First attachment advice

[brown40]

I like the looks of the toothbars for getting in soil, but don't like the idea of annual removal for snow and material handling. The ratchet rakes make me nervous--my loader design is strong vertically, and for pushing. Pulling/backdragging I have ~1/4" pin holding the bottom of the bucket on an ear on each side--the top nestles in 'U's'. The SSQA looks a lot more robust, but it's still a tractor loader--meant more for material handling than excavation. I know people swear by the product, its the rest of the engineering that would give me pause. I do pull with the loader, but it's using a chain hook on the bucket top, so my 'pull' still levers against the tab on the bottom. I wouldn't want to rely on my tabs/ears/1/4" pins to grub brush--people have sheared them backing up and catching a bucket corner.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Right now I'm thinking tooth bar or ratchet rake and pallet forks. I would really like a grapple but $3k is out of the question right now. I could see a box blade in the future.

I know that it will be later on, but before you EVER spend $3k on a grapple setup, do a lot of shopping. THERE IS NO GOOD REASON to spend that kind of money for a grapple set up for your tractor.

Just my :2cents:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I would really like a grapple but I think it's out of my price range right now. Plus I would need to add a front remote.

You can run it off one of your rear remotes. There are proponents of that method over a 3rd function on TBN (just not me). I think it is the cheapest way to add a loader hydraulic circuit. Just route two 3000psi lines fron your rear remote ports to the loader. You then use rear remote lever to open and close the grapple. Just disconnect the hoses if you need both rear remotes.

As far as the 3pth "top and tilt," a hydraulic Piston replaces your top link and one side link. Brian (MtnViewRanch) is truly the expert on this.

 

[k0ua]

I have right at $1500 in my grapple and hoses. I am using a rear remote. I modified my control lever to make it easier to reach with my fingers while still holding on to the FEL joystick. I am happy with it.

 

[Neil L]

The piranha blade is ,in my opinion, better than a typical tooth blade due to the cutting ability of the tooth design, check comments here on TBN. A box blade is a very satisfying tool(toy) once you master it you will be able to get great results doing things that you do not think about, add chain hooks. Brian is right about waiting, (he is the man for this) but as someone pointed out, T&T is a real spoiler not only for working, but makes changing implements.
Neil

 

[Neil L]

You might also look at "The Thumb" for your front bucket, Brian mentioned 3K is not necessary.
Neil

 

[dirtymartini]

You can run it off one of your rear remotes. There are proponents of that method over a 3rd function on TBN (just not me). I think it is the cheapest way to add a loader hydraulic circuit. Just route two 3000psi lines fron your rear remote ports to the loader. You then use rear remote lever to open and close the grapple. Just disconnect the hoses if you need both rear remotes.

As far as the 3pth "top and tilt," a hydraulic Piston replaces your top link and one side link. Brian (MtnViewRanch) is truly the expert on this.

I like that idea...interesting.

 

[k0ua]

I like that idea...interesting.

Here is my implementation of this idea:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-quick-connects-loader-torque.html?highlight=

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...extension-control-valve-lever.html?highlight=

 

[dirtymartini]

You might also look at "The Thumb" for your front bucket, Brian mentioned 3K is not necessary.
Neil

I just checked out "The Thumb" I like the idea of mounting it on Pallet Forks. Or better yet get an extra mounting plate and have a mount on the bucket and the forks. This just might fit my budget!:drink:

 

[jrclark]

Lots to think about dirti, but this problem of yours is the sort you don't mind incurring. Not having any money for implements is a bad thing.

During our home building project, my tractor accumulated a boom pole, forks, chipper, ratchet rake and a rear blade. The boom pole was easily the best bang for the buck, but much more necessary for me because of the minimal loader lift capacity and size/type of the trees that were felled. I was able to skid and stack large sections with a boom pole and bucket with a little on-the-job trial and error. Could I have used the forks? Sure, but would have had to cut 30" oak trunks down to a pretty small size just to pick them off the ground and lift them to stack. Either way the process took a good amount of time.

Your tractor has a much greater lift capacity, so the forks will likely be better for that sort of work. The "Thumb" attachment would be an awesome addition to the forks, and is on my shortlist of implements if I ever have extra money.

The ratchet rake was an awesome purchase. Bought it only a few weeks ago but has easily paid for itself. Excavator wanted $3700 to rake and seed the lawn, which was slightly absurd. I have about $850 in the rake, seed and fertilizer. The messed up back was completely free of charge. Our house is set in the middle of the woods, and there's a lot more opportunity to use the rake for clearing saplings and undergrowth, pulling rocks and small stumps and smoothing out the grade. Can't wait!

Good luck on your search. Fill us in when you make some decisions!

 

[dirtymartini]

Lots to think about dirti, but this problem of yours is the sort you don't mind incurring. Not having any money for implements is a bad thing.

During our home building project, my tractor accumulated a boom pole, forks, chipper, ratchet rake and a rear blade. The boom pole was easily the best bang for the buck, but much more necessary for me because of the minimal loader lift capacity and size/type of the trees that were felled. I was able to skid and stack large sections with a boom pole and bucket with a little on-the-job trial and error. Could I have used the forks? Sure, but would have had to cut 30" oak trunks down to a pretty small size just to pick them off the ground and lift them to stack. Either way the process took a good amount of time.

