attachment question- price and usage.

[area123]

I am going to buy my 3320 w/ the two attachment special and can't decide which attachment to get. I'm trying to get one that will result in cash back (less than $600) since the loader is already on the tractor I'm getting and it counts as an attachment and I would get the loader anyway.

So I was going to get a rear angle blade for the driveway but I am buying a 2 year old angle blade and 4' tiller used for $1200, both John Deere and I couldn't pass that deal up.

So now I am thinking about a landscape rake but the dealer wants $750 for a 72" rake, sounds too high to me. Would the rake be useful for planting grass seed around my new house? I was thinking of using it to scarify the soil and sling the seed by hand and then kind of back drag it to tamp it down a little. I can't afford the time or money for sod so am looking for the best attachment to help me out with the grass planting.

If the rake isn't a good choice for grass planting, I might consider a land plane for the driveway. My drive is very "waffly" and the box blade just makes it worse as the tractor follows the bumps. Would a land plane help out on that? The price also seems high and I think she is quoting me list price on all these attachments to get back some money from the rebate..($1345)

btw-I just realized a better place to post this question was in the general attachment forum. But for pricing this might be the right place to ask that question.

 

[beenthere]

I wouldn't pass up a chance to get the forks for the FEL. I use them more than the bucket, for many, many jobs. The iMatch is also a "must have" in my opinion. Add the hyd. top arm and adapt the forks to the iMatch, and you are good to go for many jobs (at least for me around the acerage with mostly woods and firewood usage).
You can play the money game...as it isn't out of my pocket.

 

[jenkinsph]

I find the cash back wheeling and dealing a little confusing to decipher since I usually get that much in savings on implements anyway. As far as the purchase of equipment I would look at the total msrp on the Deere site and negotiate a deal with 15 to 20% off, a reasonable down p[ayment and then 0% financing on the balance.

About your new lawn, if you can describe what you are starting with we can better guide you as to what you need to buy to get the best bang for the buck. For example do you have bare ground, tall weeds, rocky soil, smooth or uneven ground?

 

[JeffinNE]

If you're simply looking for something to take advantage of the $600 special, the I-match would be great if it qualifies. If not, how about a middle buster or subsoiler? If you have a garden you could use those before you use your tiller.

For something over the $600 range but more useful, I like the land plane idea or beenthere's suggestion of forks.

 

[area123]

I'll have to check on that middle buster or subsoiler online. My ground is pretty packed in topsoil that was backfilled around the house, it's pretty thin but should work to grow grass. The way I've done it so far in small areas is the scarify by hand with a hard rake and scatter seed and then tamp it and mulch it. Way too much work work for for the whole acre (ish) of yard to do by hand though.

Anyway, I think I have a descent deal on the tractor, it's a 3320 w/ hydro and not any other options as far as rear hydraulics or air seat, etc. Basic tractor for 20375-1000 for return customer rebate so about 19300. I'll put down 20% and do the yearly payment 0% for 48 or 60 months. If she'll let me use the imatch I'll do that as I have plenty of implements to keep me busy for a while. It will basically reduce the deal to 19k w/ a free imatch. But if I have to choose a more expensive implement I will, hate to throw the $600 away even though they are quoting list prices and it's probably eating much of the $600 away, maybe I can get them to match a price..

 

[beenthere]

For the lawn work on topsoil around the house, try to rent a Harley Rake for your 3 ph. It will have your yard ready for grass seed in very short order...maybe less than three passes over the yard. No (to little) hand work.

There are videos that show the usage.
One detailed one here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzxTa2odFFI

 

[AKfish]

For the lawn work on topsoil around the house, try to rent a Harley Rake for your 3 ph. It will have your yard ready for grass seed in very short order...maybe less than three passes over the yard. No (to little) hand work.

There are videos that show the usage.
One detailed one here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzxTa2odFFI

They are an incredibly "sweet tool" for turning an ugly mess of sticks and rocks into a "smooth and nearly level" seed bed.

Think you gotta have rear hydraulics for it; though. Likely 10x your $600 allotment, too.

AKfish

 

[beenthere]

I was thinking "rental". Unless one is going into the landscaping business, not worth the investment as it does the task too quicky.

And they can be found with mechanical angling to avoid the need for extra hydraulics. Or, pin it in place and not use the hyd. cylinder to angle the rake. That is how I used the rental Harley Rake (before I had the 3rd SCV).

 

[AKfish]

not worth the investment as it does the task too quicky.

Very true... they can even make a "clumsy" operator (I couldn't even spell landscaping -let alone really DO IT..) end up with a professional looking yard!!

And, you'll never get the opportunity to get a "feel" for the quirks of using a box blade and a landscape rake.... (But, that's how most of us get to be better tractor skinners!)

AKfish

 

[ddivinia]

My landscape rake is one of the best tools I own. What kind of material is your driveway? I level gravel up all the time with my landscape rake. Depending on soil conditions you could use it for seedbed prep. I also use it for cleaning up sticks, rocks, etc.

A broadcast spreader might be handy.

Chipper/shredder - very handy.

People pointed out pallet forks - use them all the time.

How about a mower?

D.