I have been considering the wicked 55 for a while. It has gone up $300 while I’ve been pondering the purchase. The EA facility is about an hour away.
My question for y’all is are there cheaper alternatives that are comparable in weight. The weight savings of the wicked 55 is important because my main tractor use is moving logs around for firewood processing. Many of the logs I haul home are big 24-32” diameter or bigger.
For the w55 owners is the cost worth it? Any quality or durability issues?
The EA site says tested on an L, but it’s recommended for under 30hp?
Is there any reason I can’t use it regularly on my MX?
I’m currently using a fork grapple, but it has some limitations. #1 being I have to stand up to see where the forks are #2 some picks the load is too far out front #3 picking big rounds, or short logs is difficult and time consuming. Thanks for any input you can provide.

I can’t speak to the EA, but I like my Frost Bite for moving logs. If you haven’t seen them, may be worth checking out. I think a couple other brands make this style too, if my memory serves Fransgard (sp?) and a Chinese import called SunJo or Sunguard or something like that.

FrostBite Grapples - Grapple, Log Grapple

FrostBite Grapple Log Grapple for your Skid Steer, Utility Tractors, handling and rocks, brush removal, move pipe culverts, handling steel I-beams & landscaping

Yes I have strongly considered the Frostbite and sold my Ford to fund the purchase, but something else happened and sucked up the money. I had the quote for a commercial delivery site and everything set. I thought that was the one for me so I could cut the logs while elevated. I can do that with the fork grapple, but learned that’s not really what I need to do or how I do things. With some more experience under my belt I think the the root grapple style would be more versatile and better suit my all around needs and style of processing wood and moving brush. Last year (spring) I went thru analysis paralysis on a long bottom grapple for my MX based on need to use timing to complete work in CY for an NRCS grant. I ended up with EA Long bottom 72”…received last fall. Have not used it with my MX yet, but it’s a pretty awesome / impressive grapple IMO. Anyway I look forward to using this spring per the plan.

My second choice was MTL based on suggestion from an OTT member but ultimately I felt like the EA edged it out, but the wait was less than ideal. mTL from what I looked at and discussed with them seemed like it would be pretty competitive. I’d be willing to try. I also considered Virnig based on some member input but their price not align with some other choices…looked like a very nice product from them as well. I think if wanted to use with tractor and a SS, virnig and MTL might be better option but I really don’t know that to be true….they seemed a little heavier constructed.

My decision came down to:
1. I felt like the design and countersunk grease zerks were more protected location on the EA.
2. Positive previous experiences (multiple implements happy with) with EA and very responsive over support from previous purchases.
3. Over all implement weight
4. Delivery to my address price.

I’d recommend when comparing to check final delivered to your door price…they are not all the same despite their adds…if it only gets you to a local depot it’s not a fair comparison to your door…at least not for me…EA delivered to my driveway as they claim.

Good luck.

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For the w55 owners is the cost worth it? Any quality or durability issues?
The EA site says tested on an L, but it’s recommended for under 30hp?
Is there any reason I can’t use it regularly on my MX?

I've had an EA Wicked 60 for a few years now and my only regret is that I didn't buy a Wicked 66. They are very well made, very tough and very durable grapples and probably overkill for many grapple related tasks.

You can definitely use a Wicked 55 on your MX. The hp value is based on the weight of the grapple so EA is suggesting that the 55 is better for tractors with lower loader capacities since they're a fair bit lighter than the 60 which weights around 400lb and the 66 at around 600lb.

I've said this many times, but no company comes close to the kind of transparency and testing that EA does. I have a grapple, box blade, land leveler and tooth bar from EA with no regrets. I even bought suitcase weights from them but they're imported from India.

Last year (spring) I went thru analysis paralysis on a long bottom grapple for my MX based on need to use timing to complete work in CY for an NRCS grant. I ended up with EA Long bottom 72”…received last fall. Have not used it with my MX yet, but it’s a pretty awesome / impressive grapple IMO. Anyway I look forward to using this spring per the plan.

My second choice was MTL based on suggestion from an OTT member but ultimately I felt like the EA edged it out, but the wait was less than ideal. mTL from what I looked at and discussed with them seemed like it would be pretty competitive. I’d be willing to try. I also considered Virnig based on some member input but their price not align with some other choices…looked like a very nice product from them as well. I think if wanted to use with tractor and a SS, virnig and MTL might be better option but I really don’t know that to be true….they seemed a little heavier constructed.

My decision came down to:
1. I felt like the design and countersunk grease zerks were more protected location on the EA.
2. Positive previous experiences (multiple implements happy with) with EA and very responsive over support from previous purchases.
3. Over all implement weight
4. Delivery to my address price.

I’d recommend when comparing to check final delivered to your door price…they are not all the same despite their adds…if it only gets you to a local depot it’s not a fair comparison to your door…at least not for me…EA delivered to my driveway as they claim.

Good luck.

I have demo’d the universal type grapple that most manufacturers build. Every state may be similar, but in my area of NC there are many attachment manufacturers. Most of their grapples are $5-800 cheaper than EA, but they are way heavier. The long bottom I tried felt and operated heavy. I don’t want to waste lift capacity on the attachment. At my work we have a mega grapple on a small CAT Skid. It totally kills the lift capacity of the CAT. It’s a lot of money so they will probably go up another 100 before I’m done with analysis paralysis.

I've had an EA Wicked 60 for a few years now and my only regret is that I didn't buy a Wicked 66. They are very well made, very tough and very durable grapples and probably overkill for many grapple related tasks.

You can definitely use a Wicked 55 on your MX. The hp value is based on the weight of the grapple so EA is suggesting that the 55 is better for tractors with lower loader capacities since they're a fair bit lighter than the 60 which weights around 400lb and the 66 at around 600lb.

