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

[k0ua]

I may just have to buckle under, give my two grapples away, and call "Riceroni" to see if they have a 24" grapple, under 100 lbs. so I can move a few twigs.

Or ....... maybe I'll continue to just suffer thru with my present poor grapple decisions?

View attachment 483740

That is one heck of a big chunk of tree you got in your jaws there!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Island is really passionate about grapples, kinda how people get when defending a tractor color.
He makes some good points, but different people have different taste and different needs.
You can't simply make a single, set in stone recommendation because of the wide array of grappling applications.

Don't get me wrong, we've had our differences, but I give Island a lot of credit.
Hey, he did talk me into making the 50" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. :thumbsup:
Travis

 

[Moluke]

Thanks very much for the responses guys, exactly what I was looking for. It seems the 60" single lid will be more than robust enough for my needs, speaking as I figure i'll only put on about 100 hours a year. Travis, you'll probably hear from me in the next couple of weeks.
You guys are mean, posting pictures with your vicious looking tractors while i'm still waiting on mine! :thumbsup:
Anyway, I had no idea people were this opinionated about... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Anyway, I had no idea people were this opinionated about... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

When you get yours you will see quality not usually seen in tractor implements. Then when you see other peoples grapples online or out and about you will see that there is a difference. EA makes some of the best equipment on the market. Thus the reason they have such a strong following. Be sure to post lots of pics when yours comes in.

One other thing that sets them apart is the customer service. I broke the mounts of my grapple by doing something I shouldn't do. Now add in the fact I'm doing it to a compact tractor grapple but using my utility tractor. EA found out and reached out to me. They sent me all new parts for free and when I tried to pay, they told me that it was on them. This was above and beyond and says a lot about the company. When I order a new grapple for the next tractor, it'll be from them.

Brett

 

[roadhunter]

I think Island makes a really good point. For smaller tractors there is no reason to waste capacity on a front attachment built for a heavier machine which limits limits capacity as well as stability. That goes for forks, buckets, grapples, etc... Between the weight of the SSQA and the attachment some of these smaller CUT's have almost no capacity left and require a counterweight to be useful. It's something to keep in mind IMO.

 

[sidecarist]

Counter weight is indeed important. I use my backhoe now, but will be building a 55gal drum weight box to have a more compact package for the woods. The rear weight is really important on rougher ground!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

Island is really passionate about grapples, kinda how people get when defending a tractor color.
He makes some good points, but different people have different taste and different needs.
You can't simply make a single, set in stone recommendation because of the wide array of grappling applications.

Don't get me wrong, we've had our differences, but I give Island a lot of credit.
Hey, he did talk me into making the 50" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. :thumbsup:
Travis

Travis I want to correct something. I am passionate about my girlfriends and my teddy bear. I am merely interested in grapples and tractors.

I argue the small is beautiful line on grapples repeatedly for a simple reason. The folks participating in these discussions are generally looking for their first grapple and it is very very easy to be misled into buying more grapple than you really need and can use efficiently.

Despite the sniping by a few who bought big grapples, the evidence as presented by many dozens of grapple owners here on TBN consistently supports the notion that a small lightweight grapple does just about anything that a CUT owner would want to do with a grapple. That doesn't mean small lightweight makes sense for a contractor running a big skidsteer and it doesn't mean it applies to a utility tractor in commercial agricultural use. It does generally apply to the typical TBN CUT owner who has a tractor that can be towed on a 10,000lb trailer rig, has a loader lift of 3000lbs or less and generally fits the compact utility tractor designation (I used to say 50 hp but lots of CUTs now have 60hp even though the weight and loader are the same as their less muscled sibling tractors). Finally, it is just a rule of thumb. You might have a very good reason for some other type of grapple but recognize before you shell out $2500-4000 for a monster grapple that most everyone with a narrow lightduty grapple finds them to be just about perfect. Several guys with more than one grapple size say they'd choose the narrow lightduty if they could keep just one. Point is that grapple newbies should not get caught up in the "more horsepower is better" race when it comes to grapple selection. Think about the physics and review what tasks small lightweight grapples are capable of before shelling out more bucks for a grapple that might well not be as useful to you. Then, if despite all the evidence presented to the contrary, you still believe your manhood is really reflected in the size of your grapple, buy a big grapple. I'm sure the girls will be impressed.:laughing:

 

[TomSeller]

As to island tractor, I haven't been around much lately but it's no surprise he's still talking about how great his grapple is and how people don't need what they want. Funny thing is all I've read is how happy people are with the grapple they get from EA.

