Got my EA 55" grapple today!

[Tymanthius]

Jchonline: Yep, I was picking up old tires with it doing exactly how you described just to practice using it.

 

[heavy hammer]

Regardless which one you have I'm sure everything attachments helped you out for the application you were going to use it for. Like Tymanthius said practice and it will be an impressive tool!

 

[oosik]

Tymanthius - nice grapple. Its a rock & root grapple. Couple suggestions. Look at the three pics of my grapple and make whatever mods you consider appropriate. The expanded metal on my OEM grill has been a lifesaver. Limbs, stobs, stick & trash are just looking for your head lights, grill, battery, radiator. The bungee chords keep the hoses up and out of the way. The heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing protects the hoses on the grapple and hydraulic top link on the 3-point.


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[heavy hammer]

oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.

 

[oosik]

I was TRULY fortunate. About six months prior to my purchase of the grapple - several posts here on TBN regarding damage to tractors. Sticks tru grill and perf the battery. One had - thru grill - thru battery - perf radiator. That must have been a chunk of rebar. I took the OEM grill to the local weld shop. One of the "kids" there came up with the design and welded it up. He wanted to paint the "eyes" blue and the "tongue" bright red.

Spiral wound shielding = There is a business in Spokane - House of Hose. They deal with everything hydraulic. They have about half a dozen different designs - including four colors. No Kubota orange though. Look for a business that caters hydraulics to commercial contractors.

Now that it's winter - I would wire a chunk of plywood on your OEM grill as a temp measure. Gives protection until you can figure a permanent solution.

 

[Doofy]

oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.

I just found the spiral protector on Amazon from a post yesterday. Tough looking stuff.

 

[Doofy]

oosik love the grill, where did you get the heavy plastic spiral wound sheathing? I like that idea for protecting the hoses, as you know every branch or stick wants to get those hoses.

I just found the spiral protector on Amazon from a post yesterday. Tough looking stuff.

 

[oosik]

Doofy - that spiral wound stuff is so tough. After the first hose got wrapped I knew there had to be a better way. Three inches of hot water in the bath tub. Throw the hose in for 15 minutes. Grab the hot hose and run like Hades. You need gloves also. I ripped half of two fingernails clean off my fingers wrapping the first one cold. I think that was to ensure that I did not forget. Bled like a stuck pig.

 

[Doofy]

Doofy - that spiral wound stuff is so tough. After the first hose got wrapped I knew there had to be a better way. Three inches of hot water in the bath tub. Throw the hose in for 15 minutes. Grab the hot hose and run like Hades. You need gloves also. I ripped half of two fingernails clean off my fingers wrapping the first one cold. I think that was to ensure that I did not forget. Bled like a stuck pig.

Thanks for the tip, oosik. The stuff looks fairly thick and hard to work with. Sure looks tougher than those thin nylon sleeves. Won't be trying to put any on this Winter...-4 this morning with a breeze and that's the coldest so far.

 

[oosik]

OOOOhhhh, -4F makes my shoulders & neck ache with just the thoughts. We are 37F and rain. At your temps, I would be staring at the roaring fire thru a glass of magnificent amber fluid. Thoughts of the out-of-doors, furthest thing from my mind.

 

[Doofy]

OOOOhhhh, -4F makes my shoulders & neck ache with just the thoughts. We are 37F and rain. At your temps, I would be staring at the roaring fire thru a glass of magnificent amber fluid. Thoughts of the out-of-doors, furthest thing from my mind.

Oh, I hear ya! Gets a little harder every winter to put up with the cold. -4 used to be Tee-shirt weather.

 

[oosik]

My years in AK govern many of my activities, still. You would chuckle, Doofy. Outside at 18F, just a pair of short and my down jacket. Old habits never seem to die. But, it was a quick trip.

 

[heavy hammer]

Thanks for the info oosik and doofy I'll definately look into that spiral hose stuff. My brother is a mechanic and his one buddy is a great welder so I'm sure we could come up with something for the grill ideas appreciated!

 

[mred2]

I have used old large hydraulic hose. Cut the ends off and use it to cover smaller hose. But the spiral is a lot easier to put on. There are several people around here that sells it. Any type of hose protection is better than none. Most of my past hose problems has been to a hose rubbing against something. And if it can get caught up on something, it will.

 

[e-wa]

Oosik, glad Spokane finally got snow, Tri-Cities didn't want you to feel left out