Grapple Weight

[RNeumann]

I can't speak the tractor side of your question. But with regards to the grapple I needed mine for heavy lifting which is why I wanted the lightest quality grapple I could find. Less weight for the grapple = more material I can lift.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Rob has very selective reading/comprehending abilities when faced with multiple issues. Good try though.

I answer every one of your questions directly and can provide picts to prove my answers. You just don't like my answers... lol

AND, I've used both tools, have you ever used a set of pallet forks with a matching grapple??

Until you have a bunch of hours trying both, you really don't know how they compare...

SR

 

[ovrszd]

I answer every one of your questions directly and can provide picts to prove my answers. You just don't like my answers... lol

AND, I've used both tools, have you ever used a set of pallet forks with a matching grapple??

Until you have a bunch of hours trying both, you really don't know how they compare...

SR

And that makes you "right" and me "wrong". As always, very entertaining Rob.

 

[RNeumann]

Another reason for weight difference is the intended use. The heavy ones and typically designed for ground work- digging out roots rocks construction derbies etc. The two jaw jaw style would benefit with off balance, long and or awkward loads. The single jaw lighter weight allows the FEL to lift more but are obviously more prone to bending or damage.

Another way to "cheat" if you want a lighter grapple is to get a narrower one. You didn't provide and widths with your weight specs so it's difficult to know if it's heavy or light.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

And that makes you "right" and me "wrong". As always, very entertaining Rob.

Well, if YOU have never used a product, yet you think you know what it will do, and that makes YOU right?

I think the folks here are smarter than that! lol

OK, I don't have time to deal with some one like that, so don't expect any more answers from me... Now it's your turn to take your usual parting shot......make it good, I won't be answering it. ha ha ha

SR

 

[k0ua]

Another reason for weight difference is the intended use. The heavy ones and typically designed for ground work- digging out roots rocks construction derbies etc. The two jaw jaw style would benefit with off balance, long and or awkward loads. The single jaw lighter weight allows the FEL to lift more but are obviously more prone to bending or damage.

Another way to "cheat" if you want a lighter grapple is to get a narrower one. You didn't provide and widths with your weight specs so it's difficult to know if it's heavy or light.

That assumes that all steel is the same.. it is not. You can get away with using thinner steel when you use high tensile steel than if you used lower tensile steel. Most Grapples are made with standard low tensile strength A36 steel which is rated at 36000 pounds. Some grapples are made with steel with a higher tensile strength up to 80,000 lbs.

This is why I am a champion of the EA grapples which are lighter and stronger. Yes you have to pay more for that higher quality steel, but you just pay once, not everytime you lift something where you pay in having the thicker heavier steel to get the strength you need to do the job. There is nothing wrong with either approach to building a grapple, as long as everyone understands what they are getting.

 

[ovrszd]

Well, if YOU have never used a product, yet you think you know what it will do, and that makes YOU right?

I think the folks here are smarter than that! lol

OK, I don't have time to deal with some one like that, so don't expect any more answers from me... Now it's your turn to take your usual parting shot......make it good, I won't be answering it. ha ha ha

SR

I don't take parting shots Rob. That's your method.

I'm not claiming to be right.

 

[RNeumann]

That assumes that all steel is the same.. it is not. You can get away with using thinner steel when you use high tensile steel than if you used lower tensile steel. Most Grapples are made with standard low tensile strength A36 steel which is rated at 36000 pounds. Some grapples are made with steel with a higher tensile strength up to 80,000 lbs.

This is why I am a champion of the EA grapples which are lighter and stronger. Yes you have to pay more for that higher quality steel, but you just pay once, not everytime you lift something where you pay in having the thicker heavier steel to get the strength you need to do the job. There is nothing wrong with either approach to building a grapple, as long as everyone understands what they are getting.

Not assuming anything and I appreciate the EA grapple as they help sponsor this forum and make good products that folks seem to enjoy. It also sounds like they provide good customer service.
The OP has said he won't be purchasing from EA because he is in Canada and the cost is too much. The OP also stated he is going to look at them soon. With that I was trying to provide some general things to look for and help try and explain why some are built different than others.
I do agree that some are made better than others and, in general, you get what you pay for. I can also see benefit in knowing the differences in metallurgy and why one is better than another. Most grapple manufactures don't list that though......which may be concerning as most talk up the good features of the products they sell

 

[abrahamd]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Sounds like folks have all shapes and sizes. I would have absolutely gone with the EA wicked grapple if our dollar weren't so bad, but oh well. For now the 575 lb 76" wildcat will get the job done I'm sure. I do like the idea of using higher strength steel and cutting weight, and making the most out of the fel. Ideally I would have preferred 60-66" but I can suck it up if I get a good deal. I know EA ships to Canada, but if they had a distributor here it would be even better hint hint

 

[abrahamd]

Well, the wildkat lasted about six hours before this happened, and I was being very cautious as it was my first day with my new MX 5800. I wasn't grappling anything particularly awkward or heavy either, just a piece of log about 48" long. You can tell this particular weld wasn't terribly good, and I've read in forums about the odd poor weld in the wildkat e series, so I'm not terribly shocked. A new weld in the morning and I'm sure it will be better than new. Then, it's back to work....or play...I can't tell the difference anymore.

Great grapple otherwise, it handles stumps well and the weight seems fine.