Looks like more snow cleanup today. We have around 20” with 3-4 more coming today. Just west of here has over 2’.
With the exception of a tooth bar, I have everything I need and planned on for attachments, for now at least. I tried to give a lot of thought and I did a lot of research on each item and made the best choices for my purposes and budget lol. As you all know, you can easily spend more on attachments than the tractor. Count the loader and bucket and it’s really easy. The one thing I wish I had a little more money for is forks. I compromised and bought cheap ones, but I got 2 sets for less money that have already worked out great so I’m happy for now. As I mentioned in another post, a neighbor helped me assemble the chipper and splitter yesterday and we mounted the quick hitch and chipper after taking the snowblower off. So I took a few pictures today just to prove that it really did happen! I was impressed with the way both items were packaged and secured. Kinda nice to keep the coordination color going... The splitter just happened to be the one with the features I liked the most and be the same color. I didn’t really care.
I got to test both sets of forks unloading the chipper then the splitter from the back of my truck. Roads are still posted here so I picked them both up. The fixed forks were great on the chipper with a standard size pallet, and I got all the way under it the first try unlike the forklift that loaded it. The splitter was a different story. It weighed 619 lbs crated and came in a long skinny box so I had to use the clamp on forks at 20”, so too close for the spreader/stabilizer. That’s more weight than I intend on using those forks for, but they and my bucket handled it with no issues at all. I had to bring rpms up to about 1500 to clear the deck and back away and set her down. Then I switched forks and put it where I wanted it. Slick as can be with the ssqa. Only thing I don’t like about the fixed ones is that solid back plate. That might get modified a bit so I can see better. Otherwise, they both have pockets for uprights and holes drilled for a trailer ball that I used to move the splitter. With the money I saved on forks I bought the QH and a Dewalt cordless grease gun. Those are both work and back savers for me!
Here’s a few more shots of the QH and chipper. 94BULLITT I believe you have one of these? BETSTCO/FHM had a great deal on them, almost as good as I can find used for around here.
My chipper is a BX42S, Wallenstein copy like yours. Mine does not have the adjustable legs like yours. I need to add something like that to it. Did you check your PTO shaft length?
That’s a good looking dream team of attachments you have there. Lots of work/fun to be had this summer Maina !
The legs were optional. PTO shaft length? What’s that lol? Not my first movie. I started working on a potato farm at 6 and I’ve seen some PTO nightmares...quite a few in the logging industry as well. Yeah, I’ve gotten the shaft a few times I believe you had yours on a BX at first? You can buy the legs from Betstco to make it fit your L better. They’re reasonable and necessary imho.
How long have you had yours and roughly how many hours? Any issues at all? The chip breaker was making slight contact on mine but a simple adjustment fixed it. Everything was torqued up tight and it just had a couple scratches on it. The angle frame it was shipped in was well done.
Maina I missed your arrival thread wicked awesome machine. I am thoroughly enjoying mine. Has that chipper had a workout yet?
Thank you basod. No, unfortunately it’s still mud season here. Freezing rain and 27 degrees this morning. Some pretty big patches of snow scattered around and frost in the ground yet so it’ll be a couple weeks probably but I’m itching to get started! I ran a couple small limbs through it when I set it up but that’s it so far. Soon!
Nice tractor Maina! I’m very interested in seeing what that chipper can do as well. I usually have to avoid these tractor threads so I don’t get too jealous... I’ll have one eventually; but I had my choice between a tractor and a pole barn this year and I chose the pole barn. Once I pay myself back for that, a tractor will be the next thing.
Thanks Shawn Curry! I think you’re making the right choice. I wish I had a pole barn to put my tractor in!
Oh yeah, that thought had crossed my mind - a lot. When my neighbor had the mill here last year I select cut a bunch of dead locust and had him cut me some 16’ 4x6 poles. Also made a lot of the pine into 16’ dimensional lumber. This was going to be my pole barn. I even researched the local building codes and learned I am allowed to grade and stamp my own lumber for load bearing purposes. There was a bit of a catch though: #2 construction grade must be surfaced on all 4 sides; there is no grade designation for rough cut lumber. I do have a 13” surface planer, and a jointer too even, but that’s a heck of a lot of work on top of actually having to build the thing. Comes down to, if I want it done this year, I’m going to have to hire a contractor; and they’re not going to want to mess around with surfacing my lumber before they can start work. So, I decided to just buy the barn and save the lumber for building a deck or something. I’m planning to have it paid off in 3-5 years, so it wont be too long.
Hey Maina not sure how, but I missed the arrival of your new kit also. Very nice setup you've got going on there. I have to agree with Shawn, I should avoid these tractor threads, JD green is one thing, but I look horrible in envy green. I also like your splitter. Me and a friend split the cost of a Cub Cadet splitter a few years back, and no regrets, but I noticed yours has a couple of extra handholds that the CC doesn't have, they look to be very beneficial. I hope you have a very good and fruitful summer with your new equipment.
