55" or 60" Root Grapple EA vs MTL

Logan979 · Jan 7, 2020

trying to decide on pros and cons with 2 different grapples for a Kubota L3901 55 " EA Root Grapple vs MTL 60" RG anyone have experience with the 2 ? suggestions and opinions welcome. Thank you for all replies. A36 vs AR 450 steel.

BRMyers · Jan 7, 2020

All I have is experience with one of them, the 55" EA Root Grapple and I the grapple is GREAT!

TractorGuy · Jan 7, 2020

Is this the MTL grapple in question? MTL CV- Compact Vertical Tractor Root Grapple — MTL Attachments

I didn't know they made this. Web site says all sizes are sold out and I never saw it so I'm wondering if it's a new model?

EverythingAttachments · Jan 7, 2020

At EA, we're into designing and producing the best and I am able to recommend the most IDEAL grapple for subcompact tractors up to 100+ horsepower tractors. Not just one that'll fit and work ok; I'm talking the absolute best grapple you can possibly mount to your tractor. When you choose ideal, performance and results will be optimal and very impressive.

Wicked Premium materials can't be touched..

Plate Steel used:
Hardox 450 has a yield strength of around 175,000 lbs minimum yield. That is 75% stronger than 100K steel, and 250% stronger than 50K steel. The strength of AR450 steel can improve weight savings over 50K much like 100K material because a thinner material can be used without sacrificing strength.

Round Tubing..
DOM, or Drawn Over Mandrel, tubing is made from a cold-drawn electrical resistance welded tube that is drawn through a die and over a mandrel to create dimensional accuracy, dependable weld integrity and an excellent surface finish(which we manually scuff so the paint will hang on). DOM has high tensile and yield strength, so It is generally chosen over welded tube where high pressure or large workloads are needed such as the manufacturing of race cars and motorcycle frames.

Materials are nothing without design. Wicked materials are spot on and the design is right there with it.
The dozer-like tine geometry of the rake style promotes a tractor's ability to push the serrated, laser cut tines through the ground with ease and the design keeps the load as close to your loader pivot pins as possible to MAXIMIZE lift capacity like none other.
The root rake style allows you to pull brush, vines and other debris backwards, which isn't recommended with many long bottom grapples. Besides pulling backwards, you can also pull down. Reach up and snap a limb off the tree if you feel like it.
The root rake style will easier "unload", so you can hover over the trailer, dumpster, pile, etc., open it up and whatever you've captured is gone!

Our design keeps the load closer to your pivot pins than any other.

The most photographed grapples EVER!!

You don't have to just take my word for it. There are 224 customer reviews for the Wicked 55 on our website and 67 Wicked 60 reviews. The total count of combined Wicked Grapple reviews on our website is over EIGHT HUNDRED!

We are more accessible and interact with our customers more than any other manufacturer in the industry, by a long shot. I started the HUGE Wicked Grapple thread here on TBN back in 2012 and my EA Channel Group on Facebook has 8,600 members who share grapple and attachments adventures every day!

EA Wicked is, no doubt, a larger investment up front, but it is an investment which soooo many say is well worth it.
Here are some excerpts from a similar thread in the orange forum..

I can't say enough good things about our Awesome, Valued customers. They're a huge part of our success and we treat them like family! I hope you'll join the EA Family. I'm here and eager to talk about grapples every day, just as I've done since the first Wicked was made. You won't be disappointed.
Travis

cholland · Jan 8, 2020

Only experience with the EA 55" Wicked grapple. I don't think I've ever seen a negative comment on the quality.
It's lighter than others so it doesn't affect the lifting capacity as much. And it's basically bomb proof. I have lifted and twisted things and sure I was bending a tine, but no it's still strait. Great workmanship and the paint stays on surprisingly well with all the abuse it receives. I only ever take it off if I need the bucket to move material.

WoodDuck · Jan 9, 2020

From an engineering standpoint, I prefer the one-piece tines that curve up from the bottom to the top of the grapple, like EA has. Spreads the stresses more evenly than having a sharp angle in the back of the lower tines. Having said that, it does looks like MTL did add some gussets and reinforcement in that area to help with this. Not a terrible design overall, but it does weigh nearly twice what a 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple does; meaning your tractor will lift a little less with the heavier attachment. I'm assuming that's the EA grapple you were referring to anyway, since you mentioned 55" width. The EA Root Grapples with single/double lids and longer lower tines come in a 54" width. The AR450 steel in the EA grapples isn't a bad thing either. The stuff is tougher than a woodpecker's lips. You didn't really specify what you were going to be doing with the grapple, so I'm just spit-balling here. If price was not your prime consideration though, I'd get the EA and never look back. Lots of positive testimony to back it up. One of the reasons I bought the EA grapple myself.......

goeduck · Jan 9, 2020

EA is undoubtedly the better grapple but it comes at a premium price. If you are just moving brush and for most Grapple uses, the MTL is probably fine. EA will get you more lift capacity since it is lighter. MTL will save your pocketbook substantial money.

Logan979 · Jan 9, 2020

RE: WoodDuck, removing Rhododendron and small white pine with a L3901 Kubota. what are the pros and cons of single vs double top Jaw ? EA single MTL double.

Thanks for the reply.

EverythingAttachments · Jan 9, 2020

WoodDuck said:
From an engineering standpoint, I prefer the one-piece tines that curve up from the bottom to the top of the grapple, like EA has. Spreads the stresses more evenly than having a sharp angle in the back of the lower tines. Having said that, it does looks like MTL did add some gussets and reinforcement in that area to help with this. Not a terrible design overall, but it does weigh nearly twice what a 55" Wicked Root Rake Grapple does; meaning your tractor will lift a little less with the heavier attachment. I'm assuming that's the EA grapple you were referring to anyway, since you mentioned 55" width. The EA Root Grapples with single/double lids and longer lower tines come in a 54" width. The AR450 steel in the EA grapples isn't a bad thing either. The stuff is tougher than a woodpecker's lips. You didn't really specify what you were going to be doing with the grapple, so I'm just spit-balling here. If price was not your prime consideration though, I'd get the EA and never look back. Lots of positive testimony to back it up. One of the reasons I bought the EA grapple myself.......

Thanks for the business, sir, and thanks for the great info. Concerning the tine reinforcement.. All current Wicked Grapple rakes feature gusseting for upper and lower tine support. The gussets are angled and sized properly, so ground penetration and ripping ability isn't compromised. If yours doesn't have them, I'll be glad to send out a set for ya!
Travis

This one is on the table, partially welded..

Ready for paint..

Ready to EAT..

This is the single most muscle flexing, rubbish removal showing, compact tractor capability proving video I've ever seen..

shooterdon · Jan 9, 2020

I wanted the EA, but as a hobby user could not justify the price and went the MTL...$1000

I have the dual lid. Use it for picking up brush and handling logs for firewood processing. I have not used it much but it does what I need it to do. I am 69, so something that will last my lifetime and with limited use, is different than someone who may need 30 years of hard use for their needs.

You will not regret getting the EA if you can afford it. But the MTL might be all you need. Only you know what your situation is.