help me pick out a tractor

[TheGoose]

Someone may prove me wrong but if you do not get the quick attach forks, which I was quoted $1100 from Kubota then you have no need for the quick attach bucket. I'm pretty sure the quick attach adds about $500 onto the price.

I would really like to know which front implements you are using that require the quick attach? Other than the snow blower, which has about 0 use here in S. Texas?

I plan to someday get the quick attach with forks as the clamp on forks leave some to be desired but right now they meet my needs. The only drawback is that the bucket that came with the tractor will not fit the quick attach so I have to buy a totally separate bucket.

 

[duckhunt]

I agree with TheGoose. Down south (louisiana) it doesnt snow, at all, so the only other quick attachment on the FEL might be forks or a hay spear. Referring to tractors we are discussing <35hp, most won't even pickup a round bale of hay, 1,000+, then you have forks, just go with clamp on style. If I move any hay, I use my 3 point.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[quackaddict]

well i'm with your fellers

 

[IslandTractor]

Bucket mount forks cannot be compared to frame mounted forks. Bucket mounts are fine for occasional convenience use but for moving something heavy or regularly frame mounted forks are definitely preferred.

I forgot to mention that bucket mounted forks can damage the bucket if a heavy load is applied. Also, you can use frame mounted forks to add a shovel attachment which is quite handy and pretty inexpensive to buy or fairly simple to fabricate.

Having trouble uploading photos right now but I'll try to post examples later.

 

[Ken45101]

You could be right, it depends on your needs and plans.

I got the QA and forks with my M5040. Recently I got a grapple rake for the skid steer but as soon as I get hoses, I expect it will get more use on the tractor than on the skid. Eventually, I might consider a snow plow.

If I were still using round bales, I would definitely get a bale spear for the FEL, it lets you double stack for storage, and also lets you put the bale into the hay ring rather than having to lift up the hay ring to put out a new bale.

Although the forks that attach to a bucket do seem convenient, I'm not convinced that they are as strong as regular QA forks. Also the QA forks have a backstop to help hold the load which the bucket attach forks do not.

Of course, it all depends on your individual needs.

Ken

Someone may prove me wrong but if you do not get the quick attach forks, which I was quoted $1100 from Kubota then you have no need for the quick attach bucket. I'm pretty sure the quick attach adds about $500 onto the price.

I would really like to know which front implements you are using that require the quick attach? Other than the snow blower, which has about 0 use here in S. Texas?

I plan to someday get the quick attach with forks as the clamp on forks leave some to be desired but right now they meet my needs. The only drawback is that the bucket that came with the tractor will not fit the quick attach so I have to buy a totally separate bucket.

 

[CurlyDave]

Bucket mount forks cannot be compared to frame mounted forks. Bucket mounts are fine for occasional convenience use but for moving something heavy or regularly frame mounted forks are definitely preferred.

Not only is this true, but frame mounted forks are not that much more expensive. I got a used set of forks from my dealer for $600.

The visibility is so much better than bucket mount forks, and the strength is vastly superior. Another advantage is that I can drill a hole in one of the forks and mount a trailer ball for quick and easy jockeying of trailers. When I lived in the city I didn't own any trailers. Now that I live in the country I own four and it is very convenient to be able to store them in a spot where it is easy to pick them up and move them with the tractor, but a lot more difficult with my truck.

A Skid Steer quick attach is very convenient and far more cost effective at purchase than adding one later. I know I have a bigger machine, but in just 3 years I have accumulated the forks, a rock bucket/grapple, and the 4-n-1 bucket.

 

[quackaddict]

Have you ever used a Post Hole digger with a single stage clutch? Turns the operation into a 5 times harder chore.

no i haven't. what makes it so much harder?

i don't think that i am acting like i am looking for advice, but not taking it. I just answered your question.

I'm honestly thinking harder and harder about giving the 2800 w/ HST a shot. the main thing is loosing that couple of HP. in the real world, does 1.5 HP mean that much?

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm honestly thinking harder and harder about giving the 2800 w/ HST a shot. the main thing is loosing that couple of HP. in the real world, does 1.5 HP mean that much?

1.5hp doesn't mean that much if you have 40 to start with but the L2800 is not exactly known for having ample power. So, I guess it depends on what you intend to do with it. For general purpose loader work the HST version would be a plus. The downside would be in mowing or ground engaging activities.

 

[DK35vince]

no i haven't. what makes it so much harder?

My 30+ year old John Deere 850 has a single stage clutch. It has a built in internal overrunning clutch, so a brush mower does not drive the tractor ahead when the clutch is pushed in.
With the single stage clutch on my JD it is no harder to run a post hole digger or rototiller than having live PTO.