And despite your assertion that Homestead makes a superior product, there are videos showing a Homestead grapple damaged doing reasonable work and EA grapples unscathed despite multiple videos showing them being abused. I notice that the same anti EA types keep showing up and liking your posts, the ones that know more than everyone else, can do a better job than anyone else, could run a company better than anyone else. What a joke! One of them showed something he'd made and I wouldn't buy a friggin' paper bag from that clown.
Weight is a data point, true, but what it doesn't reveal is strength to weight ratio and design. Is Sch.80 superior to DOM, well that depends on the use, the design etc. Also, perhaps you missed the memo where EA resolved the hose rubbing issue a while back despite no known cases of hose rupture. Homestead has at least one known lid failure and upgraded the lid to Sch. 80 but no mention from you about that.
If you follow this thread closely, you'll notice that members are stating that they just ordered an EA grapple despite the long lead times. As I keep saying, EA is the ONLY company showing videos of their implements being tested, and without a doubt they're the most transparent implement company out their with videos of their factory showing implements being made. They also have the best CS in the business with excellent communication and support for their ever-growing customer base.
I've handed EA close to $9k over the last year and will be happy to hand over more money for well thought out, well executed, and well proven rugged implements.