Grapple Kubota L39 TLB Grapple "Markham"?? WOW

[GreatWhitehunter]

I don't know why Markham and WRLong and other grapple makers are so conservative with their recommendations on LD grapples. I suspect they are so focused on skidsteers in commercial environments that they just don't know or consider how CUT owners use grapples. No one that I know of on TBN has complained that they have seriously damaged a light duty grapple. I use a light duty 48" Millonzi on a loader with 2700lbs lift capacity and I've worked it hard (for a CUT) killing brush, digging stumps and moving big rocks and it is going strong after four years.

I 100% agree with this. I've got the same Millonzi as Island and there is no way any cut is going to damage it. The loader will be broken first. Markham an others just don't get it. The lift and power of a cut loader is a joke compared to a skid. Just the geometry of the two should be a good indicator. As for the pics of the new markham grapple and TB. I would definatly complain to them. That is a shame that there quality control is so bad. My grapple is a few years old and sits outside 99% of the time and the paint looks better than that. The probably didn't clean the metal surfaces of oils before they painted it.

Matt

 

[yekrut]

I have a Millonzi 48" as well. I have bent the tips of the top jaw multiple times. Bent one way for a while then the other way. Have never straightened them. Just the torque from Big Logs and Sandstone and maybe some huge root balls. Grapple still works great. They have never bent to the point where they will hit the bottom teeth. Kinda glad they bend. Kinda like a shear pin in a way. The L39 is pretty tough but I get into some weird angles and torquing situations and would rather the grapple teeth bend than the loader frame.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You get what you pay for. Not that there is anything wrong with the Markham grapple, but what do you guys expect for $900? They have to make a profit somehow. It looks like they are using an apprentice welder and just paint the grapple without at least cleaning the metal first. I imagine that if they produced what you guys would be happy with, they would need to raise the price.

Just my opinion of what I see.

 

[Goodluck w/ That]

I'm in Southern Maryland

 

[Big Bri]

here are the pic of the grapple. . . its still on the pallet and banded down.

i think that is a lot of rust for a new grapple. now i know that i'm going to beat it up but still kinda makes me sad to get something in like this.

there are a few pics of the tooth bar as well, its also still strapped to the grapple.
Brian

Well i went a head and called and told them about the paint and sent them some pic. I was told that they were very sorry and that that is not the norm. they issued me a credit for the bad paint. . . so i happy now

 

[MtnViewRanch]

So how much was that bad paint worth?

 

[Cat_Driver]

I went with this one and had it on a Kubota and not on a skid steer.

This is a great company.

http://www.wildkatattachments.com/hd_root_grapples.htm

Look around their site, they have econo, to heavy duty grapples.

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

Hey Big Bri,

Glad they made that right with you.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

You get what you pay for. Not that there is anything wrong with the Markham grapple, but what do you guys expect for $900? They have to make a profit somehow. It looks like they are using an apprentice welder and just paint the grapple without at least cleaning the metal first. I imagine that if they produced what you guys would be happy with, they would need to raise the price.

Just my opinion of what I see.

I find this kind of amusing since the skid steer hd units bend the teeth sideways too. It's not really a price thing at all. The welds look as good on the LD models I've seen as the higher priced HD units. It doesn't take that long to clean the metal surface and paint. It's not like they're powder coated.

Matt

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I find this kind of amusing since the skid steer hd units bend the teeth sideways too. It's not really a price thing at all. The welds look as good on the LD models I've seen as the higher priced HD units. It doesn't take that long to clean the metal surface and paint. It's not like they're powder coated.

Matt

I don't know about the HD units and their welds, have not heard about them since most everybody here gets the LD units. As far as cleaning for paint, what do you consider not that long? I know for me to clean one with degreaser, it would take more than just a few minutes. I have not heard of anyone else that has a grapple for the price that Markham is selling theirs for, so how is it that they can continue to do that. Maybe their overhead is just that low. I'm not questioning the quality of their product, but there has to be some reason as to how or why they are able to sell that product for the price that they sell it for when others do not.

