The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

EverythingAttachments · Aug 17, 2015

rlgustafson said:
Travis;

This 54" is still just rated for max. 35 HP Tractors?? My tractor is 46 HP and 2500 lb. lift.

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The 54" and up Wicked Grapples are rated for up to around 55-60 hp Compact Tractors. Perfect fit for your tractor!
Travis

xtn · Aug 17, 2015

Parkanzky said:
Wow, that makes this especially tough. 2" --> 2.5" means an increase in clamping force of over 50%.

I wish I could try a grapple or two out to see what is more important to me.

Well, it means in increase in cylinder output force of over 50%. I don't know if the geometry differences support translating that exactly into pinching power at the tips.

Parkanzky · Aug 17, 2015

xtn said:
Well, it means in increase in cylinder output force of over 50%. I don't know if the geometry differences support translating that exactly into pinching power at the tips.

Excellent point. Sounds like 50" is the right match for my tractor.

The tractor is at the dealer getting the loader hydraulics sorted (Leakdown is a bit over spec, so might as well get that addressed before I modify it). From there, I'll get the tires filled, then order/install the 3rd function diverter kit from Artillian, and finally the new grapple!

lostcreekranch · Aug 17, 2015

EverythingAttachments said:
The 54" and up Wicked Grapples are rated for up to around 55-60 hp Compact Tractors. Perfect fit for your tractor! Travis

Thanks Travis!

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EverythingAttachments · Aug 18, 2015

Parkanzky said:
Sounds like 50" is the right match for my tractor.

I agree. I hope they get your hydraulics sorted out!
Travis

newbury · Aug 18, 2015

Just for clarification when you are talking HP is it engine or PTO?

vtsnowedin · Aug 18, 2015

newbury said:
Just for clarification when you are talking HP is it engine or PTO?

More important would be the weight of the machine including ballast. My 45 engine HP JD with loaded tires weighs half again what some other brands 45 HP tractors weigh. When pushing into a pile it's the weight times the speed that computes the stress on the tooth that comes to the rock first.

EverythingAttachments · Aug 18, 2015

vtsnowedin said:
More important would be the weight of the machine including ballast. My 45 engine HP JD with loaded tires weighs half again what some other brands 45 HP tractors weigh. When pushing into a pile it's the weight times the speed that computes the stress on the tooth that comes to the rock first.

Agreed. The Compact Wicked Grapples are intended for compact tractors. HP is not really that important, but most compacts, including the mega compacts like the NX6010 and L6060 max out at around 60HP.
Many are out in the field on utility tractors with no reported issues, but we'll not really recommend the compact grapple for them.
Travis

vtsnowedin · Aug 18, 2015

EverythingAttachments said:
Agreed. That is why real max that the Compact Wicked Grapples are intended for boils down to compact tractors. HP is not really that important, but most compacts, including the mega compacts like the NX6010 and L6060 max out at around 60HP.
The grapples are out in the field on utility tractors with no reported issues, but we'll not really recommend the compact grapple for them.
Travis

OK so make me (and everybody else on TBN) an offer on a wicked root grapple to fit a JD 5045E and shipped to Vermont. I'll guarantee you that I will give it a to failure trial and post the results here on TBN and not whine when it breaks. The locals are giving me the run around so a solid offer from you will generate a sale.

IslandTractor · Aug 18, 2015

vtsnowedin said:
OK so make me (and everybody else on TBN) an offer on a wicked root grapple to fit a JD 5045E and shipped to Vermont. I'll guarantee you that I will give it a to failure trial and post the results here on TBN and not whine when it breaks. The locals are giving me the run around so a solid offer from you will generate a sale.

It is pretty hard to "break" a grapple. Think about it. Grapples are way heavier built than standard or even heavy duty buckets and not many of us manage to break our buckets. You won't find much 3/8" steel in the construction of a bucket. Grapples can get twisted with misused but "breaking" a grapple is so rare as to be worthy of starting a thread. There aren't any such threads that I am aware of except for a couple of cheapo grapples a few years ago that were manufactured with 0.125 wall tubing and then abused.

My Millonzi grapple was one of the first "light duty" design grapples sold to the CUT market. It weighs somewhat more than 300lbs but not much more and is simply constructed of 3/8" mild steel. It doesn't even have any zerks and the upper jaw pivots on 1" bolts rather than pins and bushings. The Millonzi is nowhere near as well designed or built as the EA products. Mine is now ten years old and going strong after two years on a CK20 and eight on a DK40. At least one TBN member has one of them on his M59 and hasn't had any trouble with it. So long as you use a grapple to lift or push on center, it is virtually impossible to break them. Ram them into stumps or boulders blindly off center and they will twist but even then they still work. Push with the open upper jaw and you'd bend it as that is not what it is designed for. Bottom line: use a narrow grapple as designed and you cannot break them with a CUT.