What implements do I need and where to buy them?

[Browns329]

Below is a clip from my thread on buying my first tractor. I think I may buy something this week (30-40 hp range). Maybe a Kubota L4240. Here are my implement questions:

1. Based on the tasks listed below, what implements are a "must have"? I do not want to buy every implement out there if I don't really need them,especially just getting started. My BIL says I can probably do most anything with the FEL bucket. For fence posts, I can probably borrow my his skid steer with auger, and if/when I ever get the lawn renovated I can probably borrow his seeding equipment.

2. Should I buy any implements with the new tractor (could be financed), or can I get a better deal at Tractor Supply or somewhere else? Or look for used ones? I don't think I need super heavy duty commercial stuff, but I don't want some lightweight cheap stuff that will bend and get beat up either. I would rather spend a few extra dollars for something that will last a while. A local junkyard has some used implements out for sale, but they look like they were pretty rusted and just painted to look nice.

3. How does a toothbar connect to a FEL bucket, and what are they used for? I assume they are better for digging dirt than a standard bucket, but can they be used for digging out stumps if I don't have a backhoe? I didn't think I would use a backhoe enough to justify the cost...and again, I could probably borrow my BIL's on occasion to dig trenches for pipe, etc.

Thank you!

I recently purchased 5 acres and about 3-4 acres is light woods (fairly level). I intend to use the tractor for clearing, grading, and installing fencing. Manure clean up, moving hay, etc. for some animals. Occasional snow plowing 300 foot paved driveway and gravel drives. Landscaping such as moving mulch, stone, and prepping areas for grass. I grew up working on a farm/nursery, so I may eventually plant an acre or so with trees and/or vegetables. Working on the farm, I am pretty familiar with the use of various types of tractors/loaders. I was also considering using the tractor for mowing the lawn, but I found a decent used zero turn rider so that I don't have to worry about a finishing mower on the loader. The z-rider should also be faster than a tractor for mowing.

 

[Phineas7]

1. I did a carport project where I needed to smooth and level a fairly large area. It would have impossible for me to do that with the FEL. A box blade did the trick
http://s495.photobucket.com/albums/rr319/Phineas7/Car%20Port/

2. Better stuff weighs more. Heavy is good. I wish I had a heavier built rotary cutter. Although there's probably a limited number of people making heavier duty 4 footers.

3. Two bolts thru the side. The problem is digging into the ground. Tractors are not bulldoziers, although what your looking at is a little bigger than mine. If you take a 5 ft bucket edge and try to push it into the ground, it just won't go. Too little weight per square inch. A toobar increases the weight per square inch and the smaller size just breaks up the ground so much better. For digging, you'll need a toothbar. If you just moving loose dirt and such, you won't.
If you look at my picture link I removed some very large stumps. To do this I used a box blade w/scarifiers to dig round it. You won't be able to cut roots with the FEL. The scarifiers or a sub-soiler will do a fair job at breaking the smaller ones, but you'll need an axe for most of them. That's the problem with not using a back hoe. You have to dig a 20 foot circle around the stump! Which was not a problem in my case, cause I needed to move that dirt anyway.

Best Regards,

Phin

 

[HCJtractor]

I would advise buying the tractor and implements together. Most dealers will discount more if more is purchased, and the zero percent financing offered most places helps. I rarely see good used implements, and the prices are always too high. I would definitely get the FEL. A tooth bar, in my opinion, could come later. I rarely use mine, as digging with the FEL is usually disappointing, but a bar is relatively cheap so postpone it until you see how you can get along without it. A good medium duty rotary cutter is a must, preferable a name brand such as a Woods, which is much better built that cheaper brands at Tractor Supply. Mine takes a beating, so get a good one. Next is a box blade, again a name brand, such as a Woods. I keep the box on the back most of the time to add ballast, and it is small and more manueverable than the rotary cutter. With a FEL, rotary cutter, and a box, you can do most anything. If you have lots of clearing to do and expect piles of debris that will have to be moved, or if you want to clear land and dig out small to medium stumps (say up to 6"), get a Markham grapple, which is the implement I use the most. It digs much better than a bucket and toothbar.