IT has a great grapple, I'd buy one like it if they still made them. Narrow, light weight and with a wide opening. He has also complimented the EA grapples on many occasions, they are also good grapples.

 

[TomSeller]

... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

Neither is there much difference in engine oil but people have strong opinions on brands.... Go figure.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Travis I want to correct something. I am passionate about my girlfriends and my teddy bear. I am merely interested in grapples and tractors.

You, no doubt, have a strong, heavy heart! :laughing:
Travis

 

[rustyshakelford]

Travis I want to correct something. I am passionate about my girlfriends and my teddy bear. I am merely interested in grapples and tractors.

I argue the small is beautiful line on grapples repeatedly for a simple reason. The folks participating in these discussions are generally looking for their first grapple and it is very very easy to be misled into buying more grapple than you really need and can use efficiently.

Despite the sniping by a few who bought big grapples, the evidence as presented by many dozens of grapple owners here on TBN consistently supports the notion that a small lightweight grapple does just about anything that a CUT owner would want to do with a grapple. That doesn't mean small lightweight makes sense for a contractor running a big skidsteer and it doesn't mean it applies to a utility tractor in commercial agricultural use. It does generally apply to the typical TBN CUT owner who has a tractor that can be towed on a 10,000lb trailer rig, has a loader lift of 3000lbs or less and generally fits the compact utility tractor designation (I used to say 50 hp but lots of CUTs now have 60hp even though the weight and loader are the same as their less muscled sibling tractors). Finally, it is just a rule of thumb. You might have a very good reason for some other type of grapple but recognize before you shell out $2500-4000 for a monster grapple that most everyone with a narrow lightduty grapple finds them to be just about perfect. Several guys with more than one grapple size say they'd choose the narrow lightduty if they could keep just one. Point is that grapple newbies should not get caught up in the "more horsepower is better" race when it comes to grapple selection. Think about the physics and review what tasks small lightweight grapples are capable of before shelling out more bucks for a grapple that might well not be as useful to you. Then, if despite all the evidence presented to the contrary, you still believe your manhood is really reflected in the size of your grapple, buy a big grapple. I'm sure the girls will be impressed.:laughing:

I'll give it to IT, this was one of the best posts with great insite into his views I've ever read. I guess I understand a little better why he preaches so much and I guess since he's on an EA thread he still encourages buyers to buy EA so for that I'll say good info

Brett

 

[roadhunter]

I was browsing the EA website last night and looking at grapples for my tractor. I was torn between the model that was for tractors up to 75 HP as my tractor is just under that. But I was also looking at the Extreme duty as my tractor has a pretty good lift capacity as I have lifted over 5,000 pounds at 24" with it.

So as I am reading the reviews for the Extreme Duty the very first one is exactly what IT was talking about as far as fitting the grapple to the tractors capacity.
Construction Attachments XTreme Duty Root Grapple For Skid Steers and Larger Tractor Loaders

 

[DieselBound]

I was browsing the EA website last night and looking at grapples for my tractor. I was torn between the model that was for tractors up to 75 HP as my tractor is just under that. But I was also looking at the Extreme duty as my tractor has a pretty good lift capacity as I have lifted over 5,000 pounds at 24" with it.

