Finally purchased after 1 year search

[Bdavis]

I wanted to share on this site about my Tractor purchase . Everyone has been so helpful. I know I would not have been able to succeed without some of your comments. I am totally pleased so far, Hope this helps someone else.

I had very specific requirements to replace my 45 horsepower ,gear drive, front end loader tractor that I sold last year, because it did not serve my needs any longer. Had to be smaller, 25 hp or less, 4 wheel drive, hydrostatic, with a backhoe and a grapple.
I ended up purchasing a used JD 1025R and then added a new Frontier mechanical grapple MG 20 F. I wanted to easily be able to shift from dirt work to picking up limbs and brush. I looked at everything from bucket grapples , standalone grapples , third function and could not be happier with my choice. The JD hook and pin system is an absolute breeze to switch between the bucket and the mechanical grapple. There is no learning curve with the mechanical grapple if you are comfortable operating a front end loader then you can operate this mechanical grapple.

 

[Jstpssng]

Nice tractor! It will give you many hours of service

 

[Yander]

Congrats on the new tractor, very nice!

 

[tacticalturnip]

Great tractor, but be careful with the mechanical grapple.

https://www.greentractortalk.com/threads/jdqa-vs-ssqa-mechanical-grapples.231516/?post_id=4078548#post-4078548

MG20F Mechanical grapple review

www.greentractortalk.com

1025R Mechanical or Hydraulic Grapple?

So my JD dealer is trying to convince me that it's best to go with a mechanical grapple over a hydraulic one (I am getting a 3rd function anyway, so that is not the debate.) He says that a mechanical is superior because it has more weight capacity than a hydraulic as the hydraulic will draw most...

www.greentractortalk.com

Grapple destroying my loader

Anyone else having major problems with Frontier MG20F? It has broken the 220R loader on my 2038R twice now. I have used it minimally. Thought the whole concept of a 2 function grapple would be great instead of upgrading hydraulics to 3 function. I don’t have a lot of experience with loaders, but...

www.greentractortalk.com

120R Bucket Holders broken W50722 and W50723

I was in the middle of grappling some logs and the grapple (Frontier MG20F) starting "hanging" as if the linchpins had been removed like when typically removing an attachment. Turns out the casting of both holders completely broke. Looks like they can be ordered for $250 each. Almost 330...

www.greentractortalk.com

 

[Bdavis]

Great tractor, but be careful with the mechanical grapple.

https://www.greentractortalk.com/threads/jdqa-vs-ssqa-mechanical-grapples.231516/?post_id=4078548#post-4078548

MG20F Mechanical grapple review

www.greentractortalk.com

1025R Mechanical or Hydraulic Grapple?

So my JD dealer is trying to convince me that it's best to go with a mechanical grapple over a hydraulic one (I am getting a 3rd function anyway, so that is not the debate.) He says that a mechanical is superior because it has more weight capacity than a hydraulic as the hydraulic will draw most...

www.greentractortalk.com

Grapple destroying my loader

Anyone else having major problems with Frontier MG20F? It has broken the 220R loader on my 2038R twice now. I have used it minimally. Thought the whole concept of a 2 function grapple would be great instead of upgrading hydraulics to 3 function. I don’t have a lot of experience with loaders, but...

www.greentractortalk.com

120R Bucket Holders broken W50722 and W50723

I was in the middle of grappling some logs and the grapple (Frontier MG20F) starting "hanging" as if the linchpins had been removed like when typically removing an attachment. Turns out the casting of both holders completely broke. Looks like they can be ordered for $250 each. Almost 330...

www.greentractortalk.com

Thanks for the heads up. I really don't pick up trees just limbs and brush. I hire some one with a skid steer for any large stuff. But I can see with back dragging and positioning you could break it.

 

[Bdavis]

I am strongly considering a 511 grill guard after a post about a broken hood. Hate to spend 400 to 500 but might be worth it. I do pick up lots of limbs and brush. Thanks

 

[Carl_NH]

Here is a lower cost option for $239 - no side covers tho but better than nothing. Or you can buy the metal mesh and build one https://www.etsy.com/listing/160557...0Q9_EAQYASABEgL1m_D_BwE&variation0=4107209103

 

[dodge man]

Nice looking machine. I own a 2025r and there is a recall on the brake ell crank on 1023e, 1025r and 2025r machines. What year is yours.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Thanks for the heads up. I really don't pick up trees just limbs and brush. I hire some one with a skid steer for any large stuff. But I can see with back dragging and positioning you could break it.

You ought to be good, just be sure to watch your mounts. The 1025R is an excellent tractor, and really is a gateway drug to an addiction. You're going to have a lot of fun getting work done.

Also 511 makes a great grille guard, worth every penny.

