I've read most of the grapple and 4n1 threads and I'm trying to find the perfect combination of front end attachments. I've got the green light from the boss to spend up to $3500. Have some fun and help me spend the budget.
My needs fall into three areas: 1) Ski trail work - We have about 15 miles of ski trails that started out as skidder trails during loggin logging operations. We have used excavators once to move large boulders and stumps. What's left are more boulders, stumps, and bumpy trails that I would really like to smooth out. This is Vermont, we grow rocks. 2) Field work - We have about 50 acres of fields that we brush hog a couple times each year. They are still filled with rocks I want to remove and the edges have trees that have grown in that I am cutting back and then trying to deal with the stumps. 3) Logging work - I run a bandsaw mill and need to move lots of logs around the yard onto the mill. I have a Kubota M7040 with an LA 1153 loader (2300 lb lift capacity).
I've been looking at a range of front end attachments. 1) Dedicated grapple - not too heavy or too wide (thanks to IslandTractor's advice) - for my log loading work and brush piles - favorites are the Millonzi LD 48" with single arm (around $1000) or the Markham Extreme Mini Gator Rake 36" with single arm (around $1500).
2) Dedicated stump grapple - narrow and strong for stump work and rock popping - favorites are Wildcat stump grapple ($675) or Unlimited Fabrication stump grapple ($1050).
3) 4n1 bucket with toothbar - for big rock rolling/pushing, and a first pass at trail smoothing, some log loading - favorites Wildcat 4n1 60" ($1725) or WRLong HJ 60" (not sure of price yet).
Given the budget I can get two high quality front implements for sure and maybe that's all I need to get these different tasks done. It will be a tight to get three, and I don't want to sacrafice on quality given my heavy duty uses. I also will have a box blade in the rear to help with some of the trail grading, but trail grading is a stop and go operation here where I always have to deal with rocks and stumps.
I hope that's enough info to get your advise.
Thanks, Mike
My needs fall into three areas: 1) Ski trail work - We have about 15 miles of ski trails that started out as skidder trails during loggin logging operations. We have used excavators once to move large boulders and stumps. What's left are more boulders, stumps, and bumpy trails that I would really like to smooth out. This is Vermont, we grow rocks. 2) Field work - We have about 50 acres of fields that we brush hog a couple times each year. They are still filled with rocks I want to remove and the edges have trees that have grown in that I am cutting back and then trying to deal with the stumps. 3) Logging work - I run a bandsaw mill and need to move lots of logs around the yard onto the mill. I have a Kubota M7040 with an LA 1153 loader (2300 lb lift capacity).
I've been looking at a range of front end attachments. 1) Dedicated grapple - not too heavy or too wide (thanks to IslandTractor's advice) - for my log loading work and brush piles - favorites are the Millonzi LD 48" with single arm (around $1000) or the Markham Extreme Mini Gator Rake 36" with single arm (around $1500).
2) Dedicated stump grapple - narrow and strong for stump work and rock popping - favorites are Wildcat stump grapple ($675) or Unlimited Fabrication stump grapple ($1050).
3) 4n1 bucket with toothbar - for big rock rolling/pushing, and a first pass at trail smoothing, some log loading - favorites Wildcat 4n1 60" ($1725) or WRLong HJ 60" (not sure of price yet).
Given the budget I can get two high quality front implements for sure and maybe that's all I need to get these different tasks done. It will be a tight to get three, and I don't want to sacrafice on quality given my heavy duty uses. I also will have a box blade in the rear to help with some of the trail grading, but trail grading is a stop and go operation here where I always have to deal with rocks and stumps.
I hope that's enough info to get your advise.
Thanks, Mike