DK40se HST w/FEL: Attachments for a new owner?

[Gooch79]

We just bought new house with 36 (mainly wooded) acres. In order to maintain the property we also bought a DK40se HST with a front-end loader. This is our first tractor and I have no clue as to what is quality in so far as attachments go. I need a finishing mower for a couple acres of grass and a blade for an 800' gravel driveway. These will both need to be immediate purchases. Eventually we would like to have an acre or so of garden area, but that will be as money allows for a tiller or bottom plow/ harrow.

I want quality, but do not need commercial grade stuff. I don't want to go cheap and break things either. I also do not have a money tree in the backyard! What does everyone recommend? Brands and models?

I also am in the market for a canopy and was checking out the Wells Ag ones...

Thanks for the help!

 

[tooln]

In Dec I purshased a DK45SE-HST. Since then I have purchased a tiller, brush cutter, box blade all 72" & all King Kutter. The quality of KK eq is right up there with the best of them IMO. Good luck.

 

[k0ua]

I would go talk to these guys. They are in NC. good people to deal with.

Tractor and Skid Steer Attachment Videos

 

[jeff9366]

I second K0UA's opinion above, ESPECIALLY as you live in North Carolina.

If you pick up in Newton, at the factory, ETA will give you a small freight credit.


For a one acre garden a roto-tiller is a better implement than buying a plow and a disc harrow.

 

[Msamt]

I bought the Kioti 72" rear finish mower last year for 4 Acres of mowing and am very pleased with its durability and cut, built like a brick sh** house.

 

[TJP89]

The rear blade is good. Get a good high quality one. It should weigh abt 500# and be rated medium duty at least. Expensive, but necessary. I made the mistake of buying a cheap blade from TSC, its already bent up and will need to be replaced after only 2 years of light use.

I would not get a finish mower. 40HP tractors are not meant for mowing the lawn. For about the same cost of a mower, you can get a used 0 turn, riding mower, maybe even an older tractor with deck. The tractor you're using to clear trails and snow, weighted for maximum traction is not what you want rutting up the lawn whenever you mow.

For the garden, tiller is fine, not a plow. That's down the road though, and again, a decent tiller will do the job.

One implement you didn't mention is a rotary cutter. If you have real long grass, brush, trails to mow/clear, anything that isn't short grass, you need one. DO NOT use the finish mower for this as you will kill it. Grade of these depends on use, which you haven't mentioned. But good used ones can be found for low $ sometimes, but good new ones are expensive.

Last thing that I consider a must have is a 3PT carry all. This a implement that is basically pallet forks for the 3PT. But put a plywood deck on it and it becomes all purpose. It is my most used implement and is on the tractor pretty much all the time. I use it to carry wood, tools, anything, and leaves the bucket free for use, or adds carrying capacity. I've put cement blocks on it as a counterweight. They are cheap too. Mine was $100 at TSC, well worth it, but you can get one used or make yourself if so inclined or equipped

I have a similar property and have a used 60" rotary cutter, 84" rear blade, and 3PT carry-all for the CK. For mowing I have a Farmall H with 72" belly mower and a little 42" riding mower. With those I can do everything I need to.

 

[carhartt56]

TJP89 has a point about the weight of the tractor for mowing grass . But having said that , I have a Dk40 ,R4 tires and a 72" finish mower and I would not change back to a dedicated mower . Yes I have to wait several days after a big rain to mow the grass . Some of my points are , 1 less piece of equipment to maintain ( tire's and such ) , I just keep tractor fueled so no need for keeping large amounts gas around , except for chainsaw and weed-eater . I mow about 5 acers and burn about 2.5 gallons of fuel . I think fuel consumption is pretty close to a dedicated mower . Not to mention that my tractor is a pretty comfortable ride.

 

[TJP89]

TJP89 has a point about the weight of the tractor for mowing grass . But having said that , I have a Dk40 ,R4 tires and a 72" finish mower and I would not change back to a dedicated mower . Yes I have to wait several days after a big rain to mow the grass . Some of my points are , 1 less piece of equipment to maintain ( tire's and such ) , I just keep tractor fueled so no need for keeping large amounts gas around , except for chainsaw and weed-eater . I mow about 5 acers and burn about 2.5 gallons of fuel . I think fuel consumption is pretty close to a dedicated mower . Not to mention that my tractor is a pretty comfortable ride.

