Newbie coming down to $ wire with some doubts

IslandTractor · May 16, 2006

Think about a box blade rather than the 4 in 1 for moving dirt around. 4 in 1's are certainly nice in many ways but they are not great at any of the tasks. If I were in your shoes I'd think about either the grapple or a bucket/toothbar plus add on grapple. Moving dirt with a box blade is the usual way for a tractor to accomplish what you described for terracing etc. I also used to have a 4 in 1 fantasy so I know where you are coming from. There are relatively few guys who have them though and I think that says something when you consider the numbers of attachments people buy. Better generally to have a dedicated attachment than a compromise solution.

Regarding clearance: I cannot imagine you'd have a lot of trouble if you have more than 8 inches. Even if you bend a tie rod it is not a big deal to replace. Keeping your FEL bucket raised about 8 inches off the ground as you get into questionable areas will protect your tractor too.

IslandTractor · May 16, 2006

Think about a box blade rather than the 4 in 1 for moving dirt around. 4 in 1's are certainly nice in many ways but they are not great at any of the tasks. If I were in your shoes I'd think about either the grapple or a bucket/toothbar plus add on grapple. Moving dirt with a box blade is the usual way for a tractor to accomplish what you described for terracing etc. I also used to have a 4 in 1 fantasy so I know where you are coming from. There are relatively few guys who have them though and I think that says something when you consider the numbers of attachments people buy. Better generally to have a dedicated attachment than a compromise solution.

Regarding clearance: I cannot imagine you'd have a lot of trouble if you have more than 8 inches. Even if you bend a tie rod it is not a big deal to replace. Keeping your FEL bucket raised about 8 inches off the ground as you get into questionable areas will protect your tractor too.

3RRL · May 16, 2006

Regarding your preference for the 4 in 1 bucket, I have to agree with IslandTractor. You'll be better off to buy a dedicated attachment to do a better job. My road contractor had a 4 in 1 on a much larger machine but also a true grapple bucket to move shrubs. When I asked why he had the two he said he thought the 4 in 1 would do both but found the true grapple to be much more efficient...

I'd get the QA loader so you can switch back and forth easy along with the hydraulics and controls all set up for the grapple. (They would set it up that way for the 4 in 1 anyway). The 4 in 1 is also a heavier attachment again compromising your CUT lifting ability. Unlike the contractors who have dedicated machines, us CUT owners usually switch various implements anyway. The QA will allow for fork lifts and other attachments, etc as well.

3RRL · May 16, 2006

Regarding your preference for the 4 in 1 bucket, I have to agree with IslandTractor. You'll be better off to buy a dedicated attachment to do a better job. My road contractor had a 4 in 1 on a much larger machine but also a true grapple bucket to move shrubs. When I asked why he had the two he said he thought the 4 in 1 would do both but found the true grapple to be much more efficient...

I'd get the QA loader so you can switch back and forth easy along with the hydraulics and controls all set up for the grapple. (They would set it up that way for the 4 in 1 anyway). The 4 in 1 is also a heavier attachment again compromising your CUT lifting ability. Unlike the contractors who have dedicated machines, us CUT owners usually switch various implements anyway. The QA will allow for fork lifts and other attachments, etc as well.

daTeacha · May 16, 2006

I have a situation similar to yours. I just got a DX29 (the red less powerful version of the TC33DA) with a QA bucket and an Add-a-Grapple. The grapple/bucket is fantastic. I can pick up a pickup bed load of brush in two bites. I'm going to add some 10" teeth to the bucket since I liked what I could do with the teeth alone on my previous tractor, but the thing picks up good sized logs, rocks, etc. very easily as is. The unit was about $500, but I also needed to get the valve, hoses, etc. and added a rear remote while I was at it, coming to about 1100. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I decided on the Case over the JD for the reasons you did -- parts hanging down where it looked like they could be damaged. I ruled out several other brands for the same reason

Something else to consider is the pedal placement. JD is the only brand that does the correct thing with the turning brakes and hst pedals, so is the most natural feeling to drive. Every other brand asks your right foot to do 2 things simultaneously while the left just sits there doing nothing.

daTeacha · May 16, 2006

I have a situation similar to yours. I just got a DX29 (the red less powerful version of the TC33DA) with a QA bucket and an Add-a-Grapple. The grapple/bucket is fantastic. I can pick up a pickup bed load of brush in two bites. I'm going to add some 10" teeth to the bucket since I liked what I could do with the teeth alone on my previous tractor, but the thing picks up good sized logs, rocks, etc. very easily as is. The unit was about $500, but I also needed to get the valve, hoses, etc. and added a rear remote while I was at it, coming to about 1100. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I decided on the Case over the JD for the reasons you did -- parts hanging down where it looked like they could be damaged. I ruled out several other brands for the same reason

Something else to consider is the pedal placement. JD is the only brand that does the correct thing with the turning brakes and hst pedals, so is the most natural feeling to drive. Every other brand asks your right foot to do 2 things simultaneously while the left just sits there doing nothing.

oregonguy · May 17, 2006

Thanks to "da teacha" also. Is "Add a Grapple" the name of the gadget and where does one find it? Is it direct sales or is it distributed to dealers stores? I guess I shoulda Googled it first and will now. The extra cost to me to get the JD 4-in-1 instead of the 61" HD bucket would be$700 or $800.

oregonguy · May 17, 2006

Thanks to "da teacha" also. Is "Add a Grapple" the name of the gadget and where does one find it? Is it direct sales or is it distributed to dealers stores? I guess I shoulda Googled it first and will now. The extra cost to me to get the JD 4-in-1 instead of the 61" HD bucket would be$700 or $800.

oregonguy · May 17, 2006

Funny, I just tried to post this afterthought and it got lost on the way. I did Google "Add a Grapple" and the cost is $619 for a single or $999 including shipping but without hoses, fittings, (and the buyers sweat). Maybe I really don't have that much brush to pick up since you have to rassle on and off either 147 or 226 pounds to have an unencumbered bucket between uses. Also, just curious why sometimes late at night this site slows waaaaaay down. Does the owner do server maintenance when most users are sleepy-bye?

oregonguy · May 17, 2006

Funny, I just tried to post this afterthought and it got lost on the way. I did Google "Add a Grapple" and the cost is $619 for a single or $999 including shipping but without hoses, fittings, (and the buyers sweat). Maybe I really don't have that much brush to pick up since you have to rassle on and off either 147 or 226 pounds to have an unencumbered bucket between uses. Also, just curious why sometimes late at night this site slows waaaaaay down. Does the owner do server maintenance when most users are sleepy-bye?