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

k0ua · Oct 10, 2016

The 50 inch and the PT should be a perfect match.

KentT · Oct 10, 2016

k0ua said:
The 50 inch and the PT should be a perfect match.

Thanks! I really debated about stepping up to the 54" to get the larger opening, but with only 1200lb of lift, I decided to stay with the lighter weight of 50" Compact. I think it matches the machine pretty danged well. It won't get a real workout until this winter/early spring, when I do most of my work in the wood, though there will be a few opportunities to move some brush piles sooner.

TomSeller · Oct 10, 2016

89vette said:
I just bought the 60" dual lid Wicked Root Grapple from EA and my only regret is not buying it sooner! Unbelievable how much work I have already done with this attachment.<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=484169"/>

What is that? At first glance I thought it was a spool of wire rope that got lout of control. With vines I always drive backwards so the wheels don't pull them out of the grapple.

89vette · Oct 10, 2016

Vines mixed in with irrigation pipe. A real mess

Snowback · Oct 10, 2016

Just another success testimonial for the 60" Single Lid Wicked Grapple. (And for nch209 - you won't regret either the 54" or the 60". I agree that narrow is good. I went with 60" as it is 6" narrower than my bucket, but still perfectly matches the width of my tractor so I can gauge where I'm going in the woods if the trees get tight. It can also help balance odd loads with lots of long pieces that don't quite get clamped 100% by the lid.

As to capability, I have a Mahindra 2538 HST with about 1,600# loader lift and can get way more debris, logs, bush in the grapple than I need.

It's also versatile. I have a handful of 6-10" stumps left over that were missed when I had the mulchers out last fall. They sure make brush hogging a pain if you forget where they are...

Without a backhoe they would be there 'till they rotted, but the nice soil we have, and especially the tines with serrations on the EA Wicked Grapple allow me to work around the edges from a few sides and dig/slide under the roots and then slowly pull/lift them back out. The force and sharp teeth pop the roots one or two at a time, and if I'm patient I can get the whole stump dislodged almost intact in about 10 minutes.

Here are a few shots of my latest victim.

Snowback · Oct 10, 2016

Also a shot of the grapple helping load its little brother "EA Extreme Landscape Rake" on the trailer for a few days of fun...

Landscape Rake Transport with grapple.jpg

EverythingAttachments · Oct 11, 2016

KentT said:
Thanks! I really debated about stepping up to the 54" to get the larger opening, but with only 1200lb of lift, I decided to stay with the lighter weight of 50" Compact. I think it matches the machine pretty danged well. It won't get a real workout until this winter/early spring, when I do most of my work in the wood, though there will be a few opportunities to move some brush piles sooner.

I think you made the right choice, Ken. The ultra light, but Mighty 50" Wicked Grapple is more powerful than meets the eye!! It's been bulletproof.
Thanks for sharing the pics of your cool machine. Yes, definitely a first. :thumbsup:
Travis

EverythingAttachments · Oct 11, 2016

Snowback said:
Also a shot of the grapple helping load its little brother "EA Extreme Landscape Rake" on the trailer for a few days of fun...

View attachment 484256

You'll find out quickly if you haven't already that you can accomplish so much by using those 2 attachments together!!
Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
Travis

IslandTractor · Oct 11, 2016

OK EA, why can't you design bigger openings in your compact grapples? 32" and 37" are limitations on grapples that otherwise could do more in either gathering brush piles or swallowing stumps. My 48" Millonzi has an opening of 44". I just don't understand what the geometric limitations are on your smaller grapples that prevent wider jaw openings. Consider this a friendly challenge to your design team (AKA Ted)!

Photos below show my lightduty 48" grapple wide open (44") next to a yardstick and tape measure. I'd really miss that extra 7"-12" of opening if it wasn't available. When you design your Mark II versions of the EA Compact please focus on improving your opening width! If John Millonzi could do it ten years ago by the seat of his pants, I'm sure that all the CAD tools available today should make it even easier.