Pallet forks for your loader, (Thoughts)?

Let's get a pic of those "ropey" suckers. Look pretty cold too.

 

Congrats, forks are definitely a game changer. You've taken your first step into the black hole of buying tractor implements! Forks made life a lot easier until I picked up a grapple, which is now used more than the bucket and forks combined.

 

Grapples are one of those why did I wait so long things. I've picked up large landscaping rocks, ripped out a sidewalk, extracted shrubbery, pulled my well pump, removed a asphalt driveway, flipped over a junk suburban to get the transfer case, removed a barbed wire fence with posts and popped and crunched a bunch wheels so a friend could scrap the aluminum rims. And many more things...

 

Ok you talked me into it I’m saving for a grapple

 

I have had the grapples mounted on my tractor more than the bucket, forks, or rock bucket combined. The tractor gets put away with the grapple on if I do swap attachments as I’m most likely to use the grapple next.

I’ve moved lots of big rocks, more stumps than I can count, brush, logs, junk appliances that were abandoned on the edge of the road, a telephone pole that snapped once the crew removed the wires, drainage pipe, old concrete steps, and old timbers from a post and beam shed. I bought the grapples when I ordered the tractor as I knew they would get a ton of use. I’ve beat the crap out of them, and they are bent up a bit, but still work.

 

Everyone has purchased things over the years that after a while, if not immediately, they ask themselves "why the heck did I buy that"? A grapple is 100% not in that category. Even projects you didn't think about using a grapple for you will find it is the preferred implement (such as moving wood chips; you wouldn't necessarily think of a grapple as being the best tool for the job, but it is...I moved around 10 Asplundh dump loads of wood chips with the grapple in no time at all that would have taken forever to do with the bucket).

 

Best thing ever! I started with forks then decided I needed a grapple ; for once in my life I was right.

 

I only live on a postage stamp and just have a small sub compact. The main reason I bought them was for loading and unloading logs for the sawmill. If I didn't have the mill I honestly don't know if I would have bought them. Now that I have them it is a different story.

 

I have a 1 acre lot that is about half woods, which butts up to my neighbor's several acres woods where I'm allowed to cut dead stuff. I bought a subcompact with loader in 2017. I use it for lots of things, but only have about 120 hours on it. Sometimes I think I shouldn't have bought it, but when the snow is deep, or I need to move wood in the snow, I'm glad I did. And I could probably recoup all the money I have in it if I decided to sell it.

 

Sounds familiar.

I bought a new one 4 years ago after a long search for a used one. I often wondered as well did I do the right thing. I still say yes for things just like you mentioned and not getting any younger, so it is a real back and time saver. Like yourself just under 100 hours. Lives in the garage so still looks new. Good investment for sure

 

Dave, with your situation (being able to weld and fabricate, limited space, limited use) you may want to consider an add-on grapple kit for your forks or bucket. Less money, less stuff to store, fun project.

That being said, I have a brush grapple and I'll never be without one.

For your 3rd function kit, I highly recommend the WR Long stuff. That's what I have, the hardware is top notch and the instructions made it an easy job.

 

While waiting to get a grapple, you can always add one of these super-sexy FHC decals to your tractor. I was told it immediately adds 25HP and enables you to do things with your tractor that you previously thought were impossible...

 

If you lived on land your tractor would get dirty