 

[Bdavis]

Nice looking machine. I own a 2025r and there is a recall on the brake ell crank on 1023e, 1025r and 2025r machines. What year is yours.

Mine is a 2018. I bought it from a dealer and supposedly it is not part of the recall at least that’s what I was told. I’m going to double check with John Deere directly tomorrow. According to the JD website it is part of the recall so I’m gonna get a clarification from John Deere tomorrow. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

 

[dodge man]

The bell crank on mine is cracked so near failure. If it breaks you are left with no brakes.

 

[Bdavis]

The bell crank on mine is cracked so near failure. If it breaks you are left with no brakes.

I am certain of one thing if mine is part of the recall, the dealer was not supposed to sell it to me. I had even asked if it was one of the recall machines and was told it was not on the list. I am going to check with John Deere tomorrow and confirm before I get to upset about it. What year is yours?

 

[Quebecguy]

That is a nice, small tractor. I just finished helping a friend do some maintenance on his 1025R. I had to watch a couple of YouTube videos to find the front zerk on the upper driveshaft - it isn't exactly conveniently placed and the manual is not clear on that point!

 

[dodge man]

My 2025r is a 2019. Somewhere around the years yours was made JD switched from a Yanmar made to a tractor that was JD made with a Yanmar engine.

 

[Bdavis]

That is a nice, small tractor. I just finished helping a friend do some maintenance on his 1025R. I had to watch a couple of YouTube videos to find the front zerk on the upper driveshaft - it isn't exactly conveniently placed and the manual is not clear on that point!

Yes, that front zerk is famous
On YouTube for being difficult. I have a whole section of YouTube videos on greasing, especially the front zerk. I have not watched them all yet, but I will before my first grease job. Thanks

 

[dodge man]

I have greased the front zerk on mine several times on mine. It might take me 2 minutes to do it or 10 minutes. No matter how long it takes it always seems longer. A battery grease gun helps a lot.

It’s hard to describe but you’ll understand when you go to do it. I go through a slot behind the hole you’re suppose to use. There are some hoses in this slot you can move out of the way, I then use the hole as a viewing port. You can turn the driveshaft by turning the engine flywheel to get the u joint in the correct position.

 

[Bdavis]

I have greased the front zerk on mine several times on mine. It might take me 2 minutes to do it or 10 minutes. No matter how long it takes it always seems longer. A battery grease gun helps a lot.

It’s hard to describe but you’ll understand when you go to do it. I go through a slot behind the hole you’re suppose to use. There are some hoses in this slot you can move out of the way, I then use the hole as a viewing port. You can turn the driveshaft by turning the engine flywheel to get the u joint in the correct position.

Thanks for the tip. I always grease my other tractor, but I hated it. Greasing is the worst thing for me, but I will do it. Battery grease gun is going to be an absolute must have item

 

[Bdavis]

Great tractor, but be careful with the mechanical grapple.

https://www.greentractortalk.com/threads/jdqa-vs-ssqa-mechanical-grapples.231516/?post_id=4078548#post-4078548

MG20F Mechanical grapple review

www.greentractortalk.com

1025R Mechanical or Hydraulic Grapple?

So my JD dealer is trying to convince me that it's best to go with a mechanical grapple over a hydraulic one (I am getting a 3rd function anyway, so that is not the debate.) He says that a mechanical is superior because it has more weight capacity than a hydraulic as the hydraulic will draw most...

www.greentractortalk.com

Grapple destroying my loader

Anyone else having major problems with Frontier MG20F? It has broken the 220R loader on my 2038R twice now. I have used it minimally. Thought the whole concept of a 2 function grapple would be great instead of upgrading hydraulics to 3 function. I don’t have a lot of experience with loaders, but...

www.greentractortalk.com

120R Bucket Holders broken W50722 and W50723

I was in the middle of grappling some logs and the grapple (Frontier MG20F) starting "hanging" as if the linchpins had been removed like when typically removing an attachment. Turns out the casting of both holders completely broke. Looks like they can be ordered for $250 each. Almost 330...

www.greentractortalk.com

I am strongly considering a 511 grill guard after a post about a broken hood. Hate to spend 400 to 500 but might be worth it. I do pick up lots of limbs and brush.

Update: Tornado hit my camp in March of this year more than 60 large trees down. I can't tell you how happy I am with my grapple, 511 grill guard and backup mirror .
This tractor with the JD hook and pin system allows me to change bucket to grapple in less than 10 minutes. The grill guard and backup mirror have been a life saver. I had a 50,000 pound track hoe come in and do the bulk work. But there was so much small stuff , limbs metal, part of a building that I used my tractor to clean up . It may break but if it does I will repair it or buy something else. Right now I am as happy as I can be with this purchase.