Implements you regret buying

[dieselcrawler]

I only have a few implements that I've bought, rolled into the tractor purchase. My only comment here is I regret not buying at that time... a set of forks/frame to match the JD QA on my loader, and including that in the payments.

I have I post hole auger I've only used once in 3 years, but that was "borrowed" from my late uncle by my dad, over 20 years ago... doubt either will try to repo that, so it's there when I need it, and in the future I will.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Great thread...
So far my northern tool quick hitch has only sat in the shed - won't fit the finish mower or counterweight barrel, and I rarely use my back blade which I never use lately.
Matter of fact, I haven't used my back blade since my summer project year before last, seems like overkill for my little driveway in the winter too.

Maybe it's time to sell em? Anyone looking for a quick hitch or a 84" heavy duty back blade?
View attachment 510951

Lol! I have a medium duty 7ft blade I bought at auction I'll trade you. I've been afraid to use it on my boulder laden soil! Also up for trade would be my other "learning experiences." (I'm only partly joking about trading)

1. Used 3pt broadcast spreader. Had to buy it. Towed spreader behind my ZTR is easier on my lawn.

2. A functional but well used 8ft SSQA hydraulic snow plow. For my small flat parking area a snow pusher or light-material bucket would be more efficient. Windrowing doesn't really help me.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Just wondering if others have purchased tractor implements that did not live up to your expectations. Maybe they didn't do the intended job well enough or you ended up not using it as often as you thought you would, or some other reason.

Here's my list:

Bucket tooth bar - used it maybe 3 times over the last 5 years, now it sits in the shed.
Front weights - I discovered that the front loader provides ample counter weight.
Front Loader dolly (Expanded) - I stopped using this because for some reason mounting the loader turns into a %#@%$$ circus act. It now sits unused in my shed.
Telescoping 3Pt Hitch stabilizers - Can't use them because they are incompatible with a few of my implements.

If your problem with the telescoping stabilizers is that they won't allow the lift arms to spread wide enough to get outside the implement pin spacing you can easily get a wider range by taking the stabilizers apart and cutting an inch or so off the heavy male piece. You will gain several inches in width. You will still be able to go plenty narrow after the cut but it would be prudent to double check that first.

gg

 

[cat fever]

The front gangs on a Disc Harrow are the cutting gangs.

The rear gangs on a Disc Harrow are the smoothing gangs.

Every time I have seen weight added to a Disc Harrow it is on the back, when weight is needed on the front. (Difficult to weight the front because of Three Point Hitch tower.)

Occasionally I have seen weighted Discs with the Top Link shortened, WHICH REALLY STRESSES THE DISC FRAME AND THE TOP LINK.

The technique to make a marginally effective, UNWEIGHTED Disc Harrow cut marginally better is to shorten the Top Link until the rear gangs are just barely touching the ground. Almost all rear gang weight is then bearing on the front, cutting gangs. A second pass with front and rear gangs working is necessary to produce a reasonably smooth bed.

Disc after a soaking rain when soil is softest.

Don't weight a Disc Harrow. Sell the one you have that is too light and buy one with larger diameter pans.

After I cut the hay I may adjust/try the disc again and see if I can't make it perform. I always (try) do any dirt work after a rain, mostly so I don't have to deal with the dust. My soil has been worked enough that it stays relatively soft.

 

[ultrarunner]

The front gangs on a Disc Harrow are the cutting gangs.

The rear gangs on a Disc Harrow are the smoothing gangs.

Every time I have seen weight added to a Disc Harrow it is on the back, when weight is needed on the front. (Difficult to weight the front because of Three Point Hitch tower.)

Occasionally I have seen weighted Discs with the Top Link shortened, WHICH REALLY STRESSES THE DISC FRAME AND THE TOP LINK.

The technique to make a marginally effective, UNWEIGHTED Disc Harrow cut marginally better is to shorten the Top Link until the rear gangs are just barely touching the ground. Almost all rear gang weight is then bearing on the front, cutting gangs. A second pass with front and rear gangs working is necessary to produce a reasonably smooth bed.

