[bbaXJ]

Your mileage may vary, but I use my pallet forks at least 10x more than my bucket. I process, store, and move a lot of firewood though so I'm not necessarily in the norm. But they are super handy for loading and unloading tons of other stuff, storing things on pallets for ease, etc. For light duty stuff plenty of people use clamp-on forks that attach onto the bucket, but they'll really cut into the lift capacity since they stick out so far and also place a lot of stress on the bucket itself.

 

[JohnnyJ]

Forks are nice for moving sheet steel, axles, and other heavy stuff around the garage/shop. I find myself flipping between bucket and forks somewhat frequently.

It's easier to drag a dead tree to the burn pile with forks over the bucket. If I chop it up, the bucket is better. Forks are nice for burning down a pile of brush, as I can use the forks to push it on the fire, or flip bigger logs to keep it burning.

 

[whiterhino]

This used one has a set of clamp on forks. Looks kinda flimsy to me.

 

[bbaXJ]

Clamp on forks may mean it's got a pinned bucket as well, which IMO is a huge downfall and would negatively impact resale value.

 

[wave_crusher]

I got a set of pallet forks when I bought my kubota; rolled the cost right into the loan and it was worth every single penny. I would venture that the majority of DIY homeowners will use a good set of pallet forks 3x as often as the bucket. I use my forks from everything to lifting/moving stuff, to popping out tree stumps. I'm sure that's not what they're for, but the work great for tearing out individual roots on larger 20"+ stumps then the whole stump itself.

I never liked the idea of clamp on forks; IMO it puts too much stress on a small portion of bucket that wasn't designed for that kinda of stress all in one area. Same reason why you'll see a lot of buckets that are bent down in the middle on the cutting edge, because people will use that part of the bucket to try to push like tress/stumps and stuff.

Skid steer quick attach is without a doubt the only way to go for the loader IMO. John deere quick attach is ok, but it's not as easy to use and it limits your attachments to JD only or fab your own.

 

[bbaXJ]

Skid steer quick attach is without a doubt the only way to go for the loader IMO. John deere quick attach is ok, but it's not as easy to use and it limits your attachments to JD only or fab your own.

Not sure I'd go that far. Most decent implement companies offer the JD setup as an option, it doesn't have to be an OEM part. They're definitely fewer and sometimes lead to having to buy a more expensive option, but they're plentiful still. One thing I would NOT do is buy a machine that doesn't have a quick connect at all. People have bought kits to fabricate the parts to convert to SSQA, but it's an added expense and often sticks out further than the OEM setups which then cuts into your lifting capacity.

 

[roll-bar Bob]

Good suggestions from all you guys. I'm not rushing into anything and planned to look at most stuff mentioned. I like the suggestion of making sure the bucket sets flat, as that can be an indicator of the arms being bent.

Size wise, the 2025 is in general where I need to be and should fit my plans. I want to be able to mow my place up north, haul some wood, do some basic grading and dig a hole now and then. For the most part, I see it being an oversized mower and wood hauler. RE hauling wood, I had a Yamaha Rhino and one thing I found is that as I get older, I'm not into lifting a heavy log up into the bed of anything. Hence where the front bucket is very attractive.

not to be a wet blanket but that is a 10 year old tractor, for more than the retail price back when it was new, one of my coworkers has a 2013 he bought new with a couple attachments in 2013 for something like 15K out the door. Keep shopping!!!!

 

[roll-bar Bob]

I got a set of pallet forks when I bought my kubota; rolled the cost right into the loan and it was worth every single penny. I would venture that the majority of DIY homeowners will use a good set of pallet forks 3x as often as the bucket. I use my forks from everything to lifting/moving stuff, to popping out tree stumps. I'm sure that's not what they're for, but the work great for tearing out individual roots on larger 20"+ stumps then the whole stump itself.

I never liked the idea of clamp on forks; IMO it puts too much stress on a small portion of bucket that wasn't designed for that kinda of stress all in one area. Same reason why you'll see a lot of buckets that are bent down in the middle on the cutting edge, because people will use that part of the bucket to try to push like tress/stumps and stuff.

Skid steer quick attach is without a doubt the only way to go for the loader IMO. John deere quick attach is ok, but it's not as easy to use and it limits your attachments to JD only or fab your own.

guilty as charged !!!! did that within 2 weeks of having a tractor

I did fix it it was just a Pain in the Ass

 

[whiterhino]

not to be a wet blanket but that is a 10 year old tractor, for more than the retail price back when it was new, one of my coworkers has a 2013 he bought new with a couple attachments in 2013 for something like 15K out the door. Keep shopping!!!!


