Wicked 55 root rake grapple on a 25HP compact?

Darryl N · Mar 30, 2023

I searched for wicked root rake and was overwhelmed at the prospect of reading 361+ pages, so asking here.

I like the reduced weight serrated design, their product testing (abuse) videos and user videos are convincing, and the price isn't that bad compared to some I've seen, but 10-12 week lead time, dayum! I understand they are building out a production facility which should be coming on line soon.

Questions:

If you have used a wicked 55 on a 25hp tractor, what is your experience on tree stumps, compared to using a backhoe.
Good online site to buy one used?
Any credible knock-offs?

TractorTYMe · Mar 30, 2023

When choosing a grapple it is important to consider FEL lift capacity vs weight of grapple. I have a Homestead Implement grapple for a compact tractor 72'' wide. But they have smaller ones Sub-Compact Tractor Grapple Independence Series

jonsstihl · Mar 30, 2023

it is too wide to rip out a stump unless it is very small. excavators use a single ripper tooth to rip out stumps . it can be done with a bucket but takes time. You have to be realistic with your expectations and pick the right tool for the job. root grapples may be good at ripping out multiple small sapling sized roots but definitely not anything I would call a stump. especially on a 25hp tractor. you will not have much lifting and pulling power left and risk damaging something.

they are great for grabbing objects or logs or rocks and picking up and crushing brush. I built an attachment on mine to grab saplings and rip them out. works great for that.

jonsstihl · Mar 30, 2023

I have a EA 55 long bottom grapple, I had to wait a long time and it was definitely worth the wait but I got mine pre-covid. I think the EA will be hard to beat in the size/strength vs weight department.

Darryl N · Mar 30, 2023

TractorTYMe said:
When choosing a grapple it is important to consider FEL lift capacity vs weight of grapple. I have a Homestead Implement grapple for a compact tractor 72'' wide. But they have smaller ones Sub-Compact Tractor Grapple Independence Series

Thanks for the input.

edit: Homestead "Sub-Compact Tractor Grapple Independence Series" is 54", 190 lbs, and $1780, so thanks for the suggestion!

I have a Kioti CK2610, FEL lift is 1800, EA wicked 55 is 239 lb, so I selected it based on that.

Homestead "Sub-Compact Tractor Grapple Independence Series":

Darryl N · Mar 30, 2023

jonsstihl said:
it is too wide to rip out a stump unless it is very small. excavators use a single ripper tooth to rip out stumps . it can be done with a bucket but takes time. You have to be realistic with your expectations and pick the right tool for the job. root grapples may be good at ripping out multiple small sapling sized roots but definitely not anything I would call a stump. especially on a 25hp tractor. you will not have much lifting and pulling power left and risk damaging something.

they are great for grabbing objects or logs or rocks and picking up and crushing brush. I built an attachment on mine to grab saplings and rip them out. works great for that.

Appreciate the comments.

I agree 25hp is weak sauce, but it's all I've got. I'm just a retired guy puttering around, plenty of time, not much money. $2500 is a lot of dough.

"It can be done with a bucket but takes time" Do you mean with a backhoe or what?

Got pics of your homebrew sapling attachment?

tacticalturnip · Mar 30, 2023

Your CK2610 will run any hydraulic or loader attachment the other CK's will run; despite it's small engine the machine isn't a subcompact and you'd be limiting yourself with subcompact attachments.

tacticalturnip · Mar 30, 2023

This is more in line with what it's capable of; with that said, EA is a great manufacturer and if I hadn't bundled my grapple in at the dealer I would have gone with a Wicked.

Jchonline · Mar 30, 2023

Darryl N said:
I searched for wicked root rake and was overwhelmed at the prospect of reading 361+ pages, so asking here.

I like the reduced weight serrated design, their product testing (abuse) videos and user videos are convincing, and the price isn't that bad compared to some I've seen, but 10-12 week lead time, dayum! I understand they are building out a production facility which should be coming on line soon.

Questions:

If you have used a wicked 55 on a 25hp tractor, what is your experience on tree stumps, compared to using a backhoe.

Good online site to buy one used?

Any credible knock-offs?

View attachment 792053

You will damage your FEL if you try and rip out a stump with this..unless it has been rotting for 20 years. The reason to get a grapple is to move brush, logs and rake small roots/undergrowth out of the ground (think Juniper, etc). You can use them for moving small boulders...but removing a stump is a bad idea. A few hits on the outside of that grapple and you are going to twist your FEL up. Just my opinion.

Backhoe is much better on stumps...but on a small machine like yours it will take time. Be patient, start far outside the main trunk to break roots. An excavator or full size backhoe is preferred...but not aways an option!

