Initial things to do?

[acme97]

I'm going to pick-up my new DK50SE HST with Cab & FEL from the dealer Mid-June. I'm also having a grapple but on the FEL at the dealer and a 3 ph quick attach. I've asked the dealer to make a bolt on shield to protect the hose connections under the tractor, and weld 3 hooks on the top of the standard bucket. Is there anything I should have done before I take it off the lot?

 

[moored4]

Have the dealer fill the fuel tank! :thumbsup: :laughing: :laughing:

 

[acme97]

Roger that! I'm also going ahead and getting all the filters/fluids for the 50 hr change.

 

[Kyle241]

Fill the tires?

 

[teg]

Get a hat...

 

[acme97]

I've been going back and forth on filling the tires. A lot of my land that I'll be clearing is pretty low and gets quite wet. So I don't know if it would be better to have the additional weight or not. For the most part, I'll be doing work with the grapple and bushhog. I figure the bushhog will give me the counterweight.

 

[VictorW]

You'll need the weight in the back. Especially if you use the full capacity of the loader but understand not wanting to sink and bury it. I'm not sure if the brushhog will be enough. I guess you'll find out soon enough.

Congratulations on the new toy. Did the cab come with a radio?

 

[acme97]

You'll need the weight in the back. Especially if you use the full capacity of the loader but understand not wanting to sink and bury it. I'm not sure if the brushhog will be enough. I guess you'll find out soon enough.

Congratulations on the new toy. Did the cab come with a radio?

There is a radio! That's what got the wife's ok to purchase. She drove it and love the AC & Radio.

I hear you on the weight. I would like to make a ballest box, when I get some time for when I do have to do heavy lifting.

 

[IslandTractor]

Get at least one extra set of rear remotes. If you are using remotes to control the grapple it would be nice to have at least one extra set to control a topping lift or hook up a backhoe. Two sets total is fine, three would allow top and tilt plus grapple.

 

[acme97]

Get at least one extra set of rear remotes. If you are using remotes to control the grapple it would be nice to have at least one extra set to control a topping lift or hook up a backhoe. Two sets total is fine, three would allow top and tilt plus grapple.

I have 2 sets of remotes on the rear. I just ordered a hydralic toplink which was suggested by you guys. I figure with the addition of the grapple connections already being added, that should cover everything I'll want and still leave me an open set of remotes on the rear.

 

[ecruzin]

I would suggest having the hooks bolted to the bucket instead of welded. That way they can be easily removed or replaced with something else if needed later on. I also had a toothbar installed, makes life a lot easier when picking up and moving stuff.

 

[acme97]

I would suggest having the hooks bolted to the bucket instead of welded. That way they can be easily removed or replaced with something else if needed later on. I also had a toothbar installed, makes life a lot easier when picking up and moving stuff.

That's a good point. Even though I can't think of something now, you never know. Thanks

 

[IslandTractor]

I would suggest having the hooks bolted to the bucket instead of welded. That way they can be easily removed or replaced with something else if needed later on. I also had a toothbar installed, makes life a lot easier when picking up and moving stuff.

Toothbar is nice if digging but a problem if scooping poop or other similar tasks. Possible to mount toothbar so it is relatively easy to swing out of the way.

Re hooks: most folks weld and don't regret it. Whichever you do just make sure the hooks are lined up with loader arms or at least not outside loader arms.

 

[gkh7890]

I 2nd what IT said on the placement of the hooks. Mine are outside the FEL arms and I almost twisted my FEL arms, fortunately I had the sense to back off. Real easy to torque them if you know what I mean??!! My hooks are welded on.

Congrats on the DK50!!! Don't forget the pictures!!!!

 

[acme97]

Toothbar is nice if digging but a problem if scooping poop or other similar tasks. Possible to mount toothbar so it is relatively easy to swing out of the way.

Re hooks: most folks weld and don't regret it. Whichever you do just make sure the hooks are lined up with loader arms or at least not outside loader arms.

Totally agree on the location of the hooks. Read that earlier on different threads

 

[grsthegreat]

theres an ipod jack for the radio also.....it hidden under the right side cover where the wiper switches are located.

have the dealer get you some touch up paint also. they sell cans and small style with brushes.

i agree on needing 2 rear remotes....i much prefer the weld on hooks as opposed to the bolt on hooks. a grinder will remove a welded hook in a few minutes if ever necessary.

i put 4 hooks on mine. 2 inline with the FEL for Major use. and 2 out on the edge to hook chain to prevent rotation of item being lifted.

other than implements, cant think of anything else you'll need cept for a nice strap wrench to loosen the HST filter with when i t comes time to replace it. man there on hard.

 

[acme97]

theres an ipod jack for the radio also.....it hidden under the right side cover where the wiper switches are located.

have the dealer get you some touch up paint also. they sell cans and small style with brushes.

i agree on needing 2 rear remotes....i much prefer the weld on hooks as opposed to the bolt on hooks. a grinder will remove a welded hook in a few minutes if ever necessary.

i put 4 hooks on mine. 2 inline with the FEL for Major use. and 2 out on the edge to hook chain to prevent rotation of item being lifted.

other than implements, cant think of anything else you'll need cept for a nice strap wrench to loosen the HST filter with when i t comes time to replace it. man there on hard.

I'm hoping that 3 hooks will be enough. The two rear remotes will come in handy. Already ordered a hyd toplink. I'm looking at the quick hitch at Harbour Freight. I'll have to see if the dealer has some paint. I have the strap wrenches - got them a few years ago for other stuff. Love that thing. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[mtr1950]

I'm picking up a DK45SE HST in a week or so, my first tractor, should I get forks for the FEL that can be that can be taken on and off, 72 inch FEL that comes with the tractor. Retired hobby farmer, starting with Woods bushhog, back blade 6 foot, FEL 72inch.

 

[acme97]

I'm picking up a DK45SE HST in a week or so, my first tractor, should I get forks for the FEL that can be that can be taken on and off, 72 inch FEL that comes with the tractor. Retired hobby farmer, starting with Woods bushhog, back blade 6 foot, FEL 72inch.

Congratulation on new tractor. I'm assuming you are talking about pallet forks. I don't have any, but there are a lot of posts on here about them. Seems to depend on what you will doing with them. With the quick disconnect on the FEL, I think I would look for a complete fork system and not the ones that attach to the standard bucket. I've seen discussions where the bucket has been bent. I was looking at the ones that everything attachments has and really liked them.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm picking up a DK45SE HST in a week or so, my first tractor, should I get forks for the FEL that can be that can be taken on and off, 72 inch FEL that comes with the tractor. Retired hobby farmer, starting with Woods bushhog, back blade 6 foot, FEL 72inch.

What will be your main tasks? Forks are certainly very handy for moving objects generally but there are other implements that can do a better job for things like hay bales or brush or logs etc. In general forks are nice to have especially for construction. If feeding livestock is a potential job then a bale spear is better. For brush and logging a grapple is better.