Rk24 grapple status?

[JC79]

Has anyone been delivered the grapple for the rk24 yet? I preordered mine when I bought she tractor a few months ago and was told ‘January delivery’ but a status update has been hard to come by. It’s been a mild winter thus far so I’ve been itching to put it to use!

 

[OhioCowboy]

I haven't seen one yet at the RK in my area. Maybe they have problems keeping up with demand or maybe they ran into an engineering hiccup, or a QA issue, or???? I wanted to see one up close and personal before spending that kind of money....oh wait I can't put one on my 24-no quick attach conversion kit available yet for my pin attach bucket. :duh:
Looks like someone somewhere is missing deadlines.

 

[digdirty]

I'm getting mine today! 3rd. function valve is being installed this morning from the talk I had yesterday with my dealer.

 

[OhioCowboy]

Congrats on your new tractor! Take it out and work it hard in the coming weeks. Don't baby it. Usually, If it's going to fail from faulty workmanship or materials, it'll be during the first hours. You should be ok, but why take any chances after spending that kind of money?

 

[JLH4]

I'm getting mine today! 3rd. function valve is being installed this morning from the talk I had yesterday with my dealer.

Hi digdirty, how did the grapple install go? Keep us updated with pictures, please.
I'm planning on getting one soon.
Thanks

 

[HoneyBadger1]

I got mine about 2 weeks ago. I had RK install the valve. I must say I was a little dissapointed when the tech came to me and told me they sent the wrong fittings and connections. He was able to piece a solution together. After approx 2 hrs of use Ive noticed due to the position the QD wants to unhook. I have put an elbow in it and it appears to have resolved the issue. Out side of that, my experience with my salesmen Chuck, the tech Jessie I believe and RK in general was pleasurable as it has be in the past. The grapple itself, its awesome. Works great. I can't wait to really get going with it. This NC weather is killing all my plans. Will keep you posted.

 

[Tennsawdust]

That should get some work done!

 

[scottz]

Looks great. I get my grapple installed in 3-4 weeks. Mind posting pictures or video on its operation?

 

[mayflower]

Is a grapple worth putting on an RK24? I don't think the 24 has the power to handle the grapple, am I wrong? Mike morgan uses anRK37.

 

[HoneyBadger1]

Is a grapple worth putting on an RK24? I don't think the 24 has the power to handle the grapple, am I wrong? Mike morgan uses anRK37.

I find it incredibly useful. No, it will not tote logs like Mike Morgan does. If you are looking to move saw length logs you may want to consider another choice. I don't have that need so I just cut them into small lengths. It has proven to be worth its weight in gold for clearing/cleaning brush piles also. One thing to note is, the way the route the hoses combined with the quality of the hoses leave a lot to be desired I wore through all 4 hoses in essentially the same spot at the same time. When I went to replace them all the replacement hoses were considerably thicker OD and made it a tremendous task. Add to it that it was like a $250 fix it was a bit frustrating. I can not give you a comparison to another grapple and this may be the case for all of them. I do not know. Just seems like that was an oversight. Other that I am very pleased with it.

 

[digdirty]

I removed the hoses from inside of the lower tube on my granite grapple and moved them to the top of the grapple. I welded a u- channel across the top and inserted them in U- channel for protection, then drilled four holes to drop bolts into behind the hoses so they couldn't fall out of the U. This put the fittings in a location that I could keep an eye on them and if they needed tightened, made that job very easy. Unlike that little oval hole in the bottom rail, the whole hose system can be seen and worked on!

 

[HoneyBadger1]

That would have been a much better design. I hope to have the capability of doing that in the future. Had to work with what I had on this last fix.

 

[ukwildcat87]

Digdirty, that sounds like a great fix. My 55 is coming, grapple is a want, so pics of your fix would be a helpful addition to my files of stuff to do.

 

[Yallwatchthis]

Is a grapple worth putting on an RK24? I don't think the 24 has the power to handle the grapple, am I wrong? Mike morgan uses anRK37.

Mayflower, I have a grapple on my RK24 & it works like a boss! I cut a lot of firewood (not to Mike's capacity. Lol!) & actually used the grapple to help skid some of the logs that were just off of the trail. Hopefully the pic comes through below if not, I will send it to you in PM.

The log that in the grapple pic is a red oak that is cut 4' long & about 20" in diameter. The 24 with the grapple lifted & moved the log without so much as a mild "grunt." I would definitely purchase the grapple with the 3rd function valve if starting over again with another tractor.