2005 L3400 Quick Attach and Grapple

[leadfarmer]

First let me say I have searched and read the threads on making these changes to the L3400 from years ago and wanted to ask these questions to see if there is new information since some of the company's referenced have gone out of business and there are always new products coming to market.

I am happy to be the second owner of an unmodified 2005 L3400 with 350 hours, an L463 loader, and a BH75 hoe. It's had an easy life mowing a two acre lawn and digging a few ditches up till now. Last month I purchased a small farm of 23 acres and I have a lot of clearing to do to take it back from nature. I plan on buying a 450 size crawler loader for the majority of the work but I want to add a quick attach to the loader and buy a grapple for clean up and smaller jobs.

Here are the modifications I am looking for input on:

1. Universal quick attach conversion: should I go with the Kubota L2230A, ATI adapter, or another option? I can handle welding stops on the loader if I have that issue with the L2230A and I can weld the QA plate on my current bucket.

2. Third function hydraulics: I am looking at the kit from Everything Attachments. I can't say I know much about tractor hydraulics YET, and if I want electric over hydraulic or plumbed in, but as long as the kit has instructions I can handle it. Any other options I should look at?

3. Grapple: it seems the EA Wicked root grapple is popular. I think I want one with two cylinders on separate arms instead of on one grapple arm to help hold odd shaped. Can the L3400 handle a 54"? I understand the limitations of my machine and I want to keep the grapple as light as possible while still being highly useful.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[leadfarmer]

Last month I got a L2230A quick attach adapter from my local dealer. It bolted right up and no adjustment of my stops was needed. I'm very happy with it. I got set of Titan pallet forks from Amazon for $660 delivered to my house and I've been using the **** out of them.

Still have to decide if I need a grapple.

 

[old and tired]

How much brush or trees do you have to deal with? or moving rocks/boulders? Grapple is get for picking stuff up, do you need to pick stuff up? My grapple is only second to the Top N Tilt for order of importance...

I don't need much of a grapple so a bolt on, single was fine for me. Double lids are heavier and reduce what you can pick up (as well as the quick attach adapter plate you added).

I also decided to install a 3 spool valve... Grapple, top link and tilt link. For about the cost of the diverter valve you are looking at.

 

[varmint]

Just before I got my clean used L3400 about 8 or 9 years ago, the first owner had purchased a Kubota loader, and their SSQA adaptor kit. He had used the tractor simply for mowing beforehand, and I suppose he decided he finally needed a loader, but he hardly used it. (I needed a SSQA for the snow plow I have, and had been using a L3130, which was a great tractor, just too big and heavy for my needs). Some cutting and welding was required, from the looks of the back of the bucket, but he did a nice job of repainting. The only thing I'd have to say is the SSQA does add some weight to the front of the loader arms, reducing the lifting capacity by that much. The previous owner was the sort of guy you want to buy from- he also had added telescoping rear links, bucket hooks and rear hydraulics, and certainly didn't abuse the tractor at all.