View attachment 285050

True, but when we were looking at current prices, he falls in line with what other tractors are selling for. And not to get picky either, but that $14k price is without the front bucket, forks and 60" mower deck. Also that's his asking price.

If we were to go down that road, there are all sorts of examples where people have inflated their prices due to the current market. Shit, my son in law bought a CJ7 about 3 years ago for $5500. He just sold it for $11k.

Bottom line, I am just starting to shop.

 

[bbaXJ]

Yep that's pretty typical, especially since a new 2025R is well over $35k with the same setup. Not sure exactly where it lands now but back in late 2020/early 2021 when I was shopping it was right at $35k. Probably closer to $40k now which is insane for a machine that size IMO. Nobody is lookin at what it cost when it was new, they're looking at what it costs compared to one that's new now.

 

[wave_crusher]

True, but when we were looking at current prices, he falls in line with what other tractors are selling for. And not to get picky either, but that $14k price is without the front bucket, forks and 60" mower deck. Also that's his asking price.

If we were to go down that road, there are all sorts of examples where people have inflated their prices due to the current market. Shit, my son in law bought a CJ7 about 3 years ago for $5500. He just sold it for $11k.

Bottom line, I am just starting to shop.

Definitly, like you said; it's just the Market. If I were to put up my kubota for sale now, I could more than likely sell it for more than I paid for it originally.

 

[bbaXJ]

Jim if you're specifically looking at Deere, check out ReGreen Equipment, when I was shopping they had good inventory of used machines and pretty good prices. I think they're our toward Grand Rapids IIRC.

 

[whiterhino]

Thanks Sean,
I am not leaning in any direction. They all look good in their pictures.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Important to know but I'm not sure how much it would affect me if I bought it with the loader and mower already attached. Not sure what other attachments I would need to use/borrow?

I didn't think I'd need/want any other loader attachments, either. I'll say that the used pallet forks I bought have been a HUGE blessing, and I use them all the time now. I also bought a bare skid steer attachment frame to use as a basis of a future fabrication project.

A few ideas...loader-mounted boom pole, trailer mover/front hitch set-up, rock bucket, tree puller, grapple (if you add additional hydraulics).

I'm not saying that everyone would have a need for these, but a little tractor is definitely a great Swiss Army tool, and in my case, I'm thinking of ways to use mine that I never had when I bought it almost 1 1/2 years ago.

Craig

 

[wrath]

Hutsons keeps sending me green stuff. I noticed the 3025 was $24k with a loader.

 

[jeepfreak81]

Good point !!!

I share a couple of my attachments with close friends unfortunately one of my other friends does have a Deere and he can't swap with the rest of us.

When examining loader arms make sure all the tires have the proper air in them, it is easy to cheat the bucket test with a few PSI modification in the tires.


RBB

I'm curious what you mean by this? how do you cheap a bucket test with different air pressure in the tires? I guess I do not understand the bucket test you are referring to?

My brush grapple and forks are my most used attachments. my grapple nearly lives on my tractor. I have not had the bucket on all summer. I have a trail spotter I swap to as well.

 

[SHARPMACHINE]

^^^^^

Lets say one of your loader arms are bent and that keeps the bucket from setting flat on the ground.

By adding and or subtracting pressure in your back tires, you could level the bucket back out and make it set flat on the ground again.

 

[roll-bar Bob]

I'm curious what you mean by this? how do you cheap a bucket test with different air pressure in the tires? I guess I do not understand the bucket test you are referring to?

My brush grapple and forks are my most used attachments. my grapple nearly lives on my tractor. I have not had the bucket on all summer. I have a trail spotter I swap to as well.

Just a few psi difference in rear tire pressure can make your cutting edge set unlevel on a straight loader, so conversely, if you have a bent loader, you can level the bucket of a bent loader out with adjusting your rear air pressure.


RBB

 

[jeepfreak81]

Just a few psi difference in rear tire pressure can make your cutting edge set unlevel on a straight loader, so conversely, if you have a bent loader, you can level the bucket of a bent loader out with adjusting your rear air pressure.


RBB

Gotcha. I don't think I have ever check mine... ever lol

 

[JohnnyJ]

I suggest we remove White Rhino's banner pic and replace it with Lou since we talk more about tractors than wheeling.