New tractor - recommendations on 3PH use

[Semipro]

I've got a new JD 3032e with an FEL, 25 PTO HP, and dual rear hydraulics and am looking for recommendations on how best to use my Cat 1 3PH. Here's what I anticipate I may be doing with it:

- Grading/crowning my gravel driveway (I've got a single blade on loan from the dealer now that I'm trying out).

- Hauling firewood. I like the idea of storing firewood on pallets and then using the FEL or 3PH to move the pallets to near where we burn.

- Maybe splitting firewood if it makes more sense than using a stand-alone splitter

- Mixing concrete (I already have a stand-alone mixer but I might sell to buy a PTO-driven model)

- Post hole digging (probably with a rented skid-steer unit if that makes sense.

- Possibly chipping/shredding (rented skid-steer attachment if available)

- Mowing trails through the brush around our property

- Towing trailers around the place

- Maybe stump grinding with a rented skid-steer unit

- Maybe breaking rock if I have the hydraulic power for it (about 9.3 GPH)

I'd like to buy implements as I find deals and rent the ones I'll use less often. I'd like to rent skid-steer attachments if they will work as they're readily available nearby. I also have a friend who has a PowerTrac so I may have access to his attachments (in trade). I realize they use a different mount.

I'm already convinced I want some sort of quick-attach for the 3PH but I'm just not sure what kind. There's JD iMatch, aftermarket units, skid-steer types, Pat's Easy Change, etc. I'd much prefer to buy American-made.

I've used heavy equipment of one sort or another for many years but my experience with 3PHs is limited having only used a rear blade. I've used Bush Hogs and harrows but I just drove; I didn't set up the 3PH. I can fabricated and have a welder, cutting torch, etc. so I"m happy to modify or build something. Given this laundry-list of needs and resources what's the setup that makes the most sense for me?

If I'm re-hashing something that's been covered already, sorry about that. I did some searches but didn't come up with what seemed pertinent. Links to other posts are welcome.

Thanks in advance.
Andy

[smfcpacfp]

Your tractor is about my size and it seems like you have a good strategy.

I find the back box to be useful for grading, and maybe more so than a blade. I move firewood in the bucket since it is already there, and I have quick attach pallet forks which can be attached in place of the bucket. I also have my own wood chipper. I have plenty of use for it with about 7,000 trees on my property. I bought the tractor for snow blowing mainly. I have a front mounted blower. I wouldn't have a rear blower since we get so much snow where I live. It would be too laborious to have my head twisted for 40 hours a year of snow blowing. I have a stand alone log splitter which I built 25 years before I had my tractor, but the 3 pt units look pretty slick.

I own my own stuff which I bought new. I live in the boonies so I might be waiting forever for something used to become available, and I don't think anyone rents the kind of stuff I need.

[bota7800]

When you say that you may rent skid-steer attachments do you mean that you will drive them with your tractor? The reason I ask is that you probably have a hydraulic pump output of 9 gpm or so. My Kubota is similar sized, I think, and it has 9.3 gpm. I don't think that will drive a skid-steer attachment. My own hydraulic posthole digger is a low-flow model (less than 12 gpm)

If I am wrong, the more knowledgeable members will correct me. Otherwise, you will probably need a PTO pump for the required capacity.

[Semipro]

It is 9.3 GPM, the same as yours. That's good to know. I was worried about that. That may make the PowerTrac attachments even more of possibility.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by bota7800

When you say that you may rent skid-steer attachments do you mean that you will drive them with your tractor? The reason I ask is that you probably have a hydraulic pump output of 9 gpm or so. My Kubota is similar sized, I think, and it has 9.3 gpm. I don't think that will drive a skid-steer attachment. My own hydraulic posthole digger is a low-flow model (less than 12 gpm)

If I am wrong, the more knowledgeable members will correct me. Otherwise, you will probably need a PTO pump for the required capacity.

[RalphVa]

I put all my implements on castors or on 1 bys to move them easily for taking off and putting on. Don't feel I need the quick attach things. I use the following on my 3ph:

1. bush hog, castors on a 2by underneath the front
2. chipper/shredder, castors on a small frame
3. soil ripper/disc hiller, castors on a pallet that it sits on (rarely use it now that I do no till)
4. back blade, on 1bys; only implement that sits outside.
5. multi hitch needed to hitch the soil ripper/disc hiller to. Used to use it for my Gravely trailer before I sold it. For a trailer, I'd just leave a ball on the drawbar hitch.
6. Carryall, with pallet bolted to it and sides made onto the pallet, castors underneath. Back of the carryall has hinges to fold half down. Can also just pull the whole back (and sides) out of their standards.

For any other things, like post holing and poking holes in the lawn for aeration, I can rent these, as they're seldom used or used once and not done again for 5 or so years.

Ralph

[Semipro]

The use of casters sounds interesting. Can you post a photo or two or if you have already let me know and I'll search for them.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by RalphVa

I put all my implements on castors or on 1 bys to move them easily for taking off and putting on. Don't feel I need the quick attach things. I use the following on my 3ph:

1. bush hog, castors on a 2by underneath the front
2. chipper/shredder, castors on a small frame
3. soil ripper/disc hiller, castors on a pallet that it sits on (rarely use it now that I do no till)
4. back blade, on 1bys; only implement that sits outside.
5. multi hitch needed to hitch the soil ripper/disc hiller to. Used to use it for my Gravely trailer before I sold it. For a trailer, I'd just leave a ball on the drawbar hitch.
6. Carryall, with pallet bolted to it and sides made onto the pallet, castors underneath. Back of the carryall has hinges to fold half down. Can also just pull the whole back (and sides) out of their standards.

For any other things, like post holing and poking holes in the lawn for aeration, I can rent these, as they're seldom used or used once and not done again for 5 or so years.

Ralph

[zzvyb6]

I have quite a few 3 pt attachments so the top 5 would be (in order of frequency of use)

1. landscape rake for the driveway.
2. 7' rear finish mower for fields and pathways.
3. Hay rake (I first ran all my hay equipment with 22 hp).
4. Post hole digger for fence maintenance.
5. Box blade for the road (I just added a hydraulic top link ).

Others include:
rototiller for gardens and deep dig in the gravel driveway.
1/3 yard cement mixer.
trailer hitch.
boom pole for yanking things up in the air (like lawn mowers for blade maintenance.
pto generator (when you need remote power, or just house power after a storm).
work platform for carrying tools, shovels, saws, fuel out to the required areas.
air compressor for taking air out to where you need it.

I use a self powered chipper behind a golf car for bush wacking and limb disposal and a front blade for snow removal. My broke neck eliminates the rear snow blower. I wish I had a post driver, though. That's the next "Be on the lookout for" item. The concept of pounding a new or replacement fence post along side a broken one is just too fascinating for me to live without.

[RalphVa]

Guess I only have the one picture shown below. These castors weren't adequate. I've bigger metal ones now. Need about the heaviest duty ones you can get. Plastic just won't do.

Ralph

[Deadman]

You can buy these dollies, they are often sold for snowmobiles. I buy them for $30 for a set of 3 dollies. They are all steel, and have 4 3 inch wheels, and a strap to attach things if needed.

[RalphVa]

I bought mine at TSC or Lowes. For the ones underneath the bush hog, the original 3 some was great, because the wood has to be on castors that hold it flat. After buying single, larger metal ones, I had to stagger them to achieve a castor base that wouldn't fall over before sitting the bush hog down on it.

Ralph