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

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

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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.

 

[Verticaltrx]

Definitely a set of forks. I use mine almost more than I use the bucket now. They can kind of do the same work as a grapple, but not as efficiently. Still much better than just a bucket for moving logs and brush though. I also use mine for moving round bales, lumber and building materials, fence posts, put a platform on it for a mobile scaffolding and so forth.

 

[boggen]

wish i had the cash on hand a year or 2 ago. for some clamp on forks. at an auction. though there was a good group of folks bidding for them.

 

[massey990]

I can make those adjustments by hand when needed, it just takes longer

Just more of my opinion and experience.
If you do any amount of work with the BB, once you operate one using a HTL you will wonder how you ever got along making adjustments manually.

I personally have improved my grading skills and the outcome by using a tilt cylinder. Before I had the tilt cylinder I would only (manually) adjust the tilt for extreme conditions and I ended up compromising on the outcome, now using the side link cylinder I am constantly making minor adjustments and the outcome is greatly improved, it's amazing the difference.

I have to admit it was after reading an older post by 'MtnViewRanch' where he said he used his HSL more than the HTL that got me started learning to use the tilt cylinder effectively. Now when using a scrape blade, landscape rake or box blade my hand is almost constantly on the tilt control lever whereas if I had to get on and off the tractor to manually make those adjustmens it just wouldn't happen and the final outcome would not be near as satisfactory.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

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.

Trust me when I say that since you have a roll over box blade, you will have far more use for a hydraulic side link than the top link. RO boxs do not get used in the same manor as the std type BB. There is no need to be constantly changing the pitch of the box with a roll over.

As far as the "TnT" cost for your tractor, I would recommend a set built with 2 1/2" dia cylinders, with 1 1/2" dia rods for your size tractor. Hoses with QD ends and hydraulic flow restrictors. This cost would be $575 + shipping. PM me your zip and I can get an accurate shipping price for you.

Here are a few pics and as you can see, I like the roll overs enough to have 2 of them. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just more of my opinion and experience.
If you do any amount of work with the BB, once you operate one using a HTL you will wonder how you ever got along making adjustments manually.

I personally have improved my grading skills and the outcome by using a tilt cylinder. Before I had the tilt cylinder I would only (manually) adjust the tilt for extreme conditions and I ended up compromising on the outcome, now using the side link cylinder I am constantly making minor adjustments and the outcome is greatly improved, it's amazing the difference.

I have to admit it was after reading an older post by 'MtnViewRanch' where he said he used his HSL more than the HTL that got me started learning to use the tilt cylinder effectively. Now when using a scrape blade, landscape rake or box blade my hand is almost constantly on the tilt control lever whereas if I had to get on and off the tractor to manually make those adjustmens it just wouldn't happen and the final outcome would not be near as satisfactory.

So many people don't realize how much better the job can come out with this type of use. I am glad that a comment of mine has helped you out with your grading.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

Get the WildKat grapple while while the getting is good @ $600.

 

[LWG]

I bought a set of clamp-on forks from fleaBay for about $160 with free shipping. I wasn't expecting much, but they are great. Extremely heavy and well-built. The only draw-back with clamp-on forks is that the load on the forks is 2-3 feet farther forward than with dedicated forks, because of the depth of the bucket. With very heavy pallets, you can exceed the tipping weight. For casual use of 1000 lbs or less, they are well-worth the money.

 

[cmhyland]

For me it's no contest.... The pallet forks are the big winner.....
I have the clamp-on style and they are good but the qucktach are great... They put the load closer to the pivot point and increase your load capacity....


Regards,
Chris

 

[RealJimbo]

I bought QA forks this year anticipating moving palleted materials and gatering firewood tops. The bucket is not much good for logs, and I'd rather process the wood near the furnace instead of in the woods. And a 72" bucket can realistically only hold a max of 1/4 cord.

I recently had to lay a drain tile in my driveway, and not having a hoe, I used the forks. The tricky part is that when you center them, they can pop off the frame. But once you break through, you can put the guard back on and dig a 14" ditch quite easily.

Hard for me to advise, since I have forks, but not TnT. Does anyone make a root grapple that goes on the pallet forks? If not, they should, that would be very cool!

If I were you, and I'm not, I'd spend the cash on the Tnt

 

[IslandTractor]

. Does anyone make a root grapple that goes on the pallet forks? If not, they should, that would be very cool!

It is possible to mount a grapple arm on a set of pallet forks. Would be pretty handy if you are using forks to carry big logs around but wouldn't make a fork grapple into a brush chomping rig like a standard root grapple.