In General Attachments - What to rent vs. buy and New vs Used?

[MossflowerWoods]

I'm buying a tractor, I just don't yet know which one...

I have ~42 acres of Timber to manage, I plan 5+ acres of horse pasture, I have 3 acres of yard, I have extensive fire road (horse/bike/hunting) trails, deer food plots, ponds, creeks, extensive gravel drive, hills, etc...

That said, I know I need a bush hog (looking for a 6'). I just got offeres a decent used PHD for $500 (is that good?). The dealer suggested I get pallet forks instead of a grapple for moving logs, posts, etc. (made sense to me).

So the gist of my question is WHAT attachments MUST I buy, and what can I just rent when needed? A sub question is, when buying, what MUST be NEW vs. used?

Thanks in advance, all o y'all TBN folk have been giving me an AMAZING edjamacshun to this newbie farmer wannabe...:thumbsup:

 

[MESSMAKER]

Don't have that many options for rental around here. I would buy a rotay cutter,grader or box blade and forks. I would buy these new, unless you can find used in very good shape. Nothing wrong with used. Just don't buy another mans problems. I would rent a post hole digger( they are dangerous,hard to hook up and a bit hard to store) or hire it done. It seems to be one of those tools you use a lot, then it sits forever. If you are not in a hurry, you can buy a trailer load of attachments for $2,000-3,000. You may have to buy something you don't need but you can always sell it or scrap it.

 

[Bigfoot62]

CountyLine Post Hole Digger - 2100220 | Tractor Supply Company

Rules of thumb:

1. Only buy used equipment that is (A) in "like new" condition, and (B) cheaper than buying new. (don't think your $500 PHD would qualify - see link above)

2. If you really need a piece of equipment, and that would require renting it often, then it's probably time to buy.

I've never had a grapple or pallet forks. For occasional use, these are very handy: Wingfield Loader Bucket Forks - These high quality loader bucket forks are an excellent attachment for any bucket. Unlike most forks that attach with a set screw that puts all the weight on the bottom of the bucket, we use a high-test chain that wrap
I've had a pair, similar to these, for about 30 years. Really good for picking up limbs. Small pieces go in the bucket, and you can stack bigger stuff on the forks.

JMHO

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Logging winch would be on my list. I have one and they work great.

 

[RoyJackson]

It really depends on how much and how often you'd use an implement and return on investment (ROI) if you bought one.

For example, let's consider a chipper. With 42 acres of wooded land, you could probably use one. Unless your tractor produces a lot of PTO HP, you might be better off buying a self powered unit. If your typical chipping consists of smaller branches (5" on less), then a PTO driven chipper might be a better choice.
A new PTO driven chipper with a 5" or 6" capacity would set you back $3000-$6000 depending on brand (unless you buy chinese junk). Rental of a self powered chipper (I've never seen a PTO chipper for rent) will cost you $200-$250 a day around here. Now, if you plan your work and have the wood piled close at hand, you can do a lot of chipping in a day.
If you use a chipper 3 times a year, that's $750. Your ROI would be 6-7 years.
That's really simplifying things though.
In my case, I found a nice used Woods 5000 for $1000. Since I do clean up chipping 2-3 times a year, it was a worthwhile purchase. I couldn't justify one for $3000-$5000.

As far as a rotary cutter...these are too cheap to consider renting (plus the hassles of loading and transporting a rather awkward piece of equipment). I bought mine new (60" unit) 10 years ago for just over $1000.

For other implements (Rear Finishing Mower, rear blade, box blade), if you need one, buy 'em used. Good stuff around if you look on Craigslist.

BTW, with the acreage you have, you'll probably want at least 40 PTO HP. Maybe you should consider that purchase first, then see what your budget is like after that.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

If you are not in a hurry, you can buy a trailer load of attachments for $2,000-3,000. You may have to buy something you don't need but you can always sell it or scrap it.

Messmaker,

Tell me more? I can just buy a random trailer full of used attachments? Really?Where?

Thanks,
David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

JMHO

BLESS YOU BIGFOOT62!

You so rock. That is VERY VALUABLE info!

David

 

[sweep]

I'm buying a tractor, I just don't yet know which one...

I have ~42 acres of Timber to manage, I plan 5+ acres of horse pasture, I have 3 acres of yard, I have extensive fire road (horse/bike/hunting) trails, deer food plots, ponds, creeks, extensive gravel drive, hills, etc...

That said, I know I need a bush hog (looking for a 6'). I just got offeres a decent used PHD for $500 (is that good?). The dealer suggested I get pallet forks instead of a grapple for moving logs, posts, etc. (made sense to me).

So the gist of my question is WHAT attachments MUST I buy, and what can I just rent when needed? A sub question is, when buying, what MUST be NEW vs. used?

