EA Wicked Grapple Carnage!

[ovrszd]

Man, I'll get flamed for this.......

You guys actually think these examples are acceptable failure??

How much did you pay for these Grapples that have failed??

Not flaming. Just asking??

 

[D2Cat]

It's now how much did you pay for these grapples that have failed, it what was the grapple attached to and what was it suppose to be attached to?

If you put a category 1, 3 point rear blade on a category 2 tractor and bend the blade, was it the blade manufacturer's fault?

 

[John_Mc]

You guys actually think these examples are acceptable failure??

Yes, in fact I do. Putting a grapple designed for a subcompact on a tractor of this size and then pushing it hard, this sort of thing is to be expected. That's why they rate implements for various sized tractors.

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

I totally agree. This $2000 grapple was not designed for a 60hp tractor that weighs 7000#
I was exceeding the design envelope, especially by back dragging with the lids. If I were plowing forward with the bottom tines it would not have had an issue. I'm sure of that.

Someone mentioned ANBO grapples. I priced them out. A comparable one was nearly twice the cost of the EA Wicked.
EA had not come out with their utility model when I ordered mine. I looked at Eric's use & gave it a go.
I misused it and I paid a bit of a price. Not sure yet what really happened to mine. Again nothing looks bent or broken but the one lid won't quite close.

 

[CalG]

You know, the idea that a fella could just call up EA and have them send out the pre-fabed component that could be welded right in just seemed like such a wonderful notion. Use it, break it, cut out the damage and weld in the repair. dollars to donuts that's something that could happen, and worth a bundle!

Now maybe EA doesn't have the built up part on the shelf, but they might say when they are going to be building grapples again, and if it fits your schedule, we can send you the repair part without breaking our planning. In the same way, who better than EA to"build from print" the repair part. Sure, it's nothing a napkin sketch won't cover, but for EA to do it, You would know it would be right.

I'm starting to like the idea of buying stuff from active outfits.

And if it get's torn up again,.....well, just fix it again.! ;-)

 

[rustyshakelford]

Timely post. Was back dragging a small stump out of moist soil last night with one of the lids.

Now I have a 1" gap there
Nothing appears to be bent.

Would not recommend that use with a 60hp with loaded rears.

EA Wicked 72"

That's strange, I'd think a rod might've been tweaked just enough. Try pulling the pins and see if you get the range of motion back.

Man, I'll get flamed for this.......

You guys actually think these examples are acceptable failure??

How much did you pay for these Grapples that have failed??

Not flaming. Just asking??

My tractor is prolly around twice as heavy as these grapples are marketed for. If you bought a truck and pulled twice what it's rated for and drove it like you stole it, would you be mad at the manufacturer when you tore up the transmission. Bear in mind, you knew what you were going to do when you bought it and accepted the consequences.

It's now how much did you pay for these grapples that have failed, it what was the grapple attached to and what was it suppose to be attached to?

If you put a category 1, 3 point rear blade on a category 2 tractor and bend the blade, was it the blade manufacturer's fault?

I agree. I don't place any blame on EA. This is on me. The grapple is designed extremely well and does great, I just put it in a bind.

I totally agree. This $2000 grapple was not designed for a 60hp tractor that weighs 7000#
I was exceeding the design envelope, especially by back dragging with the lids. If I were plowing forward with the bottom tines it would not have had an issue. I'm sure of that.

Someone mentioned ANBO grapples. I priced them out. A comparable one was nearly twice the cost of the EA Wicked.
EA had not come out with their utility model when I ordered mine. I looked at Eric's use & gave it a go.
I misused it and I paid a bit of a price. Not sure yet what really happened to mine. Again nothing looks bent or broken but the one lid won't quite close.

I would've bought the utility version had it been out but it wasn't nor was the larger opening one. Still very happy but would've liked a bigger one. This one can hold and carry more than the tractor wants sometimes too.

You know, the idea that a fella could just call up EA and have them send out the pre-fabed component that could be welded right in just seemed like such a wonderful notion. Use it, break it, cut out the damage and weld in the repair. dollars to donuts that's something that could happen, and worth a bundle!

