Most useful implements?

[mwemaxxowner]

As soon as the local kubota dealership calls me back, I'm going to sit down and probably purchase myself a loader...that happens to have a tractor attached to it and a trailer underneath it .

They are one of the few local Hudson Brother's dealers, which is a local trailer manufacturer that builds great trailers. I borrowed a few times lately and got fed up, so I started looking at their trailers. Which sent me down a rabbit hole once I saw the 0% offer . We'll see how it turns out!

 

[jjp8182]

When it comes to augers/post-hole diggers a hydraulically driven one (whether FEL or 3pt mounted) has one major advantage over a PTO-driven one in that it that they can be run in *reverse* -- it may not seem like much until you're having to get a 12"+ auger unstuck from an underground obstacle.

I would also echo the 3pt pallet forks and carry-all (which are still on my wishlist even with a FEL and FEL mounted pallet forks) -- or even a Big Tool Rack which IMO is very nice commercially made carry-all that is priced for high demand the advertising has created (not speaking bad about them as they do look to be very nice implements, but just have to shake my head at the prices at which they are selling).

Personally what I use the most is my 3pt finish mower ... which I've actually found to be preferable to zero-turn or mid-mount mower setups. That and the hydraulic top-link which makes using just about every other 3pt implement easier and/or more productive. Which even includes making the mower more effective as it allows me to lift and carry the mower over puddles permitting me to mow the grass/weeds without running the blades into the water (have a few wet/low spots that may not fully dry out until the rain slows/stops for a few weeks in mid-to-late summer).

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I will definitely have a set of pallet forks, and will build a carry all of sorts that I can put on them or take off (maybe built on a pallet). I've seen "the thumb" mentioned on here lately. I think it might make a great modification to a set of 3ph pallet forks, and or a FEL. If I buy a tractor I'll get the rear remote valves and third function valve up front and be done with it, ready to expand capabilities if and when.

I believe I've decided not to consider an earth auger, even if I found a good used deal. I have some other fencing planned, and I do occasionally need to set a post for trellis wires over my garden or something, but eventually I'll have all the fencing run around my property that I could ever want and then that implement would be almost useless. I already have a 2 stroke auger that works well, and I'm in sand that's easy to dig and/or run a 2 stroke auger in.

My dad has 3 acres and I used his 6' woods finish mower there from the time I was about 10 until 18. It worked well for wide open space, but I have 0.8 acres to mow with a lot to mow around. I just don't see it being preferable to the zero turn that I already have, and is already paid for .

After tilling my garden, I see great value in a tiller. Even for doing some light grading work around my property. I think I could hit it with the tiller then finish off by hand in a jiffy, or smooth it with a bucket if I wind up with a front end loader.

My daughter, wife, and I planted all of our fruits and vegetables yesterday in the new garden. We enjoyed getting out there and working in the dirt, and my daughter (6 years old) is absolutely stoked about watching the plants grow and can't wait to "eat her basil" . She will literally pick basil straight from the plant and munch on it .

I tend to meander through my thoughts, but I said that to say that I think we'll continue gardening in some capacity, so I think a tiller would be worthwhile. Even though they aren't cheap. The current measurements are about 30x 18. We may even need to add room for one more row this year.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Well, this has evolved a little bit, since deciding to buy a BX1880 with FEL. I have a set of pallet forks on order.

I want a piranha tooth bar on my bucket for sure. I may get a ratchet rake. I keep reading repeatedly that, for light grading, I will probably be able to do with a RR and FEL what I could do with a box blade. Thoughts on that? I can get an LMC box blade for about $550 locally so it's not a hug amount of money spent, but at the same time it's not pocket change. I've used a box blade but not much, and I don't know if I'll ever use it enough to get "good" at it.

I also think this may mean I won't find myself needing a landscape rake too badly. I'll get a carry all for the rear so I have the option to carry things on pallets front or rear. I'll need ballast on the back, so if I can't do that with the carry all I'll probably need/want the BB anyway. I'm not super interested in buying a ballast box.

I do think I'll want a tiller, and a subsoiler/middle buster.

 

[jjp8182]

While I haven't used ratchet rakes, I think that it'll depend on the nature of the "light grading" being done. While digging/breaking soil can be done with a FEL, they really aren't optimized for it but really do better with handling already loose bulk material - or other types of material handling tasks with the appropriate implements.

Personally having come to an immediate & complete dead stop while using a box blade before (got caught a rather large root with the rippers/scarifiers) I'd say if/when digging/ripping soil with the FEL (using bucket or grapple) knowing what's underground is even more important than it is with 3pt implements - just to avoid inducing side loads on the FEL. Even if no permanent damage is done to the FEL when a side-load is imparted to it the experience it can be a rather unpleasantly unforgettable.