Specifically on the EA grapple....extremely well made. I had a Landpride on my larger machine (now sold) which was also really beefy. Weight for strength I am not sure EA can be beat. Mine is fantastic. I have the Wicked 60 on my L6060. I waited for 3 months I believe...but ordered when winter set in so it was no problem at all waiting.

CloverKnollFarms · Mar 30, 2023

This feels like the wrong tool for the job. When you do that, you break things.

MapleLeafFarmer · Mar 30, 2023

I had a EA 50" on a Kubota B2601 for many years.
Super quality. still have the grapple but since wore out that tractor.
Worked very well but for sure felt big on that little tractor.
For moving brush piles worked great.
Placing 12' long trunks (600 pounds plus grapple weight) on a flat deck worked well as well but clearly at the tractors max. Care was needed and mistakes could be costly and easy to make for uncareful.

my woodlot is in soft sandy soil with lots of 8"-14" diameter pine trees and that root grapple / 26HP tractor would have been useless to dig out stumps. Maybe if stump was 5 years old and partly rotten but not fresh ones.

2manyrocks · Mar 30, 2023

I have a 48" MTL grapple on my Kubota L2501 25hp tractor. It is awesome for picking up the top of a small tree and being able to crush/compact limbs. Within reason of the weight handling capacity of my loader, it is good for picking up short sections of tree trunk.

I sometimes pull the roots of small saplings in the Spring when the soil is soft using a chain attached to my drawbar, but I wouldn't attempt to pull stumps with my L2501 using any grapple.

If you are willing to take your time to dig, you can dig out some pretty sizeable stumps with a backhoe bucket. My 20 hp Terramite is a much better tool for digging out stumps.

Darryl N · Mar 30, 2023

Weeds to saplings

, big trees

. Use backhoe for stumps, and take my time. Got it.

jonsstihl · Mar 30, 2023

here is the link to the thread, post 75 on page 8 I can't take credit for the idea. another member k0ua came up with it and I just copied it.

My Wicked Grapple bush grabber attachment

I knew there were some a bit narrower, but the plate itself is about 48 inches right? The plate is 44 inches, same width as the SSQA plate: Heavy Duty Grapples for Skid Steers - Gorilla Grapples

www.tractorbynet.com

It is very useful and it is surprising how big a "sapling" it can pull especially if the ground is soft

K5lwq · Apr 1, 2023

I have the EA wicked 55” and have used it some for removing small trees and a few Crape Myrtles for my neighbor using the Kioti LK2554. Worked really well for that but I would not be removing stumps with it. That is a job for a backhoe.

PJRAM · Apr 2, 2023

I have the Homestead Implements Sub Compact Independence Series grapple on a Massey GC1723. It only weighs 190 lbs. and the specifications are almost identical to the Wicked 55 from EA. The price was better and so was the lead time on the Homestead. Shipping was also free. I have pulled small trees and honeysuckle bushes with it, and moved brush and decent sized logs, but I would NOT try to pull stumps with it. I use my backhoe for them.

Darryl N · Apr 2, 2023

That's a cute little MF. As I posted earlier in this tread, I have looked at the Homestead unit online. Since my Kioti is a little bigger and heavier (5500 lbs), I wondered if a grapple specifically designed for a sub-compact might not go the distance.

2manyrocks · Apr 2, 2023

Depends on how hard you use the grapple. But if you push a grapple so hard that you start bending tines, maybe that is a warning sign to back off before you damage your loader or tractor hydraulics?

My MTL attachments 48" weighs 350 lbs. I was concerned about putting that much weight on a L2501, but it has been fine. The metal is thick enough that I don't worry about bending things although I don't use my grapple to pull. I use my drawbar and a chain for pulling. Compact Tractor 48"-54"-60" HD Root Grapple Hydraulic - quick attach — MTL Attachments

CloverKnollFarms · Apr 2, 2023

I’m not worried about the grapple, as much as I am the tractor. The loader and cylinders are not really designed to dig stumps. I’ve seen folks using stump buckets who have destroyed cylinders. Arguably they were using a tool made for stumps.

Darryl N · Apr 2, 2023

CloverKnollFarms said:
I’m not worried about the grapple, as much as I am the tractor. The loader and cylinders are not really designed to dig stumps. I’ve seen folks using stump buckets who have destroyed cylinders. Arguably they were using a tool made for stumps.

Ok, well, that settles it, I'm gonna go buy a $50k mini-excavator so I can dig up stumps.

Others have said and I agree, that a compact with backhoe is perfectly capable of digging stumps, just have to take your time and conservatively work within the limits of the machine.