Rear Remotes and Other Extras

Neophyte · Jul 20, 2003

I have a few questions about rear remotes and other extras for tractors. I have been looking in the NH TC29/33D range of tractors.
* What are rear remotes and what would they be used for?
* How many should you have, if any?
* How much do they add to the cost at time of purchase?
* In purchasing a tractor, what are some other useful extras to consider? I have a list below, am I missing any?

Extras:
- Rear Remotes
- Block Heater
- Chain Hooks on FEL
- Rear Work Light
- Shop Manuals
- Extra Set of Filters
- Cutting Edge for FEL Bucket
- Teeth for FEL Bucket
- Quick Attach for FEL Bucket
- Reese Hitch for Bucket ??? ... which brings me to my next question.

* Has anyone ever used their tractor to move large boat trailers, etc.?
* If so, have you put the hitch on the front or rear of the tractor?
* If front, would it be better to attach it to the tractor or to the FEL?

Thank You,
Neo

griz · Jul 20, 2003

Some wood splitters will use a rear remotes. I don't know what part of the country you are from but in my area I have gotten various quotes of about $300 for a set of remotes. Griz

BigDave · Jul 20, 2003

Neo,

You keep posting them, & I'll keep answering them...sometimes correctly. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

( Rear Remotes )

Rear remotes are necessary for hydraulically operated rear implements, such as a stump grinder that you would need to need lift, rotate, or even use the hydraulics to provide the rotation. The remotes should be $500-$1000 depending on how many you need.

( Block Heater )

Depends where you live and where your tractor is stored. I live in MD, and most folks would say that I don't need one, but if it is parked outside and it is below freezing, the tractor will start much easier & run much more smoothly if a block heater has kept the engine warm.

( Chain Hooks on FEL )

Yes, definitely. They come in handy quite often. I usually use them to secure my MMM in the bucket when transporting it.

( Rear Work Light )

Don't have one, but I wish I did. Several TBNers have put them on and a search of old posts should give you a pretty idea of how they work. If you plan the use the FEL to move snow, you should consider forward facing lights on the ROPS.

( Shop Manuals )

The manauls are pretty pricey ($100-$200), but if you plan to own the tractor for a long period of time and like doing your own maintenace or trouble shooting then they may be worth it.

( Extra Set of Filters )

If you plan on doing your own maintenance, then you might be able to get some extra filters from the dealer at the time of purchase at a discount.

( Cutting Edge for FEL Bucket )

I'm not 100% sure what a cutting edge is, (O.K. I don't know everything.) but I would recommend getting the heavy duty bucket which has reinforced edges.

( Teeth for FEL Bucket )

Teeth for the FEL are useful if you want to use the FEL for digging. I don't have them, but I'm not digging...but maybe the misses will want a swimming pool someday, and then it's backhoe time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

( Quick Attach for FEL Bucket )

They are very handy if you have other attachments for the FEL or have space limitation that calls for the removal of the bucket.

( Reese Hitch for Bucket )

Not 100% sure what you are talking about here, but moving a boat shouldn't be a problem. I don't think the FEL arms would be ideal for attaching a hitch, it's the weakest link. I believe mounting a hitch to the back of the tractor would the best for towing.

Finally, if you live up north and plow your own snow, I would recommend have the dealer put F200 hydraulic oil in the TC. There is a tendency for them to whine while they are cold, the F200 oil will lessen the noise.

Getting 50hr maintenance as part of your purchase deal is usually a good idea, this spares you some sticker shock a little ways down the road.

Neophyte · Jul 21, 2003

Big Dave,

Thank you for taking the time to answer my, more than likely, silly questions.

* What dictates how many rear remotes you need?
* How many would you recommend, if any?

The Reese Hitch I was talking about is just like the 2" receiver you see on the back of most trucks that take 1-7/8", 2" or 2-5/16" balls or pintle hooks for trailers. I was thinking about welding a 2" Class IV Reese Receiver tube to the top of my FEL Bucket so I can interchange the ball mounts and pintle hooks that I use on my pickup truck's Reese Hitch. The thinking being that it is easier to park a trailer if the tongue is attched to the front of the tractor. You can see what I'm talking about at the link below.

Reese Products

MikePA · Jul 21, 2003

* What dictates how many rear remotes you need? 
You can get 2 rear remotes on a Class II Boomer. The first one is $230 just for the parts. The second is $210 for the parts. My advice...Get at least one, then you will have it for a hydraulic toplink which makes adjusting the toplink a breeze. Wish I would have gotten one for my tractor at purchase time. I have the parts sitting here waiting for me to install them! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Woodbeef · Jul 21, 2003

I'd say get at least one remote valve.

Not sure if the hitch would work mounted on top of the bucket. Why not bolt it instead of weld it to the bottom?

Bird · Jul 21, 2003

( Has anyone ever used their tractor to move large boat trailers, etc.? )

What do you consider "large"? I know one boat dealer who uses a John Deere 4100 to move boats and trailers around on the lot and in and out of the shop for service. I know another one who uses a Kubota B7100 for the same purpose. And I've moved one of my brother's and a son-in-law's boats around my property with a Kubota B7100 and a B2710. In all of those cases, the hitch ball was mounted on a drawbar on the lower links of the 3-point hitch because it's quicker and easier to hook up and unhook without raising and lowering the tongue jack.