 

[Browns329]

I may go to the Kubota dealer tomorrow. If I decide to buy a tractor, does anyone have any tips on negotiating a good price on implements? I haven't really been shopping for them, so I don't know what a good price would be.

The one dealer said that purchasing implements with the tractor would not make the tractor cheaper, but the implements would be cheaper than usual and they can be financed with the tractor.

 

[ninefinger]

I have one brand new implement, the rest came from craigslist. Brought them home, put a wire brush on my grinder, cleaned them up , painted them and they look good. The rollover took about 10 hours and if it gets that rusty again it will stay that way, I will touch it up on occaison but it worked just fine rusty. I have saved a great deal of money buying second hand. You just need to look it over pretty well. All the new stuff around here is stored outside and is usually already faded. If I am going to pay full price I would like to see shiney paint. With tractor purchase you may get a good discount. Just do not dismiss used implements because of rust. If the welds are good and the cutting edges are acceptable the $ savings can be worth a little time and paint.

 

[two_bit_score]

Browns329, I was really surprised at how handy the pallet forks turned out to be. I was looking at a grapple bucket but was recommended by some on TBN to try the forks first and they were right.

A lot of stuff you can lift with the forks that just cant be done with a bucket.

 

[dangerdoc]

Below is a clip from my thread on buying my first tractor. I think I may buy something this week (30-40 hp range). Maybe a Kubota L4240. Here are my implement questions:

1. Based on the tasks listed below, what implements are a "must have"? I do not want to buy every implement out there if I don't really need them,especially just getting started. My BIL says I can probably do most anything with the FEL bucket. For fence posts, I can probably borrow my his skid steer with auger, and if/when I ever get the lawn renovated I can probably borrow his seeding equipment.

2. Should I buy any implements with the new tractor (could be financed), or can I get a better deal at Tractor Supply or somewhere else? Or look for used ones? I don't think I need super heavy duty commercial stuff, but I don't want some lightweight cheap stuff that will bend and get beat up either. I would rather spend a few extra dollars for something that will last a while. A local junkyard has some used implements out for sale, but they look like they were pretty rusted and just painted to look nice.

3. How does a toothbar connect to a FEL bucket, and what are they used for? I assume they are better for digging dirt than a standard bucket, but can they be used for digging out stumps if I don't have a backhoe? I didn't think I would use a backhoe enough to justify the cost...and again, I could probably borrow my BIL's on occasion to dig trenches for pipe, etc.

Thank you!

I recently purchased 5 acres and about 3-4 acres is light woods (fairly level). I intend to use the tractor for clearing, grading, and installing fencing. Manure clean up, moving hay, etc. for some animals. Occasional snow plowing 300 foot paved driveway and gravel drives. Landscaping such as moving mulch, stone, and prepping areas for grass. I grew up working on a farm/nursery, so I may eventually plant an acre or so with trees and/or vegetables. Working on the farm, I am pretty familiar with the use of various types of tractors/loaders. I was also considering using the tractor for mowing the lawn, but I found a decent used zero turn rider so that I don't have to worry about a finishing mower on the loader. The z-rider should also be faster than a tractor for mowing.

I hate to be the first one to say this and I may lose my membership but with 5 acres, a zero turn mower and access to a skid loader, are you sure that you need a tractor?

If you are clearing trees, particularly a fence line, nothing beats a few hours of track loader time.

As far as what you need, a front end loader will be used in ways you can't imagine now, great investment. A straight blade that rotates and tilts with removable side pieces is very versitile and should keep your gravel drive up. In a pinch, it will also remove a few inches of snow.

I would buy other attachments as they are needed. I have found deals on new equipment out of season and found a few used pieces used that were a bargain.