Most useful implements?

[rangerfredbob]

With a small weak loader on my tractor the bucket is handy, but it's cheesy and smily (bent bottom, haven't gotten to fixing that) and if I had to guess it holds about a wheelbarrows worth of gravel at around 40" wide and doesn't lean back very far (bad geometry and level lift linkages with loose holes) so I do use it a lot, but it's not heavy duty enough and the valves leak so it doesn't hold so it is limiting. My 3 point on the other hand holds and can lift 2000lb... I frequent auctions and before the covids you could get cheap attachments here and there so I have an assortment... I have a dirt scoop, box blade, pallet forks, 5' brush hog, 5' finish mower, 6' disc (needs attention before I use it), sickle bar mower (needs work still), spring tooth harrow (drag), chain harrow, 5 tooth ripper (too much for my tractor, but I can get a few inches down without issue) and probably more I'm forgetting. My most used are the brush hog and lately the loader but I've had around 60 yards of gravel delivered in the last few months... the box scraper is handy at times but I'm limited by traction for that guy, same with the ripper. In a couple years I hope to disc my whole place and flatten things out more with harrows and probably with gauge wheels added to the scraper.

I also happened upon a better loader for like $150 at an auction so at some point I'll make that fit once I get my shop done, it doesn't have level lift so the bucket travel should be better, and it's tractor width and has a flat blade! That'll be a serious fabrication project making a proper loader frame that ties the loader to the whole tractor instead of just to the transmission to front end, it'll be nice being solid instead of the mess of a loader that came with the tractor...

 

[CoyPatton]

I have a lot of trees to keep up with, I am begining to become pretty particular about my sod, I will eventually have a little grading to do here and there, I have some irrigation to install and keep up with, and I move a lot of heavy items around by myself. I make creative use of trailer, dollies, hand trucks, truck bed, etc. I also have several projects where I will need to set fence posts. I would suspect for the next 5 years or so I'll be leveling and top dressing the lawn with a sand/OM blend.

That's just a back story on the types of things I'll be doing. No farm, cows to give hay, etc.

I'm just curious what 3 PH implements you all find the most useful. Even my particular needs aside.

I plan to get a box scraper, landscaping rake, subsoiler (to pull pipe with), forks, dirt scoop, and a boom pole eventually. Keeping my eye out for things used until I have a real NEED for a particular piece. At which point I would maybe buy new.

I will need to rent a sod cutter occasionally. I wonder if there is a 3ph sod cutter attachment? I haven't found any.

I also may rent a post hole digger. I have a 2 stroke gas one but tractor driven would be easy!

What have you guys found REALLY useful? Especially something you might not think about.[/QUOTE]

I believe your proposed list of implements pretty much will cover what you plan to do.
Build a carry all box to go on your pallet forks, with some planning and designing, you can have removal sides.
Also get some type of trailer mover to use with an existing trailer. Load longer tree waste onto the trailer and haul to the street—saves your yard from drag marks.
Subsoilers typically do not leave an open trench if you plan to run ridge pipes use a middle buster (potato plow), if doing direct burial wiring or flexible pipe the subsoiler should work with a larger diameter conduit 90 strapped to it.
BoxBlades do great at moving material from one area to another and filling in low spots along the way. If planning to smoothly level large areas, consider a land plane.
A dirt scoop is a great item when you do not have an FEL! Get one that can be mounted both forward and reversed. Pulling forward with practice you can dig out material quite well. Mounted reverse direction, you can back into piles of material and move it to other areas.
FEL’s are great and I love mine, but to find a used one for an existing machine is a slow process. You must find one that size matches the size of your machine, then you must design mounts for it to fit on your tractor, not to mention dealing with hydraulic supply. And they can damage the front axle in many tractors. And adding a new one to an existing tractor is often price prohibitive.

 

[oosik]

Sounds like you have a fairly extensive knowledge of the projects you want to tackle. Perhaps add a rear blade. For leveling smoothing - I have a land plane grading scraper( LPGS ). However - I use my home made "drag" just as frequently. I'll attach a pic of this drag. FWIW - the drag cost basically zip. The LPGS cost $1800.

Now that you seem to be fairly well set - I would suggest. Don't just go out and buy on a whim. Let the project develop and gain maturity. In most cases - after you have had time to really dwell on a new project - any needed new implement will become obvious.

View attachment 678058 This drag is attached to either my ATV or tractor with a rope yoke. Normally - I will have 400 to 600 extra pounds piled on top of the drag if pulled with the tractor.

 

[Fuddy1952]

My Deere dealer I went to HS with the owner who said most people buy an attachment for a project, use it once then it sits.
So you really have to think before buying some attachments.

 

[/pine]

IMO "most useful" means whatever saves the most manual labor or exertion...without a loader the the 3ph is your only option (other than something that could run off a front PTO like a snow blower or MMM etc...)

