Shopping for New Tractor and Stump Grinder

[TJP89]

No way, the big stump grinder justifies the purchase of a new tractor!

Also, I will be working on hills and want the stability of a tractor with the comfort of a cab, for a change...

I think you are going to fit right in here with that kind of logic!

 

[LoudonNH]

So it turns out Massey had a summer discount program going when I first saw the 4608 at the local Agricultural Fair. According to the Equine Discount people, the summer discount undercut the Equine program and should not have. Besides that, they say there are only two 4608 tractors available. There must not be much of a demand for them because the nearest dealer to me has had the same one on his lot for about at least two months that I know of.

I've decided to stay with John Deere, happily!

Also today, I got thinking about the additional hydraulic circuits needed to run the Miller stump grinder. It occurred to me that the Deere Power Beyond kit on one of my tractors enables the backhoe to operate with 7 hydraulic cylinders. Today I spoke with the owner at Miller and we talked about installing some sort of manifold at the back of the tractor that would connect to a Power Beyond kit, enabling us to draw hydraulic power for all three functions on the Miller grinder. I also asked about utilizing a remote control similar to the control box used for a snowplow in a pick-up. So it's in the engineering department now.

Have any of you guys done anything similar, for any kind of attachment? All advice would be appreciated!

Thanks again.

 

[Tompet]

Also today, I got thinking about the additional hydraulic circuits needed to run the Miller stump grinder. It occurred to me that the Deere Power Beyond kit on one of my tractors enables the backhoe to operate with 7 hydraulic cylinders. Today I spoke with the owner at Miller and we talked about installing some sort of manifold at the back of the tractor that would connect to a Power Beyond kit, enabling us to draw hydraulic power for all three functions on the Miller grinder. I also asked about utilizing a remote control similar to the control box used for a snowplow in a pick-up. So it's in the engineering department now.

Have any of you guys done anything similar, for any kind of attachment? All advice would be appreciated!

Thanks again.

This is what I was attempting to reference in previous post. You are refreshing my memory from several years ago. The power beyond and a three spool valve (manifold) should work. Go to surpluscenter.com/hydraulics and check out the valves. I would also suggest you post the question in the hydraulic forum for very experienced advice. I think Miller will be hands on with advice as you referenced.

If you get this Miller setup be sure to post photos!

 

[LoudonNH]

This is what I was attempting to reference in previous post. You are refreshing my memory from several years ago. The power beyond and a three spool valve (manifold) should work. Go to surpluscenter.com/hydraulics and check out the valves. I would also suggest you post the question in the hydraulic forum for very experienced advice. I think Miller will be hands on with advice as you referenced.

If you get this Miller setup be sure to post photos!

Tom,

Your ideas in the previous post are what got me thinking. I don't know much about hydraulics but after talking with Jeff at Miller's yesterday, I was able to visualize your good advice. One of his concerns is controlling the hydraulic pressure being returned to the tractor. Another is to enable the functions on the grinder to operate smoothly.

I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with and hope it's something I and others can use. Thanks again.

 

[OrangeGuy]

My experience with tractor mounted stump grinders was disappointing at best. Turning to look backwards for hours at a time and the bouncing of the tractor led me to looking for a much better option. Control of the tractor mount was also difficult.I rented a Bobcat stump grinder for my Bobcat. I comfortably have ground 100 or more stumps. Try grinding a four foot diameter white oak stump with a tractor grinder and you will soon wish you had a better alternative. The Bobcat high-flow system is the best system I have ever used. Visibility and maneuverability are great. The Bobcat loader is the machine of choice for most farmers around here for handling big bales. I would check it out before committing to the tractor setup. My me I didn't have to purchase the stump grinder as most Bobcat dealers have them readily available for rent.

OrangeGuy

 

[OrangeGuy]

I should clarify my above post. I am talking about a Bobcat skid steer loader not the Bobcat compact tractor. Last week I rented the Bobcat stump grinder and ground 25 stumps, including several large white oak, in about 5 hours. I love how fast you can move from stump to stump.

OrangeGuy

 

[LoudonNH]

I want to thank you guys for all your very helpful advice!

I ended-up buying one of the last two 2014 John Deere 5075e (Tier 2) on the dealer's yard and the Miller Pro 75 Stump Grinder. Pictures to be posted below!

Apparently I signed the tractor up just a few days before Deere switched over from the 2014 to 2015 model year and Tier 4, with a price increase of $3,500. The 5075e should be all the tractor I need. It feels very big on our farm, which is hilly and partially wooded. I think part of what makes the tractor feel so big is that I'm used to a hydrostatic transmission and I'm giving myself lots of room to maneuver and change directions with the new tractor. I really like it so far! The cab and climate control are really great; first time out of the weather for me! We added the optional rear wiper/washer, radio, block heater, engine pre-heater, power-beyond, loaded rear tires and two sets of front work lights. I opted for the global carrier and 73" heavy duty loader bucket with bolt-on cutting edge. So far I'm happy with the width of the bucket. The cutting edge is 75" wide, just a couple of inches narrower than the rear tires. For now, the 1,750LB stump grinder is my counter-weight! The dealer has a ballast box on order.

The design of the stump grinder seems to have come out first rate! I hope to have it operating next week. There are 10 pages in the operator's manual describing the set-up procedure; lots of grease points and hydraulic connections and details to check and double check before pulling the yellow knob… The engineer/owner/builder of the stump grinder designed and put-together a one-off electro-hydraulic control that runs off the power-beyond circuit on the tractor and 12 volts of power to a handheld, remote control box with three toggle switches to operate the three functions on the stump grinder. The machine is as well-made and rugged looking as any equipment I've ever seen; completely hand built in the USA…

I hope you guys will feel free to offer your good advice and tips. Enjoy the photos as I'm enjoying the ones posted by other members!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Very nice. Merry Christmas! Be careful until you're used to everything.

 

[Tompet]

That setup looks great! Sounds like nice timing on purchase of the Deere.

What is really nice with the Miller is the ability to extend and retract the grinder cutting wheel. That will make efficient use of your time. The remote looks like it will give you freedom to move. Please post a review and maybe photos or video in action.
Congrats and enjoy!

 

[LoudonNH]

Yes, I will definitely post a video in the future.

I think it was a great time to buy, Plus I purchased under the NTRA equine program and got big discounts on both the tractor and loader. It looks as if Deere has changed the hood on the 2015 models and made it taller to accommodate the Tier 4. The dealer showed me how they did that on the 4000 series last year. To me, it affected the visibility of the loader bucket severely; one of the reasons I moved up to the 5000 series.

That setup looks great! Sounds like nice timing on purchase of the Deere.

What is really nice with the Miller is the ability to extend and retract the grinder cutting wheel. That will make efficient use of your time. The remote looks like it will give you freedom to move. Please post a review and maybe photos or video in action.
Congrats and enjoy!