Now maybe EA doesn't have the built up part on the shelf, but they might say when they are going to be building grapples again, and if it fits your schedule, we can send you the repair part without breaking our planning. In the same way, who better than EA to"build from print" the repair part. Sure, it's nothing a napkin sketch won't cover, but for EA to do it, You would know it would be right.

I'm starting to like the idea of buying stuff from active outfits.

And if it get's torn up again,.....well, just fix it again.! ;-)

IIRC, they tried this concept for member bullet or somthing like that. He won a kit. They did some studying and figured the amount of tech support would be difficult to support and everything someone starts to build it and has questions it would be flooding EA. Easier and a more consistent product if they build it in house.

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

Ok, so this weekend, I received a PM from Travis with EA. He told me to call on Monday and we could figure something out. This was on a Sunday I might add so I messaged back and told him I would for sure. Today got very hectic and I was finally able to carve out some time to call. Talked to Travis and was getting caught up, he told me he was going to send out 4 new pins, new mounting tabs that have been reinforced and are now standard and have been for a while and a new cylinder.

EA IS COVERING MY WHOOPS AND SENDING ME EVERYTHING I NEED. FOR FREE!

Luckily I have a decent set up for welding so I'm going to start cutting that broken mount off tomorrow in preparation of the new stuff. These guys are going above and beyond and this is a company I will always have respect for and compare others to.

I think the fair thing would've been to sell me the mount for a reasonable price, same with th cylinder and not kill me on shipping. That would be a reasonable transaction but not with these guys. It's amazing what happens when you own up to your whoops. I even reminded Travis that when I bought it I told him if I tear it up, it's on me. He told me that's not how they do business

One more thing, I hope everyone understands this is a case by case basis I'm sure. I hope people don't think it's ok to abuse their equipment and expect EA to cover their mistakes. I know I sure wasn't expecting anything other than an opportunity to buy parts for this.

Hats off and thanks. I'll gladly recommend this company to anyone asking.

Repair pics coming soon

Brett

 

[k0ua]

Ok, so this weekend, I received a PM from Travis with EA. He told me to call on Monday and we could figure something out. This was on a Sunday I might add so I messaged back and told him I would for sure. Today got very hectic and I was finally able to carve out some time to call. Talked to Travis and was getting caught up, he told me he was going to send out 4 new pins, new mounting tabs that have been reinforced and are now standard and have been for a while and a new cylinder.

EA IS COVERING MY WHOOPS AND SENDING ME EVERYTHING I NEED. FOR FREE!

Luckily I have a decent set up for welding so I'm going to start cutting that broken mount off tomorrow in preparation of the new stuff. These guys are going above and beyond and this is a company I will always have respect for and compare others to.

I think the fair thing would've been to sell me the mount for a reasonable price, same with th cylinder and not kill me on shipping. That would be a reasonable transaction but not with these guys. It's amazing what happens when you own up to your whoops. I even reminded Travis that when I bought it I told him if I tear it up, it's on me. He told me that's not how they do business

One more thing, I hope everyone understands this is a case by case basis I'm sure. I hope people don't think it's ok to abuse their equipment and expect EA to cover their mistakes. I know I sure wasn't expecting anything other than an opportunity to buy parts for this.

Hats off and thanks. I'll gladly recommend this company to anyone asking.

Repair pics coming soon

Brett

That is a heck of a good outcome !:thumbsup:

 

[CalG]

That's strange, I'd think a rod might've been tweaked just enough. Try pulling the pins and see if you get the range of motion back.



My tractor is prolly around twice as heavy as these grapples are marketed for. If you bought a truck and pulled twice what it's rated for and drove it like you stole it, would you be mad at the manufacturer when you tore up the transmission. Bear in mind, you knew what you were going to do when you bought it and accepted the consequences.



I agree. I don't place any blame on EA. This is on me. The grapple is designed extremely well and does great, I just put it in a bind.



I would've bought the utility version had it been out but it wasn't nor was the larger opening one. Still very happy but would've liked a bigger one. This one can hold and carry more than the tractor wants sometimes too.



