and I RARELY mention it. I don't believe anyone owes me squat. If you were like me -VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE- then you made the choice (unlike others who were drafted). Expecting handouts under the guise of "military discount" is expecting entitlements (we have enough of this permeating our society/country!). Those "discounts" are subsidies, written on the backs of all taxpayers (usually hitting the poor the hardest).

I don't want ANYONE "thanking" me for my "service."

Ditch the ego and get the EA grapple. Or, continue to look for handouts...

Too much caffeine?

 

[newbury]

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)
View attachment 478913

Well... Ted does..:laughing:

No he doesn't - it's just Product Testing with GUSTO!

When I see his videos testing the Wicked Grapple it looks like he's trying to find points of failure.

 

[Threepoint]

I have a 900lb root grapple. I've bent two of the lower tines. Can't imagine what I would've done to a 400lb grapple.
[snip]

Luke, do you use it on your MX4800? Or did you get it for your Case 680B?

I've just had a 3rd function installed on my Kioti 4510HSTcab. The dealer had a very nice, barely-used CID skid-steer "X-treme grapple rake" that they'd just picked up. Offered it to me for just $2000, but it weighs 900 lbs. Good deal, but both I and they thought it would be way too much for my tractor, even with FEL capacity of 2761 lbs at the pins at full height.

I'm thinking along the lines of the OP in terms of overall weight, because it affects maneuverability and center of mass, in addition to net lift capacity. From my research so far, the upgraded EA Wicked Root Grapple v.2.0 at 400+ lbs looks like a pretty good match for me. Haven't decided yet on 72" or 66", or dual vs. single lid. Need to get back to this and round up again with Travis.