Whats the go to grapple now that EA is out of business?

ElPedro

New member

Equipment
BX2860
Jun 16, 2022
5
0
1
Old Boston,OH
Been researching grapples. Man, there's a lot of different brands out there. Seems that most folks really liked the EA stuff...But, as we know, they are no longer.
I have an l2502, and looking to get a grapple. What's the go-to now that EA is out of the picture?
I'm looking for strong and light, serrated teeth, greasable, root grapple.
 

OntheRidge

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L47 TLB, Homestead 55" grapple, LP 1684 rear blade, WR Long 84" snowplow
Nov 1, 2020
323
374
63
25427
I am a big fan of Homestead Implements, I have the 55" Pinnacle series, love it. Well made, fairly light. I had it on my L2501, now on my L47. Oh, and military discount, if that applies. Good Luck!
 

2650fan

Member

Equipment
B2650TLB
Jun 28, 2022
65
43
18
CT
Take a look at Stinger…I just bought a 66” dual lid clam shell works great
 

ayak

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3301 HST
Feb 16, 2018
599
783
93
WV
Whichever one you do decide on, make sure the grapple’s weight by itself doesn’t limit what you can actually lift, with your specific tractor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,172
4,778
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
hmm.. the grapple's weight will ALWAYS lower what you can lift........

If grapple weighs 800#, you've lost 800#s of payload
If grapple weighs 200#, you've lost 200#s of payload.

Grapple's duty is to hold and contain the payload,as such doesn't need to be 'heavy'.
Now if you're going to use it to bulldoze up tree stumps, get a properly designed one built for THAT purpose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,323
2,621
113
Michigan
I have been happy with my HLA.

However; I am not sure they make a model that will fit your machine with serrated teeth.
 

mcmxi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,024
5,892
113
NW Montana
I wonder if anyone has ever posted that they weren't happy with their choice of grapple. Everyone seems to like what they have.
 

lynnmor

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,436
1,150
113
Red Lion
I wonder if anyone has ever posted that they weren't happy with their choice of grapple. Everyone seems to like what they have.
I hate my Virnig V30 root rake grapple. The tines bend easily and the stupid thing mounts higher than the bottom of the loader arms so they dig in the soil. The only way to use it is to tilt it far forward which reduces the effective opening. I know, nobody else has a problem, Mr. Virnig told me so. If you want to store it in the upright position, remember that the loader is already on the ground and there is no way to drop out of the connection.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,819
5,041
113
Eastham, Ma
I hate my Virnig V30 root rake grapple. The tines bend easily and the stupid thing mounts higher than the bottom of the loader arms so they dig in the soil. The only way to use it is to tilt it far forward which reduces the effective opening. I know, nobody else has a problem, Mr. Virnig told me so. If you want to store it in the upright position, remember that the loader is already on the ground and there is no way to drop out of the connection.
Good to know!
Situations such as this, is exactly WHY this forum is SO meaningful!
Thank you!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

airbiscuit

Active member

Equipment
New Holland T2310, New Holland TC21D, Kubota l3010 GST, Farmall H
Mar 18, 2021
209
148
43
NW WI
Been researching grapples. Man, there's a lot of different brands out there. Seems that most folks really liked the EA stuff...But, as we know, they are no longer.
I have an l2502, and looking to get a grapple. What's the go-to now that EA is out of the picture?
I'm looking for strong and light, serrated teeth, greasable, root grapple.
Anything hit all these bogies? (Can't you add zerks if none installed?)
1712273124597.png
 
Last edited:

mcmxi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,024
5,892
113
NW Montana
Anything hit all these bogies?

View attachment 125633
That's the grapple I have. It works well for my uses which is rocks and logs, but my experience is limited to a 48" Land Pride and the EA so there could well be a better option out there. It would be nice if the Wicked 60 had a stand, but it'd be easy to add something. I do think I would prefer a Wicked 66 but that horse has bolted, and apparently died.
 

mcmxi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,024
5,892
113
NW Montana
I hate my Virnig V30 root rake grapple. The tines bend easily and the stupid thing mounts higher than the bottom of the loader arms so they dig in the soil. The only way to use it is to tilt it far forward which reduces the effective opening. I know, nobody else has a problem, Mr. Virnig told me so. If you want to store it in the upright position, remember that the loader is already on the ground and there is no way to drop out of the connection.
You are in a very small group based on what I've read on this forum. For many, their experience with tractors and various implements extends no further than what they currently own and there is no point of comparison. It's only through comparative use that we figure out if B is better than A.
 

skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,501
3,234
113
SW Pa
LP 60 inch, and I use the snot out of it,,, though I have to admit there is a bit of a learning curve. Down to far and you are plowing dirt hooking roots ,, up to high you miss what you wanted to pick up unless its a log,, And remember if you dont have at least one bent tine,,, you aint using it :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

rc51stierhoff

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,438
2,887
113
Ohio
Good day. I am sort of surprised that it seems like most have the clam style. I have a LP clam style for my B…and it’s a pretty good implement / design, has zerks and kick stand on each side. However, when I grab larger and odd shapes it sure like to drop them.

I opted for the long bottom style for the fitment for my MX. (I feel very fortunate to have received the EA long bottom style last fall) I think / hope that will work better for my uses with MX. Whats the reason for most to have the clam style? Seems like the long bottom would support transporting the logs better (similar to forks) than the clam style. For those with the clam style what is main reason to choose that over a long bottom? Thoughts? 🥃
 
Last edited:

lynnmor

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,436
1,150
113
Red Lion
The long bottom will transport more material and has the potential to drop the small stuff while removing the large. I bought the short root rake style to do both transporting and raking my trails to remove smaller roots and debris. It is always a compromise but the root rake style still does carry a fair amount.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

drumminj

Active member

Equipment
L4701, Mule 4010
Nov 4, 2021
152
119
43
TN
almost ready to pull the trigger on a homestead...but stuck in analysis paralysis.
Not sure if it helps, but I'm happy with my homestead pinnacle. Like said above, I suspect in general most folks are happy with their grapple (or other implements), but I've used mine a ton in 2.5 years and not had any issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

GrizBota

Well-known member

Equipment
L3830HST/LA724, B2601/LA435/RCK54-32, RCR1872, CDI 66”grapple, pallet forks
Apr 26, 2023
1,153
735
113
Oregon
Yup, most of us only own one grapple and sort of like what we own. That said, here’s a link to my thoughts on my CID grapple when a question similar to yours was asked a while ago. I think it checks all your boxes, except the tines aren’t serrated.

Griz’s CID Grapple Info
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user