Most useful implements?

[mwemaxxowner]

I have a plentiful supply of pallets from work. I wind up bringing them home for all sorts of crazy honey-do projects .

 

[DieselBound]

Just going to toss this out there as it served me well- look at my avatar; I'm using an old [unearthed from the property- I went through three of them!] truck hood to move some firewood.

Some folks mentioned that box blades weren't all that useful. I direct people to once again look at my avatar. Hard to make out, but I've positioned my rippers backwards in order to cradle a piece of plywood which is being used as the bottom to the "box" in which I'm also hauling wood in. That BB with it's rear blade allowed me to move brush piles around, going in reverse to push one pile backwards and then I'd go forward and push another pile using the loader. I probably have had my B7800 work harder than anyone's worked a tractor!

When talking CUTs/SCUTs, loaders are what makes a tractor a tractor. Really, they're the FIRST implement that one should have. Get a good tooth bar and you can dig and grab stuff (I went years before I got one and once I had one I wish that I'd had it from the very beginning- trying to move around logs with nothing but the flat, front edge of a bucket doesn't work real well, especially when you're tying to move big stuff).

 

[mwemaxxowner]

My dad is a concrete finisher/contractor. For many years he had only our 21hp White 4x4 tractor with no FEL and used a box scrape to do most of his jobs. He occasionally rented a skid steer. He did a lot of work with just that small tractor and a box scrape.

So I definitely know the value of one and it's definitely on my list. I'd also respectfully disagree with the notion that a FEL is required to make a tractor of that size a "real" tractor. It has done a lot of work for many years with just a three point hitch and a pto. My grand dad and uncles also had tractors of various sizes while I was growing up, and none had a FEL. One of them was an old Oliver tracked tractor. Cool tractor!

I understand your point though, on the value of the FEL, which is why I've purchased a $15,000 FEL.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Still no sign of a tractor but my Redline forks are in!

 

[CoyPatton]

I do think I want both. That gives me the option to carry things on either end, or even both, depending on the situation. A carry all is cheap, although I think I may want one that is labeled as actual 3ph pallet forks with fork tines for easier use with a pallet. I could use one for rear ballast if I happen to have it before I buy a box blade. I could see it being useful for no more than they cost. If the price was the same as the forks for my loader, then no, absolutely not! There is also more lift capacity with the 3ph.

As long as you do not overload the 3PH and carry all, it can be loaded up for additional ballast. This can take many forms, from blocks that you stack on the carry all, to a dedicated pallet you sit on the carry all with pallet forks l, to a loaded barrel/drum for the weight. Just be sure to secure any loads on the carry all.
Consider a 3PH QH to simplify changing of implements. As my implements are not QH compatible, I opted for Pat’s and love them.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I'm going with the Pat's Easy Change. The reason being I also want a hydraulic top link. The P.E.C. means I will need a top link that's 4" longer, making it easier to find a H.T.L. that works.

I do have a 275 gal tote that will go on a set of forks or possibly a carry all, but in the trucking and pallet handling world we REALLY don't like weight that's in liquid form and can shift around. I was guessing having liquid ballast that can shift on me would probably not be the best idea. But it would be easily changed!

 

[RalphVa]

Most useful 3ph stuff for me are the bush hog and wood chipper. Back blade gets some use in the winter to use on snow with the FEL.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Probably a stupid question, but if you have a Piranha Tooth Bar or Wicked Bar you cannot use a Ratchet Rake unless you remove the PTB first, correct?

 

[bearthebruce]

Correct. The Ratchet rake goes over the lip of the bucket... uses the lip to secure... the ratchet locks everything in place.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Right, I just hoped maybe it would still fit over the PTB. I wasn't sure just how tight the fit is. That stinks!

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Long story short, I have sort of "joint custody" of a zero turn mower, so I did not get a mower with my BX. If I don't get to keep the zero turn, I'll buy a mower of some kind for the BX.

I have never used a flail mower, but I read that they can be the best of both worlds as a brush cutter, and a grass mower, depending on the flails used on it. Can it cut grass as well as a finish mower, or even almost as well? I have centipede grass and cut it at 2.5". Once I level and top dress I will cut it at 2". I may convert to Bermuda eventually and will probably cut below 2" then if I ever get it leveled well enough.

 

[scaredychicken]

mwemaxxowner - I like that you are specific about your plans and needs.

Some initial thoughts, on what I bought with my Kubota package deal...

Loader - essential for my needs, not a 3 pt hitch item though
BOX BLADE - this thing is terrific, especially good for levelling driveway, I use it to beat up snow and ice, and it is a great ballast weight also when needed
AUGER - my machine is pretty small, the auger is great, but limited in capacity
ROTARY MOWER - excellent piece of equipment, but not terribly useful for my needs right now. I should have stayed with the pto MID-MOUNT MOWER, lots of tight areas on the yard
Grapple - again, not a 3 pt hitch item, but probably my favourite piece
Quick Attach - easier, useful, but not essential

MY wish list: wood chipper, pallet forks, mid mount mower, perhaps a cement mixer

Happy planning, have fun

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Awesome, thanks!

I can't remember what I've updated the thread with, but I've decided solidly against a 3ph auger. I have a 2 stroke auger which works fine, and I don't put up THAT much fencing.

I already have a set of forks from Redline, and I do want to o add "the thumb" to it. If that doesn't totally scratch my grapple itch I'll get the 48" wicked grapple. Box blade will be non negotiable. Once I have the funds saved that's a done deal for me.

I've mowed a lot with a rotary mower, but that was on the property where I grew up. 3 open acres of field. I don't think I'd relish using one here on my property. There is a lot to mow around. However, a MMM seems like a love it or hate it type of thing.

I have 65 old Leland Cypress trees, and a handful of oak and maple trees, pecan tree, two magnolia trees, and several old and huge for what they are crepe myrtles. Probably some trees I'm forgetting. I make huge brush piles several times a year that I drag to the road for pickup, and I'm told Lelands only live about 30 years. These are over 30, so I'm anticipating having to drop them sooner than later. It might seem useless to get a grapple mainly for that one purpose, but I'm sure I'll have other needs for it, and I think I'd get my $2000 worth of use just on that job.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

A 3-point sprayer with a boom is a good attachment if you care about your sod.

 

[mwemaxxowner]

Oh yes, that's on my list too!

I could spray my yard in no time with 10' passes.

 

[scaredychicken]

Tool Box, and a (coffee) cup holder

 

[dirttoys]

Most useful, most expensive, and biggest maintenance. Harley Rack.

Best,

ed

 

[mwemaxxowner]

When I was landscaping we used a power rake frequently to ready yards for sod.

I've checked them out but they are far too expensive for what little I'd need one on the 3ph. I'm going to want a tiller and a box blade and I'll get by with those.

 

[dirttoys]

When I was landscaping we used a power rake frequently to ready yards for sod.

I've checked them out but they are far too expensive for what little I'd need one on the 3ph. I'm going to want a tiller and a box blade and I'll get by with those.

Man it was like pulling teeth for me to part with the money, but, in my crappy rocky clay, nothing else will do. Hopefully you have black dirt and it is 10 inches deep.

Best,

ed

 

[mwemaxxowner]

I have sand. Lots and lots of sand.