Grapple 48" WildKat grapple on order

[bigballer]

well i finally made the plunge into the world of grapple ownership, ordered up my very own 48" wildkat today and it's already shipped out! alot to do between now and next thursday when it's scheduled to arrive but it can't come soon enough!

 

[RJJR]

well i finally made the plunge into the world of grapple ownership, ordered up my very own 48" wildkat today and it's already shipped out! alot to do between now and next thursday when it's scheduled to arrive but it can't come soon enough!

Congratulations. I never take mine off the tractor unless I need to move dirt. It's a great tool. Like having a couple of buddies around to help move STUFF...

 

[dustinfox]

You will like it. I have the same grapple and I hardly ever take it off. There really is no reason to have one wider than 48" If you can afford it, I recommend getting the W.R. Long 3rd function hydraulic mounted to your stick. If you do a lot of grapple work, it makes things so much easier to open and close the grapple with your thumb.

One thing to watch, check the hairpin clips on the top jaw often. I've already lost two. I bought a bag of them here. ITW Bee Leitzke 23-10 Cotter Pin, Clip, 0.105x2 5/64L, Pk50 $7 bucks for a whole bag and free shipping!

 

[bigballer]

It's a great tool. Like having a couple of buddies around to help move STUFF...

just what i need, a couple of buddies to help me!

If you can afford it, I recommend getting the W.R. Long 3rd function hydraulic mounted to your stick. If you do a lot of grapple work, it makes things so much easier to open and close the grapple with your thumb.

is there anything better out there for the money? originally i thought about building my own kit but it became too much hassle trying to source all the parts, plus my luck i wouldn't really save any money because i would end up with the wrong parts, etc..

thanks for the tip on the pins..

 

[buck12]

just what i need, a couple of buddies to help me!

is there anything better out there for the money? originally i thought about building my own kit but it became too much hassle trying to source all the parts, plus my luck i wouldn't really save any money because i would end up with the wrong parts, etc..

thanks for the tip on the pins..

When I did my research the Wildkat Ecno was the best deal I could find. I have been pleased with the grapple. Only wish I bought it sooner.

 

[bigballer]

When I did my research the Wildkat Ecno was the best deal I could find. I have been pleased with the grapple. Only wish I bought it sooner.

great to hear, what about the WR long kit? is that the best out there? i haven't really ready too many complaints except maybe the hoses could be protected more up front..

 

[buck12]

great to hear, what about the WR long kit? is that the best out there? i haven't really ready too many complaints except maybe the hoses could be protected more up front..

I used the WR Long kit but it was not plug and play as advertised. Apparently there are different FEL controls used on my tractor depending on the year. The kit I got from WR Long required modification to work on the loader it was suppose to be made for. It would have been cheaper and about the same amount of trouble to buy the individual components myself.

 

[bigballer]

I used the WR Long kit but it was not plug and play as advertised. Apparently there are different FEL controls used on my tractor depending on the year. The kit I got from WR Long required modification to work on the loader it was suppose to be made for. It would have been cheaper and about the same amount of trouble to buy the individual components myself.

buck - good to know, i will check on this further to make sure the kit works with my setup. i also have a backhoe which is using the PB port so will need to research to see if changes are needed to accomodate this..

 

[Rockgod]

well i finally made the plunge into the world of grapple ownership, ordered up my very own 48" wildkat today and it's already shipped out! alot to do between now and next thursday when it's scheduled to arrive but it can't come soon enough!

Not to scare you but have you checked out this thread? Seems like wildkat mean "economy" when they say it. It appears their upper frame is made out of 1/8" material. This may or may not be fine with your L3400. Just something to keep in mind.

Broke my grapple ( Am I the only one?) - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com

 

[dustinfox]

is there anything better out there for the money? originally i thought about building my own kit but it became too much hassle trying to source all the parts, plus my luck i wouldn't really save any money because i would end up with the wrong parts, etc.

Not sure if there is or not. Do some searching and see what you come up with. The WR long was the only one I found. I know it is expensive but I do grapple work all day long and it makes things go much smoother and quicker cause you never have to take your hand off the stick.

 

[k0ua]

Not to scare you but have you checked out this thread? Seems like wildkat mean "economy" when they say it. It appears their upper frame is made out of 1/8" material. This may or may not be fine with your L3400. Just something to keep in mind.

Broke my grapple ( Am I the only one?) - Page 3 - TractorByNet.com

It is weak with the 1/8 inch at that stress point, but he got it fixed. Just a little time with a welder friend and it's better than new.:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[bigballer]

i picked up my grapple today, got it home and unloaded safely. i am really excited to use this thing can't wait until i get the rest of the parts to make this go. i was able to find a QA coupler locally at a dealer i don't usually work with, they are willing to take one of a tractor on their lot and backfill with a new one so i don't have to wait a couple weeks for one to come from georgia. i was a bit worried because this one is off a newer tractor and none of the part #'s match up with what i was expecting (L2216 vs L2230A) but i measured and it looks like a perfect fit though so 2 parts down 1 to go - last is the hydraulics. i was leaning towards the kit from wr long but from what i have read some of those are acting as a diverter on some tractors so don't want to spend the extra $$ on the 3rd function if it's not really 3rd function. i have priced the fasse and rankin kits but not decided which way to go. i think i want to have hoses built specfic to my specs since i don't want have extra hose to deal with. anyway here are some pics of the grapple!

