40 Acres, Steep!, 1 Mile Road; Need Advice

[jeff9366]

I have some remaining Qs for you:

3) weights: suitcase? Ballast box? Wheel weight's? Fill tires? You all have recommended filling the tires and getting a ballast box. Should I simply get as many suitcase and wheel weights as I can if I want stability and traction? Is weight good for the steep, 25%+ grade portions of the road? I know I want to add weight, could use some help on how much and where.


6) pin on FEL bucket ok? I don't anticipate taking it off much.

7) I'm considering the Branson 5220h and maybe the MF 2706e. Am I buying too much HP? I don't think so due to the steep driveway and I want to be able to buy other attachments in the future that may or may not benefit from more PTO HP.

3. Suitcase weights are for the front of tractors without FELs.
Your FEL and bucket combination will weigh ~~ 1,000 pounds ~~ which will provide ample weight to hold down the front. If you ever feel the need for more front weight, scoop up dirt with the bucket.

Ballast boxes are primarily for subcompact tractors used for landscaping, where garage storage space is a a premium and implements are not contemplated.

The implements you are considering in combination with loaded rear tires will provide ample Three Point Hitch counterbalance to any possible FEL lift.

Branson 5220h = 47-horsepower + 4,118 bare tractor weight. Filled tires without wheel weights should be enough rear wheel ballast. If you need more traction going up, which I doubt, you will probably want chains.

6. Ixnay pin on bucket. Get SSQA FEL interface.

7. No. Tractor weight and power are in balance.

 

[Xfaxman]

Hydraulic adjustment - like T&T - is nice and convenient, but certainly not a necessity.

Ask most people that have a hydraulic top link and they will say it is a necessity

It makes pallet forks work much better and was necessary for loading and unloading big round bales on my deckover trailer.

 

[ericm979]

I guess valves may not be an option at the dealer, I'll see if they're available on Friday. I think I understand the different options, just don't understand what I might use them for.

With the Branson the two rear valves come on the 25 series and are a dealer installed option on the 20 series. (I think- I could be wrong and the dealer I bought from puts the valves on the 25 series so they differ more from the 20 series). But they're also available as a kit. When I got the tractor I was not impressed with the valves as there's a complex linkage from the levers to the valves on the back of the transmission housing and it's got more slop in it than I think it should have. But I have come around to like them as they are easy to feather. Also I can reach them from behind the tractor to make adjustments when I am changing implements. One of these days I'll make some spacers to get some slop out of the linkage.

At least for me, more HP in a tractor does not make it more fun to drive like in other motor vehicles.

 

[Pugemasta]

rScotty: I suppose i'm lazy! a top and tilt kit sounds like its worth it, especially when I am learning and making constant adjustments. I recognize its a bit of a luxury, but think it will make grading more enjoyable.

I'll try not to worry too much about valves. Hydraulics at the dealer certainly do get expensive as I found out at the Kubota dealer pricing out an MX5200.

Was thinking a 24" bucket for the backhoe would be a good call, not too big and not too small, thank you. Low clay in our soil.

Hydraulic thumb it is. One of our projects will be installing retaining walls. Hadn't thought of this use.

Thanks for clarifying on suitcase weights. Thinking I may just fill the tires for now, sounds easy enough to add weights later.

I have indeed heard more HP does not equal more fun, but perhaps less frustration equals more fun. Jeff and others seem to think its a good call considering the weight of the tractor and I'm feeling good about it.

I do not consider myself wealthy, but have a decent, stable job, no family and living is pretty cheap around here. So I can afford a couple hobbies. I just don't see too many used around here that are relatively low on hours and not close to the same cost as new. A little background: The land is a large purchase, plus I had another recent unexpected expense, so I don't have enough cash on hand to buy a tractor outright and will be financing most of it. I hate not be able to pay cash, but w/out my own equipment I'll be paying more to have someone else fix the road, install septic, etc... And it would simply be more fun and satisfying to do it myself and will end up with a nice tractor at the end of the deal. We'll see when I price them out, but the promotional rates offered by the manufacturers would likely outweigh any $ I saved on the purchase price of a used tractor if financed at 6% or so. But we'll see. Haven't looked for used at dealers yet.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Buy new, buy what you want. You are getting a lot of info-advise here, and that alone helps a ton.

