New Owner - 3038E with 305 Loader

[TGF]

I am a relatively new owner. I had planed to wait till this spring to purchase my tractor but the hard winter forced me to get it earlier so I could clear the drive with the front loader. I am loving having a tractor, I would venture to say it is the best investment of my life. I am looking at dragging some fallen trees out of my woods to cut up and sell for firewood and having not owned a tractor before I am unsure of how to do it and what potential risk of damage there is to the tractor.

(Really what it comes down to is I don't know the limitations of the tractor)

Also I have seen several people with hooks on their loader buckets, is there a way to add those without welding them on? I wouldn't mind having a way to move heavy stuff like propane tanks around with chains or what have you.

This is a great site, I have learned quite a bit while lurking.

 

[RoyJackson]

There are bolt on hooks available. I'm pretty sure Tractor Supply has them...McMaster-Carr probably does too.
Use grade 8 bolts to attach them. Grade 8's are about as strong a bolt as you can buy. Definitely use as large a diameter flat washer (to distribute the load) and lock washers (to "lock" the nuts).
However, these won't be as strong as a welded on hook (assuming the welder does a good job).
I have three hooks on my bucket (all welded on). One in the center for light work, one at each end of the bucket for heavier work.

As far as dragging trees, I use a chain rigged to the draw bar and tow it out. This will result in a rut during summer months (when the ground is soft). I don't have to drag anything bigger then 8" or so in diameter.
There are 3 point hitch "grabbers" some folks use to tow trees. "Grabber" isn't the correct name (which alludes me right now). That may be a better way to go if you're going to move a lot of trees.

Just take you time until you know your tractor. Keep reading TBN and learn from the wealth of experience from this fine forum. As a new tractor owner, I suggest you pay particular attention to the safety forum.

Good luck and stay safe!

 

[jenkinsph]

TGF, Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new tractor


I would take my time learning the ropes of the new tractor. Using a tractor in the woods is the fastest way I know of making it used.

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN TGF

Where are you located? If'n your close I'll weld on some hooks fer ya':thumbsup:

 

[TGF]

Welcome to TBN TGF

Where are you located? If'n your close I'll weld on some hooks fer ya':thumbsup:

Thanks for the offer, but I think you are a bit far away, I am in Blair, NE. I am able to get to most of the trees with my truck and a big logging chain so I am going to give that a shot first and use the tractor a bit lighter work. I ordered a post hole digger with the biggest auger that would fit, 36 inches I think. I am going to use it to plant my trees, this winter I am going to hang a snowblower on the three point in the hopes it will cut my clear time, as I was doing the whole drive with the loader before.

Thanks for the advice, I will keep lurking the amount of info here is like drinking from a fire hose.

 

[jeffster]

I agree with jenkinsph, just go slow and be cautious in the woods. I use my 3520 in the woods and it takes me forever to get things done compared to when I have our dozer here on my place. Normally, I have a 100 foot 3-choker line on a winch on the dozer, so pulling trees is a snap, however we float the dozer between my place and my grandparents and of course it is always up there when I need it. Only way to get it here is on a truck (3 miles), so usually I end up using the 3520 instead. I will tell you what, I can pull some trees with the tractor but of course I have to get in much closer without a winch, which often means driving over uneven ground laden with bucked limbs, which can be a VERY scary experience in a tractor. I noticed I dented up the metal screen on the front of the hood over the weekend while making a burn pile of limbs (large fir limbs I bucked earlier in the day). Fortunately, I was able to rubber mallet it back so you can't even notice. Still though, it is always something, so just go slow and be careful.

BTW, I have a loose choker line I use or I have even pulled some trees with a heavy duty tow strap. In either case, I attach it to my box blade and away I go. I also usually have something heavy in the bucket to add even more ballast and leave the bucket as low to the ground as I can, same for the box blade.

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for the offer, but I think you are a bit far away, I am in Blair, NE. I am able to get to most of the trees with my truck and a big logging chain so I am going to give that a shot first and use the tractor a bit lighter work. I ordered a post hole digger with the biggest auger that would fit, 36 inches I think. I am going to use it to plant my trees, this winter I am going to hang a snowblower on the three point in the hopes it will cut my clear time, as I was doing the whole drive with the loader before.

You may not realize it yet, but I don't think the 3038 has off-seat PTO capability (read your manual about PTO operation: Operator off seat).

You might need a couple bags of sand on that seat when you run your post hole digger.

 

[kennyd]

You may not realize it yet, but I don't think the 3038 has off-seat PTO capability (read your manual about PTO operation: Operator off seat).

You might need a couple bags of sand on that seat when you run your post hole digger.

Why would you need (or even want to be) off the seat to run a PHD?

 

[foggy1111]

Agreed about staying on the seat when operating the post hole digger...thats where you belong.

Also, while I would want one of those big augers to plant trees too (nice)......be careful when using it that you don't screw it in the ground. Then you gotta dig it out. That is one BIG auger for your tractor....and you don't have any reverse on the PTO. You have been warned.

When operating that auger....just take little bites at a time....then clean it off by lifting it up to sling the dirt off the flighting. (At least that is my memory from many years ago with a big auger.) You prolly need to dig away the sod before you start too.

 

[RoyJackson]

Why would you need (or even want to be) off the seat to run a PHD?

Good Point!!!! For some reason or another, I was thinking of a chipper. Must have been a senior moment...or maybe my hat was too tight!