Thanks in advance, all o y'all TBN folk have been giving me an AMAZING edjamacshun to this newbie farmer wannabe...:thumbsup:

We had a professional fence company come in and pound in treated fence post-it was very inexpensive and they are straight as an arrow and plumb. Fenced in about 5 acres. Pounded in post are better in my opinion. Stronger-many of the post my neighbors put in fence with post hole diggers are now leaning. Sometimes it's better just to pay someone to do some work.

After the fence company put in the post my wife and I put up 3 rows of Ramm flex rail over about 3 weeks time period-it was very easy. Every night we would work on it for a couple hours.

As for equipment buy it as you need it. Don't buy a bunch of stuff you may never use. Someone mentioned a $$$ chipper. You have 42 acres of mostly woods. 4-5 piles of branches and a match and some old paper and a few hours of your time is about as cheap as you can get. Or you can leave the branches where they fall in the woods just like nature does and it creates an eco system.

As other said buy a new brush hog and blade and rent or borrow the other stuff.

 

[cowski]

depends on the brand of phd $500 would be cheap for some.do not like renting .if you destroy a piece of equipment you will have to replace it.it can happen very easily.i hope you decided to get at least a 50 pto horse tractor.

 

[bigbull338]

from what i see you need 3 peices of equipment,that if it was me id buy new.1 is a 6ft bushhogg brand shredder.2 is a bushhog brand PH digger with a 9in an 12in auger with bearclaws.3 a boxblade to maintain your roads.4 if your going to plant a garden a 3pt bushhogg tiller.

 

[dmay]

Sometimes it is better to hire then rent or buy. I find the cost to hire someone with the right equipment, knowledge and experience is often a better choice then renting. Often the cost is not much more then the total costs involved in renting the same equipment. Drive to the rental shop. Pick up the equipment. You only need it for one hour but have to pay for a full days rental. Drive home. Use the equipment for one hour. Clean the equipment. Drive back. In this case it might be better to hire someone for one hour to get the job done for you.

As for buying new vs used. I tend to look for used first. If I find a great deal I buy used. If not I buy new.

 

[dmay]

I'm buying a tractor, I just don't yet know which one...

I have ~42 acres of Timber to manage, I plan 5+ acres of horse pasture, I have 3 acres of yard, I have extensive fire road (horse/bike/hunting) trails, deer food plots, ponds, creeks, extensive gravel drive, hills, etc...

That said, I know I need a bush hog (looking for a 6'). I just got offeres a decent used PHD for $500 (is that good?). The dealer suggested I get pallet forks instead of a grapple for moving logs, posts, etc. (made sense to me).

So the gist of my question is WHAT attachments MUST I buy, and what can I just rent when needed? A sub question is, when buying, what MUST be NEW vs. used?

Thanks in advance, all o y'all TBN folk have been giving me an AMAZING edjamacshun to this newbie farmer wannabe...:thumbsup:

You really should figure out which tractor (or at least size of tractor) you are going to buy first before you start buying attachments.

 

[nybirdman]

If you buy any PTO driven implements used:service the slip clutch if it has one or replace any shear pins....make sure you buy "shears" and not graded bolts.
My order of most used(snow-belt area)
1.Bush-Hog
2.Rear finish blade(snow mostly)
3.Front snow plow
4.box-blade(great for roads)
5.roto-tiller(food plots and garden)
6.two bottom plows
7.cultivator
Wouldn't own a post hole digger..look like a accident waiting to happen.
I also have a tooth-bar on the bucket and a Green's Machine thumb,great for brush piles or logs.Tooth-bar makes for much easier digging.
All of these used on a L4240 Kubota.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Roy Jackson, cowski, Dmay,

I am looking at 50hp (~40hp PTO) tractors right now.

I have another thread about being a newbie and what tractor to buy. It is a popular one lately and I'm learning bucketfulls hourly...

I think I am close to buyiung the tractor, I wanted to start a thread about what attachments I should get right away, etc.

Thank You!
David

 

[sweep]

Sometimes it is better to hire then rent or buy. I find the cost to hire someone with the right equipment, knowledge and experience is often a better choice then renting. .

That is what we found out when putting in our fence. We priced out renting a post hole digger and buying the post and having them delieverd when the guy we hired who put in the post supplied his own for not that much more money and his were instaled perfectly. As you said some things are not just worth your time and money to do yourself.

 

[teg]

For me (used price first / about new price est.)

1. Tooth-bar 100/350
2. WR Long Grapple 350/1200??
3. LandPride 5' Shredder 260/1100+?
4. 6' Rear Blade 30/450?
5. Chipper / shredder 1500/3500
6. 6' Box-Blade 260/700??
7. 5' KKII Roto-Tiller 900/1800?
8. Carry All 0*/150
9. Bush-Hog Finish Mower 750/1800?
10. PHD 200/450

* home built

So save some tractor money for implements!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

For me (used price first / about new price est.)

