Which grapple

delgra · Jan 22, 2014

Hardknocks I checked out HLA grapple and I like the 'Wicked' much better, the HLA seems too light and I couldn't find a pricel The W from EA is $1395 plus $150 shipping to Combermere HH, 4 miles from me. Just realized the price is in US dollars and our Buck is in the toilet. Likely another $100. Just waiting to hear from my dealer for his input.
Bob

Hard Knocks · Jan 22, 2014

That's cool Bob,

Please let us know how it works for you.

Red Horse · Jan 22, 2014

Piston said:
I thought I read somewhere that the wildkat doesn't even put zirc fittings in the pivot locations for the grapple arm? Is that true? Or does yours have zircs?

Correct-does not. I would say I raised my eyebrows when I got it, but I have to say after two years of pretty heavy use-no big deal. Do I see any noticeable wear? No! I believe this thing is a great value.I paid under 700 bucks delivered to Mass. I do believe they have gone up since I bought mine but when I look at some of the prices out there, I'll take the Wildkat-without Zerks!

Piston · Jan 23, 2014

Can't argue with that price Red Horse! I paid double that for my WR Long a few years ago!

delgra · Jan 31, 2014

Ordered the wicked grapple from EA this PM. $1395 +$150 shipping to Ontario!!! Will keep you all posted.

Piston · Feb 1, 2014

delgra said:
Ordered the wicked grapple from EA this PM. $1395 +$150 shipping to Ontario!!! Will keep you all posted.

awesome! Congrats, your gonna wonder how you ever got along without it!

delgra · Feb 21, 2014

Grapple delivered on the 19th of Feb, ordered on Jan 31. Customs and tax of $156 was not expected as I thought we had free trade?? I intend to run it from the rear and have to get the lines made (16') and operate it in the 'B' position. This seems like the more economical way to go. I will have to wait a bit before using as the snow banks are 5-7 feet in my yard and I plow with the FEL, it only took me a season to learn FEL plowing! So far the tool looks perfect and I'am pleased with the transaction and the service from EA.

delgra · Feb 27, 2014

Got the lines installed and I am glad I went a bit longer than necessary as I did not measure the FEL at the highest point! So far so good, its doing all I hoped for. There is a lot of movement of the lines between the grapple and the front of the tractor for which I have no reference. Guess time will tell. Seems as long as the lines don't kink everything is ok. Any Lads running their grapples from the rear with long lines let me know your experience. Thanks. Bob

k0ua · Feb 27, 2014

delgra said:
Got the lines installed and I am glad I went a bit longer than necessary as I did not measure the FEL at the highest point! So far so good, its doing all I hoped for. There is a lot of movement of the lines between the grapple and the front of the tractor for which I have no reference. Guess time will tell. Seems as long as the lines don't kink everything is ok. Any Lads running their grapples from the rear with long lines let me know your experience. Thanks. Bob

Mine are from the rear. No problems. I use a bungee cord up front to manage the lines from the torque tube to the grapple.

delgra · Feb 27, 2014

James, Thanks for the input. How long is your line from grapple to 1st connectors? Mine is EA standard 46" and I could not tie down those connectors as it would limit the upward extension of the unit. It just seems there is too much movement of the front lines. I went under from the front, not on the arms as you did. I wonder if that makes a difference? I cut a yellow birch 20" on the stump today, dropped it on the trail and didn't have to pick up 1 branch to clean up. Good seat time!

murphy1244 · Feb 27, 2014

Delgra, please post some pics of your set up.

k0ua · Feb 27, 2014

delgra said:
James, Thanks for the input. How long is your line from grapple to 1st connectors? Mine is EA standard 46" and I could not tie down those connectors as it would limit the upward extension of the unit. It just seems there is too much movement of the front lines. I went under from the front, not on the arms as you did. I wonder if that makes a difference? I cut a yellow birch 20" on the stump today, dropped it on the trail and didn't have to pick up 1 branch to clean up. Good seat time!

