Just bought a BUCK (S-470D) What can it do?

[Quigly]

Hello all /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just bought a Satoh-Mitsubishi Buck 4x4 tractor (S-470D). I think it is an early 1980's. The only attachment it has is a Woods RB60 scraper. I'm going to need a Post Hole Digger and Brush Hog Cutter. This little brut is 18.5hp. I have a 1 acre property in North Los Angeles County, CA and about 36 acres of raw land next to me that is not cleared with two dirt roads through it. I plan to use this little guy to clear brush around my one acre and small areas of the attached 36 acres to meet fire codes. Is the 4x4 BUCK up to the challenge?

A few Q's:

What is the best price/value Brush Hog Cutter for this 18.5hp?
How about the same for a 6"-9" Post Hole DIgger?
Should I try to save money and look for used?
What other attachments would prove handy?

Thanks for your input. I'm a tractor virgin /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Slamfire]

Good lookin' little tractor. I've got a Mitsu D1800 which is a similar gray market tractor, 18 hp at the pto. I pull a towable 5 foot bush hog, but have to confess it is all you can do to start the blade turning. I have to get it up to speed before starting the tractor's wheels turning. I suppose if I had a 3point bush hog, I'd want to limit it to 4' of blade. I've pulled a single row cultivator, 16" moldboard plow, 6' grader blade, and some other stuff. Mostly I use mine for loggin', just firewood mind you. I'm kind of curious about all the suitcase weights on the front, how come? I lived in Saugus for about 25 years, but moved here 7 years ago after retiring. I guess you could say I've escaped from LA, county that is. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Quigly]

Ballast I guess? The tractor guy I bought it from said the weights in the front really help with traction in FWD. I played with it today and so far I'm very happy with the purchase. I used the scraper to drag out yucca plants. If you lived in Saugus you know what yucca's are and how nasty their stickers can be. I'm in Canyon Country, Sierra Highway & Sand Canyon area. You can't root axe yucca because the stickers are longer then the axe handle and they get you in the hands! With my new "Rancho-de-Quigly's" little helper I just backed up to them and dropped the scrapper over them, then drag it across and they generally pop right out. I know that's not what the scraper is really for, but heck those stickers had me stumped /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I did find out that the hill behind my Slanty-Shanty of a log cabin is quit soft and steep. At times I would get to a certain hieght and steepness and the Buck would stop climbing and dig in. The wheels just keep turning like they can't be stopped. It never missed a beat!

Any thoughts on brands for a small Brush Hog and light duty Post Hole Digger? Looking for the right balance of price and quality /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

PS: Any International Light Line fans here? I also have several mid-60's International Travelall's. I have been using my '65 with it's power-lock rear end to pull stumps, but now that duty will fall on the Buck. Looks like the ol' T-all is going to get retired to Home Depot runner and dump trailer hauler. She's served me well...

 

[stvman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What other attachments would prove handy?
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You can't beat a front end loader arguably the best attachment for a tractor. Steve...

 

[Slamfire]

Well, Roy, (Quigly dig) I don't guess you'll be wantin' to do much farmin' on your spread, so I'll stick to what you've asked for. For mowin' down them Yuccas you'll need a medium duty rotary mower. Back up to 'em, and lower the cutter, when the shakin' stops, the job is finished. For the one seeded junipers and creosote bush, just drive right over 'em. Bush Hog is a brand name, do a search on either term and you'll find plenty of threads to read up on what folks think of the various brands.
I'm buildin' my own posthole digger, so havent investigated any of the commercial ones, but a similar search will get you up to speed on those too.

 

[Quigly]

Straight shoot'n Slamfire. Don't hush the baby! If I do farm some, it will be grapes for use by our new Los Angeles County Agua Dulce Vineyards ( http://www.aguadulcevineyards.com/com/intfc/p/adv2/cb/aboutus.asp ). Those guys and gals dream is to create a fly in winery and equestrian center. There is a little airport park for the prop-set they call the Agua Dulce Airpark Ranch ( http://www.aguadulceairpark.com/film/private.html ). If you've got your wings, fly back west young man for a visit. You can even enter the horseback riding-shooting contest ( http://www.californiadesperados.com ) at the Wild West Days this weekend ( http://www.aguadulceairpark.com/events/country/schedule.html ). Come taste the "sweet water".

Very interested in seeing a picture of your self-built post hole digger /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif My brother is a certified welder and really enjoys making custom stuff. Nice creative change from the repetition of running a bead. I was thinking of having him make a clamp-on brush pile mover. Something like fork lift prongs to slip under brush piles and move them around, being that I don't have a Front End Loader ($$$!) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Checked out your profile and noted your Utility days. Was that the infamous friends of soon (clear my throat...) retiring Gray Davis? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Spent a time there myself...

 

[Slamfire]

I refer, of course, to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. It was still in the command of Richard Riordan when I left. They gave me a golden parachute to retire 6 months early. I'll start losing money after my 83rd birthday, but males in my family don't last much longer than that. Used to fly into Agua Dulche from San Fernando, in an Aronca "K". Then they closed the restruant, and we had to go over to Santa Catalina for buffalo burgers. Like my firearms a bit more primitive than them SASS fellers, but thanks for the invite. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Tell them winery guys good luck, maybe they can put Napa, Sonoma and Mendicino out of business. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Quigly]

DWP goes way back in this area... My Step-Grandfather who originally bought this property in the 1930's worked for DWP as a Substation Operator. Out behind the Slanty-Shanty we have a cut-out in the hill that was our pistol range. Can't use it now with all the rules here. I always liked my fathers nickle plated 45 with "real" knotches in the handle. My brother is a black powder man. My real grandfather's brother was Chief of Police in Jerome, AZ, way back (a rough and tumble mining town). Guns were a big part of my life as I grew up, but not much any more. This area has been through so many changes over the years, it's hard to imagine. My tenure was at SCE, not DWP. Went through their Executive Training Program prior to deregulation. Deregulation was on the drawing board back in the '80's and I didn't think it would work then... Needless to say, I moved on after seeing their books from the inside (if you know what I mean /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ). Great to meet a past local here and congrads on your escape from LA!

Anyway, if you get that homemade Post Hole Digger done be sure to post a pic. Looks like most people say the Brushhog brand and Woods rear rotory cutters are best, but expensive. It also appears that everyone recommends having a slip-clutch on it.

Does anyone make drawings/blue prints to make tractor implements yourself? Some of the tractor folks are real handy people!!!

 

[jimstractors]

I sell post hole diggers and 42", 48" + rotary mowers near you (Pearblossom). Email me or check out my website.

 

[MarkStewart]

Looks like you have a little too much weight on there. You might consider taking a few of those weights off. It might actually make your front end components wear out faster. You may want to get an operators manual for it if you can find one. Nice looking machine btw.