1. Tooth-bar 100/350
2. WR Long Grapple 350/1200??
3. LandPride 5' Shredder 260/1100+?
4. 6' Rear Blade 30/450?
5. Chipper / shredder 1500/3500
6. 6' Box-Blade 260/700??
7. 5' KKII Roto-Tiller 900/1800?
8. Carry All 0*/150
9. Bush-Hog Finish Mower 750/1800?
10. PHD 200/450

* home built

So save some tractor money for implements!!!

I'm guessing you own all new implements if those are your price cutoffs for used. With the exception of the chipper and tiller, I've not seen prices of good brand good condition implements for even double your cutoff figures.

Grapples and toothbars are rare on CL at least in sizes that work with CUTs. Never seen any grapple on CL for less than $1200 or so (skidsteer size). I see good condition known manufacturer box blades, bush hogs, finish mowers and landscape rakes sell for 50-60% of new regularly in my part of the country. Maybe in the off season you'd do better.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Buying used has netted me some outstanding bargains over the years. But there's a catch.... You have to wait for the opportunity to buy a nice piece at a nice price. It's not as simple as just deciding what you want and spending a day finding it. And you have to be somewhat flexible regarding brands, models, options, ect.

If you want "Brand A", "model XX", with purple paint and mauve decals, you might want to skip the used search and go look at new.....OR....Be willing to wait until "A", "XX" purple and mauve shows up on Craigslist/ect.

I made a living buying used equipment, some with issues, repairing what needed fixing, using what suited my needs, and selling the rest at a fair profit. For that you'll need a working knowledge of equipment, and a bit of mechanical aptitude.

And....I've found some FANTASTIC buys on "gentley used" equipment here lately. The economy being in the toilet has a lot of almost new stuff hitting the market.

New is a last resort from my point of view....Not many BIG bargains there, just the occasional "below sticker price" kinda deals...

And the best part about buying good used equipment....THE THRILL OF THE HUNT!

 

[foggy1111]

I like bargain implements as much as the next guy. I've found a few good used ones including a like-new Box Blade, Landscape Rake, Cultipacker, Lime Spreader, Post Hole Digger, Tandem trailer. I like stuff that is dependable and works correctly. No junk for me.

Seems hard to find late-model PTO driven stuff that is the right size and that I want to buy....and has a fair price. My needs are infrequent use......so I've found many of the good quality, but light-duty implements serve me fine: RC, Tiller, 3 Point Spreader. And....I've always gotten a discount or bought out of season, etc.

As posted by FWJ....sometimes you just want the right piece and must pay a fair price to get it. I wanted the right disc, the right grapple, and the right stump grinder. Still I think I got good values on these implements.....and I may sell or trade em if I no longer need em (stump grinder at some point) or they no longer meet my needs. I doubt I will lose much money given my use outta them. Some will be with me a looong time.

A tractor without implements can do very little. It's nice having the right tools for the job. :thumbsup:

OH....I have mixed feelings on rented stuff. I got some good service out of a rented stump grinder.....but then I had a few break-downs and they gave me machines with dull teeth....yadda yadda. I like knowing what I got. Still.....renting a low-use machine is the ticket many times. I plan to rent a track-hoe for some digging instead of investing in a back-hoe (for example).

 

[dstig1]

The dealer suggested I get pallet forks instead of a grapple for moving logs, posts, etc. (made sense to me).

When I picked up my tractor (used - long story) the dealer I was working with told me the same thing - forks work great for hauling brush and logs. So I bought forks when I got the tractor. I have the QA on the loader, so that worked well. He was smart enough to make sure I didn't get forks that were too heavy for a CUT.

However, the reality is much different. You cannot scoop up brush with forks. Everything ends up falling off one side or the other. What I ended up having to do was to attempt to scoop, get almost nothing, then drop the forks down and get off and load them up by hand. It worked, but is painfully slow. This was last spring (2010). By last fall I had got a grapple and added a diverter to run it myself. NIGHT AND DAY. There is NOTHING better than a grapple for dealing with brush, logs, firewood, etc - basically anything in the woods. All summer I was swapping between bucket and forks all the time - forks for brush or some logs (they tend to fall off real easy too), bucket for hauling blocks of wood (I was clearing land). When I got the grapple, I almost never took it off unless I needed the bucket for scooping dirt or something.

I am also fortunate enough to have an old skidding winch that a friend has loaned to me. The combination of grapple and winch is a land clearin' firewoodin' monster. The only negative is that the winch really isn't heavy enough to provide enough counterweight for the grapple, and it is easy to lift too much log with the grapple and get unbalanced up front.

I don't regret the forks as I would have gotten them someday in any case, but I sure wish I had got a grapple up front.

For what it sounds like you will be doing, I think the same combo would help you a ton. Grapple and skidding winch. I would get the grapple first, if you can't swing both.