_RaT_ · Jul 21, 2003

"What do you consider large" and is it on any kind of slope might be a very big part of that decision.

Toothbar: very good useful tool.

Rear hydraulic outlets/ inlets or remotes: very useful especially with a hydraulic top link (a hydraulic ram in place of the threaded contraption tractors come with) for the box scraper, mower etc.

Cutting edge: not that big of deal unless your dragging it around on asphalt moving snow a lot.

Rear work light: easy to do yourself if your neighbors don't mind you running it around at night. Seems to be a popular thing for folks back East being as how you guys need to move snow around at all hours.

Loader bucket hook(s): of course, you will use them sometime for something. Typical use is picking up things or strapping an item to large to fit in the bucket. (see photo)
Rat...

Boondox · Jul 21, 2003

I have one pair of rear remotes on my L3010 and use it (a lot) to change the angle of my rear blade (without leaving the seat) while plowing snow in winter. It also helps when doing driveway maintenance or when crowning the road. I also use the rear hydraulics to power my backhoe, as I did not want to use a PTO powered pump.

Other points:
Block heater: You live in Maine. Get one.
FEL hooks: Indispensable
Cutting edge: Why?
Tooth bar: I use my FEL for smoothing and leveling, so don't have teeth. I use the BH for digging.
Manuals: If you intend to do more than routine maintenance yourself, yes
Extra filters: Try to get this or the 50 hour service as part of the purchase package. Also try for pickup and delivery of the tractor for service.
Rear light: Handy in winter for moving snow. A pain in summer as they attract any bug within 50 miles! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Best of luck, neighbor! Pete

JimC · Jul 21, 2003

On your boat quuestion, I use my BX2200 to move anything I can hook up to.
I move my 3000 lb sailboat boat with a ball hitch on a cross drawbar and sometimes use the FEL for smaller boats.
See photos

Neophyte · Jul 21, 2003

Everyone,

Thanks for all of the help and the great pictures. This site is the best thing since compact tractors! Unbelievable picture of the tree stump! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My boat and trailer weigh between 7000 to 8000lbs. It is a double axle trailer so the tongue weight is reasonable. My driveway does have a slope to it. I always have the option of installing a front-mount hitch on my pickup truck if it is too much for the tractor.

Is a cross drawbar an extra or does it come standard with a 3-point hitch? Maybe I need to add this to my extras list. What do these cost? Is it meant for this purpose and does it come with holes for mounting ball hitches?

Thank You,
Neo

jmc · Jul 21, 2003

3ph instead of a proper drawbar

Neophyte,

If the term "cross drawbar" means a bar that attaches to both bottom 3ph links, a word of caution is in order. Since most 3ph's float, if the weight of your trailer ever shifted to behind the axle, the 3ph could not keep the tongue down. Something near the rear of the trailer would probably bottom out. Say two fat guys step on the rear of the trailer to reach for a boat cover, there goes the prop. Or you were moving a dump trailer then dumped the load. Not likely events but it will happen to someone eventually.

John

bphillips · Jul 22, 2003

( . My driveway does have a slope to it. )

If you plan to play in the winter in Maine, don't forget the tire chains ...

Brad in NH

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 22, 2003

You've gotten great answers here. The only thing I have to add is if you're going to be playing in the Maine snow in addition to tire chains, you might want to consider wheel weights or filled tires, too.

bphillips · Jul 23, 2003

Yup - filled rear tires and 1,000 lb backhoe work for me ... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Brad in NH

Neophyte · Aug 7, 2003

Re: 2\" Receiver Adapter (Reese Hitch)

In my original post, I had referred to a Reese Hitch (2" Receiver) Adapter for a tractor. Originally, I was asking about one for the FEL bucket. Have not seen anything along those lines but I did find something for the 3-point hitch. Here is the link if you are interested. It allows you to swap 2" receiver devices with your truck (1-7/8" balls, 2" balls, 2-5/16" balls, pintle hooks, cargo carriers, etc.).

http://www.badriverinc.com/prod02.htm

fgross335_2210 · Aug 7, 2003

Re: 2\" Receiver Adapter (Reese Hitch)

I have a home-built version of this for my JD2210. It was a 2" receiver Reese hitch from a late-model Chevy tracker. Cut it down to 26" and added a post for the center link. Got side pins from TSC. With 240 lbs in the FEL, I have moved my 6000 lb travel trailer (very slowly and carefully I might add and only on level ground....keep the front low with jack only 2-3 inches above the ground). I am also planning to get a 24 X 60 inch "tote" that I can plug in the receiver for carrying firewood/etc. Works great.

Neophyte · Aug 10, 2003

Re: 2\" Receiver Adapter (Reese Hitch)

Here is another supplier for the 2" receiver adapter for a 3-point hitch. It is more expensive than the one from Bad River but it is made in the good old State of Maine! Just saw one on a tractor today at Kramers (New Holland dealer). They have them for sale at Northern Tool and DR Country Home Products.

FLExpoint from Summit Fabrications

$199.99 from Northern Tool /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Pricey little puppy.