Must have accessories for tractor?

[HomesteaderMN]

I just picked up a Massey MF65 with front end loader, 6ft rotary mower, and tire chains.

What accessories should I be looking to get for general use around our 40 acre farm?

Thinking of adding a few bucket hooks, maybe get a subsoiler and middle buster for the garden. We are looking for a square baler to start doing our own hay.

However what other items should I be looking to get for firewood collection, road work, and general use around our place? Chains, implements, attachments?

Thanks a lot,
Dave

 

[Yamaha2112]

I'm looking into getting bucket forks myself. It would make firewood collection (on pallets) SO much easier. Also easier to pick up and move general brush. I have weeping willows that are constant maintenance.

As for must have. A decent air compressor.

 

[breadtrk]

Good Grease gun.

 

[Yamaha2112]

Just noticed it's you're 1st post. Welcome to TBN!

 

[Djames55]

With a Garden... Get a PTO tiller... The tiller has saved me lots of time in my garden... Wish I had got a tractor and tiller years ago...

 

[2458n]

Slow moving vehicle sign-for when your on the road getting the mail out of the box.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

2 things that have made my tractor far more effective:

GPS guidance - Raven Cruizer II
Grapple

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN...

You already mentioned hooks so I second getting a set of forks for the loader. I added a hydraulic thumb to my forks for grabbing / clamping down on brush or logs etc. Also, a fire extinguisher should be a must have on your tractor.

 

[Baby Grand]

Welcome to TBN!

Subsoiler & middlebuster are not too spendy and will allow you to get a lot done.

If your MF65 has low enough gears (or HST) that you can run at around 1 mph (at PTO speed engine RPMs), then I'll second the tiller, as we use ours a lot. Otherwise, you may want a turning plow & disc for seed bed prep.

A set of rear forks will allow you to pick up & move some heavy stuff.
Keeping things on pallets also makes life easier for you and dryer for the "stuff".

My boom pole gets a lot of work.

-Jim

 

[AdqtDav]

Would agree with a set of forks, but don't think the bucket forks will work too well long term. First they are ahead of the bucket so lift is decreased, second they will tend to bend the edge of the bucket, finally they don't tend to stay straight when side loads are applied. Highly recommend a set of Artillian (or similar) forks for moving logs and the like. Having said that you should also look at some sort of counter weight (box/wheel weights/loaded tires).

Finally, I really like having a logging winch - it makes pulling stuff out of the woods and the widow makers down - safely. The winch is also a great counter weight (but pricey!) To go with the winch a good snatch block and set of strong chains are also recommended.

Of course one should have a decent chainsaw (or two?) and a spare bar/chain.

 

[ovrszd]

In regards to carrying firewood or anything else for that matter, maybe you would be well served with a 3pt tote box. Add Quick Hitch to your 3pt and you can set it down/pick it up and never get off the tractor. This keeps your FEL available for piling brush or loading the tote box.

I use my FEL Grapple almost all the time. But I don't think you would get much value out of it on a 2wd tractor. You are going to do most of your lifting/carrying work with your 3pt. Maybe a set of 3pt forks or 2 low prong bale carrier. Then build a tote box that you can pick up with the forks.

You are going to get a priority list going real quick when you start using the tractor!!

Welcome to TBN.

 

[HomesteaderMN]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have a pretty well stocked machine shop so I am not really lacking on non tractor tools.

The carry all / tote box is something I had been thinking of but not know by a name. Seems like you can get a frame for fairly inexpensive and build whatever box on it you want. The quick hitch also seems like a nice upgrade.

What chains are best for a tractor this size for logging and general use? Would grade 70 5/16" chain be plenty or do I need to go to 3/8"?

Do you guys stock extra hydraulic hoses, or the parts to make new ones? The closest store to have parts is about an hour away.

Anything else?

Thanks
Dave

 

[Scrambler82]

What about amLand Lever/Grader Scraper to keep the road smooth ?

I also think an HD Roller would be good too.

 

[ovrszd]

I carry two chains on my 95HP 11K lb tractor, a 5/16" for most tasks. A 3/8" for the tough jobs. All my chains are 70 Grade.

On my 47HP 5K lb tractor I only carry 5/16".

I don't stock any repair parts at my farm. But it's only 10 minutes from a supply store.

 

[daffyduk]

.........tooth bar if you don't have one.

Gene

 

[newbury]

In order of importance to me for working with trees:
ROPE
3pt forks

front forks

a mount for your tools (chainsaw, wedges, bowsaw, etc).

 

[PhysAssist]

.........tooth bar if you don't have one.

Gene

Second the Piranha Tooth bar, and ballast box- make sure to leave room for carrying your chain, chainsaw, and long handled tools...

Then forget about the tote box and use pallets on front forks for moving wood etc.

We use wood bags on pallets to store and move our split fire wood, other use box pallets or build frames on them.

Regrading bucket forks vs true loader forks, it really depends if you have a QA (quick attach) for your bucket to make switching between forks, bucket, and grapple painless, or not...

We don't have one, but really get great utility using our chain-on bucket forks from the Yankee Warehouse. We never have close to exceeding their rating and the price is prett hard to beat too. I can get them off or on in less than 5 minutes even on a bad day, and they store easily too.

Decide whether you are going to use chain, cable, or straps or some mixture of them as we do. I have also found that some large J-hooks that hook onto one end of your chain can make getting hooked up a lot easier. TruckNTow has them on sale periodically, and they're great for more than just hooking onto axles for pulling. They also make moving our MMM or snow plow around easier, by giving more option for chainong them to the bucket to cantilever them up. I believe we got one set with chains attached from Northern Tool on sale too.

Welcome to TBN!

I have learned a lot about using, abusimg, and repairing.maintaining our tractor, our barn, and even a little about life here.

Thomas

 

[milkie62]

I have a MF 65 I bought in 1983 and other than normal maintenance has been flawless for me.Just make sure you use the 80w90 in the axle/trans if you use a 3 pt rototiller.