What Attachments Will I Need?

[snmhanson]

OK, I think my wife has finally cracked and is going to let me get a tractor. I'll probably be getting a B7510 or B7610 with a FEL (and teeth) and MMM in the near future. What other attachments should I get? We have five acres of which about 1.75 need to be landscaped - the rest is scrub oak and pine trees. I'm starting from scratch here with pretty hard, crusty and rocky soil. I want to turn, level, fill and grade and then install a sprinkler system and put in grass. I'll also use the tractor to mow the lawn, move snow occasionally (<1' at a time), dig post holes and starter holes for planting trees, grade a 800' gravel drive and whatever other projects come my way. The problem is that after spending 15,000 on a tractor the wife probably isn't going to be too receptive to me "needing" an expensive tiller or trencher so hopefully I can get away with some of the less expensive attachments to get the jobs done. I was thinking about getting the following: Box blade for rough grading, rear blade for fine grading and snow removal, and a post hole digger w/ 9" auger. Maybe a middle buster/sub-soiler to help start trenches for the sprinkler system or maybe I'll just rent a ditcher. Anything else I might need (or not need)? Also what companies do you recommend for the attachments and what prices am I looking at? Thanks a lot for any help.

Matt

 

[NIXON]

Welcome to TBN ! Wow ! you've pretty much got it covered in what you're looking at as far as attachments go .
Bet You've been lurking here a bit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
didn't go with a Box blade when I bought my machine . I went with a Woods hbl rear blade . I knew that I'd be removing snow . It also does a fair job at grading .But now I'm looking at the Woods and Rhino box blades . I'm also trying to justify a top and tilt system . Sure seems like it will beat getting off the tractor to make manual adjustments to the top and side links . I only went for one remote when I bought my tractor . In Hindsight I should have gone for all three that were offered . The option isn't cheap . But it does allow you to get work done more conveniently.
And I think that's what it's all about in the long run . John

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Just my opinion, but a Box Blade with adjustible scarifier teeth and a Post Hole Digger and a Sub Soiler would get you pretty well started.

For planting trees I use a PHD with a 12" auger bit, I drill 3 holes in a triangular pattern and scoop out the spoils with a shovel. You get a much bigger hole and it gives small trees a nice start. A 9" auger bit is great for the fence posts and mailbox, but not nearly as good for tree or bush planting. I even use the 12" for large flowers, digging just about 15" down and planting them.

The subsoiler will be a big asset for laying the sprinkler lines and also for running underground wiring for lights, etc.

Box Scraper will help level and grade and make things smooth.

As for the Rear Blade, I have one and use it, but make sure you get one that is heavy, angles/tilts, rotates and offsets. Midwest makes a great rear blade a great price. You may find, however, that the Box Scraper is going to do most of the blade work. And the FEL will take care of much of your snow removal. So, you might consider delaying the purchase of a rear blade until you find out if you actually need it.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

A carry-all. They are relatively inexpensive and have more uses than you can shake a stick at.

 

[snmhanson]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll pretty much go with what Bob recommended. Probably wait on the rear blade until I really need it but get the box blade, post hole digger and buster/subsoiler. I'll look into a carry-all too. Will the box blade behind a 21hp tractor work well for getting my lawn ready for grass or would I be way better off with the 24 hp B7610 or is that not even enough? The ground is quite hard with some larger (up to 12" diameter) rocks scattered about and alot of smaller rocks in clusters. I'm hoping to be able to turn and grade the soil and remove the rocksto get it ready for grass. There are also a few rock shelves and huge boulders which probably won' be coming out. I was going to have the local high school Future Farmers of America come out with their large equipment to till the land to get it ready for me but hopefully that won't be necessary? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Thanks again for all of the help.

Matt

 

[RonC]

I have been leveling and grading all year and so far I haven't found the need for a rear blade other than the Box Blade. There is a trick to using a box blade and I am still learning. It's nice to be a senior citizen and still play in the dirt /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif We didn't have any snow this year the FEL would have taken care of it. I think I would rather have a posthole digger, sure alot easier on the back. You will get lots of advice on what items to purchase and who to buy from. It really pays to shop around. Have fun on your new tractor, just remember SAFETY. A tractor can kill you just as quick as a car maybe quicker. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[theboman]

How many ditches and how long are they? If you have to maintain them a middle buster with a thin hoe is wonderful if you can staddle the ditch safely.
Rent a ditch witch to bury those lines if you won't be gardening a tiller will set a lot more than they do now.

 

[DannyD]

I bought my first tractor this year, my FEL has been more than the best accessory, and my tiller has paid for itself easily. I had a box blade, but traded it this week for a rock rake, a much better tool considering the rocky soil that we have here. I also use my tractor for mowing so a 60" MMM came with the package. I have begun much of what you wanted to do, in restarting my yard, tilling, grading, rock removal, and replanting grass

Kubota bx2200, KK 48 Inch tiller, KK rock rake, Kubota FEL, FIMCO 15 gal orchard sprayer. I am getting very soon, Pat's Easy Change system and a middle buster for ditching and trenching