Grapple EA Everything Attachments WICKED 55 Root Rake Grapple

[Rich_Z]

So I have been looking for a grapple for the TYM T474 I just ordered, not sure what type, brand, size, etc, I wanted. Just watching YouTube videos to see what would catch my eye. Well one did catch my eye. The EA Everything Attachments WICKED 55 Root Rake Grapple. The videos I watched showed it as being pretty capable and I was thinking that one was IT. But I just happened to catch a newer video of this product, that was posted just 12 days ago on July 28, 2023 talking about improvements. So of course I felt that would be worth watching to see what those improvements might be that I would likely get on the product I would receive.

Well, I watched it twice. Then again. Something was nagging me. Finally I saw what it was. Right around the 3:30 time mark, I saw that the hydraulic hoses on the bottom tines of the grapple were simply routed through those laser cut holes in the tines and the connection points to the driver's side just out in the open. Maybe I am not seeing this correctly, but it seems to me those hoses and those connection points are exposed to damage by material being grasped by that grapple. All it would take is a stub branch on a log of anything sharp in debris being picked up to puncture, slice, or rip those hoses. Or just shear them in two when caught between debris and the edges of those cut holes. Or perhaps even just knock off the fittings at the exposed ends of those hoses. I took some screen captures of what I am referring to that I will provide below.

I sent a message to Everything Attachments asking about this for clarification, but have not received a response. So I figured I would come here hoping that someone will straighten me out in that perhaps this is a non issue and I am just looking at it wrong. Yeah, I am a kind of Murphy's Law kind of guy, expecting that whatever CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong.

 

[sea2summit]

If I was getting a grapple it would be a frostbite or that style. I think it would do everything I want a grapple to do and do a better/more precise/more room to Buck up longs that it’s holding up for me than a traditional style.

I will likely never order another EA implement due to Ted’s decisions about vaccines but I do have their 55” single lid. It’s eight years old at Christmas and probably has 300 hours of actual use. It is still able to grab a sheet of paper between all the upper and lower teeth. But it’s really too heavy for my MX, about right for the M.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Yeah, I am a kind of Murphy's Law kind of guy, expecting that whatever CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong.

You might want to look at Grapples - Homestead Implements

 

[sea2summit]

You might want to look at Grapples - Homestead Implements

Dang, thanks for that link! I’m gonna order those grill guards!

 

[ddbackhoe]

Dang, thanks for that link! I’m gonna order those grill guards!

Their online ordering works pretty good. Email, not so hot but they do answer the phone.
I ordered a 55” pinnacle grapple for my tractor Jul 21, scheduled to ship Aug 15 (apparently no shipping on Mondays)

 

[tacticalturnip]

If I were purchasing new right now I'd probably go with the EA Wicked 55; I purchased the Kioti KG2060 grapple, and while I've got good things to say about it, it's already got a bow in it. The EA, from what I've heard, won't develop a curve.

 

[Rich_Z]

If I were purchasing new right now I'd probably go with the EA Wicked 55; I purchased the Kioti KG2060 grapple, and while I've got good things to say about it, it's already got a bow in it. The EA, from what I've heard, won't develop a curve.

So, as per my original post in this thread, the way those hydraulic lines are threaded through the holes in the lower tines of the grapple are not a potential issue?

 

[Rich_Z]

I will likely never order another EA implement due to Ted’s decisions about vaccines......

What sort of decisions are you referring to?

 

[tacticalturnip]

So, as per my original post in this thread, the way those hydraulic lines are threaded through the holes in the lower tines of the grapple are not a potential issue?

It's certainly a potential, but I've never seen any complaints or posts relating to the setup resulting in hose damage. Really though, all these grapples offer the potential to damage the 3rd function hose. I'd imagine over length of ownership that it's inevitable the hose will take damage.

I may be incorrect in my assumptions, and that would be a pleasant surprise.

 

[K5lwq]

So, as per my original post in this thread, the way those hydraulic lines are threaded through the holes in the lower tines of the grapple are not a potential issue?

