seasalt
Bronze Member
Folks,
After much review, reading, consideration, etc., I have completed my order of a JD 3720 HSD, mid pto, auto cruise, rear svc, 300CX, HD bucket, work light, light guards, 50 amp alternator, 448 BH (yes went for it after much input from the group), 12" bucket, big R-4s, filled, with the welded Frontier BB1060 and a Ag Meire (made in Brenham) XL 440 PHD with a 9" auger. Have also purchased a 3 pt hitch connected 2"reciever to tow/position my trailer.
Trailer choice was almost as complex...Started with a tandem 3500 lb. Top Hat 20 ' bumper pull, with electric brakes, but after adding up all the options - detachable ramps, spare, Goodyear HD tires on 8 lug 16 in wheels, dual 5200 lb. axles with brakes on each with a set of two inch channels welded to the rear for a 2x12 tail gate, I got to within spitting distance of a much stronger built ODOM trailer - family built same frame since 1952 (Conroe, Tx), that already had all the above standard with twin 7000lb. axles. The ODOM has a massive 3 1/2 inch pipe rail, compared to angle on the lesser models and 2 7/8 on many of the good trailers, and every part is stiffer than anything I have shopped - plus a 7000lb jack and kickers on the ramps. Dealer assured me (after I wrote the check) that was the last trailer I would own and my kids would have it for years after I was gone.
Certainly the trailer capacity (will be derated to 12,000) is more (if fully loaded) than my 4x4 Suburban can haul. However it should pull all my gear nicely and without sweat - albiet at the max combined towing capacity of my rig. BTW installed a Jordan Ultima brake controller on the advice of the group as well - seemed to be the leader outside of the BrakeSmart (hydraulic sensor) set up that is temporarily out of production due to a change in ownership.
The step from twin 3500 lb axles to 7000's came by way of the fact that my tractor with FEL and BH and filled R-4's would be around 5500lbs. - max load for a tandem 3500# trailer. Didnt want to tow that much gear and $$$ at max load so I moved to a heavier unit. Also plan to have material (mulch, sand, rock, grass, gravel, etc.) loaded onto the trailer and be sturdy enough to drive the tractor with FEL up onto it to unload. Think I got enough to be safe and dealer agrees.
All is in except the BH. Small delay due to options ordered originally were shipped through Louisiana about the time of the storm (dead end), and had to be reordered.
Feel very happy about the long and arduous decision. Thanks again to all for the input and help making this long term decision.
Also recently closed on an additional 150x300ft parcel adjacent to my existing homestead. Now have lots (more) trees to manage / clear as I plan an overflow parking area (granite gravel) and trails throughout the 3+ acres of land I now have. Long term I hope to build a barn for the tractor (my new baby will stay in my one car separate garage / shop until then). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Longer term I might buy a ranchette in the Hill Country.
Did I get I right? Let me know your thoughts. First test will probably be a neighborhood hay ride for Halloween. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Off to tree felling and dirt work after that.
After much review, reading, consideration, etc., I have completed my order of a JD 3720 HSD, mid pto, auto cruise, rear svc, 300CX, HD bucket, work light, light guards, 50 amp alternator, 448 BH (yes went for it after much input from the group), 12" bucket, big R-4s, filled, with the welded Frontier BB1060 and a Ag Meire (made in Brenham) XL 440 PHD with a 9" auger. Have also purchased a 3 pt hitch connected 2"reciever to tow/position my trailer.
Trailer choice was almost as complex...Started with a tandem 3500 lb. Top Hat 20 ' bumper pull, with electric brakes, but after adding up all the options - detachable ramps, spare, Goodyear HD tires on 8 lug 16 in wheels, dual 5200 lb. axles with brakes on each with a set of two inch channels welded to the rear for a 2x12 tail gate, I got to within spitting distance of a much stronger built ODOM trailer - family built same frame since 1952 (Conroe, Tx), that already had all the above standard with twin 7000lb. axles. The ODOM has a massive 3 1/2 inch pipe rail, compared to angle on the lesser models and 2 7/8 on many of the good trailers, and every part is stiffer than anything I have shopped - plus a 7000lb jack and kickers on the ramps. Dealer assured me (after I wrote the check) that was the last trailer I would own and my kids would have it for years after I was gone.
Certainly the trailer capacity (will be derated to 12,000) is more (if fully loaded) than my 4x4 Suburban can haul. However it should pull all my gear nicely and without sweat - albiet at the max combined towing capacity of my rig. BTW installed a Jordan Ultima brake controller on the advice of the group as well - seemed to be the leader outside of the BrakeSmart (hydraulic sensor) set up that is temporarily out of production due to a change in ownership.
The step from twin 3500 lb axles to 7000's came by way of the fact that my tractor with FEL and BH and filled R-4's would be around 5500lbs. - max load for a tandem 3500# trailer. Didnt want to tow that much gear and $$$ at max load so I moved to a heavier unit. Also plan to have material (mulch, sand, rock, grass, gravel, etc.) loaded onto the trailer and be sturdy enough to drive the tractor with FEL up onto it to unload. Think I got enough to be safe and dealer agrees.
All is in except the BH. Small delay due to options ordered originally were shipped through Louisiana about the time of the storm (dead end), and had to be reordered.
Feel very happy about the long and arduous decision. Thanks again to all for the input and help making this long term decision.
Also recently closed on an additional 150x300ft parcel adjacent to my existing homestead. Now have lots (more) trees to manage / clear as I plan an overflow parking area (granite gravel) and trails throughout the 3+ acres of land I now have. Long term I hope to build a barn for the tractor (my new baby will stay in my one car separate garage / shop until then). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Longer term I might buy a ranchette in the Hill Country.
Did I get I right? Let me know your thoughts. First test will probably be a neighborhood hay ride for Halloween. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Off to tree felling and dirt work after that.