I had them make mine 1 foot longer. As sent they were too short, and I sent back the hoses, and they made up longer ones at no charge.

delgra · Feb 28, 2014

Here is the latest, another happy day in the great white north, -26 that's -12 to you southern lads. I love winter! I wrapped the connectors in front so they wouldn't scratch the paint.

murphy1244 · Feb 28, 2014

need to make a bulk fitting mount to the crossbar guard mount

IslandTractor · Mar 1, 2014

delgra said:
View attachment 362967 View attachment 362968 View attachment 362969 View attachment 362970
Here is the latest, another happy day in the great white north, -26 that's -12 to you southern lads. I love winter! I wrapped the connectors in front so they wouldn't scratch the paint.

Hey, what's with the duct tape. We don't allow duct tape on orange tractors. Into the penalty box. 2 minutes.

Now, bungee cords are approved by the league. Zip ties are approved. Welded or bolted bulkhead mount fittings are great if you wanna get fancy. But, we don't wanna see no stinking duct tape!

Coyote machine · Mar 2, 2014

Yeah, put an L angle between the two bolts that hold the shield onto the crossbar between the loader arms. Punch two holes in it side by side. Attach the hoses to the angle and you're done. Run your slack along your loader arm and attach with zip ties of adequate size. The way you have it rigged now will be nothing but problems.:confused3:

delgra · Mar 2, 2014

Good Morning, I appreciate your concerns Gentleman and thank you for your input. The grapple lines are a work in progress and I must say I agree with the appearance of duct tape on an orange tractor. I tried zip ties but they broke, now the L angle will be considered. I probably got the lines too long (16') and I'am not too tore about the look of that big loop on the front. Stay tuned. For now I have to put the loader back on and do some light plowing for the elder neighbors. As far as the 2 minute penalty Island...wheres your stripped shirt and whistle?

IslandTractor · Mar 2, 2014

delgra said:
Good Morning, I appreciate your concerns Gentleman and thank you for your input. The grapple lines are a work in progress and I must say I agree with the appearance of duct tape on an orange tractor. I tried zip ties but they broke, now the L angle will be considered. I probably got the lines too long (16') and I'am not too tore about the look of that big loop on the front. Stay tuned. For now I have to put the loader back on and do some light plowing for the elder neighbors. As far as the 2 minute penalty Island...wheres your stripped shirt and whistle?

Whistle? Whistle? I don't need to show you no stinking whistle! I was just trying to speak a language a Canuck would understand. You should be glad it was only a two minute minor! ( We are still a little sensitive about what you guys did to us in Sochi)

Back to business: on my first tractor with grapple I had a similar grapple remote arrangement (minus tape). You can take up excess hose more neatly by creating a loop or zigzag at the back near the rear remotes and secure with zip ties. In front the excess is a bit of a hazard as it can snag on brush etc. You do need some extra up front but to keep it under control I put a tight zip tie to hold the two lines together then slipped a bungee cord into that zipped bundle and attached the other end to the torque tube with zip ties too. Adjust tension so it can easily stretch when the grapple is fully dumped but still takes up most slack when fully curled. I never did use more than zip ties which were not exactly beautiful (but better than duct tape!) and worked fine. They would also break when stressed rather than tear hoses so are kind of a safety feature.

delgra · Mar 2, 2014

Not to beat a dead horse, but our guys were awesome in Sochi. Of course the war cry in Canada is now "play like a girl" I'am sure you haven't forgotten the Women! Some good grapple suggestions, thanks. Remember Vancouver!!

IslandTractor · Mar 2, 2014

delgra said:
Not to beat a dead horse, but our guys were awesome in Sochi. Of course the war cry in Canada is now "play like a girl" I'am sure you haven't forgotten the Women! Some good grapple suggestions, thanks. Remember Vancouver!!

I was actually referring to the women. Your guys just whipped our butts start to finish. It was the ladies that shocked us.

As for Vancouver, I prefer to recall the Bruins in Vancouver.