Losse fitting SSQA Wildkat grapple

cstamm81 · Apr 27, 2013

Loose fitting SSQA Wildkat grapple

I mounted and plumbed my 48" Wildkat econo grapple. I'm pretty happy with it, the fit and finish leaves some to be desired, but for the price I can't complain. When I hook it into the SSQA and pick it up, I have a good 3/8" gap at the bottom on the left side. Right side seems to be a bit crooked, tight on one side on the bottom and the gap grows from there. My questions are: I have read about this happening before and Wildkat sends shims to be welded in. Are they welded on the bottom of the attachment point? Are they rectangular with a slotted hole for the SSQA pin to pass through? I couldn't see this with my bucket mounted, but it looks like when the front attachment is fully dumped all of the weight on the bottom is hanging on the SSQA pin. It seems like this must be the way all SSQA's work?

Herkypilot · Apr 28, 2013

I have 3 Wildkat implements with the same problem - forks, stump bucket & 66" grapple. Their factory is about 40 miles from me so I went there to ask about "shims". They gave me a set of the brackets to replace the existing brackets. I didn't want to cut off the existing brackets so I stopped by a steel supply shop and purchased 6 - 2 inch wide 1/4" mild steel plates and cut/ tack welded them to the tops of each implement bracket(s) to take up the space. Worked great. No slop in the fit now and my tractor contact points on the quick attach are good. Sorry, no pictures right now and I can't immediately get any at they are at another property.

HP

cstamm81 · Apr 28, 2013

Thank for the reply. I may call WK and see if they will send me anything. So you welded 1/4" thick strips up inside the angled space where the top of the QA sits? I was thinking of doing something in the bottom, but this sounds like it may be easier / better. Are you by chance going to be at the property soon where you could snap some pics?

Herkypilot · Apr 28, 2013

cstamm81 said:
Thank for the reply. I may call WK and see if they will send me anything. So you welded 1/4" thick strips up inside the angled space where the top of the QA sits? I was thinking of doing something in the bottom, but this sounds like it may be easier / better. Are you by chance going to be at the property soon where you could snap some pics?

No, they're welded on the bottom flange to take up the space and keep the top of the SSQA firmly seated. One picture is always worth a thousand words...

Rustyiron · Apr 28, 2013

I have various attachments ( & makes) that all seem to "fit" a little different from each other. If it can't be "wrenched" off by working it, I leave it alone. For shimming I think it is best to shim at the bottom, around the "spears". The situation is much simpler to fix there than at the top. There is a standard dimension for the ssqa but I think that they build in a little slop so that it fit's everything included a (tractor side) connector that is a little bit "tweeked".

cstamm81 · Apr 28, 2013

Well in re-mounting my regular bucket I see that it too is not a glove like fit. I guess I notice the slop more because it is different from side to side, and when using the grapple in the fully dumped position I notice noise from the loose fitting QA. I do not think it is going to fall off or anything, I just feel a little more snug of a fit will be a help.

CJONE · Apr 29, 2013

A few hits from a 12LB sledge will tighten them up also, did that on my 8' snow pusher. CJ

bhh · Apr 29, 2013

One thing I have noticed with my Wildkat grapple that I originally thought was slop was that when I hit hit a bump or something when moving along with the grapple empty but in the closed position and no closing pressure applied is that the bounce will sometimes cause the upper teeth to bang into the lower teeth a bit and create a little clanking noise. I originally thought it was the grapple moving in the SSQA connection but it was not. I've only had mine a couple of months but I'm very happy with it - especially for the $800 I paid.

Herkypilot · Apr 29, 2013

bhh said:
One thing I have noticed with my Wildkat grapple that I originally thought was slop was that when I hit hit a bump or something when moving along with the grapple empty but in the closed position and no closing pressure applied is that the bounce will sometimes cause the upper teeth to bang into the lower teeth a bit and create a little clanking noise. I originally thought it was the grapple moving in the SSQA connection but it was not. I've only had mine a couple of months but I'm very happy with it - especially for the $800 I paid.

The slop is readily noticeable by raising the FEL and tilting the implement all the way down until the weight of it is hanging about straight down. You'll see the gap created between the bottom implement bracket and the SSQA on the tractor bottom plate. The 1/4 steel plate I welded on takes up this space so when you throw the SSQA levers down the pins engage and compress the springs on the pins. This creates a tight fit lessening the possibility of tweaking your FEL arms by the implement possibly popping out of the SSQA.