Reviews of specific attachments

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 14, 2002

I've tried looking in the review section, doing searches, using Google, etc., but can't seem to find many good comprehensive and comparative reviews of typical attachments such as rear mowers, tillers, etc.

For example, I'm curious how a JD rear mower or tiller stacks up next to a Land Pride, and so on.

Are there any links or pointers anyone can offer about where to find this sort of info?

Thanks,
Bob

TerryinMD · Jan 14, 2002

Bob,

You will probably find the best information here with TBN members. You'll get first hand information rather than marketing information.

Here's what I have:

JD FEL with 61" bucket - Quick attach is a dream to use. Discussed ad nauseum on this board.

Toothbar for the FEL - Great addition to the FEL. Makes ground breaking a snap. Also great for grubbing and slashing brush. If you have a FEL, put it as a priority to acquire (my opine).

JD 54" MMM - Works just fine for my application. Couldn't justify the extra several hundred bucks for an additional 6" of mowing capability.

JD Ballast Box - As far as I'm concerned, the easiest way to add weight onto the back of the tractor when needed. Box and concrete weight about 490 lbs.

Landpride 58" tiller with slip clutch - A very well built unit which performs flawlessly. The slip clutch "kicked" in once when a rock got hung up on the tines. Well worth the extra money on the tiller.

Woods 48" light duty rotary cutter - A well built unit that works very well. Handles 1 1/2" saplings without hesitation (2" it begins to complain).

Woods 60" rear blade - Well made lighter duty blade with 360 rotation, 5 angle settings, and three tilt settings. I have cut in a driveway and leveled out an area with this blade.

Middle buster - FarmStar (??) bought at Quality Farm and Fleet. This simple implement saved me DAYS worth of work installing a hidden electronic dog fence, trenched for an electric cable, and of course making furrows for potatoes and leeks, corn, and harvesting the potatoes.

Single 14" moldboard - Lienbach manufactured. I have not used this yet. I will get its first workout this spring to turn some new garden beds and turn over the green manure prior to planting.

Agriform 42" lawn sweeper - to pick up grass cuttings and leaves in the fall. Works pretty good. Only drawback is that it's not operated by the 3pt hitch.

Coleman 4'X6' utiltiy trailer - Just a great little trailer to haul all kinds of stuff.

Terry

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 14, 2002

Hi Terry,

Thanks.. great info!

Are you happy with your JD mower? Part of the reason for my question is that I'm wondering if I made a mistake in getting the JD 272 rear mower and the JD 550 tiller as part of a package with my 4300. This is an area I didn't do enough homework in, I'm ashamed to say. Since both the mower and tiller are brand new and unused at this point, perhaps a little creative bargaining with the new JD dealer would be in order. Or maybe I've got great equipment, albeit probably for a bit more money than I could have spent elsewhere.

When I hear people discuss rear mowers and tillers here, I never hear anyone mention the JD ones.

Thanks again for all the info!

Bob

p.s. Your Coleman 4'X6" utiltiy trailer sounds like a fascinating device. Which dimension is the 6 inch side.. the length or the width? /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

TerryinMD · Jan 14, 2002

Bob,

Its for harvesting asparagus!!!

If you believe that, I got this bridge to sell..... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks for the catch!!

As far as buying equipment, it really does pay to look around before jumping into a purchase. Unless the Deere dealer makes you an offer you can't refuse....

yes, I am happy with the MMM. I can have anyone in the family use the tractor with the MMM. Whenever I upgrade to a larger tractor. I'll probably go with a rear finish mower. Just to save the money on a mid-PTO and the cost of a larger MMM. Hmmm... ya know, goats are sounding a lot better now. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Terry

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 14, 2002

...it really does pay to look around before jumping into a purchase. Unless the Deere dealer makes you an offer you can't refuse....

I really did my homework on the tractor, but then just grabbed some attachments without really giving it enough thought. Everybody told me, heck, it's Deere, it'll last forever. And maybe it will.

It was a pretty good deal, I believe. He gave me just what I had paid for my GT235, 48 inch mower, and front blade, and threw in the tiller in exchange for the fact that the 4300 had about 20 hours on it from puttering around his dealership pulling trailors of snowmobiles, etc.

I guess the JD quality probably extends to their mowers and tillers.. they sure *look* rugged and well-built.

Yes, goats sound good, except they might eat all of your asparagus! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MossRoad · Jan 14, 2002

Yes, you made a mistake! No you didn't! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

You've got a great tractor and implements. Don't worry about it. If you don't like the implements after a year or two, trade them in or sell them and buy something else.

ronjhall · Jan 14, 2002

Bob
 and threw in the tiller in exchange for the fact that the 4300 had about 20 hours on it from puttering around his dealership pulling trailers of snowmobiles, etc.
That's more return on 20 hours of tractor time than you'll ever get on your own.. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif The prices for a Rototiller start around $1000.00 and go up. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Being you got a GREEN tiller your would be in the and up price. You don't hear to many complaints about JD attachments because they are well built. Was the tiller new?

PaulinSD · Jan 14, 2002

Last summer, we got a late start on the commercial mowing, and needed a 6' rotary for the JD 1050. Being behind the 8 ball with our biggest customer, the only mower I could find locally was a Befco. While the mower certainly does what it is supposed to, I took it in the shorts on price by the dealer. The main thing is, I completed the work the customer wanted, on time. I need a 5' for the JD 955, and I'll drive the 50 miles to my closest King Kutter dealer, fork over the $500 and head home with the mower I wanted, and at a reasonable price. I doubt I'd ever buy another Befco implement again, I'll stick to the KK brand. I've had them before, and were and excellent value.

Paul

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 14, 2002

...The prices for a Rototiller start around $1000.00 and go up. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Being you got a GREEN tiller your would be in the and up price. You don't hear to many complaints about JD attachments because they are well built. Was the tiller new?

Yep, brand new JD 550.. I think they go for around $2300. I may not remember that correctly. But it's a significant price. I feel I got a good deal, provided the stuff holds up and does what I want. From what I'm hearing, I should stop worrying and start enjoying! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif If only it would snow, or become Spring, or do something! /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks...

jyoutz · Jan 15, 2002

Bob, you didn't go wrong. The JD stuff is good quality and will last a long time. That said, the only JD attachments I have are the 410 loader and the 54" mm mower. I got these because they are uniquely compatable with my tractor. But for all other 3 ph implements, you can get just as good of quality for less money from Landpride, Woods, ect... I have a Woods 52" tiller and Landpride boxblade and scraper blade. These are well-built implements that cost less than JD. Of course compatability is no concern on 3ph implements.