forks and rock bucket for JD 5103

[Michelle K linnane]

Hi Everyone
I just bought a 5103 this summer with a front end loader and I love it. But I borrowed my neighbors tractor this weekend as I was cutting some trees in log lengths and the forks are a great way to handle the logs, either to move or just stick a fork under them so they are easy to saw in lengths.
Also I have had my eye on rock buckets for a while. My neighbors NH
can use skid steer attachments. The JD loader has a different system of attachment. I went to the JD dealer to rpice the forks and I think they are
$790 which is ok, and the rock bucket that was $1600. Now a tractor dealer near use has them for $1000, but I am not sure I am comparing apples to apples here and I was wondering has anybody bought forks for their front end loader. I do not want the ones that attach to the bucket they are worth less to me.
Has anybody bought forks recently so that I could compare prices or a rock bucket?
thank you in advance
Michelle

 

[Z-Michigan]

Couple comments. I have looked at those tools but haven't bought because of prices. I havea 5105 with 522 FEL and have a regular bucket and a bale spear. Rock buckets are very pricey for quality. $1600 is not at all surprising and even a bit more is not unreasonable for good quality. I think MDS is one good brand, there are several others. All the major implement makers can make things for the JD quick attach system if you ask. For forks, I would look at aftermarket, particularly at Horst Welding which makes a lot of FEL attachments that are good quality and reasonable price. (My bale spear, sold to me by a JD dealer, was Horst rather than Frontier.) Still, for adjustable width forks, $790 isn't at all surprising. BTW simple replacement buckets are in the $600+ range.

 

[BarryinMN]

Here is a gadget that makes your tractor a skid steer loader.

Will it Fit My Machine

No recommendation to buy there but site has good educational content. SS attachments range from really light weight to indestructable. You want to match the tool to the loader, the tool should bend before the loader arms do. It's easier to beat on the attachment to straighten rather than the loader.

Handling logs with forks are easy, even better is a grapple so the logs cannot roll. I have a grapple on a SS rock bucket with proprietary QT plate welded on in place of the SS QT.

You could order SS attachments with no attachment plate & weld on the Deere QT plates.

I bought an old Deere SS earlier this year & it has a old pre universal proprietary QT system on it. After getting a really good deal on a couple of SS attachments at auction I simply brought the machine and attachments to my local blacksmiths shop. Next day I had a steel plate that matched the Deere on one side & universal SS on the other. Instead of levers, pins & springs it uses (2) 1/2 inch bolts. $178 and do not loose breakout or lifting leverage.

pix of rock bucket and rock picker pulled behind..

 

[jdeere5205]

I have a 5' JRW rock bucket for my John Deere 5205 that I purchased 6 years ago at my local Kubota dealer, it cost me $1100 at the time plus $200 for the brackets to fit the 521 loader. I have moved thousands of tons of rock with it since then and I still use it everyday.... best attachment I have ever bought !

 

[kennyd]

Also check with your dealer Michelle, You should be able to get the Skid Steer carrier for your loader, then you can share implements with the neighbor

 

[BloomingtonMike]

I just bought a buddies forks he had on his 5103. He said the dealer charged him $1200 and he wanted $800. I showed him the printout fof $788 from deere.com and handed him $500 in cash and he took it. I have a 300X loader on a 3320. The pins are too low on the forks so I will weld a new set on but the hooks are the right space above. I used them this weekend to haul flagstone and wood. I will post some pictures.