 

[jenkinsph]

For the price I may buy one, touch up the welding and then have it powdercoated. That way for about $1200 I would have a nice grappel.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I don't know about the HD units and their welds, have not heard about them since most everybody here gets the LD units. As far as cleaning for paint, what do you consider not that long? I know for me to clean one with degreaser, it would take more than just a few minutes. I have not heard of anyone else that has a grapple for the price that Markham is selling theirs for, so how is it that they can continue to do that. Maybe their overhead is just that low. I'm not questioning the quality of their product, but there has to be some reason as to how or why they are able to sell that product for the price that they sell it for when others do not.

Millonzi didn't seem to have an issue with proper paint prep. Don't get me wrong the grapple isn't flawless and a few of the welds could be prettier. There are metal clean solutions that the grapples are dipped in for a few mins.
The surface just need to be dried and painted then. The hd models are similar in finish to the LD units. I've seen both side by side. I really don't think the cost to produce these grapples is too much. I'm sure pieced are water jet or cnc cut so they can be mass produced easily. The welding is the most time consuming,labor intense part.


Matt

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Millonzi didn't seem to have an issue with proper paint prep. Don't get me wrong the grapple isn't flawless and a few of the welds could be prettier. There are metal clean solutions that the grapples are dipped in for a few mins.
The surface just need to be dried and painted then. The hd models are similar in finish to the LD units. I've seen both side by side. I really don't think the cost to produce these grapples is too much. I'm sure pieced are water jet or cnc cut so they can be mass produced easily. The welding is the most time consuming,labor intense part.


Matt

And Millonzi is still selling those grapples faster than they can build them. Wait, they went OUT OF BUSSINESS.

 

[wedge40]

And Millonzi is still selling those grapples faster than they can build them. Wait, they went OUT OF BUSSINESS.

This true.. But, I heard the owner passed away and none of the kids wanted to continue the buisness. Or didn't know how.

I have a Markham grapple and toothbar. They are left outside and the tooth bar is starting to rust. But unless I clean and repaint after each use. They're going to rust. Once the shop is done I figure a weekend painting things in the winter will keep them looking new.

As far as welds go.. I think they look pretty good, and I have seen far worse. But then again I'm not a welder. I dont care what they look like on the surface. As long as they hold up to my abuse I'm a happy camper.

Wedge

 

[Big Bri]

As far as welds go.. I think they look pretty good, and I have seen far worse. But then again I'm not a welder. I dont care what they look like on the surface. As long as they hold up to my abuse I'm a happy camper.

Wedge

That's how i feel. really most of us are using these for home use and they will last us a lifetime. . . probably no mater what brand we buy.

 

[jcummins]

I bought the Markum LD with 1/2 steel and extra spacers....I think that makes it the same as their mid duty grapple. I have put very serious strain on this grapple with an M7040, and so far nothing has broke.

I will say the welds are ok...it's the fitting of the tines etc that is sloppy, which in some cases makes the welds span to large of a gap. The quick attach has some play in it, enough that I was able to pop the grapple loose from the FEL. I resolved by welding an extra bar at the bottom of the grapple, which tighten every thing up. I did not touch up any welds, and the welds are holding.

I would buy again in a heartbeat. It has save me a considerable amount of work.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Johny Millonzi passed away so that's why there no longer made. That's how Markham started making them because they never made an LD unit before.

Matt

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Sad that Millonzi died. But that opened the door for Markham, hopefully they can continue manufacturing the grapple that so many people like.

 

[SWIMMER]

Similar experience with a Markham LD grapple. Looks to be built very well, great welds, had the extra tines put in for helping grab the small stuff.

The paint is not so great. Came off where the shipping label was attached, and a few other spots. I figure a wire brush and a rattle can will take care of it pretty quick. Living at the coast you get used to the rust pretty quick.

Overall I am thrilled with the Markham grapple. It works great and looks to be strong enough to do anything reasonable I want it to do. Tough to beat the $1200 total price delivered right to my door all the way across country.

 

[Maknwine]

Anyone have a link to the medium duty grapple for $1200 Goodluck's talking about here?

Tks
tom

I still cannot find what the Medium duty grapple is at Markham, I'll email and ask for reply then post a link. Is it just the LD with extra tines welded in?