I would look for a set of 3ph pallet forks that allow for width adjustment...then I would add some rear hydraulics and fashion a (removable) thumb grapple to work with the forks...I suggest a minimum of three rear hydraulic remotes to allow for top and tilt links and the third for said thumb grapple...

Adding rear hydraulic would make the most of the 3ph in lieu of a loader...

 

[workinonit]

Frontier 2120 20' finishing mower. Now that I have it don't know how I did without it.

 

[Creamer]

Frontier 2120 20' finishing mower. Now that I have it don't know how I did without it.

You must be mowing some serious acreage to need a 20' mower.

 

[workinonit]

5 acres. It was taking me 2 hours to cut with an old 8' mower. I can cut it in 45 minutes now.

 

[shooterdon]

You do not "NEED" a FEL for a one acre lot. At least based on your list of jobs. Nice to have but not $4000 nice IMHO. The rear scoop will cost about $500 and be slower but get the job done. I have 20 acres and the FEL is one of my least used attachments.

I would add a hydraulic top link just for the ease of operation and convenience if the install is within your skill set. But it is not necessary. You will know after using your tractor a few months.

I used the cheap ($150) TSC carry all to move pallets with my old JB 855 until I got a tractor and SSQA for front forks. The carry all is a bargain and I still have it.

For some projects, buying an implement is not a wise investment. This can be especially true if you have limited space to store crap. Renting or having a contractor do the work is more cost effective in my experience.

Depending on the tires, your tractor may not be ideal for cutting grass if you are particular about your lawn. A decent rider like the Husqvarna ($2000) will cut an acre in less than an hour and a residential zero turn ($3000) will do it in 30 minutes. When I was younger I cut that much with a self-propelled mower but I could not afford anything else. A good chore for kids if you have them and gets them off the **** smart phones/computers...LOL

Weigh advice from guys who own a lot more acreage vs your needs and budget.

 

[/pine]

IMO...unless you are talking about actual farming (plowing, seeding, cultivating etc...) or mowing, haying etc...the amount of acreage one has...has nothing to do with what constitutes what is USEFUL...especially when it comes to having a loader...
...even if you only have a 1/2 acre lot with a small kitchen garden...if you use a wheelbarrow...a loader can be a godsend...
I see 3ph dirt scoops on CL all the time for $200 or less...

 

[RjCorazza]

IMO...unless you are talking about actual farming (plowing, seeding, cultivating etc...) or mowing, haying etc...the amount of acreage one has...has nothing to do with what constitutes what is USEFUL...especially when it comes to having a loader...
...even if you only have a 1/2 acre lot with a small kitchen garden...if you use a wheelbarrow...a loader can be a godsend...
I see 3ph dirt scoops on CL all the time for $200 or less...

I got a lot of use out of my 3 point scoop behind a Kubota B8200 2wd! I suspect the reason scoops come up on CL all the time is because guys like me upgrade to a FEL, and never look back.
I know the op is specifically asking about 3 point implements, but it's hard not to recommend a loader.

Given the price of a 3pt scoop, I would certainly consider one if a loader is not under consideration. The boom pole mentioned was the one implement I practically never used with my B8200. They turn small tractors into teeter-totters real quick.

The implements I used frequently with my B8200 were:
RFM 6'
Rear blade (snow)
Rake (gravel drive)
Small box blade (leveling field)
Post hole auger (installed fence 20 years ago, due again)

 

[/pine]

I got a lot of use out of my 3 point scoop behind a Kubota B8200 2wd! I suspect the reason scoops come up on CL all the time is because guys like me upgrade to a FEL, and never look back.
I know the op is specifically asking about 3 point implements, but it's hard not to recommend a loader.

Given the price of a 3pt scoop, I would certainly consider one if a loader is not under consideration. The boom pole mentioned was the one implement I practically never used with my B8200. They turn small tractors into teeter-totters real quick.

The implements I used frequently with my B8200 were:
RFM 6'
Rear blade (snow)
Rake (gravel drive)
Small box blade (leveling field)
Post hole auger (installed fence 20 years ago, due again)

Even though I do have a loader with a thumb grapple I do still use my boom pole a lot...I put a hitch ball on it and pull my trailer using it...can drop the trailer and can use the boom pole or the loader to load the trailer...I fill the bucket with gravel for front b_allast when lifting heavier loads with the boom pole... also use the boom pole for skidding logs with some chain holds welded down close the the hitch...one of the biggest advantages of using the boom pole over the loader for lifting loads is working without a spotter (ground man) I can actually see what I'm doing...working in the blind with the loader sucks...

Log tongs on the boom pole work like a champ and no fussing with chains etc...