I've said this many times, but no company comes close to the kind of transparency and testing that EA does. I have a grapple, box blade, land leveler and tooth bar from EA with no regrets. I even bought suitcase weights from them but they're imported from India.

That’s what I learned about the grapple my employer purchased from CID. It’s big time overkill. I’m sure there are cabbages that could find a way to break it, but it won’t happen from normal use. If you drove wide open into a giant rock grapple first I bet the skid steer would break first. O v e r k i l l I think if you look closely at EA especially from a side angle you can see where their weight (lighter) is competitive…they have tried tested and listened to customers and lightened where they can without sacrificing usability. Is it the heaviest, nope. But for me that added value. I did not want a 700-800 lb grapple consuming so much of the MX lift capacity. In my assessment EA edged out the heavier built. Is it the best? I don’t know I think depends on your criteria / expectations. Have I used it? Nope…looking forward to it. eA supports and stands behind their product and I don’t second guess my choice. I don’t know my thought is correct but that is how I made the price and weight comparison.

what sort of pallet fork grapple do you have? I've been looking for one to help with my firwood processing. Unlike you, my trees are at MOST 16" diameter and many smaller.

I’m pretty sure they came from a local attachment builder. I got them from a friend who said he paid $400 for them. Maybe from Wildcat attachment. The forks are not typical sturdy forks, so he reinforced them. I’ll try to get pictures of them this weekend. I know of someone has a similar setup and he complains the fork grapple grabs too many logs from the log pile along with having to stand up to see location of the forks. I still find them useful and want to keep them in the arsenal. They sure have made firewood production more efficient. Showmedata, I have a single arm grapple on forks, from HLA. Im grabbing 8' logs from a pile most of the time. Most logs are smaller in diameter. I added a 3rd fork tine to keep uneven logs from falling through and to help the forks go under the same log in the pile. I really wanted a Frostbite... i wish i had some experience with the other styles to see how they'd work!
The single arm would not be as useful for brush but would work. I space the tines to still allow picking up a pallet, albiet off center.
Figuring the best way to do firewood is as much fun and work as actually doing it! The less handling the better. Keep the rounds off the ground and flowing through the process, conveyors are a whole other topic!

What Attachment Are You? Take Our Quiz and Learn If You’re a Bucket, Grapple, Fork or Auger

Ever wonder what kind of compact utility loader attachment best represents your skills and personality? Wonder no longer. Take this short, 10-question quiz to discover if your personality is most like an auger, bucket, fork or grapple attachment. These four CUL attachments are staples on the jobsite because of their differing strengths and specialties. You might be surprised by the traits you have in common. Choose the answer to each question that best describes you. As you go, keep track of how many As, Bs, Cs and Ds you choose, as you’ll need to know to get your results. To keep the fun going, compare your results with colleagues, family members and friends.

Link to GRS

Quiz

How would your friends describe you?

a. You always lend a hand, no matter what.
b. You’re the glue that holds the group together.
c. You excel under pressure.
d. You are easygoing and lighthearted.

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, you would:

a. Help a friend, colleague or neighbor in any way you can.
b. Team up with the enemy to save your inner circle.
c. Find a way to save the entire human race.
d. Thrive at the job someone else assigns you.

What’s your ideal vacation?

a. A road trip across the United States.
b. Relaxing at a resort in Mexico.
c. Bungee jumping off a bridge in New Zealand.
d. Backpacking across Europe.

If you were an animal, which would you be?

a. A dog.
b. An elephant.
c. A lion.
d. A bird.

Which best describes you at work?

a. You wear a lot of hats.
b. You take on more than you can handle.
c. You drill down into the nitty-gritty details.
d. You easily adapt to change.

What do you do when you’re bored?

a. Tidy up your home.
b. Get together with a friend.
c. Dive into a home project.
d. Take a walk outdoors.

How do you respond under pressure?

a. Continue working hard, at the same pace you always do.
b. Prioritize the work to ensure the most important tasks get done.
c. Speed up your workflow to get tasks done faster.
d. Break up the work into small items you can check off.

What are you most proud of?

a. Your achievements.
b. Your family.
c. Your work ethic.
d. Your adaptability.

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What do you do to manage stress?

a. Take a break.
b. Go to a workout class.
c. Grab another cup of coffee.
d. I don’t get stressed.

What’s your preferred mode of transportation?

a. Car.
b. Motorcycle.
c. Pickup truck.
d. Bicycle.

Now comes the fun part. Take note of your answers and determine — did you choose mostly A, B, C or D? See the corresponding results to find out what kind of attachment you are.

Mostly As

If you answered mostly As, you’re a bucket attachment! Buckets excel at everything they do and have ample energy to get it done. It’s easy for them to keep projects moving forward, since they carry a lot of the load on their own.

Mostly Bs

Congrats, you are a grapple attachment! Grapples are strong, both emotionally and physically. They tend to grab on and not let go, resulting in close-knit friendships, dedication to their craft and a strong passion for their hobbies.

Mostly Cs

For those who answered mostly Cs, you’re an auger attachment! You perform well under demanding conditions and have a thorough and consistent approach to your work. Details and precision are more important than speed, and you have no problem digging yourself out of a hole.

Mostly Ds

If you answered mostly Ds, you are a fork attachment! You’re versatile, adaptable and can carry a heavy load without a second thought. Acquaintances appreciate you for being so laid back and willing to help. What seems like a monumental task for someone else, feels like a simple one to you.

You did it! You’ve discovered whether you are a bucket, grapple, fork or auger — and that every attachment has its strengths, just like every person does. Thanks for having a little fun with us!

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