New 3032e, need attachment advice

[Semipro]

I've got a new JD 3032e with an FEL, 25 PTO HP, and dual rear hydraulics and am looking for recommendations on how best to use my Cat 1 3PH. Here's what I anticipate I may be doing with it:

- Grading/crowning my gravel driveway (I've got a single blade on loan from the dealer now that I'm trying out).

- Hauling firewood. I like the idea of storing firewood on pallets and then using the FEL or 3PH to move the pallets to near where we burn.

- Maybe splitting firewood if it makes more sense than using a stand-alone splitter

- Mixing concrete (I already have a stand-alone mixer but I might sell to buy a PTO-driven model)

- Post hole digging (probably with a rented skid-steer unit if that makes sense.

- Possibly chipping/shredding (rented skid-steer attachment if available)

- Mowing trails through the brush around our property

- Towing trailers around the place

- Maybe stump grinding with a rented skid-steer unit

- Maybe breaking rock if I have the hydraulic power for it (about 9.3 GPH)

I'd like to buy implements as I find deals and rent the ones I'll use less often. I'd like to rent skid-steer attachments if they will work as they're readily available nearby. I also have a friend who has a PowerTrac so I may have access to his attachments (in trade). I realize they use a different mount.

I'm already convinced I want some sort of quick-attach for the 3PH but I'm just not sure what kind. There's JD iMatch, aftermarket units, skid-steer types, Pat's Easy Change, etc. I'd much prefer to buy American-made.

I've used heavy equipment of one sort or another for many years but my experience with 3PHs is limited having only used a rear blade. I've used Bush Hogs and harrows but I just drove; I didn't set up the 3PH. I can fabricated and have a welder, cutting torch, etc. so I"m happy to modify or build something. Given this laundry-list of needs and resources what's the setup that makes the most sense for me?

If I'm re-hashing something that's been covered already, sorry about that. I did some searches but didn't come up with what seemed pertinent. Links to other posts are welcome.

Thanks in advance.
Andy

PS: This was posted in the "Attachments" forum also but I thought I'd like to get advice from other Deere owners also.

 

[mrtfelton]

I've got a new JD 3032e with an FEL, 25 PTO HP, and dual rear hydraulics and am looking for recommendations on how best to use my Cat 1 3PH. Here's what I anticipate I may be doing with it:

I have a 3032e also and would like to know what is dual rear hydraulics? Is it a add on and how much? Send me to school on this.

 

[jenkinsph]

Semipro,
I get the feeling going over your list and proposals for adding implements that you are best off with a regular 3 pt hitch. Since you will be looking for deals this may preclude any or most of the new IMatch implements. You could modify most implements to work with the I Match set up though, you just have to know what to look for when you shop.

You may want to consider installing top and tilt cylinders on your 3 pt hitch this would be a benefit for grading work with blades, boxes and land planes.

I have never had a warm and fuzzy feeling using rental equipment and or attachments, you don't have to rent them many times to buy them for someone else.


Steve

 

[Barely Smokin']

Andy,

For me, it's all about cost/benefit. I'm not sure what your relative usage of those attachments would be, so you'll have to do that math. 3PH-wise, I can tell you that I get the most use out of my mower, box blade, and rear blade. The log splitter and post hole digger pull up the rear. There are other attachments I'd love to have, but the combination of their price and my relatively little use for them make it a no-go.

I feel differently than Steve about rentals. For highly specialized, or infrequent jobs, or jobs where there is a much better tool for the job than something I could put on my 3PH, I go rental. 'Course, I have a good local rental store. That makes a difference. But aside from the overall cost savings (again, it's all relative), I like the fact that they have to maintain it, etc. I'd be inclined to go rental on hammers, stump grinding, concrete mixing, maybe chip/shred, depending on how much you have to do (or, more accurately, how long it will take you to do it). Also, in most cases, I don't want the rental "tool" to be attached to my tractor. I want my tractor free to help move stuff around, etc., so I'll rent a self-contained whatever-it-is.

No experience with QA, though even when I'm switching between implements frequently, like between a box blade and rear blade for hardscaping to the tune of 5 - 6 changes a day, it's not a big deal. Even with a box blade, which is pretty dang heavy---or worse yet, an unwieldy post hole digger---as long as you take it nice and easy, don't fight it and develop a little technique, it'll only take a minute or two.

Good luck,

Brady

 

[kcook]

I've got a new JD 3032e with an FEL, 25 PTO HP, and dual rear hydraulics and am looking for recommendations on how best to use my Cat 1 3PH. Here's what I anticipate I may be doing with it:

- Grading/crowning my gravel driveway (I've got a single blade on loan from the dealer now that I'm trying out).

- Hauling firewood. I like the idea of storing firewood on pallets and then using the FEL or 3PH to move the pallets to near where we burn.

- Maybe splitting firewood if it makes more sense than using a stand-alone splitter

- Mixing concrete (I already have a stand-alone mixer but I might sell to buy a PTO-driven model)

- Post hole digging (probably with a rented skid-steer unit if that makes sense.

- Possibly chipping/shredding (rented skid-steer attachment if available)

- Mowing trails through the brush around our property

- Towing trailers around the place

- Maybe stump grinding with a rented skid-steer unit

- Maybe breaking rock if I have the hydraulic power for it (about 9.3 GPH)

I'd like to buy implements as I find deals and rent the ones I'll use less often. I'd like to rent skid-steer attachments if they will work as they're readily available nearby. I also have a friend who has a PowerTrac so I may have access to his attachments (in trade). I realize they use a different mount.

I'm already convinced I want some sort of quick-attach for the 3PH but I'm just not sure what kind. There's JD iMatch, aftermarket units, skid-steer types, Pat's Easy Change, etc. I'd much prefer to buy American-made.

I've used heavy equipment of one sort or another for many years but my experience with 3PHs is limited having only used a rear blade. I've used Bush Hogs and harrows but I just drove; I didn't set up the 3PH. I can fabricated and have a welder, cutting torch, etc. so I"m happy to modify or build something. Given this laundry-list of needs and resources what's the setup that makes the most sense for me?

If I'm re-hashing something that's been covered already, sorry about that. I did some searches but didn't come up with what seemed pertinent. Links to other posts are welcome.

Thanks in advance.
Andy

PS: This was posted in the "Attachments" forum also but I thought I'd like to get advice from other Deere owners also.

I'm no exspert but JD and others make a grader that looks like what you might want for the road work!!

KC

 

[Semipro]

Thanks for the feedback all.