Buying Advice First tractor. Which one?

[swicke69]

I will mention tire spacing to the dealer next time I talk to him. I dont plan on skidding logs in wet or muddy conditions so loaded r4's may work. The dealer was against the idea last I talked to him.

 

[3Lfarms]

It sounds like you have the tractor part pretty well figured out. For the grapple, I highly recommend Everything Attachments wicked line of grapples. Very high quality, stronger, and lighter weight than what your dealer will sell you. Price will probably be a little more though. On a small tractor, you won’t have a whole lot of FEL lift, so every pound you can save in the weight of the grapple itself is one more pound of log you can pick up. The EA grapples are usually a couple hundred pounds lighter than competitors.
I have no connection to EA, just a happy customer. I just want you to know what is available before the dealer sells you something you aren’t going to be happy with a year down the road.

 

[jeff9366]

I will mention tire spacing to the dealer next time I talk to him. I dont plan on skidding logs in wet or muddy conditions so loaded r4's may work. The dealer was against the idea last I talked to him.

Tractors are designed to PULL. Towing logs is unlikely to be difficult.

Spreading the rear wheels is for stability. Large rear tractor wheels with small front wheels makes tractors inherently unstable. You describe your land as very hilly. If in doubt consider wheel spacers before tractor arrives, so spacers can be installed while mounting the detached wheels to the tractor axles. An increase of 6" in wheel spread greatly improves compact tractor stability.

Archive threads with WHEEL SPACERS in thread title:
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=5076579

 

[shooterdon]

If it was me, I would select the Kioti. Having a good dealer minutes away has a lot of value and tge warranty is a benefit.

 

[swicke69]

I have been looking at the wicked grapple. Mainly from reading posts on here. The dealer wants to sell me something else. His thinking is the heavier the better built. I do want something I can dig up roots and rocks with. I will be giving EA a call monday

 

[TheMadOne]

If you buy a wicked grapple that Ted rates for your machine you're more likely to break the tractor than the grapple. EA uses AR500 steel to reduce the weight of the grapple. The dealer is probably selling a grapple made out of A36, which needs the extra weight to achieve the same strength as the lighter EA model.

 

[swicke69]

My next decision is to get the wicked 55 grapple or spend another 600.00 to buy the wicked 60. ��

 

[TheMadOne]

My next decision is to get the wicked 55 grapple or spend another 600.00 to buy the wicked 60. ��

Call and talk to Travis. They sell these things all day long and will be able to guide you to the right grapple for your tractor and application.

 

[swicke69]

Yeah. I talked to him. He suggested the 60. I'm just being cheap and trying to justify another 600.00 on one implement. Especially when I need many