The WICKED Root & Debris GRAPPLE!!!!!!!

[EverythingAttachments]

I'm glad you enjoy the visuals, snowback. SEVERAL Mahindra tractor owners have told me how useful your 2538 pics have been to them.
Pics are extremely useful when you're shopping for something, especially when it's an accessory for a tractor, truck, car, ATV, etc. The previous statement can't be argued.

IMO, the long bottom grapple is more versatile and I usually recommend it unless a tractor is starving for lift capacity.

This new Wicked 55 grapple rake is a breakthrough in lightweight grapple design. 200 pounds, but it still has the serrated upper and lower tines, greasable pivot points, bolted in runners and an incredible clamping force.
The dozer-like geometry promotes a subcompact/small compact tractor's ability to push the tines through the ground for rock/root/vine removal.

Bolted in runners serve as gauges to limit depth, but they are easily removed if you want to go deep!

The short lower tines keep the load closer to the tractor than the long bottom, which increases a small tractor's lift capacity. This is a Kubota BX 23S with universal quick attach.

All of the above quickly made our Wicked 55 a best seller!
Travis

 

[mopardude318]

I'm curious, it may have been discussed earlier in this thread or somewhere else on TBN, but how would someone increase the clamping force on a grapple? Say like, having the ends close and have jaw crushing power?

I'm simply just curious, my grapple is not here yet. Next week though!

 

[Xfaxman]

The easiest way would be to increase the diameter of the cylinder.

Mine is 4 inch and tip force is over 7,000 pounds.

But it is a unique design, 44 inches wide and a 31 inch opening:

 

[4570Man]

I've been wanting to build a grapple with massive clamping force. I doubt I'll ever have time to actually do it but I came to the conclusion that a 3" or so cylinder with a long stroke was the most practical. Otherwise self destructing was an issue.

 

[IslandTractor]

Why would you want massive clamping force?? With a standard L type grapple, the upper jaw really just keeps the load from rolling out forwards. Not much force at all needed to do that. If you are picking up big rocks then more clamping force is needed but then you have to build up the jaw tine tips to withstand more force. I splayed out the tips of mine lifting up a one ton rock out of the ground. That was with just the standard cylinder. A little heat and persuasion plus adding gussets for the tips has prevented further problems. What do you expect from a $500 grapple??

 

[Mad Mac]

Here is an idea. I wish my outer tines had fangs, an extension, a spade or blade that could be attached and removed or pivoted out of the way. The spade would be used for busting out Bear Grass, you may know it as Indian Basket Grass, or other pesky shrubs. By extending the spade forward of the grapple, it would not be necessary to bury six feet of grapple into the ground to pluck out one undesirable plant.

The Wicked does a good job of breaking out tough vegetation, but it is unnecessarily wide in many instances. A grubbing blade attachment, please.

 

[Mad Mac]

Also wider is better in this respect. A wider grapple allows the operator to see the outer tines for precision placement. If the grapple is no wider than the FEL, the FEL will block the view.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Also wider is better in this respect. A wider grapple allows the operator to see the outer tines for precision placement. If the grapple is no wider than the FEL, the FEL will block the view.

Mac, your statement IMHO is absolutely correct but, it will probably arouse the torch & pitchfork crew.

In fact, I think I hear them coming!

 

[4570Man]

Why would you want massive clamping force?? With a standard L type grapple, the upper jaw really just keeps the load from rolling out forwards. Not much force at all needed to do that. If you are picking up big rocks then more clamping force is needed but then you have to build up the jaw tine tips to withstand more force. I splayed out the tips of mine lifting up a one ton rock out of the ground. That was with just the standard cylinder. A little heat and persuasion plus adding gussets for the tips has prevented further problems. What do you expect from a $500 grapple??

The grapple on the CTL at work clamps about 5 times harder then my tractor grapple did. It was better at moving logs. It would bite through a pile and get several where a tractor grapple is on a 1 or 2 basis. It could get a bigger mouth full of brush. And gripping a log on the tips and not actually in the grapple is nice for precise loading on a truck.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

In fact, I think I hear them coming!

View attachment 528650

This will calm those dudes down!

George from Tennessee just shared these. He has a 66" Dual Lid Wicked Grapple on his Branson 4720H. What a beauty, and he's getting it done!!
Travis