Hello all
Occasional lurker and infrequent poster here.
We reside on an acreage of close to 5 acres. Major features are a 500’ long rock driveway, a good sized pond and a metric ( ) ton of trees. Presently, I have a smallish Massey Ferguson tractor with loader. While it is handy, the machine is light and the loader only has a lift capacity of 400-500lbs and only 6 1/2’ high or so. A few of the trees are getting some age and are in need of removal or serious trimming.
This being said, I’d like to get a skidsteer to handle some of this work. Ultimately I want some sort of a grapple bucket to use for picking up brush, limbs, and trunk pieces without having to exit the machine to manually roll or lift into the bucket. Also, I’d like to have a greater lifting capacity as I will be dealing with larger limbs.
I feel like I need something in the 30-45 HP range with around 35HP being the sweet spot. I’m open to and would actually prefer something around 2007 or older to avoid emission issues and would prefer a minimal amount of electrical/ electronic stuff. I figure these machines would be easier for me to maintain or fix as I’m already maintaining my tractor and a large diesel mower (both circa 2000 or so).
I’d like to stick with mainline brands that are still in business, so Bobcat, Case, JD, NH, Gehl/Mustang.
I tested out a Mustang with the T bar handle and wasn’t a fan. I felt like it was always wanting to move, either forward or backward and thus was very jumpy. Also, the Mustang had the single pin bucket, so I was concerned about finding a reasonable priced grapple bucket.
I see a lot of grapple buckets listed on auctions with the standard Bobtach system and sometimes they can be bought for $500-1,000.
Anyway I’m open to any and all input, suggestions etc. regarding machines to look for and ones to avoid. Ultimately, I’m thinking budget of $12,000 or so.
Also, curious about what type of grapple bucket would best suit my needs? In addition to picking up tree limbs, I have multiple groves of Scotch Pines that cover the ground with needles, pine cones, etc. I have a rake for the 3PH of my tractor that does a great job of cleaning them up. However, loading them is another story as I have to use a pitch fork to get the in the tractor loader. I’m thinking a solid bucket with cut down sides and grapple?
Thanks for all replies!
Occasional lurker and infrequent poster here.
We reside on an acreage of close to 5 acres. Major features are a 500’ long rock driveway, a good sized pond and a metric ( ) ton of trees. Presently, I have a smallish Massey Ferguson tractor with loader. While it is handy, the machine is light and the loader only has a lift capacity of 400-500lbs and only 6 1/2’ high or so. A few of the trees are getting some age and are in need of removal or serious trimming.
This being said, I’d like to get a skidsteer to handle some of this work. Ultimately I want some sort of a grapple bucket to use for picking up brush, limbs, and trunk pieces without having to exit the machine to manually roll or lift into the bucket. Also, I’d like to have a greater lifting capacity as I will be dealing with larger limbs.
I feel like I need something in the 30-45 HP range with around 35HP being the sweet spot. I’m open to and would actually prefer something around 2007 or older to avoid emission issues and would prefer a minimal amount of electrical/ electronic stuff. I figure these machines would be easier for me to maintain or fix as I’m already maintaining my tractor and a large diesel mower (both circa 2000 or so).
I’d like to stick with mainline brands that are still in business, so Bobcat, Case, JD, NH, Gehl/Mustang.
I tested out a Mustang with the T bar handle and wasn’t a fan. I felt like it was always wanting to move, either forward or backward and thus was very jumpy. Also, the Mustang had the single pin bucket, so I was concerned about finding a reasonable priced grapple bucket.
I see a lot of grapple buckets listed on auctions with the standard Bobtach system and sometimes they can be bought for $500-1,000.
Anyway I’m open to any and all input, suggestions etc. regarding machines to look for and ones to avoid. Ultimately, I’m thinking budget of $12,000 or so.
Also, curious about what type of grapple bucket would best suit my needs? In addition to picking up tree limbs, I have multiple groves of Scotch Pines that cover the ground with needles, pine cones, etc. I have a rake for the 3PH of my tractor that does a great job of cleaning them up. However, loading them is another story as I have to use a pitch fork to get the in the tractor loader. I’m thinking a solid bucket with cut down sides and grapple?
Thanks for all replies!