I know everything attachments has a cult following here but...

Hersheyfarm · Jan 29, 2021

Dang what a price.

https://www.ebay.com/i/162433734661?ul_ref=https%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F2%252Fe112358.m43.l1123%252F8%253Fbu%253D43173417026%2526segname%253D16TE179842_T_HOT_CT3%2526crd%253D20210129090000%2526mpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fi%25252F162433734661%2526ch%253Dosgood%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fi%25252F162433734661%2526osub%253D-1%2526sojTags%253Demid%25253Dbu%25252Cut%25253Dut%25252Csegname%25253Dsegname%25252Ccrd%25253Dcrd%25252Curl%25253Durl%25252Cch%25253Dch%25252Cosub%25253Dosub%2526srcrot%253De112358.m43.l1123%2526rvr_id%253D0%2526rvr_ts%253D5026666b1770ac0f38f740abfff72d4b&ul_noapp=true

I love a good deal. Honestly I love the wheeling dealing, but I am in the market for a grapple. I know mtl has a rep for being an a-hole but a lot of people like their stuff. How bad could it be?

FTG-05 · Jan 29, 2021

You're not that far from Skid Steer Attachment Depot outside Huntsville AL. See what they and if they crank your tractor. I would have loved a EA grapple, but $700 vs. $2700 was too big a pill to swallow.

Skid Steer Attachment Depot – Skid Steer Attachment Depot carries high quality skid steer, excavator, mini skid steer and tractor attachments and more. Browse our online catalog.

sea2summit · Jan 30, 2021

Just because I'm a business guy.

Two hydro cylinders $100 ea, $200
Says the lightest one is 485 lbs, scrap steel is $0.27 according to google, so that's $131
Fittings and hoses included, $20 fittings (QD), $15 hoses x4, flow splitter $30 x2, is $140
Total that's $481 in costs at scrap price. I guess it's possible...but not at the production rate of me cutting and welding because that would take me days

dodge man · Jan 30, 2021

They weigh quite a bit. If you have a bigger tractor with a lot of lift capacity not a problem. If you have a smaller tractor, probably not going to want one.

buck12 · Jan 30, 2021

I have had a MTL grapple for a little over a year and have been satisfied for what I paid. When I bought buying direct from MTL was cheaper than the EBay option. This may have changed.

On my previous tractor I had a Wild Kat grapple that worked for my needs with no problems for over 10 years.

Many on TBN like the premium grapples and I am certain they are better than the low end grapples I have purchased but I have gotten good service and saved a few bucks with lower end grapples.

oosik · Jan 30, 2021

I DO have a larger tractor - M6040. And because in the six years that I had my grapple - I've NEVER lifted higher that 12" off the ground - I CAN lift really heavy stuff. Look at the lift weight charts for your FEL. If you, like me, only lift 12" or less and the center of your load is only 14" to 16" in front of the FEL lift pins - you too can lift a H*LL of a load.

The lift ability of most FEL's is rated at 24" in front of the FEL lift pins and around 32" to 36" off the ground. This makes a significant difference .................

My Land Pride SGC1560 grapple does weigh - 820#. But because of the way I lift - I can still lift 3000+ pounds. If I lift a log to full height the weight will drop to around 1100 to 1200 pounds. And I darn well better be on REAL firm ground.

Hersheyfarm · Jan 30, 2021

This one in 72” model is 525lb. No way is it strong enough for my svl75. I think mtl’s grapple for my my svl is $1800.

4570Man · Jan 30, 2021

Hersheyfarm said:
This one in 72” model is 525lb. No way is it strong enough for my svl75. I think mtl’s grapple for my my svl is $1800.

Yes that grapple would be scrap in no time in front of a SVL75.

fried1765 · Jan 30, 2021

FTG-05 said:
You're not that far from Skid Steer Attachment Depot outside Huntsville AL. See what they and if they crank your tractor. I would have loved a EA grapple, but $700 vs. $2700 was too big a pill to swallow.

Skid Steer Attachment Depot Skid Steer Attachment Depot carries high quality skid steer, excavator, mini skid steer and tractor attachments and more. Browse our online catalog.

From the Skid Steer Attachment Depot E-Bay listing photos, it appears that all, or some, of their grapples may actually be made by Mid State Attachments, of Denton, NC.
I just bought the Mid State Attachments 60" "E-Series Root Rake" for $900 plus $252 shipping = $1152.
Skid Steer Attachment Depot has the exact same grapple listed on E-Bay for $1249 plus $199 shipping = $1448.
Calling Mid State Attachments directly ( 1-886-811-5319 ) saved me $296.
Mid State Attachments has very good reviews, while MTL apparently has a very poor customer service attitude!

I have two EA attachments, and they are absolutely first class.
The EA grapple tooth design was not a type that I felt would work best for my particular situation (tall vines).

Solitary Man · Jan 30, 2021

I have an ETA grapple, landscape rake, and a box blade; all very heavy duty with zero problems. Pay for quality, or get cheap; there is no other option.