Which attachment would you buy?

[FF117]

I'm thinking it's time for some new equipment, but can only get one. I have plenty of uses for each of these and have the required hydraulics. Here are the options:

1 - pallet forks. I borrowed some clamp on forks from a friend and found them useful for moving most brush and logs. I would like to get quick attach type instead of the clamp on though. Price $550-700

2 - top'n tilt. I've been wanting to get this for a while because I have some grading work to do around the pond and eventually around our house/driveway (plan to build in a few years). Price approx $500

3 - 48" Wildkat grapple. I wasn't considering this until recently when I found out you can get one of these for $600 + shipping. I would probably use it a lot for a while and then it would sit in the shed mostly. I seems like a pretty good price and I'm not sure how long that price will last.

So what would you buy?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Do you already have your grading implements? If you do, then get the "TnT" if not then the grapple. You definitely can use the forks in the future, but could make better use of the others first IMO.

 

[moretzb]

I use my forks for a lot of different jobs. I looked up the grapple you mentioned. I think I just looked at my next purchase.

 

[WilliamBos]

A loader would be a nice addition for us. ALO is supposed to be releasing a new compact range soon, self leveling to boot.

A roto tiller upgrade may be first priority though.

 

[boggen]

not sure about the logs. but for brush. folks have used 2x4's and like, to create simple forks that fit over front of bucket. you really can't jam them down into the ground to do things with. but the extension out in front of bucket can make it easier to deal with large pile of brush. tossed onto it.

more so if you toss a piece of plywood over the 2x4 forks

================

a grapel might be more usefull for logs, and just ripping out brush.

============
tnt *shrugs* if money is tight, then just do the old leg work of stopping tractor and adjusting things the old way. manually.

 

[grsthegreat]

I bought a set of quick attach forks, and im blown away with the number of times ive used them this year . Man, thay have sure come in handy

 

[BethesdaEC]

I bought a set of quick attach forks, and im blown away with the number of times ive used them this year . Man, thay have sure come in handy

They are great for moving logs and they don't reduce lifting power like a grapple does.

 

[IslandTractor]

3 - 48" Wildkat grapple. I wasn't considering this until recently when I found out you can get one of these for $600 + shipping. I would probably use it a lot for a while and then it would sit in the shed mostly. I seems like a pretty good price and I'm not sure how long that price will last.

So what would you buy?

while I agree with the others that topntilt and forks are very useful, the price on the Wildcat is about half of what other similar grapples cost. If they are really selling them for $600 that is a real deal and may not last for long.

I don't know what type of use you have for it. I have mine mounted about half the time at least.

 

[massey990]

2 - top'n tilt. I've been wanting to get this for a while because I have some grading work to do around the pond and eventually around our house/driveway (plan to build in a few years). Price approx $500

Unless I'm missing something? $500 will only get you the cylinders there will also be the cost of the valves and plumbing them?

As for the querry, If you already have any grading etc. attachments just a HTL will be a huge improvement.

If I was faced with your options/budget I would buy a set of clamp on forks and a HTL.

 

[FF117]

Thanks for the thoughts. I figure that I will have all of these attachments....eventually (could be a couple years). Yes I have a nice rollover box blade so the TNT would be useful, but someone already mentioned that I can make those adjustments by hand when needed, it just takes longer. My estimate on TNT might be a little low. I already have the rear remotes, but need hoses and I forgot to figure shipping.

The price on that grapple is good, but it's still more expensive than the other two options and it's probably the one I need the least. I can probably get by with some forks and elbow grease, but it's sure hard to pass on the price. Here is the thread where i found out about the grapple. The OP bought one.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...apple-research-tentative-conclusion-what.html

There are a couple auctions coming up and maybe I can pick up a decent set of pallet forks for cheap and then get a hydraulic top link.