So as I am reading the reviews for the Extreme Duty the very first one is exactly what IT was talking about as far as fitting the grapple to the tractors capacity.
Construction Attachments XTreme Duty Root Grapple For Skid Steers and Larger Tractor Loaders

Yes, but... That product group is specifically for Skid Steers. Folks here are primarily talking about the sizing on EA WICKED Root & Debris Grapples. I bought the 66" version, which is 410 lbs. The skid steer 66" one is 862 lbs!. THAT weight difference IS significant. However, along the CUT product group (what this thread is about) and the single lid grapple the smallest Wicked grapple is 54" and weighs 349 lbs, about 60 lbs less than the 66" one that I bought: to put THIS in context, it's roughly a 2% "hit" in lift/weight capacity for my loader on my yet-to-arrive tractor (54" vs 72" would be about 3%). For myself weight was not an issue (in this product group), width was.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Here's a link to the FULL Wicked Grapple Chart.
Travis

 

[roadhunter]

Yes, but... That product group is specifically for Skid Steers. Folks here are primarily talking about the sizing on EA WICKED Root & Debris Grapples. I bought the 66" version, which is 410 lbs. The skid steer 66" one is 862 lbs!. THAT weight difference IS significant. However, along the CUT product group (what this thread is about) and the single lid grapple the smallest Wicked grapple is 54" and weighs 349 lbs, about 60 lbs less than the 66" one that I bought: to put THIS in context, it's roughly a 2% "hit" in lift/weight capacity for my loader on my yet-to-arrive tractor (54" vs 72" would be about 3%). For myself weight was not an issue (in this product group), width was.

Yes t's a perfect example of matching an attachment for a piece of equipment, in this case a tractor. It says for skid steers and tractors and is easily someone with a tractor that had some power might look into. I thought it was interesting reading it after IT made that exact point. I know I would consider it my my little CUT.

You found what works best for you without losing much capacity. That's great. But some of us like a machine with some real lifting capacity which requires a heavier grapple. You seem to suggest that my posts are off topic just because my tractor has a different lift capacity than yours. I"m not off topic so stop whining about it.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Roadhunter, your JCB is a cool looking ride. I can't find any good specs for it online.
Will you post some pics of it?
Travis

 

[roadhunter]

Roadhunter, your JCB is a cool looking ride. I can't find any good specs for it online.
Will you post some pics of it?
Travis

I"m glad you asked as I was looking at the options and saw a Euro QA for $125. I think that may be what I have on the JCB.




It has just under 70 HP and I believe with the tries foamed is somewhere around 13,000 pounds. I know the 4 in 1 gannon blade/bucket is pretty heavy which is why I was looking at the 2 heavier models you make for tractors up to 75 hp and the other for skid steers and larger tractors. I think the lifting capacity is in the 5,000 pound range.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I"m glad you asked as I was looking at the options and saw a Euro QA for $125. I think that may be what I have on the JCB.

View attachment 483858
View attachment 483859

It has just under 70 HP and I believe with the tries foamed is somewhere around 13,000 pounds. I know the 4 in 1 gannon blade/bucket is pretty heavy which is why I was looking at the 2 heavier models you make for tractors up to 75 hp and the other for skid steers and larger tractors. I think the lifting capacity is in the 5,000 pound range.

Ah man. That's a different animal. It's definitely not euro because the top hooks are wider than the bottom pins on a euro.
I do not even have a source besides Bradco/Paladin and it'll be heavy and $$$$$.

Here's an adapter to convert it to universal skid steer QA, but it's $2,000 alone!
Travis

 

[roadhunter]

I was afraid of that. This setup is pretty heavy duty compared to a skid steer.

It almost looks like the euro brackets would work if I reversed them to make the top narrower than the bottom. I'll have to look into the diameters.

I made brackets for my fork frame with a set of over the bucket fork brackets.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

I was afraid of that. This setup is pretty heavy duty compared to a skid steer.

It almost looks like the euro brackets would work if I reversed them to make the top narrower than the bottom. I'll have to look into the diameters.

I made brackets for my fork frame with a set of over the bucket fork brackets.

We could make a grapple for you with no mounts if you have the ability to make some.
By the looks of that bucket, I'd lean towards an Xtreme duty.
We do have the heavier Wicked Grapple which hasn't made it to the website yet.
Travis