Grapple for 1643?

[MtnViewRanch]

DC3, call Rick at Wallace tractor. He's hungry right now and I would bet that he will get that 1643 to you for a better price than most anyone else, and that includes the sales tax. It's one of those things, you won't know until you ask. If you don't ask, you will never know, give him a call and then let us know how it goes.

I know that I did some pricing with him on a Kioti, and it was less money from him including shipping 3000 miles than what I could get locally. If you are having problems now with everyone that you have been trying to get a price from, why not try Rick? You will not have those problems with Wallace Tractor.

 

[DC3]

DC3, call Rick at Wallace tractor. He's hungry right now and I would bet that he will get that 1643 to you for a better price than most anyone else, and that includes the sales tax. It's one of those things, you won't know until you ask. If you don't ask, you will never know, give him a call and then let us know how it goes.

I know that I did some pricing with him on a Kioti, and it was less money from him including shipping 3000 miles than what I could get locally. If you are having problems now with everyone that you have been trying to get a price from, why not try Rick? You will not have those problems with Wallace Tractor.

I'm going to give Rick a call. :thumbsup:

 

[DC3]

A really heavy duty grapple built for skid steers may weigh 7 or 800 lbs. so that uses up lots of you capacity. Skid steers are much more powerful than most tractors in lift capacity. Also make sure any FEL you buy has "unversal skid steer" quick connects. New tractors seem to be going to that as universal, but in the past, each company had its own system. I had to buy a $700 adapter because of this. I would not buy a FEL without this feature.

What is the lift capacity of the tractor you are buying? If it is around 2000 lbs., I would go with the 48" light duty or preferably the beefed up version of this made with 1/2 steel and maybe added spacers. This upgrade will cost and extra $400ish. From what I have seen, no one can touch the quality of a Markham at that price.

Then you have to decide how you will control it. The best (and most expensive) is an electric over hydraulic valve (see W. R. Long). The cheapest is running long hydraulic hoses under your tractor from the rear remote and using that to control the top thumb of the grapple. Either work and that is a matter of personal preference.

My FEL is the universal skid steer quick attach type. My FEL lift capacity is around 2,000 lbs., so it sounds like the 48" light duty will give me the better lift capacity for small logs and such.

I checked Long's site and found the electric valve. I wonder how much that runs.

 

[kennyd]

I checked Long's site and found the electric valve. I wonder how much that runs.

$550 to $650 or so...

 

[DC3]

$550 to $650 or so...

Thanks. Seems reasonable.

 

[DC3]

Okay, I've been talking to a few dealers on the 3rd function electric valve. They seem to be pointing me to an option that MF offers for this, but it is hydraulic. They said the control IS incorporated into the FEL joystick.

I can see MF dealers shying away from a third party solution for an electric valve, from a supportability and warranty perspective. Any other reason why they wouldn't want to go the W.R. Long valve kit route on my machine?

The 1643 total gpm rate 16.2. Will I notice a performance problem if I end up going with the hydraulic valve?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If Massey offers this, I would go with the factory setup. How much does it cost?

 

[DC3]

If Massey offers this, I would go with the factory setup. How much does it cost?

One dealer broke it down to $200.

 

[kennyd]

Just to be clear, the WR Long unit IS a "hydraulic valve" that is electrically operated by a solenoid rather than a lever. The switch for it could be incorporated into your existing joystick handle.

I don't see how MF can offer this for $200. The solenoid valve itself cost's this much...then add hoses, fitting, QD's, brackets, and labor...

You can buy all the pieces yourself to make a "3rd function" and save a few dollars, but the advantage of the "kits" WR Long sells is that is comes with everything in the box...

 

[Sawdust Farmer]

Any more info on the factory 3rd function valve?

sf