You bring up some good points. A mower is another engine to maintain, and more fuel. I have Ag tires, so rougher on the lawn, don't know what the OP has. For me, I already had my other 2 tractors, so mowing was never more than a distant consideration in the buying process. I still think that the lawn mower and tractor should be separate. That said, the 3500# H with R1s doesn't tear the lawn up much if it's dry and I'm careful turning. And the Kioti is a MUCH more comfortable ride than any ZTRN or riding mower.

 

[Msamt]

You bring up some good points. A mower is another engine to maintain, and more fuel. I have Ag tires, so rougher on the lawn, don't know what the OP has. For me, I already had my other 2 tractors, so mowing was never more than a distant consideration in the buying process. I still think that the lawn mower and tractor should be separate. That said, the 3500# H with R1s doesn't tear the lawn up much if it's dry and I'm careful turning. And the Kioti is a MUCH more comfortable ride than any ZTRN or riding mower.

Mowing my 4 acre field is much nicer dragging an RFM from my tractor, and the cut is superior to what I could get from my lawn tractor or a Rotary cutter. At 1800$ new its still cheaper than a ZTR, and much more enjoyable to cut with. Then again, any reason for seat time is my ulterior motive :cool2:

 

[DK35vince]

I've been mowing my lawn for years with a DK 35 with loaded R-4 tires and an 84" rear discharge finish mower.
Its never been an issue with weight on my lawn, and it weighs nearly as much as a DK 40.
The bigger/wider tires on the DK 40 and the PSI ground pressure could actually be the same or lower with the 40.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I bought the Kioti 72" rear finish mower last year for 4 Acres of mowing and am very pleased with its durability and cut, built like a brick sh** house.

Maybe it changed, But in the past, the Kioti finish mower was an Italian-made SICMA, painted Kioti orange. The SICMA mower is marketed under many other brands (Phoenix, WAC, First Choice, Midwest, Unifarm, etc.), which is good for parts availability. I have a 72 inch Phoenix which I use mainly in my field. I used a rotary cutter (bush hog style) previously but it did not follow the ground contours as well and the result looked rough. Sometimes I cut parts of my yard with the Kioti (and that is FAST) but I still must use a riding mower (lawn tractor) in congested areas and areas with low hanging branches many BIG trees). Unless it is very dry, the Kioti R4 tires will leave cleat indentations.

 

[Msamt]

Maybe it changed, But in the past, the Kioti finish mower was an Italian-made SICMA, painted Kioti orange. The SICMA mower is marketed under many other brands (Phoenix, WAC, First Choice, Midwest, Unifarm, etc.), which is good for parts availability. I have a 72 inch Phoenix which I use mainly in my field. I used a rotary cutter (bush hog style) previously but it did not follow the ground contours as well and the result looked rough. Sometimes I cut parts of my yard with the Kioti (and that is FAST) but I still must use a riding mower (lawn tractor) in congested areas and areas with low hanging branches many BIG trees). Unless it is very dry, the Kioti R4 tires will leave cleat indentations.

I tried to find out who manufactured the finish mower I bought, but can't find any markings, I too had heard sicma. Agree on the divots, field needs to be dry, but when it is, the RFM makes it look like a golf course. Mama is definitely happy with the look of her "estate".

 

[ritcheyvs]

The "how to" videos linked in post #4 are pretty good and educational. I've viewed quite a few of them.

This one features the SICMA/Phoenix finish mower which is (or was) similar to the Kioti product.

 

[Msamt]

The "how to" videos linked in post #4 are pretty good and educational. I've viewed quite a few of them.

This one features the SICMA/Phoenix finish mower which is (or was) similar to the Kioti product.

Except for the sticker, that is just like mine, so its still the phoenix/sicma. Great piece of equipment.

 

[DK35vince]

I have been running the 84" First Choice version of that mower for years on a DK 35.

 

[DK35vince]

I have been running the 84" First Choice version of that mower for years on a DK 35.

This made me curious how long I have owned this mower, so looked it up.
Bought my First Choice GM35-84 new in 2005.
I'm guessing I have hundreds of hours on this mower.

 

[o2batsea]

I was able to find a Woods RM60 on CL for $100. Other than a small amount of surface rust, it is in great condition. I would say look around for a bargain and don't be afraid of something that works but is ugly.