Denton, NC

[bh10]

Im looking at a Grapple for my tractor. Seems like every manufacture is out of Denton NC. Is this the mecca of equipment manufactures or is there just one there that makes attachments for everyone?

 

[teg]

I've driven through and saw a few different locations. It was a while back about rumors one trying to buy the others... don't know if it happened. There's also, WR Long in Tarboro, NC.

 

[kebo]

Wasn't Tarboro, NC the home base of the FarmTrac company, when they were in business????

 

[DT86]

It was explained to me that some or perhaps most of the implement companies around there spawned off of one original. What that original is or was I can not remember.

 

[teg]

Wasn't Tarboro, NC the home base of the FarmTrac company, when they were in business????

Before FarmTrac, I think it might have been Long tractors (same family name).

Long - Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki - Wikia

 

[justinramani]

I just purchased a wildkat econo grapple - 66 inch dual lid. They are also out of Denton. I purchased it on their ebay store for $899. Drove up last Friday to pick it up. Very friendly and the quality seems pretty good. I have not had tie ti hook it up yet tho.

 

[bh10]

I just purchased a wildkat econo grapple - 66 inch dual lid. They are also out of Denton. I purchased it on their ebay store for $899. Drove up last Friday to pick it up. Very friendly and the quality seems pretty good. I have not had tie ti hook it up yet tho.

Wildkat is one Im looking at, how do you like it?

 

[justinramani]

The build quality seems great. Really heavy duty as far as I can tell. I have not had time to get it hooked up yet. Can't beat $899 OTD IMHO.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Wildkat is one Im looking at, how do you like it?

A neighbor recently got one (end of April, 78") He couldn't figure out why stuff kept falling out. Brought it over for my opinion. The pivot points are so loose the tines have a 5+ inch gap when fully closed. With the cylinders extended fully, you can pull up (by hand) on the lid and get more than 5 inches of travel. If you have a bunch of smaller stuff in it, don't hold it with the teeth down. The stuff will fall out.
Waiting to hear from Wildkat to see what they have to say about it.

 

[justinramani]

A neighbor recently got one (end of April, 78") He couldn't figure out why stuff kept falling out. Brought it over for my opinion. The pivot points are so loose the tines have a 5+ inch gap when fully closed. With the cylinders extended fully, you can pull up (by hand) on the lid and get more than 5 inches of travel. If you have a bunch of smaller stuff in it, don't hold it with the teeth down. The stuff will fall out.
Waiting to hear from Wildkat to see what they have to say about it.

Mine definitely does not have that issue. The lids are so heavy that gravity alone will keep them closed.

 

[Code54]

I also have one - had it about 3 years now and it works great, no issues at all. For the price it can't be beat!

 

[Rustyiron]

It was explained to me that some or perhaps most of the implement companies around there spawned off of one original. What that original is or was I can not remember.

I heard that about "Lofflin" & Wildcat.
I've bought 2 84" root rake type grapples from Lofflin and there on 100 HP 5 ton SS's and get worked real hard. The first one is at least 12 years old, one lid on it is a little "tweeked", but that was doing things that it was clearly not intended to do

 

[justinramani]

In my opinion they seemed to have a quality operation going on. I don't live far away - so I drove to pick up my grapple. Super friendly and willing to help educate me on the different types of connections. Some companies are masters of advertising and therefore seem to sell similar products at 2x the price.....

 

[Threepoint]

I just purchased a wildkat econo grapple - 66 inch dual lid. They are also out of Denton. I purchased it on their ebay store for $899. Drove up last Friday to pick it up. Very friendly and the quality seems pretty good. I have not had tie ti hook it up yet tho.

Congratulations. Curious to see how you like it in use.

I just checked eBay and don't see a 66" dual-lid grapple listed for anything near that price now. Nice score! They have a single lid 66" econo for $999 today.

 

[justinramani]

You need to find the listing where they let you make an offer. I started with an offer of $799, but they rejected it. I upped the offer to $899 and they accepted it. I told them that I would pick it up locally and they removed shipping. No tax since it was bought on ebay.

 

[dzimbric]

Carolina Attachments is in Thomasville, NC. I just bought one of their root grapples and wondered how I ever got along without it. I paid a bit more than $899 but my tractor dealer has never sold me any attachments that would not take a substantial beating. The tractor is a slightly different story but one I hope will work out well.

 

[justinramani]

Here is the one I bought:

 

[DT86]

I heard that about "Lofflin" & Wildcat.

There is also CID Attachments in Denton and maybe others.

I have their 84" xtreme grapple for my M9540, it has been used and abused for almost 5 years now and is holding up well.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Mine definitely does not have that issue. The lids are so heavy that gravity alone will keep them closed.

Well that is not the case here. Hopefully, you get to rely on gravity for your needs (or eat more wheaties ). Notice in the picture that the hoses are disconnected. The cylinders were fully extended. There is 5+ inches of play at the tips. Pivot points need some attention :thumbdown:. For reference, the tire in the background is 16".
Otherwise, the grapple rake is rather well built for the price. I tried it on my 86 hp skidsteer. dropped the teeth 4-5" into the dirt and pushed. Nothing broke, so......:thumbsup:

 

[Rustyiron]

Almost like they used the wrong cylinder with not enough stroke. (except for the play) He doesn't still have air in the line's & cyl does he?