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

[Cataclysm]

Sysop's post got me to thinking about pushing with the lids open. To a point you have to push forward to get the brush into the grapple. I'm guessing pushing against a tree or other big/heavy object with the lids while they are open could result in bending at the hinges?

Any confirmed cases of bending the Wicked from pushing with the lids open?

 

[Sysop]

I'm 100% sure the hinges are 100% straight and true. After sleeping on it and the various replies, I'm nearly sure it is just as Travis and others indicated, the clevis simply worked a little loose and allowed it to skip a few threads. Admittedly, I haven't checked the tightness of anything on the grapple. A tape measure on the cylinder will tell the tale with certainty. Thanks for the quick response Travis! It will be later this-afternoon before I can check, I've been wrangled into a few other things.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Sysop's post got me to thinking about pushing with the lids open. To a point you have to push forward to get the brush into the grapple. I'm guessing pushing against a tree or other big/heavy object with the lids while they are open could result in bending at the hinges?

Any confirmed cases of bending the Wicked from pushing with the lids open?

I've seen a couple of the very early models tweaked a little, but it was a really rare occurrence and we beefed up the design after seeing it.
The cylinder mounting points is really they only thing we've changed over the years.

Check it out and you'll see that the cylinder mounts consist of 2 laminated pieces of steel and they're wrapped around the tube and the triangular gussets also really add to the strength.
The cylinder mount on the lid is also on a tube which is routed through the tines and is very stable.
It's stronger than ever!
Travis

 

[Sysop]

The hinge and lid are what I focused my initial inspection on. I'm sure they're not bent. From what I've seen of it so far, I honestly don't think my tractor is really able to bend this grapple. I think my loader would bend first. Really the only logical conclusion is it worked loose, I failed to check it, and it slipped.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Chance from Texas just shared pics of his new 73" Wicked Grapple in the EA Channel Group. It looks right at home on his 5075E John Deere.
Travis

Here's what he had to say:
"I got the chance to take the new Wicked Grapple up and hook it up. Comparing the size of the Wicked Grapple to the old Wicked compact grapple, I'm going to be able to grab a lot more at one time."

Love the double stack!!

 

[TomSeller]

Here's what he had to say:
"I got the chance to take the new Wicked Grapple up and hook it up. Comparing the size of the Wicked Grapple to the old Wicked compact grapple, I'm going to be able to grab a lot more at one time."

Love the double stack!!

Those pictures show how much more volume a taller opening grapple delivers. However, with the added weight of the grapple the larger grapple can carry less weight. So it is a volume/weight thing. Both are dual lid.

Very nice option for larger tractors like that. How many grapple models is EA up to now?

 

[EverythingAttachments]

How many grapple models is EA up to now?

A Whopping 10 different grapple models are made in our factory!
Travis

 

[Sysop]

Reporting in: According to my tape, center of grease nipple to center of grease nipple was exactly 20-1/8". The clevis was still very tight, but I loosened it and pulled the pin. When I pulled the pin, the lid dropped closed with no issues and all the tines line up perfect. I backed the end off the cylinder shaft a turn or two to get it to line up with the closed lid and measured, 20-1/4". While doing this I found a small issue with the bracket on the lid and the bushing that rides inside it. I'll need to talk to Travis after the holiday... I'll post some pictures later.

 

[Cataclysm]

Those pictures show how much more volume a taller opening grapple delivers. However, with the added weight of the grapple the larger grapple can carry less weight. So it is a volume/weight thing. Both are dual lid.

Very nice option for larger tractors like that. How many grapple models is EA up to now?

It would be interesting to know the " % working weight" of the average grab vs available loader lift capacity. I would be surprised if it would even average 80% of the available loader lift capacity. I bet it's more like 60%.

I know after working 10 hrs moving brush/trees I lifted a tire just once. And at that I was at a downward angle with the load too far left. I centered up the lift and had no problems. Most of the time you really couldn't tell there was much of a load up front.

The focus was how much volume you could roll or squeeze into the grapple with an eye towards centering the weight. Big rocks and big logs would be different of course.

Wow, 10 models.....now why don't you do custom colors. J/K!!!:laughing:

 

[Cataclysm]

I've seen a couple of the very early models tweaked a little, but it was a really rare occurrence and we beefed up the design after seeing it.
The cylinder mounting points is really they only thing we've changed over the years.

Check it out and you'll see that the cylinder mounts consist of 2 laminated pieces of steel and they're wrapped around the tube and the triangular gussets also really add to the strength.
The cylinder mount on the lid is also on a tube which is routed through the tines and is very stable.
It's stronger than ever!
Travis

Yes, its really built well, I was looking at it today while running the spring tooth chisel. I kept opening and closing the lid and looking at where I thought it would bend if at all. It doesn't look too bendable.

 

[Mad Mac]

In dentistry it is called occlusal equilibration, adjustment of the bite of upper and lower teeth.
Ted helped me out when the teeth on The Kraken, our 72-inch single lid, gapped open.

Giving a few turns to the clevis solved the problem. Details and pictures here.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Tim from Maryland is testing his Kioti NX5510's lift capacity with a HEAVY looking log, which is contained inside the mouth of a 60" dual lid Wicked Grapple!

 

[aeblank]

This is pretty well just for IslandTractor.......

Three thumbs up to this 3D-printed prosthetic thumb

Couldn't help myself..........

 

[EverythingAttachments]

This is pretty well just for IslandTractor.......

Three thumbs up to this 3D-printed prosthetic thumb

Couldn't help myself..........

:laughing: Simply priceless! :laughing:
Travis

 

[IslandTractor]

This is pretty well just for IslandTractor.......

Three thumbs up to this 3D-printed prosthetic thumb

Couldn't help myself..........

Fantastic. Now we finally have a good reason for more than one thumb per hand!

 

[4570Man]

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

It would be interesting to know the " % working weight" of the average grab vs available loader lift capacity. I would be surprised if it would even average 80% of the available loader lift capacity. I bet it's more like 60%.

I know after working 10 hrs moving brush/trees I lifted a tire just once. And at that I was at a downward angle with the load too far left. I centered up the lift and had no problems. Most of the time you really couldn't tell there was much of a load up front.

The focus was how much volume you could roll or squeeze into the grapple with an eye towards centering the weight. Big rocks and big logs would be different of course.

Wow, 10 models.....now why don't you do custom colors. J/K!!!:laughing:

With anything except brush it's easy to exceed 100 percent. These are both exceeding rated capacity and pushing max capacity loads.

 

[4570Man]

Boy what a discussion! I have one question and not sure will ask it correctly so chime if I don't: and how do you not scratch them using for such work as shown here? Will two coats of wax protect these grapples? Forgive me, had to ask. lol

That's a joke, right?

 

[Cataclysm]

Re: The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

With anything except brush it's easy to exceed 100 percent. These are both exceeding rated capacity and pushing max capacity loads.View attachment 514500View attachment 514501

Use of the skid steer is cheating. Tracked at that! If you pulled one of your lids would you even be able to tell the difference on either machine?

 

[Cataclysm]

That's a joke, right?

I took it as a joke and ran with it on my replies. :drink:

 

[4570Man]

I took it as a joke and ran with it on my replies. :drink:

I thought surly it was but it wasn't written like one. And I've seen people legitimately concerned about scratching the bucket.