You should strongly consider the EA "wicked grapple".
EA will not be the cheapest, and may still have a significant production backlog, so plan accordingly.
From my experience, EA makes the best of nearly everything.
It should. I know EA puts their actuators outside the SSQA clamps. When I bought mine for the BX, I originally asked for the 48" grapple, and they called and explained that the smallest for the SSQA is 55" because of how they mount the actuators.
I bought a grapple from them for my BX. I liked that they called me and had me take measurements before they started to build it. They had me measure the hydraulic fittings and send them pictures of how I mounted the 3rd function valve. When it came, I drove the tractor down my 1700-ft driveway w/o the bucket on the FEL.
I declined having to pay extra for labor to unload the grapple, so I just raised the FEL to the trailer bed height and drove it under the clamps, picked it up, locked the pins, cut the pallet bands and let the pallet fall back down onto the trailer bed.
I love my "wicked". It is wider (55") than the FEL and it has to be to allow room for the actuators. That was something I discussed with the guy that would be building it.
I am buying a new L4802 with loader and third function. I want a grapple in the future, but after buying the tractor, I will need some time to recover funds. I have a friend with a L2501, and a grapple. He said he is fine with me borrowing his grapple until I can buy my own. Does anyone know if a grapple that fits the L2501 will fit on a L4802 (or L4701)? Are they "universally" sized? (Both tractors have the quick-attach buckets).
It should. I know EA puts their actuators outside the SSQA clamps. When I bought mine for the BX, I originally asked for the 48" grapple, and they called and explained that the smallest for the SSQA is 55" because of how they mount the actuators.
That is what I like about EA. Though I can't say for sure, I go the impression that he was building my grapple to order. I sent him pictures of my 3rd function and the size of my fittings.
I live atop an 18-acre hill with a steep 1700 ft driveway. I had the shipper stop at the bottom and I drove the tractor down the hill w/o the bucket on the FEL. I did not want to pay for somebody to man-handle the grapple, so I just drove up to the trailer, raised the FEL to the deck height and drove the SSQA right up under the clamps, lifted the grapple and pallet off the bed. I cut the bands and let the pallet fall back on the trailer. I connected the hydraulics, and I was on my way up the hill.
I ordered it in late Oct of 2021 and it came early April of 22.
I love my grapple and EA.