I have an earlier model 55” wicked grapple and my hoses are not routed that way at all. I definitely can see why you are concerned with this new version. Travis from EA replies often on this forum. Maybe he will see this. @EverythingAttachments

 

[Rich_Z]

Yeah, that is what concerns me. Past history of this product doesn't matter much. It is this "new and improved" version that I am referring to. Now if I could get an older version, then no problem.

I wonder if the 60" model has the same "new improvements"? I think the TYM T474 I am waiting to come in would be able to handle the larger one OK. Might even be better as the cab version itself is 59 inches wide at it's widest point.

Of course, if no one at EA even bothers to address this issue in reply to my queries, then I guess I won't be much inclined to do business with them anyway. If you can't get people to respond from a company before the sale, you sure as heck will be whistling dixie for help after the sale. IMHO.

 

[tacticalturnip]

My CK2610 can handle a 60" grapple, your new TYM won't notice it's there, lol.

 

[Goose1776]

Yeah, that is what concerns me. Past history of this product doesn't matter much. It is this "new and improved" version that I am referring to. Now if I could get an older version, then no problem.

I wonder if the 60" model has the same "new improvements"? I think the TYM T474 I am waiting to come in would be able to handle the larger one OK. Might even be better as the cab version itself is 59 inches wide at it's widest point.

Of course, if no one at EA even bothers to address this issue in reply to my queries, then I guess I won't be much inclined to do business with them anyway. If you can't get people to respond from a company before the sale, you sure as heck will be whistling dixie for help after the sale. IMHO.

Did you try calling them with your concerns.?
Posting on internet websites doesn’t do much.
And a couple of “general contact” emails could easily be overlooked
As someone who has owned 4 different EA grapples, with another one on order..
I have used them for 100s of hours, without issue
They make the best grapples on the market for compact tractors,
It’s very rare to hear of anybody unhappy with, or have issues with their grapples.
and I’ve found their customer service to be excellent, I’ve never needed warranty service, but have had to amend orders a few times,
And they were quick and friendly about it.
I also own several of their other attachments, and they make high quality products at a good price.

 

[K5lwq]

I agree with giving them a call. They always have been very good to deal with for me. I have bought their grapple, bucket, forks, a SSQA adapter for the Kioti and the 6‘ land plane. Never an issue.

 

[TN8Man]

I've had the EA grapple for several years now and it works great and never had a problem with damaged hoses.

 

[Rich_Z]

Contact via online methods is MUCH better when you need to relay URL info and/or pictures to show exactly what you are referring to. My opinion is that if someone wants to run a business ONLINE, then they really should be capable of effectively dealing with correspondence ONLINE. In other words, don't reach out to the entire world unless you are prepared for the entire world to reach back to YOU.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Have some patience and I'm sure you'll hear back from them; you posted at noon on a Friday, they weren't tagged until almost 10 PM. I have no doubt you'll get a response on Monday, they're pretty good about keeping in touch on these forums.

 

[Rich_Z]

Just to correct the timeline, I contacted them via their online contact form on THURSDAY, not Friday. I felt I would give them some time to respond before starting a public discussion here about this issue.

Am I impatient? Yeah, more often than not, yes I am. The older I get the more valuable my time gets to me. I have a tractor on order, and I would like to get some needed implements and attachments so it doesn't stay just a lawn ornament for very long.

 

[2manyrocks]

I spent 4-6 weeks fabricating various guards for my L2501 after I got it to try to avoid some stick punching through the radiator, filters, and hydraulic lines any of which could get expensive and time consuming to repair. Also spent a fair amount of time trying to customize it to how I use it.

This is just the nature of buying a new tractor. The time you spend on the front end avoiding issues will save you time, money, and aggravation later.

I bought a MTL attachments grapple. Works fine. MTL doesn't route their hoses through holes in the tines like you're asking about. Sticks can go anywhere.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Yeah, that is what concerns me. Past history of this product doesn't matter much. It is this "new and improved" version that I am referring to. Now if I could get an older version, then no problem.

Having to pay in full and waiting months for a product to ship is a nogo in my book. I might understand a x% deposit, but not a pay in full and let’s see when we get it done.