Implements

[byax65]

Looking for some opinions on what implements are most versatile/useful, and which ones are limited.

I'm in the process of ordering a TC45DA/FEL,

1) Will the FEL cut into sod? Can you grade with the FEL?

2) If you have a FEL is a rear blade overkill? Can the rear blade cut into sod?

3) What exactly is a box blade designed to do? Would that be more useful in conjunction with a FEL than a rear-blade?

I have 7.5 acres of mostly overgrown horse pastures, lots of thick brush and 1" trees. I have a 300' driveway, mostly ashphalt, some gravel. ANy thoughts anyone before I make the big plunge?

 

[gone]

1)yes and yes the loader can do both very well with practice,the beter of the three in my opinion. I say this because i have used all 20 yrs farm and 20 or so constuction. not to sway you because the oters have thier good points also,but harder to control in sod.
2) the blade is verey good if you wish to windrow,snow or dirt across an area as you grade. keep in mind the 3pt will float, like over harder spots and dig in more insoft this is why its a little hader to control
3) box is made to grade and carry material with little or no spillage off to the side,like grading dirt drive with grass edge,nise clean edge. works verey well at task like that.
Now these are just examples not the limits of each.with alot of seat time you could be good with all, but to strip turf i think the loader is more controlable,i'm sure opinions will vary.

 

[AndyMA]

Other than for just mowing or haying a tractor without a loader is about useless. Either a box blade or rear blade is very useful, but if I could have only one 1, I think I would get a York Rake with a drop down blade. Also for what you describe a 60" light duty Brush Hog type mower would see a lot of use. Of course to me a backhoe is second only to the loader in usefullness.
Just my thoughts.

Andy

 

[jinman]

I have all three implements you asked about.

I use my loader all the time and if you are very careful, you can cut sod, but it is not the ideal tool for that. It will work, but don't expect to get a nice even and thin piece of sod unless you become very skilled. Using the FEL bucket to grade is best done by backdragging. It's very good for final smoothing and light compression of the soil.

The boxblade is good for cutting in reverse kinda like a small dozer blade, but you can't angle it (unless some enterprising person comes up with Top-n-Tilt+Angle (TnT+A)). And grading as well as moving materials in the forward direction is easily done with the box.

The angle blade can be very handy for cutting shallow ditches or dressing the sides of ditches where you need to push materials to one side or the other by angling the blade. It's the blade I use least, and mine has sat unused for over two years.

I'd buy the loader and boxblade and wait on the angle blade until I was sure I needed it. Hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[byax65]

Thanks all,

After much wrangling I decided to go with the box blade for now because that is what I'd use the most initially. I'd love to have the backhoe also up front but even at the 'a' plan quote of $6207, it's too much to add to the cost of the tractor right now. I figure I'll give the Mrs. a year or two recovery time on the tractor before I go back and explain the 'must have' for the backhoe. (Do need to put in another garage). My tractor was ordered yesterday, for a grand total of $25,360:

TC45DA w/hydro, no supersteer
16LA FEL w/hooks welded and a cutting edge.
heavy-duty box blade
#906 post-hole digger
New Holland Soft Cab (uninstalled)
Cab Heater (uninstalled)
Rear Work Light (uninstalled)
R4 tires liquid filled.
Arm Rests for the seat
Lights for the top of the cab (uninstalled)
One pair of fuzzy dice. NH Blue. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dealer says 10 days to two weeks. Unfortunately I have to travel for work in Mid march for two weeks to NJ, I hope the tractor doesn't arrive the day before I leave!!

BYAX

 

[AndyMA]

Sounds like a great package. You'll love it. One question, You say New Holland cab. I sNew Holland selling cabs now or is it a Curtis or some other brand?
Have fun /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

 

[byax65]

Andy,

That's what I asked the salesman yesterday. In particular I wanted to see a picture of the cab. He did much searching thru manuals but could not find it, but said it's not the curtiss but a New Holland cab, hard top with removable doors and back, soft-sides, and a plexiglass windshield. He said he had installed a few and they looked good on the tractor. It is a little aggravating that NH doesn't have a catalog available to the user's that lists all NH upgrades for a tractor. For example, I wouldn't have known about the arm-rest option for the seat if not for reading it on this website. The NH website should list all available upgrades some where, but doesn't. I decided to mount the cab myself because the dealer wanted $600 for doing it, plus another $200 or so to put the heater in. Besides, with spring coming I'll just store it in the pole barn for now and install it in the fall.

BYAX

 

[trkbldr]

Sounds like Christmas is coming early (or late). Great set-up you have on the way. If you're really worried about delivery while you're away on business, you could have it sent to me and I will gladly watch over it for you /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.