Last minute thoughts on my L3800 buildout...

[Saugers2]

I am going to finish up my order this week on a L3800HST with loader, box blade and tiller. I went with R4 tires and quick attach loader bucket as I move square bales I thought the pallet forks would be useful.

The price seems very competitive but I just won't be happy without some haggling... Out of curiosity, anybody know the base costs for a 3 point quick attach or pallet forks? I hate to ask for unreasonable expectations.

 

[TexasBoy]

I have the 48" Titan pallet fork with the round bale spear.

Skid Steer HD Hay Spear Attachment with Pallet Forks Capacity 4,000 lbs

 

[Fallon]

Sounds like my machine, except I'm now wishing I got the extra 6hp over my L3200.

Get the tires loaded though. I didn't from the start because my dealer was new & didn't have the gear for it for a few months. Unloaded tires & a 600lbs box blade aren't enough to pick up a full load safely on our tractors. Also I was traction limited, now power limited after loading. Will be worse with your extra 6hp.

I got 42" (I think) Titan forks. They seem to be the cheapest option around & generally good quality. They often have issues with the SSQA frame being out of spec though. They gave me $70 to make the issue go away. A few trivial welds and 2 pieces of scrap bar stock sorted it out. Probably cost you the $70 for a welder to do it if you can't weld.

I do regret getting my implements new. Knowing what I know now I could get them for half price or less off Craigslist or at a farm auction with a little patience. New isn't bad if you are a bit ignorant & want dealer support (where I was at last summer before lots of TBN reading & hands on learning). Although lots of TBN reading is still advised before getting to the dealer.

 

[Fallon]

I have the 48" Titan pallet fork with the round bale spear.

Skid Steer HD Hay Spear Attachment with Pallet Forks Capacity 4,000 lbs

Our tractors have just over a 1000lbs capacity. Go for the 2000lbs rated ones, they are cheaper & a hair lighter. They should even work if you get them attacked to your 3pt (future project of mine).

 

[Bluegill2]

Great choice! But I'd get the gear drive and Ag tires. Just me though...

 

[stoyan79]

The quick attach bucket is about $500 extra, the forks are about $700.

The L3800 with HST and loader is roughly $20,500.

 

[elmer4413]

I bought my L3800 HST with loader, quick detach bucket, ag tires, and a 5ft Landpride tiller out the door for $21900. I feel that I did pretty good especially when they were asking 1900 for the tiller alone. They also loaded the rear tires and added the cruise control for no extra cost.

 

[jim_wilson]

Our tractors have just over a 1000lbs capacity. Go for the 2000lbs rated ones, they are cheaper & a hair lighter. They should even work if you get them attacked to your 3pt (future project of mine).

Yes. This is good advice.

You have to be careful when buying SSQA compatible attachments - some of them are rated for much higher weights that the loaders on some of the smaller tractors will ever lift. What this means is you're buying an attachment that is way over-rated for the tractor - and paying for a bunch of extra metal you don't need - AND sucking up lifting capacity on the FEL by having a heavier attachment than you need.

Pay attention to the forks too - they can get seriously weighty. There are lighter weight forks that are rated for 2000 pounds and weigh a lot less. I got some from Artillian for my B3200.

Artillian in fact built me an SSQA compatible fork frame for the Bxx50 style SSQA setup I put on my B3200. It's worked out really well and would likely be compatible with the L3800 too.

I originally had a Kubota fork frame when I had the pin-on style attachments on my FEL. I looked extensively at all the fork frame options and the Kubota one ended up being the best choice and a very good price. Before you discount it - check out what Kubota offers.

 

[jim_wilson]

I am going to finish up my order this week on a L3800HST with loader, box blade and tiller. I went with R4 tires and quick attach loader bucket as I move square bales I thought the pallet forks would be useful.

The price seems very competitive but I just won't be happy without some haggling... Out of curiosity, anybody know the base costs for a 3 point quick attach or pallet forks? I hate to ask for unreasonable expectations.

Are you asking for a FEL fork frame OR a 3pt fork frame?

Because if so - what you might want to look at is getting the SSQA quick attach setup on the FEL - get an appropriately sized fork frame that is SSQA compatible - and then get an SSQA adapter for the 3pt. This way you will be able to use the same fork frame either on the front or the back of the tractor.

 

[Tomtint]

I use a set of Cat skid steer forks on my L3700 SU. They are very strong but also very heavy. Having all that extra weight reduces the amount of other stuff it can lift. I'm thinking a set of bucket forks would be a good option to add.