Depending on what tractor you end up going with, but if they have a choice on types of rear remote valves, get valves that have the float feature, at least 2 of them for the top & tilt set and again get every rear remote that they offer. Remember that the rear blade is going to need 2 just for it and then the 2 for the top & tilt units. When they don't offer the 4 that will be required, there are ways around that, so it's not that big of a deal to get the additional rear remotes that will be needed.

Again, please run your purchase by us before you sign on that bottom line. :thumbsup:

 

[Pugemasta]

Will do Brian, thank you for the concise answer. I'll have to do some reading on the forum on adding additional rear remotes as I'm pretty confident they'll only do up to 3 on the Branson at the dealer. Will look for float valves. I will take you up on your offer and definitely check with you all first before signing.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Will do Brian, thank you for the concise answer. I'll have to do some reading on the forum on adding additional rear remotes as I'm pretty confident they'll only do up to 3 on the Branson at the dealer. Will look for float valves. I will take you up on your offer and definitely check with you all first before signing.

Here is my 75hp tractor with 3 factory valves and a double diverter valve set so that I have 5 total.

The Kubota picture has the 3 factory rear remotes with a single diverter added. He has my T&T set and my cylinders on his RBT3596 as well as my diverter to get him the 4 sets of rear remotes that he needed. There are several ways to mount the valves, really just depends on each tractor and how they are laid out.

As far as having us check your order before actually ordering, it's really just to see if you forgot anything that should be ordered with the original order.

 

[Jchonline]

I have 3 rear remotes and TnT for my hydraulic angle rear blade. I dont have boom swing control (that would be the 4th). 1 remote for top link, 1 for tilt of lower lift arm, 1 for hydraulic angle on the blade. It isnt everything, but to me getting a fully hydraulic blade was a bit much. As rScotty mentioned you can always get TnT later. Just get all of the remotes installed with purchase you think you may need in the future. They are cheaper that way.

I will focus on the BH as you mentioned it and others have given great advise on everything else!

Branson 5220h - recently purchased by TYM. Others may know about the fate of the brand, but a little more research may be warranted. CAT 1 hitch on this machine, it may be better to consider CAT2 if you want heavy ground engaging implements. On the BH definitely the BH860 with the 8.5 ft reach. Pay close attention to how long it takes to remove and connect the BH on the tractor before you buy it. Watch the rear ground clearance on the BH, with all of your slopes you dont want it catching on anything. ON the BH, is there a hydraulic thumb available? It says thumb kit, but I cant tell from the website if they offer both options. Mechanical is still useful, but not as useful.

Massey 2706e - I noticed on the CB85 BH says CAT2 implements not compatible with BH subframe installed. So even though they give you a CAT1/2 links, you wont be able to use the 2. I am guessing the sway bars or the arms hit the subframe mount as they are wider on CAT2. Normally CAT1/2 means they give you CAT2 bars and eyes and you use bushings to make the eyes CAT1 size. Not sure how they expect this to work with the BH subframe, others may know. BH is also only 860 lbs...the Branson is 1500. That is some serious difference for the same reach. Consider carefully.

Another vote here for no diverter if you get a FEL 3rd function kit. Diverter means you will loose bucket curl (usually) while the 3rd function is being actuated. So you cant curl and close grapple at the same time. Grapple is super handy for clearing lots of brush, logs, and rocks. Branson has great hydraulic flow on the 5220h, hoping there is an option for true 3rd function.

 

[ericm979]

My Branson has the two factory valves (they max out at two) and an additional dealer supplied valve on the fender. That could have been a two or three valve stack had I wanted it. If you can fab a bracket and connect hoses it's not difficult to add your own additional valves. They won't be as integrated into the tractor as the factory valves but you can get whatever you want in the way of float and detents.

 

[Pugemasta]

Thanks jch, great post :thumbsup: taught me a lot. I'll look out for those things at the dealer. And will get clarification on the 3rd function and consider if I can live with a diverter.

Eric, appreciate the tip. Good to have this info now.

I started digging a little deeper into alternatives. Wasn't really considering LS as I didn't see any HST options in their utility lines. But discovered the XR4155H in one of the compact lines. Specs seem to stack up more or less with the 5220 and 2706e, has a mid PTO (can't tell if it's standard) and standard rear remotes. Owners on this site seem to be happy with it.

Any thoughts on the LS XR4155H?