Something to consider with the subsoiler/middle buster would be how deep you're wanting to go (along with where/how you'd use it) since the rippers/scarifiers on a box blade can used to good effect (without dragging soil along) if the box blade is tipped fully forward and the rear cutting edge isn't permitted to make ground contact. Did that last spring to create planting lanes in my garden since I didn't have any other quick method of laying out parallel lines for hand-planting.

A carry all can be a very useful implement (finally got around to ordering one for myself even though I have pallet forks, and buckets for the FEL) since the platform built upon it can be customized/replaced when needed. It also keeps the objects placed upon it behind you -- which can be rather nice when driving forward since if an item falls (and you don't see it) it won't be driven over -- and unlike with a bucket carried objects aren't as likely to be "out of sight out of mind" when you try to scoop into a pile with the loader.

When I get mine and build platform on it, I'm planning to bolt a 2" receiver hitch plate to the bottom of it (probably run some additional support across the bottom to help distribute the loads as a "just in case" even though it's probably overkill for light loads) so I can use it for some trailer moving ...and take advantage of all the other 2" receiver tools/attachments that exist. Will potentially add a set of casters so it can more easily be moved when not on the tractor as well.

Just my thoughts though....

 

[Creamer]

While I haven't used ratchet rakes, I think that it'll depend on the nature of the "light grading" being done. While digging/breaking soil can be done with a FEL, they really aren't optimized for it but really do better with handling already loose bulk material - or other types of material handling tasks with the appropriate implements.

Personally having come to an immediate & complete dead stop while using a box blade before (got caught a rather large root with the rippers/scarifiers) I'd say if/when digging/ripping soil with the FEL (using bucket or grapple) knowing what's underground is even more important than it is with 3pt implements - just to avoid inducing side loads on the FEL. Even if no permanent damage is done to the FEL when a side-load is imparted to it the experience it can be a rather unpleasantly unforgettable.

Something to consider with the subsoiler/middle buster would be how deep you're wanting to go (along with where/how you'd use it) since the rippers/scarifiers on a box blade can used to good effect (without dragging soil along) if the box blade is tipped fully forward and the rear cutting edge isn't permitted to make ground contact. Did that last spring to create planting lanes in my garden since I didn't have any other quick method of laying out parallel lines for hand-planting.

A carry all can be a very useful implement (finally got around to ordering one for myself even though I have pallet forks, and buckets for the FEL) since the platform built upon it can be customized/replaced when needed. It also keeps the objects placed upon it behind you -- which can be rather nice when driving forward since if an item falls (and you don't see it) it won't be driven over -- and unlike with a bucket carried objects aren't as likely to be "out of sight out of mind" when you try to scoop into a pile with the loader.

When I get mine and build platform on it, I'm planning to bolt a 2" receiver hitch plate to the bottom of it (probably run some additional support across the bottom to help distribute the loads as a "just in case" even though it's probably overkill for light loads) so I can use it for some trailer moving ...and take advantage of all the other 2" receiver tools/attachments that exist. Will potentially add a set of casters so it can more easily be moved when not on the tractor as well.

Just my thoughts though....

Not sure why you would want a carry-all if you have forks. Put your hitch receiver on your forks. The forks can carry different boxes depending on what you want and it is easier to back under a new box with the forks than it is to hitch a new 3 pt implement. So the forks with different boxes gives you more options and easier changeover.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I do think I want both. That gives me the option to carry things on either end, or even both, depending on the situation. A carry all is cheap, although I think I may want one that is labeled as actual 3ph pallet forks with fork tines for easier use with a pallet. I could use one for rear ballast if I happen to have it before I buy a box blade. I could see it being useful for no more than they cost. If the price was the same as the forks for my loader, then no, absolutely not! There is also more lift capacity with the 3ph.

 

[Creamer]

Good point. I was thinking pallet forks on the 3 pt and you were thinking loader. Either way you grabbed the idea of pallet forks for the 3 pt because then you can grab different things such as counter weight, a firewood cutting box, a fencing tools and supplies box, etc

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Yep, first and foremost was pallet forks for the loader! First implement I've bought!

 

[90cummins]

My most used (home made) 3pt attachment are rear forks which are indispensable to me.
They are on the tractor 90% of the time in the summer. I use pallets to store my attachments on which makes it easy to move & store.
I use them to lift logs so I can cut it for fire wood and also move 1/2 cord bins of firewood.
I welded a hook near the top link so I can skid logs or even pull small trees out of the ground.
My log splitter is setup so I can back into it lift it and place it where it is needed. It’s also handy to be able to adjust the height of the splitter to save my back.
I also mounted (securely attached) a lockable truck tool box to a pallet to keep my chain saws in.
I find rear forks are easier than front forks to engage pallets not to mention the greater lift capacity.
90cummins