Wildcat 84” grapple any good?

[Hay Dude]

Found a new 84” Wildcat grapple for $2,300 on FBM
Can’t imagine it’d be that great for that low a price, but anyone have one?
Going on a 130HP tractor.

I’m all for “buy once, cry once”, but this one seemed reasonably priced.

 

[Hay Dude]

Contacted seller. Asked questions.
One was if he’d send a picture of the manufacturers label.
He said they don’t put one on it, they weld a serial number on the unit.

Claims it’s made by Wildcat. I looked on their website, but don’t see one that looks like it.

Anyone venture a guess if this is a Wildcat?

 

[oosik]

If this is a picture of the actual unit he is selling - looks as though it's never been used. Why is he selling it. I can't tell but are the "joints" greaseable. In my looking around - grapples made for skid/steer or similar machines are usually built pretty heavy duty.

I assume this grapple is located too far away for you to go have a look/see.

 

[Hay Dude]

Did more research. Looks like its a Wildkat alright. “#2 Extremem Root Rake”

#2 Extreme Root Rake | MS Attachments

msattachments.com

Grease able pivot points.

I just don’t know if they’re any good. He said it weighs 925LBS and 84” wide.
The price seems excellent, but I don’t know if the quality is there.
Remember, I’m putting this on a 130HP 15,000LB farm tractor. So it’s going to have weight pushing on it.

 

[Molalla1]

Did you ask him if it has greaseable joints HD?

 

[Hay Dude]

Did you ask him if it has greaseable joints HD?

Yes.
And yes it does.

 

[Hay Dude]

Wait, I see differences. Look at the curvature of the lower tines.
The radius is smooth on the one for sale. The radius on the Wildkat brochure shows serrated radius.

I see some other subtle differences, too.

Maybe these are irrelevant or just slight design changes???

 

[Molalla1]

Yes, I see that . . . don't know, maybe they made some changes later on? Although the serrated one would take more time . . .

 

[oosik]

OK - so I went to the Land Pride site to check on larger grapples. FWIW - an 84 inch grapple - same type/design as my 60 inch grapple - lists at 1030 pounds. If material weight means anything - then that 84 inch Wildcat is a pretty darn heavy unit.

 

[Hay Dude]

OK - so I went to the Land Pride site to check on larger grapples. FWIW - an 84 inch grapple - same type/design as my 60 inch grapple - lists at 1030 pounds. If material weight means anything - then that 84 inch Wildcat is a pretty darn heavy unit.

Wildkat listed at 925LBs, so about 9% lighter.
The 84” Landpride I saw was 999lbs, but they make about 10 varieties of grapple, so maybe I saw something different.