bama7
Member
I have a JD 955 with the 70A Loader. I am thinking about getting an Electric Grapple. I would like some helpful comments on brands, cost. and durability. I don't want a hydraulic grapple. Thanks
ELECTRIC GRAPPLE
- Thread starter bama7
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sea2summit
Elite Member
I don't have any experience with an electric grapple but from the tractor side, I'd probably put in a separate battery for it to run off of then run a charger from your main battery charge the grapple's batter as SLI batteries don't like those kinds of loads and tractor alternators even less (running at low RPM most of the time etc).
Midniteoyl
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Talks about a couple different ones: https://www.youtube.com/c/GoodWorksTractors/search?query=grapple
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bama7
Member
I found what I consider to be a good deal on a new Worksaver ESCG-48 Grapple. I was looking to buy a used one, but the guy sold it to someone else. More money maybe? I only have 2 1/2 acres and it will only be used for limbs and smaller tree debree and the like. My 70a Loader conversion should be here within two weeks. Really looking forward to getting some work done and enjoy my tractor more.
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LD1
Epic Contributor
Whats the cost difference between one of them and a hydraulic grapple. How does the clamp force compare?
Everyone makes hydraulics out to be rocket science but its pretty simple. I'll stick with hydraulics....I just wonder about the long term longevity of one of those. ANd the repair cost if the linear actuator ever fails....it isnt gonna be a $100 generic cylinder you could go to TSC and be done
Everyone makes hydraulics out to be rocket science but its pretty simple. I'll stick with hydraulics....I just wonder about the long term longevity of one of those. ANd the repair cost if the linear actuator ever fails....it isnt gonna be a $100 generic cylinder you could go to TSC and be done
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bama7
Member
Cost would totally depend upon which one will do what you need it to do. There is also the cost for the 3rd function kit as well as time/cost needed to install the kit. If you were using the grapple continually a hydraulic grapple, I am sure, would be the way to go. In my case the electric grapple should work just fine. The clamp pressure is 1000 lbs on the electric grapple. Clamp pressure for hydraulic grapples would be dependent upon the tractors pump and what else is being used at the same time. Will the hydraulic grapple curl, close, and lift at the same time? I don't know, but it would limit the clamp pressure I would think.
According to the owners manual there is a 6 month warrenty for the motor or 60 days when used for commercial use. The frame is warrented for 12 months.
LD1
Epic Contributor
With a 3rd function....$500 or less will set the hydraulics up and yes you "can" do all functions at once though in reality it is not really an issue. And you arent limited to just a grapple with the hydraulics. You can fun a front post hole digger, rotate the chute on a snow blower, angle a snow plow, run a little hydraulic pruning saw, 4n1 bucket, etc etc etc.
for me it would be cost. If id be into a electric grapple for more than $1500-$1800....its cheaper and better to go hydraulic.
I just hope it will do what you expect and not be a disappointment. Im just not a fan of linear actuators on anything, be it side-by-side dump boxes, SSQA attach pins, yard carts, etc. Just too many failure points and too expensive compared to hydraulics
for me it would be cost. If id be into a electric grapple for more than $1500-$1800....its cheaper and better to go hydraulic.
I just hope it will do what you expect and not be a disappointment. Im just not a fan of linear actuators on anything, be it side-by-side dump boxes, SSQA attach pins, yard carts, etc. Just too many failure points and too expensive compared to hydraulics
ericm979
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Typical CUT open center hydraulic systems don't do well at curling lifting and closing at the same time. But you don't really need that. I'm still running my grapple from a valve mounted on the fender close to the loader joystick. I can't close/open the grapple and move the loader at the same time, and I don't miss it much. I plan to make a 3rd function for it but it's not been a high enough priority to do it.
Linear actuators are slow compared to hydraulics. You'll get tired of waiting for the lids to open.
1000lbs is not a lot. I regularly pick up 2000lb+ logs that the loader can't curl. But I can still carry them with the grapple pointing down. The hydraulics will hold that. The clamping force does not change when I operate the loader.
Linear actuators are slow compared to hydraulics. You'll get tired of waiting for the lids to open.
1000lbs is not a lot. I regularly pick up 2000lb+ logs that the loader can't curl. But I can still carry them with the grapple pointing down. The hydraulics will hold that. The clamping force does not change when I operate the loader.