Disc after a soaking rain when soil is softest.

Don't weight a Disc Harrow. Sell the one you have that is too light and buy one with larger diameter pans.

It is a Land Pride bought through the Kubota Dealer for the L3800

Ground can get real hard in summer and sloppy in winter.

I was always amazed and an old orchard near me that is disc each spring... just to keep it neat now... the 1940 CAT pulls an ancient disk that must be very heavy... it is like magic... so I bought one and just have not had the luck or skill to achieve much... paid a neighbor to till it and got what I needed.

 

[longjohn79]

Those are the stock Titan R4s

Ahh thanks, mine are originals from 95. Getting a little dry but still good Tread. I'll need new ones at some point.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Might add, I bought a box blade once from tsc, maybe was central tractor then, got it home and noticed a bunch of broken welds, looks like they welded to rust. Took it right back, never got another one, not sure why I thought I needed that one.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Thought I would/could use a cultivator for striking up rows in my garden. Used it a couple of times but large rocks kept shearing the plow bolts so I parked it up for 3 years now. I also got (for free) a 4 row set of row hippers (rolling disc) that I used once for the garden but didn't like the high beds, rather plant flat so they are parked next to the 7 foot disc that I haven't used in 3 years now. I use my tiller for my ground breaking needs. I think I have got up all the large rocks that were shearing my cultivator bolts but I just don't like to hook it up for just a small garden spot.

Box blade has been on loan to my neighbor for a year to keep the gravel roads in their commercial campground levelled. Prior to that, it sat in a row next to my cultivator.

Landscape rake was never of much use. I found that I could do just a good a job on my gravel drive by back grading with my FEL. My chickens like to sit on it and crap all over it. It hasn't moved in 4 years now.

Bought an electric lawnmower lift off Craigslist that I thought would be great to lift up my zero turns for changing the blades. I found that the ramps were not the right width and couldn't be adjusted. It is setting in my way under a shed. Need to Craigslist it back again. I find my FEL works quickly to raise up my mowers.

Bought a gas powered chipper that I never used. Found that it is easier to just burn the limbs. It sets next to my electric lawn mower lift.

I haven't used my 7 foot bushhog in 2 or 3 years. I find that I can mow my pasture just about as fast with my lawnmower and I can get under the trees with it where I cant with my tractor.

 

[cat fever]

Thought I would/could use a cultivator for striking up rows in my garden. Used it a couple of times but large rocks kept shearing the plow bolts so I parked it up for 3 years now. I also got (for free) a 4 row set of row hippers (rolling disc) that I used once for the garden but didn't like the high beds, rather plant flat so they are parked next to the 7 foot disc that I haven't used in 3 years now. I use my tiller for my ground breaking needs. I think I have got up all the large rocks that were shearing my cultivator bolts but I just don't like to hook it up for just a small garden spot.

Box blade has been on loan to my neighbor for a year to keep the gravel roads in their commercial campground levelled. Prior to that, it sat in a row next to my cultivator.

Landscape rake was never of much use. I found that I could do just a good a job on my gravel drive by back grading with my FEL. My chickens like to sit on it and crap all over it. It hasn't moved in 4 years now.

Bought an electric lawnmower lift off Craigslist that I thought would be great to lift up my zero turns for changing the blades. I found that the ramps were not the right width and couldn't be adjusted. It is setting in my way under a shed. Need to Craigslist it back again. I find my FEL works quickly to raise up my mowers.

Bought a gas powered chipper that I never used. Found that it is easier to just burn the limbs. It sets next to my electric lawn mower lift.

I haven't used my 7 foot bushhog in 2 or 3 years. I find that I can mow my pasture just about as fast with my lawnmower and I can get under the trees with it where I cant with my tractor.

But look at all the knowledge you can now pass on to your kids.:laughing:

 

[dieselcrawler]

But look at all the knowledge you can now pass on to your kids.:laughing:

And lightly used, in great shape, implements!