Lightweight Root Grapple

[k0ua]

I am sure you know there are is wide range of steel yield strengths. A36 is just mild steel, with 36,000 lbs yield strength. Many/most grapples are built with mild steel. Others are built with stronger steels.

 

[JBjunior]

I am sure you know there are is wide range of steel yield strengths. A36 is just mild steel, with 36,000 lbs yield strength. Many/most grapples are built with mild steel. Others are built with stronger steels.

Exactly, which is one of the reasons I am asking here for thoughts/recommendations on companies (and if anyone has compared the OBG to the RBG from WR Long). WR Long is about an hour away. All the rest of the companies are about 3.5 hours away. I like the steel that EA uses, and called again to order a couple of days ago but was told there was a 2 week lead time, though they did have one of the larger grapples in stock, but not what I wanted. It seems the companies that have them in stock are either way too heavy or just not what I am looking for, which probably just means that the EA is what a lot of people are looking for.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

We genuinely appreciate your service to this great country. I'm sorry if the reply to your request came across as disrespectful.

I hope it wasn't me, but, if asked, I always give thanks and explain that I'll do anything I can do to help, but we truthfully put the best prices on our website. We do not inflate the prices just to run blowout sales for extra business. If multiple items are ordered to ship together, we can save on shipping and will be glad to pass the savings along!

We rely on quality and exceptional customer to build our business, not discount sales and coupons.

The Wicked Grapple is not just a lightweight grapple composed of high quality steel; it's our masterpiece! Do we charge more because of the popularity and demand? Not a chance.

We've recently added protective rear bars to all Wicked Grapples. We've widened the opening of our 54-72" models from 30 to 37". The price hasn't changed.

This reply went on longer than initially intended, but the truth is, I'm extremely passionate about these things. If any of you have talked to me on the phone, you already know. Customer service and Wicked Grapples are my #1s M-F from 6-6.

Oh wait, it's Sunday!! Gotta get ready for church!
Travis

PS. Please give me a call tomorrow. We get one lined up for you.
PS #2. WR long's build time is 4 weeks and they're more expensive.

 

[JBjunior]

We genuinely appreciate your service to this great country. I'm sorry if the reply to your request came across as disrespectful.

I hope it wasn't me, but, if asked, I always give thanks and explain that I'll do anything I can do to help, but we truthfully put the best prices on our website. We do not inflate the prices just to run blowout sales for extra business. If multiple items are ordered to ship together, we can save on shipping and will be glad to pass the savings along!

We rely on quality and exceptional customer to build our business, not discount sales and coupons.

The Wicked Grapple is not just a lightweight grapple composed of high quality steel; it's our masterpiece! Do we charge more because of the popularity and demand? Not a chance.

We've recently added protective rear bars to all Wicked Grapples. We've widened the opening of our 54-72" models from 30 to 37". The price hasn't changed.

This reply went on longer than initially intended, but the truth is, I'm extremely passionate about these things. If any of you have talked to me on the phone, you already know. Customer service and Wicked Grapples are my #1s M-F from 6-6.

Oh wait, it's Sunday!! Gotta get ready for church!
Travis

PS. Please give me a call tomorrow. We get one lined up for you.
PS #2. WR long's build time is 4 weeks and they're more expensive.

No worries, Travis. I will call you tomorrow.

 

[newbury]

Just a vote for EA's grapple.

I've been looking at grapples for 5 years and am just getting to the point where I can afford one.

OP - study some of the "product testing" videos that Ted does and try to read some of the lengthy threads on the various Wicked grapples. One thing you will probably find is that EA seems to quickly respond to customer comments and changes their product in response, like adding protective rear bars.

Most of the other mfg of grapples seem to be focused on price or strength, the cheap ones are not strong and the strong ones are not cheap but both the cheap and strong are heavy. EA has taken the steps to lighten their grapples by cutting holes and better steel.

Also ask about their price if you pick it up at the factory, I've read of discounts there, plus they will probably give you a tour and you will see another attachment you need.

 

[lennyzx11]

Just a vote for EA's grapple.

.

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)

 

[k0ua]

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)
View attachment 478913

Well... Ted does..:laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I'm going to have to rant here.

I'm a vet (USMC) and I RARELY mention it. I don't believe anyone owes me squat. If you were like me -VOLUNTEER ENLISTEE- then you made the choice (unlike others who were drafted). Expecting handouts under the guise of "military discount" is expecting entitlements (we have enough of this permeating our society/country!). Those "discounts" are subsidies, written on the backs of all taxpayers (usually hitting the poor the hardest).

I don't want ANYONE "thanking" me for my "service."

Ditch the ego and get the EA grapple. Or, continue to look for handouts...

Too much caffeine?

 

[newbury]

A second vote for EAs grapple.

I bought mine the end of last year. There was a sale going on that I didn't even know about when I called. Travis brought it up and applied the discount. He also was after quitting time and I told him I'd call back next day. Nope. Let's do this he said and took the order.
Mine needed an adjustment I missed after I got it. After I posted something about the symptoms on these forums, I had a PM from EA within an hour saying call them on the weekend to tell me how to fix it.

I bought mine for the lighter weight with stronger steel to have more payload available. I do a lot of rock and stump grubbing and haven't managed to bend mine yet. But I don't try to be an idiot about it either. (Not that anybody does)
View attachment 478913

Well... Ted does..:laughing:

No he doesn't - it's just Product Testing with GUSTO!

When I see his videos testing the Wicked Grapple it looks like he's trying to find points of failure.

 

[Threepoint]

I have a 900lb root grapple. I've bent two of the lower tines. Can't imagine what I would've done to a 400lb grapple.
[snip]

Luke, do you use it on your MX4800? Or did you get it for your Case 680B?

I've just had a 3rd function installed on my Kioti 4510HSTcab. The dealer had a very nice, barely-used CID skid-steer "X-treme grapple rake" that they'd just picked up. Offered it to me for just $2000, but it weighs 900 lbs. Good deal, but both I and they thought it would be way too much for my tractor, even with FEL capacity of 2761 lbs at the pins at full height.

I'm thinking along the lines of the OP in terms of overall weight, because it affects maneuverability and center of mass, in addition to net lift capacity. From my research so far, the upgraded EA Wicked Root Grapple v.2.0 at 400+ lbs looks like a pretty good match for me. Haven't decided yet on 72" or 66", or dual vs. single lid. Need to get back to this and round up again with Travis.