Just pulled the trigger!

4570Man · Jul 2, 2021

civilian said:
One thing that caught my eye was that I would like it a little further back on the trailer to balance the weight out. Not sure if the tire are loaded, but I see wheel weights, loaded tires would throw some weight further back also. Enjoy your new toy. Jon

More tongue weight is always better than not enough. Also putting the bucket against the front is more secure especially with a less than excellent strapping. Really the only reason to not put the machine all the way forward is when you’re exceeding what the truck or hitch can carry and that tractor isn’t big enough to do either.

mwemaxxowner · Jul 3, 2021

That's why they did it that way I'm sure. Since they were only using 2 straps I think they wanted to make sure the loader was jammed against the front. I think they just didn't want to give me any more than 2 "complimentary" straps.

With this half ton truck if I don't have enough tongue weight things get interesting. This tractor isn't heavy enough to overdo it at the front like that.

However, as I tow it around I'll move it around some and see what feels best.

Also, I work for a trucking company and have unlimited access to scales. I set my camper and WDH up pretty meticulously on the scales. I will probably visit some day when we're closed and geek out a little bit with the truck, tractor, and trailer and figure out where it needs to be to give me about 12% tongue weight. My camper tows best at about 13%.

May still wind up at the front like this, but folks like to point out it looks funny on the trailer like this and it gets annoying. Lol

If I had a 1 ton and no loader I could just put it in the bed of the truck

. My dad's f350 has 5000 lbs of payload.

mwemaxxowner · Jul 14, 2021

I'm enjoying this thing. I think its abilities are going to line up very well with my needs, even though people like to call it "cute"

.

I already made a little money off of it. I picked up a quick little grading job (I also helped that crew prune some trees that day). Almost made my payment for the month.

I've spent some time on a skid steer. Not that I'm a whiz on a skid steer or anything but I can do alright with it, I'm just slow. However, doing loader work with this is definitely going to take some practice. I knew it was going to present some challenges, but I'm still a little surprised by it.

My shed I bought a short while back was just rough graded well enough for them to be able to install the carport. The back and one side sloped right into the shed and channeled water right into it. I decided to play with that some to give me some practice. I still have some work to do but it's getting there. Last night I discovered back dragging in float with a little dirt in the bucket and that helped me with some aspects of it greatly!

I've decided to move a box blade up on the priority list after doing a little loader work.

I haven't put my forks on yet, really need to try them out too!

mwemaxxowner · Jul 14, 2021

deezler said:
Congrats! More pics of the new gear, asap.

Third function on a bx1880.... kinda made me lol, just sayin. The "thumb" or other grapple type attachment will use up almost all your loader capacity. Still awesome, though. Good luck!

So I got some numbers together. The thumb is about 100 lbs, and my forks are 160 lbs. That still gives me some decent loader capacity. If I get the EA wicked grapple, it weighs about the same thing as my factory bucket. (150 lbs)

I should be able to do some work at either if those weights.

mwemaxxowner · Jul 30, 2021

I put my Redline pallet forks on today and fired (actually plugged battery in) my pole saw up. We've been here about a year and a half now, and this is the fifth time I've put a pile of brush about this size by the road. All the times previously I drug every piece with my hands and feet. Sure was easier this way! I was more aggressive with my trimming and trimmed much more than I would have, and finally am starting to get everything trimmed and pruned that really needs to be! I have more on the ground to move tomorrow.

I've been wanting a grapple but today my forks got me by just fine.

I also moved some piles of lumber, some large chunks of concrete, and a few other things!

civilian · Jul 30, 2021

mwemaxxowner said:
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I put my Redline pallet forks on today and fired (actually plugged battery in) my pole saw up. We've been here about a year and a half now, and this is the fifth time I've put a pile of brush about this size by the road. All the times previously I drug every piece with my hands and feet. Sure was easier this way! I was more aggressive with my trimming and trimmed much more than I would have, and finally am starting to get everything trimmed and pruned that really needs to be! I have more on the ground to move tomorrow.

I've been wanting a grapple but today my forks got me by just fine.

I also moved some piles of lumber, some large chunks of concrete, and a few other things!

So how do the forks mount? Just with loose pins, quick attach, or drive the pins out? Just wondering. Looks like removable pins on the bucket in the background. Enjoy your forks and then decide about the grapple. Jon

mwemaxxowner · Jul 31, 2021

The center pin is the same as the one for the bucket, the outer two pins slide in place and use a clevis pin to keep them in place. When I have the cash I'll purchase the AI2 quick attach.

mwemaxxowner · Aug 2, 2021

I got more work done this weekend than I have in months prior! My property shaped up more than it has over the last year, and is looking the best it has yet!