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bama7
Member
I wasn't looking for comparisons to hydraulics. I was looking for helpful comments about the electric grapples on the market. Thanks for the opinions, but I plan to stay with the electric grapple.
Sportsman762
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I do not have experience with electric grapple, but do have experience with electric actuators, and grapples. I will assume we are looking at the Worksaver electric grapple. If there are more on the market please post up. I find innovation interesting and an electric grapple is innovative. Below are my thoughts on an electric grapple. Since I am unaware of any other grapples other than the Worksaver I will use a hydraulic grapple as a comparison. There are plenty of posts on what people achieve with hydraulic grapples so you can calibrate your expectations of what can be achieved with a electric grapple.
The wire coming out of the linear actuator looks like it could be snagged easily, wires are not as durable as hydraulic hoses and should be protected better. The 5 seconds it takes to go from open to close is significantly slower than most hydraulic grapples <3 seconds. I would be concerned about the durability of the linear actuator. When grabbing from a pile it is not uncommon for the lid to come in contact with the brush, or log while the tractor is still moving forward, this might cause damage to the linear actuator as it is not going to be as strong as the hydraulic cylinders normally used. An electric actuator that is able to apply 1000 lbs of force is going to be weaker than a 2" cylinder used on compact grapples that can apply 6000 + lbs of force. If you are going to use the grapple much, there might be problems with the 30 amp requirements, as the John Deere 855 is only equipped with a 35 amp alternator. Most hydraulic grapples have a 1 year warranty on the entire unit, the Worksaver has a 1 year warranty on the grapple frame and clamp, but the linear actuator only has a 6 month warranty. The 2505834 replacement actuator is currently $894.55. Also if you let the grapple sit outside it might have issues with water intrusion, especially after getting bumped a few times by brush.
Now we are going to go into my qualitative opinion. The Achilles heel of an electric grapple is the linear actuator. It is darned light, and easy to damage. The manufacture realises this and has shortened the warranty due to the knowledge that it is the weak link. In addition it has significantly less capability (1,000 lbs) and speed than the alternatives in the market. I believe that the lack of responses from owners of electric grapples is because there are so few of them. Worksaver is a good company, and will stand behind their product, however I would not advise getting an electric grapple. I would get a hydraulic one, or one that does not require a third valve such as the Brush Crusher.
www.loaders.com
An electric grapple would work and might provide years of trouble free service, however the major weakness is darned expensive to repair, and the capabilities are a fraction of the alternatives limiting what you could do, for a similar or less cost.
The wire coming out of the linear actuator looks like it could be snagged easily, wires are not as durable as hydraulic hoses and should be protected better. The 5 seconds it takes to go from open to close is significantly slower than most hydraulic grapples <3 seconds. I would be concerned about the durability of the linear actuator. When grabbing from a pile it is not uncommon for the lid to come in contact with the brush, or log while the tractor is still moving forward, this might cause damage to the linear actuator as it is not going to be as strong as the hydraulic cylinders normally used. An electric actuator that is able to apply 1000 lbs of force is going to be weaker than a 2" cylinder used on compact grapples that can apply 6000 + lbs of force. If you are going to use the grapple much, there might be problems with the 30 amp requirements, as the John Deere 855 is only equipped with a 35 amp alternator. Most hydraulic grapples have a 1 year warranty on the entire unit, the Worksaver has a 1 year warranty on the grapple frame and clamp, but the linear actuator only has a 6 month warranty. The 2505834 replacement actuator is currently $894.55. Also if you let the grapple sit outside it might have issues with water intrusion, especially after getting bumped a few times by brush.
Now we are going to go into my qualitative opinion. The Achilles heel of an electric grapple is the linear actuator. It is darned light, and easy to damage. The manufacture realises this and has shortened the warranty due to the knowledge that it is the weak link. In addition it has significantly less capability (1,000 lbs) and speed than the alternatives in the market. I believe that the lack of responses from owners of electric grapples is because there are so few of them. Worksaver is a good company, and will stand behind their product, however I would not advise getting an electric grapple. I would get a hydraulic one, or one that does not require a third valve such as the Brush Crusher.
Universal skid steer brush crusher | Tractor Attachments | Westendorf
Browse the Universal skid steer brush crusher and other Brush Crusher in the Brush Crusher at Westendorf.
www.loaders.com
An electric grapple would work and might provide years of trouble free service, however the major weakness is darned expensive to repair, and the capabilities are a fraction of the alternatives limiting what you could do, for a similar or less cost.