 

[CoyPatton]

Even though I do have a loader with a thumb grapple I do still use my boom pole a lot...I put a hitch ball on it and pull my trailer using it...can drop the trailer and can use the boom pole or the loader to load the trailer...I fill the bucket with gravel for front b_allast when lifting heavier loads with the boom pole... also use the boom pole for skidding logs with some chain holds welded down close the the hitch...one of the biggest advantages of using the boom pole over the loader for lifting loads is working without a spotter (ground man) I can actually see what I'm doing...working in the blind with the loader sucks...

Log tongs on the boom pole work like a champ and no fussing with chains etc...

Boom poles are great items, however, common sense related to tractors mandates front counter balance weight. Rear ballast is a frequent topic with FEL’s. But front ballast is critical when no FEL is present with many implements.

 

[i7win7]

Somtimes it has to be built to meet your needs - new channel, interesting mods
OUTPOST REVIEW S2 EP4 | KUBOTA 391 | MODIFICATIONS & EXPLANATION - YouTube

 

[mwemaxxowner]

IMO "most useful" means whatever saves the most manual labor or exertion...

Absolutely! And I wouldn't necessarily be the same for everybody, hence this thread. I'm wondering what has wound up being really useful to you guys individually, even if it doesn't apply to me. I still might glean some ideas!

I have used a box scrape, but not a grader blade. I've been imagining if I had the box scrape I might be able to do most everything with it, and not get a blade. You guys agree? I think most of what I've mentioned I would probably find use for for years to come.

I also agree wholeheartedly to search out implements as I find that I have a need for them.

As to a FEL, unless I stumble upon a deal on a used one that works with this tractor (except I have no idea how to figure out if it would) I think I'd be better suited to financing a new small tractor with a FEL vs buying a new FEL just for this tractor.

I could see myself in a few years doing that. I've looked at the Kubota BX series and I think even the 16 hp would do fine for me. Looks like 200 bucks a month or less would get me a tractor. Maybe when I pay my truck off in a few years.

I do think adding hydraulics would be worthwhile. Since I started kicking around the idea of adding a FEL, or at least learning what it would require, I've been reading a little here and there about adding remote hookups in the rear as well as how to power a FEL.

I think most of the things I'm thinking about having would be relatively cheap. Especially used. For example, the subsoiler or middle buster. I might not use them often but they don't take up much space, and they wouldn't cost a great deal. I could buy them cheaper than renting some other machinery for a day or two.

For trimming the trees and when I need to remove one, I have a 6x10 tilting trailer with sides that's really nice to use. I'll definitely want a 3ph trailer ball for it. I also wonder if it will move my camper ~ 800 lbs of tongue weight. Probably less not packed up to camp. It's awfully tight backing it in where I park it with my truck.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Have any of you seen/used one of these? When I search for 3ph scissor lifts I don't find much. Can't find many videos of it in use either.

3PT Scissor Lift

As far as front ballast, I do have suitcase weights on the front. For whatever that's worth. I would consider having the tires filled with antifreeze if I ever started seeing a need.

My dad used to mow 3 acres with it and a Woods finish mower, but I have a zero turn and no desire to mow it with the tractor. However if I had a lot of open land that would be at the top of the list!

I've never used a boom pole. I'm picturing it being nice occasionally helping load or unload certain items into the truck. Maybe not? Use a test lift first, obviously, to see if the front end stays planted.

I love the idea of a grapple on the rear for forks. I could see that being very useful when I have to do a lot of trimming. Is that anything that's available already built?

I'm not much of a fabricator, I can weld a little, but my dad has a nice welder and is a decent fabricator.

 

[pmsmechanic]

On the scissor lift. From what I understand off of the website is that it goes in between the tractor and say a set of pallet forks. What it does is use mechanical advantage to double more or less the lift in height that your three point hitch is capable of with out the scissor lift in between. The weight capacity would probably be reduced.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Yes, that's how it works. I understand that. Lol

Any of you used one? Does it work well, or is it gimmicky?

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I've decided to start a small garden. I borrowed a tiller from my uncle, and HOLY COW that is an awesome attachment! Might have to pick one up some day! Unfortunately they're expensive . My plan was to just tear it up with a middle buster and use my walk behind cultivator to till and mix it up, but this made quick work of it from start to finish, did a much better job, and was EASY!

 

[MossyDell]

I did not buy a loader with my JD970 and then also balked at spending $4,000 to put one on. I was doing a lot of farming at the time and could have used a loader. But I got by okay with rear implements.

My indispensable implement was a nice box blade. 5' Bush Hog brand, 500 lbs. I never saw the need for a rear blade with it. Great on dirt and vital for our long gravel driveway and wide gravel farmyard. Could have used a blade for snow removal, but I used the box blade as a snow pusher. It worked great, though it was all reverse work.

A boom pole, which was very cheap, was surprisingly useful for lifting and carrying. And rear forks for moving round bales, complete with a small spear, were great for moving other stuff. Throw a piece of plywood on or build a proper carryall.