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

[k0ua]

I may just have to buckle under, give my two grapples away, and call "Riceroni" to see if they have a 24" grapple, under 100 lbs. so I can move a few twigs.

Or ....... maybe I'll continue to just suffer thru with my present poor grapple decisions?

View attachment 483740

That is one heck of a big chunk of tree you got in your jaws there!

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Island is really passionate about grapples, kinda how people get when defending a tractor color.
He makes some good points, but different people have different taste and different needs.
You can't simply make a single, set in stone recommendation because of the wide array of grappling applications.

Don't get me wrong, we've had our differences, but I give Island a lot of credit.
Hey, he did talk me into making the 50" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. :thumbsup:
Travis

 

[Moluke]

Thanks very much for the responses guys, exactly what I was looking for. It seems the 60" single lid will be more than robust enough for my needs, speaking as I figure i'll only put on about 100 hours a year. Travis, you'll probably hear from me in the next couple of weeks.
You guys are mean, posting pictures with your vicious looking tractors while i'm still waiting on mine! :thumbsup:
Anyway, I had no idea people were this opinionated about... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Anyway, I had no idea people were this opinionated about... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

When you get yours you will see quality not usually seen in tractor implements. Then when you see other peoples grapples online or out and about you will see that there is a difference. EA makes some of the best equipment on the market. Thus the reason they have such a strong following. Be sure to post lots of pics when yours comes in.

One other thing that sets them apart is the customer service. I broke the mounts of my grapple by doing something I shouldn't do. Now add in the fact I'm doing it to a compact tractor grapple but using my utility tractor. EA found out and reached out to me. They sent me all new parts for free and when I tried to pay, they told me that it was on them. This was above and beyond and says a lot about the company. When I order a new grapple for the next tractor, it'll be from them.

Brett

 

[roadhunter]

I think Island makes a really good point. For smaller tractors there is no reason to waste capacity on a front attachment built for a heavier machine which limits limits capacity as well as stability. That goes for forks, buckets, grapples, etc... Between the weight of the SSQA and the attachment some of these smaller CUT's have almost no capacity left and require a counterweight to be useful. It's something to keep in mind IMO.

 

[sidecarist]

Counter weight is indeed important. I use my backhoe now, but will be building a 55gal drum weight box to have a more compact package for the woods. The rear weight is really important on rougher ground!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

Island is really passionate about grapples, kinda how people get when defending a tractor color.
He makes some good points, but different people have different taste and different needs.
You can't simply make a single, set in stone recommendation because of the wide array of grappling applications.

Don't get me wrong, we've had our differences, but I give Island a lot of credit.
Hey, he did talk me into making the 50" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. :thumbsup:
Travis

Travis I want to correct something. I am passionate about my girlfriends and my teddy bear. I am merely interested in grapples and tractors.

I argue the small is beautiful line on grapples repeatedly for a simple reason. The folks participating in these discussions are generally looking for their first grapple and it is very very easy to be misled into buying more grapple than you really need and can use efficiently.

Despite the sniping by a few who bought big grapples, the evidence as presented by many dozens of grapple owners here on TBN consistently supports the notion that a small lightweight grapple does just about anything that a CUT owner would want to do with a grapple. That doesn't mean small lightweight makes sense for a contractor running a big skidsteer and it doesn't mean it applies to a utility tractor in commercial agricultural use. It does generally apply to the typical TBN CUT owner who has a tractor that can be towed on a 10,000lb trailer rig, has a loader lift of 3000lbs or less and generally fits the compact utility tractor designation (I used to say 50 hp but lots of CUTs now have 60hp even though the weight and loader are the same as their less muscled sibling tractors). Finally, it is just a rule of thumb. You might have a very good reason for some other type of grapple but recognize before you shell out $2500-4000 for a monster grapple that most everyone with a narrow lightduty grapple finds them to be just about perfect. Several guys with more than one grapple size say they'd choose the narrow lightduty if they could keep just one. Point is that grapple newbies should not get caught up in the "more horsepower is better" race when it comes to grapple selection. Think about the physics and review what tasks small lightweight grapples are capable of before shelling out more bucks for a grapple that might well not be as useful to you. Then, if despite all the evidence presented to the contrary, you still believe your manhood is really reflected in the size of your grapple, buy a big grapple. I'm sure the girls will be impressed.:laughing:

 

[TomSeller]

As to island tractor, I haven't been around much lately but it's no surprise he's still talking about how great his grapple is and how people don't need what they want. Funny thing is all I've read is how happy people are with the grapple they get from EA.

IT has a great grapple, I'd buy one like it if they still made them. Narrow, light weight and with a wide opening. He has also complimented the EA grapples on many occasions, they are also good grapples.

 

[TomSeller]

... grapples. I mean, they're not that different from one company to the next.

Neither is there much difference in engine oil but people have strong opinions on brands.... Go figure.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Travis I want to correct something. I am passionate about my girlfriends and my teddy bear. I am merely interested in grapples and tractors.

You, no doubt, have a strong, heavy heart! :laughing:
Travis