IIRC, they tried this concept for member bullet or somthing like that. He won a kit. They did some studying and figured the amount of tech support would be difficult to support and everything someone starts to build it and has questions it would be flooding EA. Easier and a more consistent product if they build it in house.

Brett

Never implied a Kit to build an entire unit, only the repair piece to replace the damage.

But it sounds like that exactly what you are getting. the mounting tabs.....

Good show from EA!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Ok, so this weekend, I received a PM from Travis with EA. He told me to call on Monday and we could figure something out. This was on a Sunday I might add so I messaged back and told him I would for sure. Today got very hectic and I was finally able to carve out some time to call. Talked to Travis and was getting caught up, he told me he was going to send out 4 new pins, new mounting tabs that have been reinforced and are now standard and have been for a while and a new cylinder.

EA IS COVERING MY WHOOPS AND SENDING ME EVERYTHING I NEED. FOR FREE!

Luckily I have a decent set up for welding so I'm going to start cutting that broken mount off tomorrow in preparation of the new stuff. These guys are going above and beyond and this is a company I will always have respect for and compare others to.

I think the fair thing would've been to sell me the mount for a reasonable price, same with th cylinder and not kill me on shipping. That would be a reasonable transaction but not with these guys. It's amazing what happens when you own up to your whoops. I even reminded Travis that when I bought it I told him if I tear it up, it's on me. He told me that's not how they do business

One more thing, I hope everyone understands this is a case by case basis I'm sure. I hope people don't think it's ok to abuse their equipment and expect EA to cover their mistakes. I know I sure wasn't expecting anything other than an opportunity to buy parts for this.

Hats off and thanks. I'll gladly recommend this company to anyone asking.

Repair pics coming soon

Brett

Wow! I know where my next attachment is coming from. Well done EA.

 

[Tomtint]

That notch is a weakness in the design. You can fix that! ;-)

The cylinder rod can be straightened, It will weep a bit for ever more, but not so much as to really be an expense.

I agree, that notch is not a very good design.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I agree, that notch is not a very good design.

They have upgraded and beefed up that whole setup now. I have some big changes coming soon thanks to Travis and Ted at EA. Gonna start disassembling everything and get ready to do a little cutting and welding when the parts get here.

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

Wow! I know where my next attachment is coming from. Well done EA.

That would be a great idea. I'm still blown away at how they have handled this. They contacted me and wanted to get things going. No playing the blame game, just how can we help

Brett

 

[ovrszd]

That would be a great idea. I'm still blown away at how they have handled this. They contacted me and wanted to get things going. No playing the blame game, just how can we help

Brett

That was my point in my earlier comment about "acceptable failure". Everyone got a bit defensive. I was simply implying that EA might not think of that as "acceptable failure". And obviously they didn't. They also improved the part that failed. So they already knew that was a weakness. Glad you contacted them rather than just blaming the failure on yourself and eating the repair costs. Well done.

 

[The Fred]

They have upgraded and beefed up that whole setup now. I have some big changes coming soon thanks to Travis and Ted at EA. Gonna start disassembling everything and get ready to do a little cutting and welding when the parts get here.

Brett

NICE! Now you'll be able to beat it silly, Fred

 

[rswyan]

NICE! Now you'll be able to beat it silly, Fred

LOL ... :thumbsup:

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

FYI, I too received a PM from Travis at EA. Took some pictures of my lid and it looks like I had a similar issues to Rustyshakelford but not quite as extreme. Some welds broke and metal stretched.

EA is sending me the redesigned cylinder attachment points so I can do the fix here.

Superior customer service on their part. Actually reaching out to customers when they see someone has with an issue with their product. Not hiding from it, not waiting until they call you.

I will definitely look at EA first when looking for attachments.

 

[The Fred]

I'm sure the fact that you never once greased it helped too lol!

Fred

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

Good Catch, I don't know how much that contributed to this failure though. Could cause binding.

You have to un-pin and take the cylinder off in order to grease those fittings.
I had never done that. Used it a half a dozen times in the last year since I got it.