Rubber, meet road... (which attachments to buy??)

[mr2143]

Thanks for all of the feedback on attachments. I ordered my MX-6000 today

My primary uses will be to maintain (and extend) a roughly 2 mile road network (dirt and gravel), to clear brush and mow brushy areas, and to maintain my timber producing forest (so thinning, planting, etc.). I will also be building a home and some outbuildings. I have a 4 ton mini-excavator for the BH use cases.

In case anyone cares, or would like to weigh in, here are my conclusions so far:

Bucket - stick with the Kubota heavy duty round back
Grapple - EA Wicked 60" is a no brainer. I need it for moving piles of brush, branches, tree trunks, etc.
Forks - stick with the Land Pride 48", 300 lb. forks. EA's are probably better, but I will throw my dealer a bone on this one
Box blade - looks to me like the EA and Gearmore are basically similar, and similar price (EA slightly cheaper, and built in the USA). Likely to order to EA with the grapple.
Chipper - again, pretty heavy use associated with clearing and timber management. Got on the wait list for the WoodMaxx MX-9900. Made in the USA, it appears to be the biggest beefiest chipper that is reasonably priced.
Mower - current plan is to rent. Flail mowers that can handle large brush (>1") are freakishly expensive. Cheapest one I could find that seemed like it would work (the Gearmore, which is actually made by Seppi) is close to $7k. Dealer has one on their rental lot, so for now I will rent it.
Remote hydraulics - went with the factory setup rather than the aftermarket

Decided to pass on the 4:1 bucket. With the grapple, it seems like duplication. I may live to regret the mistake - but I can always buy one later.

If you don稚 mind me asking, what does the MX6000 cost? I called Kubota CS and a couple sales offices around here, but no one has pricing or details available yet.

 

[JR4AL]

The upgrade is just for the cab. I am more than happy with the MX5800 and it is all the tractor I think I will ever need. Horsepower and capability is not the issue. The blistering Alabama heat and humidity is what I would like to escape with a cab. That and of course that Yellowjacket nest I found early last fall!

 

[Garrik]

If you don't mind me asking, what does the MX6000 cost? I called Kubota CS and a couple sales offices around here, but no one has pricing or details available yet.

Essentially the same as the MX5800. Base machine pricing is slightly different, but everything else (FEL, attachments, etc.) appear to be the same price as in the current MX5800 price list.

 

[jk96]

What's your plans for the boxblade? If only for driveway maintenance then might look at a landplane. I haven't hooked up my boxblade in the 3 years since buying the landplane.

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

Congrats on the tractor purchase.

You'll figure out what attachments you need when you start using it. You'll buy things that don't pay for themselves thru use. You'll buy things that you can't live without. It's all good.

 

[JR4AL]

Have you got an ETA from your dealer when she will be delivered?

 

[shooterdon]

This being your first tractor...get the tires loaded. Adds stability, traction and safety.

On the safety side, read and watch all the stupid things that can happen with a tractor. I was nearly crushed this year by a tractor when I helped a friend.

BTW, I like your approach...buy good stuff that will last decades and not try to save a few dollars. Many of us here (me included), can get away with lighter duty stuff as we do not work our tractors all that much...less than 100 hours a year. Those are not the ones to take advice from if you will be working hard and long..

For example, I have a $1000 60" MTL grapple that works for my needs but all I do is process 5 cords of wood a year and maintain 20 acres (15 with woods). Good enough for my needs but nothing like the EA unit.

Enjoy your new tractor and be safe!!

 

[nyone]

I would pass on the 4in1 bucket also. Not needed with a grapple. I would also pass on the chipper if you can burn in your area. Fire is alot cheaper and requires no maintenance or man power to load. If you need wood chips contact local tree companys. I have prob jad 400yrds delivered for free over the last 3 years.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Really depends what you use a grapple for. I bought the 72" wide landpride clamshell and it's 12" wider that the ea and that extra width gets put to good use raking and brush piling. So I wouldn't just state that the ea grapple is a no brainer. It is built very well, but it's not nearly as wide.

Have you put a lot of thought into what type of grapple you need? The clamshell is vastly superior for what I do.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

Wood chippers require handling of the wood. My back is not up to that, so I got a grapple to make piles.