TC34DA decision made

[DCJL]

Thanks 6,

The button on the joystick sounds like a great option.

Is the 34DA a little too small for a grapple?

 

[bandit67]

After he was done grading it, it became quite apparent that I still need the $5k repair, as the lawn next to the driveway is higher than the driveway so the rains have nowhere to run off but down the driveway. They want to bring in crusher run gravel and then top dress it with stamat

To heck with that! Have the $1000-$1500 worth of material brought in, and then put the extra $3500-$4000 toward your new tractor! You can spread all that material with your new machine instead of paying someone else to do it. Gotta break in the new tractor.

 

[6sunset6]

Question Is TC34 too small for a grapple. I don't think so. I have forks which work fine. I guess it depends on how much you are going to grab.
I have a thumb on my bucket, use it for moving BIG pieces of about to be firewood to the splitter. A little cumbersome but it gets the job done.

 

[DCJL]

Thanks Bandit, sounds like a good idea to save $. I guess it will be a good way to learn and if I can't get it right I can always call in the crew without any loss. Just called them and cancelled the work and prepped them for delivery of gravel. Now just gotta buy my tractor! CFO said OK but wants nothing to do with it. Asked me about getting a BH for the gardening, moving mulch. I said the BH ($6k) was really meant for digging and the bucket was for mulching. (Couldn't even begin to think how many trips from the mulch pile to the garden using the BH!) I guess she was thinking of not crushing the plants with too much mulch. BH would be great for tearing up the garden I guess.

Hey 6, thanks, looks like grapple set up then also! So can you use the grapple with both bucket and forks or do they work for only one?

 

[DCJL]

Thinking about adding BH. Any opinions on yea or ney? ~$6k.

FYI. I am in the process of building some stone retaining walls. I am lucky enough that I am getting LOTS of stone (ledge but what the heck) for free. Just quickly calculated an average piece to be around 3.5'x3.5'x14" large, so my best guess is around 1000lbs (1/2 ton). Do you think a "little" 34DA would have problems moving those and placing them? I have 3/4 yard bucket excavator scheduled to place the stones, but do you think the 34DA could handle it? My guess is no. Do you guys want a pix or 2 to see what I am talking about?

 

[DCJL]

Purchased my 34DA today! I'll be switching over to the NH Owning/Operating forum. Thanks for all of the help.

 

[jbrumberg]

You should not have any problems with those rocks. The rock I am "walking" in the picture is 6.7'X1.5'X.8'. Assuming that this basalt rock is 188 pounds per cubic foot. I was carrying over 1500 pounds of rock with my
"29". Jay

 

[VA_Joe]

I don't think you will have a problem if you keep it low. The buckets are pretty much sized to the lift capacity of the tractor. Also - keeping the bucket low will increase the lift capacity over what's spec'd at carry and max lift heights and give you more stability. I've been carrying overfilled buckets of stone for the last several weekends without any problem (I keep it as low as practical). Just go slow and make sure that you are wearing your seat belt (i.e. don't take any chances).

Joe

 

[DCJL]

Thanks guys, I've got a feeling that this little tractor will be able to do more than I expect it to! Does anyone have a grapple system either with or w/o original bucket that would make moving rocks like that any easier?

While I at it, what would be the best implement to keep my gravel driveway graded? A box blade or something like a Grademaster?

 

[jbrumberg]

DCJL:

You are going to get a lot of differing opinions about grading your gravel driveway. I use my box blade because that is what I have. I have used my landscape rake, but I prefer the boxblade for the appearance of the finished driveway. If you go with a rear blade get a real heavy HD blade so it will not skip or bend . Those tilt blades look very interesting . Both of these attachments are multi-use. I know nothing about the Grademaster attachment . You can do a lot with a box blade and the box blade makes for good rear end ballast for FEL work. The rear blade can also be used for snow removal if you do not mind driving backwards . If you are going to be moving a lot of dense material and/or a lot of rocks get a removable toothblade. I have some issues with NH's bolt-over the bolt-on cutting bar toothbar, but I have no issues with the utility of the toothbar. Congratulations on your new tractor ! Use it safely and well - Jay