 

[bigballer]

i installed the QA adapter today (L2216) on my L3400 and discovered there is a pretty big gap between the pins on the QA and the bottom plate. the difference is approximately 3/8" on the right side and 1/4" on the left side. also noticed 1/4" between the bottom of the QA and the plate. i am guessing this amount of play is not normal and needs to be corrected. i was planning on welding some stock to fill the gap's so the fit is more solid, is this something to be expected with just these low priced grapples or is it common among skid steer style attachments? i would expect some amount of tolerance is expected but 3/8" seems pretty big. i don't want the thing to pop off so plan to fix it before i use it..

 

[k0ua]

i installed the QA adapter today (L2216) on my L3400 and discovered there is a pretty big gap between the pins on the QA and the bottom plate. the difference is approximately 3/8" on the right side and 1/4" on the left side. also noticed 1/4" between the bottom of the QA and the plate. i am guessing this amount of play is not normal and needs to be corrected. i was planning on welding some stock to fill the gap's so the fit is more solid, is this something to be expected with just these low priced grapples or is it common among skid steer style attachments? i would expect some amount of tolerance is expected but 3/8" seems pretty big. i don't want the thing to pop off so plan to fix it before i use it..

you are corrrect to fix it, there should be no play at all. It should be under tension as the beveled vertical spring loaded pins come down into the slots they should make good contact under spring pressure as the lever breaks over. There have been several reports of the gap, easy to fix and if you don't fix it , you run the risk of it popping off and usually pops off of one side and twists your QA adaptor torque tube.

James K0UA

 

[bigballer]

you are corrrect to fix it, there should be no play at all. It should be under tension as the beveled vertical spring loaded pins come down into the slots they should make good contact under spring pressure as the lever breaks over. There have been several reports of the gap, easy to fix and if you don't fix it , you run the risk of it popping off and usually pops off of one side and twists your QA adaptor torque tube.

James K0UA

So how much further should the gap be closed beyond the point of contacting the pin?

 

[dustinfox]

i installed the QA adapter today (L2216) on my L3400 and discovered there is a pretty big gap between the pins on the QA and the bottom plate. the difference is approximately 3/8" on the right side and 1/4" on the left side. also noticed 1/4" between the bottom of the QA and the plate. i am guessing this amount of play is not normal and needs to be corrected. i was planning on welding some stock to fill the gap's so the fit is more solid, is this something to be expected with just these low priced grapples or is it common among skid steer style attachments? i would expect some amount of tolerance is expected but 3/8" seems pretty big. i don't want the thing to pop off so plan to fix it before i use it..

I had the same issue. I called Connie and she sent me shim plates to weld in. Mine is perfect now. I am surprised they are still having this issue. She told me that some other customers had the same problem and they sent him shims out.

 

[bigballer]

I had the same issue. I called Connie and she sent me shim plates to weld in. Mine is perfect now. I am surprised they are still having this issue. She told me that some other customers had the same problem and they sent him shims out.

thanks i will contact them to have some shipped out.

i also noticed about a 3/8" gap between the bottom of the QA plate (horiztonal) and the grapple, is this normal or should it be shimmed as well? seems there would be up/down movement when lowering to ground and lifting off ground.. or does the pin shim take care of this as well?

 

[dustinfox]

thanks i will contact them to have some shipped out.

i also noticed about a 3/8" gap between the bottom of the QA plate (horiztonal) and the grapple, is this normal or should it be shimmed as well? seems there would be up/down movement when lowering to ground and lifting off ground.. or does the pin shim take care of this as well?

I guess I thought that was what you were talking about. Here is the thread where I posted picures of mine. I had a 3/8" gap between the QA plate and the grapple.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ple-research-tentative-conclusion-what-9.html

 

[CJONE]

So how much further should the gap be closed beyond the point of contacting the pin?

Big, my econo had the dreded gap also. If you don't shim it you will have no latch effect with your quick coupler. the pins have no preload to "cam over" and it can come unhooked. I just used 1/4" plate and adjusted both sides to give me about 5" of preload on the handle. It now fits tighter than my bucket. I also added 20" of bucket on each side of the grapple and use it as my firewood hauler!! It is good for about 3/4 of a face cord! I have had no problem with the 3/8" gap but I also extended the plates over past the pin to lessen the gap to 1/4". I could have used 3/8" thick plate but it would have been tight. I have about 20 hours on the grapple with 0 movement or wear. CJ

 

[bigballer]

ok, i need to look at it again, am thinking it will take care of that gap as well.

i just got off the phone with connie and she is shipping out 2 of the coupler plates which should take care of this problem.