Your tractor has a much greater lift capacity, so the forks will likely be better for that sort of work. The "Thumb" attachment would be an awesome addition to the forks, and is on my shortlist of implements if I ever have extra money.

The ratchet rake was an awesome purchase. Bought it only a few weeks ago but has easily paid for itself. Excavator wanted $3700 to rake and seed the lawn, which was slightly absurd. I have about $850 in the rake, seed and fertilizer. The messed up back was completely free of charge. Our house is set in the middle of the woods, and there's a lot more opportunity to use the rake for clearing saplings and undergrowth, pulling rocks and small stumps and smoothing out the grade. Can't wait!

Good luck on your search. Fill us in when you make some decisions!

Just not enough money! I think I'm starting to develop a plan....Piranha tooth bar, then pallet forks with "The Thumb" then Stone/ Landscape rake followed by a Box Blade....The only thing missing is all the cash :laughing:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just not enough money! I think I'm starting to develop a plan....Piranha tooth bar, then pallet forks with "The Thumb" then Stone/ Landscape rake followed by a Box Blade....The only thing missing is all the cash :laughing:

Just as a reminder, and I can't emphasize this enough, your tractor is big enough that you really should not go with any economy implements. Whatever, whenever you get what you're getting, get something that is good. If you aren't sure, ask here. Otherwise with economy implements & attachments there is a good chance that you might be throwing your money away.

Good luck with your choices.

 

[dirtymartini]

Just as a reminder, and I can't emphasize this enough, your tractor is big enough that you really should not go with any economy implements. Whatever, whenever you get what you're getting, get something that is good. If you aren't sure, ask here. Otherwise with economy implements & attachments there is a good chance that you might be throwing your money away.

Good luck with your choices.

Thanks Brian, I sure don't want to throw my money away so I'm always open to suggestions. Don't worry you won't hurt my feelings if you tell me I'm I'm looking at the wrong implements.

 

[Garycw]

Without reading entire thread two attachments I could NOT do without are. A bush hog and box blade. Pretty hard to choose between them.
As far as economy attachments I agree that you'll never regret buying quality. However the countyline box blades have done its job very well.

 

[dirtymartini]

After giving it a lot of thought on what I will be doing with the tractor right away, a grapple makes the most sense. I am going to be clearing brush, rocks and trees.

Taking into consideration all the advice in this thread I am now trying to stretch my budget for a grapple of some kind. I have looked at "The Thumb" with my existing bucket and buying pallet forks with an additional thumb mount and also Grapple buckets from Everything Attachments and a couple other advertisers on here.
I am trying to figure out who to buy from that will be of good quality at a fair price...I also don't want to "cheap out" and get something I will be disappointed with.

 

[brown40]

Remember the loaders only as good as the counterweight. You don't want to work on your front wheels all the time, especially in 4wd. Ballasted rears still make the front axle the fulcrum; a counterweight moves it to the rears.

 

[George2615]

Forks, box blade, and the thumb would be my first choices. You've already seen threads on mine. You can make a rear ballast fairly cheap with a 55 gallon plastic barrel, some steel and cement, sand, or whatever to fill the barrel.
How much snow do you get in PA. Winter is coming up fast. Are you going to use the tractor for plowing? I adapted a used truck plow to a QA plate within the price range you mentioned.

 

[dirtymartini]

Forks, box blade, and the thumb would be my first choices. You've already seen threads on mine. You can make a rear ballast fairly cheap with a 55 gallon plastic barrel, some steel and cement, sand, or whatever to fill the barrel.
How much snow do you get in PA. Winter is coming up fast. Are you going to use the tractor for plowing? I adapted a used truck plow to a QA plate within the price range you mentioned.

We get a fair amount of snow here in Northeast PA. I have a 3/4 ton truck I plow snow with so I'm good there. Are you happy with you Thumb choice? Do you ever wish you had a dedicated Grapple bucket? Looking around on my property today I can really see where a Thumb or Grapple will be really helpful.

 

[George2615]

We get a fair amount of snow here in Northeast PA. I have a 3/4 ton truck I plow snow with so I'm good there. Are you happy with you Thumb choice? Do you ever wish you had a dedicated Grapple bucket? Looking around on my property today I can really see where a Thumb or Grapple will be really helpful.

The thumb is all I need for any logs, trees, or rocks I need to grab. I don't do brushwork or anything that requires a full grapple. All my snow plowing has been done with a tractor for the last 16 years. Prior to that I plowed for 35 years with many different trucks from pickups to an Oshkosh w/wing. We get tons of snow here being in the snowbelt east of Ontario.

 

[dirtymartini]

The thumb is all I need for any logs, trees, or rocks I need to grab. I don't do brushwork or anything that requires a full grapple. All my snow plowing has been done with a tractor for the last 16 years. Prior to that I plowed for 35 years with many different trucks from pickups to an Oshkosh w/wing. We get tons of snow here being in the snowbelt east of Ontario.

I just looked on the map to see where you are...You are definitely in the snow belt LOL. I used to drive a tractor trailer up I-81 to Watertown. The roads would be dry and weather clear until I got within 1/2 hour of Syracuse...

Still looking at my options.