Tremors and Tractors

2020Tremor said:
I also have a MX6000 on order, had looked at the grand L and for the cab models it was pretty much a wash on price between the 4060 and 6000 both optioned up similar. I have not looked much at the open stations so can’t comment on those.
The biggest difference that got me gunning for the MX was loader capacity and price. The MX has around 500lbs more capacity than the 4060. The larger framed L6060 gets a little bump in capacity than the MX but was over 7K more. For me I want to run the bigger rear cutter 7’, which the 4060 won’t be able to turn well but perfect for the 6060 or 6000 class. What was surprising to me is machine weight with all 3 models listed in a cab version were very close. The Grand L controls are a little more polished than the MX but for me didn’t have a lot more comfort in my opinion but am used to my old B which is more similar to the MX. The 4060 sounds like a good deal just will it be enough for your lifting and cutting needs.
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I agree. I have a MX5400 and the reason i went with it instead of a “L” was the loader capacity. I knew i would be running a Grapple and knew i needed all the capacity i could get. I had to wait 4 months for my Tractor but was well worth it
 

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I decided to go with the L4060. We'll see if I regret it.

Main factors were:
- Availability: I've been waiting a looong time as I changed my mind from ROPS to a CAB a month or so before my first MX order was supposed to arrive. And didn't want to wait another 2 months from now for the MX CAB.
- I *felt* like it would be a better tractor for my wife and sons to run: Only rationale there is HST+ (and electronic controls) vs. HST. But more just not quite a rational feeling. And I expect they'll run this more than me.

I ultimately decided that worst case, if I find I could use the extra loader capacity of the MX, then I could probably use the extra-extra capacity of an SVL97-2 and this will give me a good excuse to pick one up. 😂
 
Ford performance said:
I agree. I have a MX5400 and the reason i went with it instead of a “L” was the loader capacity. I knew i would be running a Grapple and knew i needed all the capacity i could get. I had to wait 4 months for my Tractor but was well worth it
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I use a Land Pride grapple on my L4060 and haven't found a load of downed trees, etc. that I couldn't lift and transport with it yet. If it's too big of a load you can always do 2 trips and trim them off with chainsaw, but haven't had to do that yet and I've been moving whole (smaller/midsize) 40-60' tall trees with it without cutting anything off, nothing over a 15" base size yet. I dig out the roots on the heavy side of the tree and use the backhoe to push them down from the lighter side. Then I grab the whole downed tree with the grapple near the base, dragging the flimsy tops on the ground. I'm just knocking down trees and moving them to a pile, works fine. I could always cut things down to a manageable weight if I need to.
Edit: My need for loader capacity is short term (a couple of years and nothing major), after that, my tractor will be mainly used for mowing, tilling, posthole digging, minor landscaping, etc...
 
rhines81 said:
I use a Land Pride grapple on my L4060 and haven't found a load of downed trees, etc. that I couldn't lift and transport with it yet. If it's too big of a load you can always do 2 trips and trim them off with chainsaw, but haven't had to do that yet and I've been moving whole (smaller/midsize) 40-60' tall trees with it without cutting anything off, nothing over a 15" base size yet. I dig out the roots on the heavy side of the tree and use the backhoe to push them down from the lighter side. Then I grab the whole downed tree with the grapple near the base, dragging the flimsy tops on the ground. I'm just knocking down trees and moving them to a pile, works fine. I could always cut things down to a manageable weight if I need to.
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What model grapple do you have?
 
The grapple is such a handy addition, and you guys are smart to get a tractor with good loader capacity when using one. I always recommend a dual lid grapple as opposed to a single. They clamp oddball stuff better. I have one on my Takeuchi track loader and I have moved some massive oak logs, as well as a lot of brush. They are hard to beat.

One thing to watch for if you are getting your first grapple, is that you can easily bend the loader tilt rams on any brand of tractor if you have the rams fully extended (where they are weakest) and then drive forward or back with the tips of the grapple stuck into something or against something. On most hydraulics for compact and utility tractors, when the spool valve is centered (not operating the cylinders) then the pressure in the cylinders can't reach the pressure relief valve. If you have the grapple against a big log and fully tilted down and you drive the tractor forward, several things can happen 1) the object can move 2) you can spin your tires 3) you can bog the engine or slip the clutch or 4) you can break something. So be careful.
 
Thanks, @DavesTractor. Great tips.

Do you have any experience with the Wicked brand grapples? Do you know anyone on the West Coast who sells them?

Wicked Root Grapples

Root grapples for any size tractor. Top quality USA Made root grapples for sale
wickedgrapples.com

Everything Attachments Wicked Root Grapples

Grapples that are designed to be strong enough to grapple any brush or logs, yet light enough to give your compact tractor a grapple
www.everythingattachments.com

The weight saving design is attractive.
 
The Wicked grapples that I have seen look fine. Some of them are single lid, which I would avoid in all but the smallest sizes. All that I have seen use an economy tie-rod cylinder (not welded) and the cylinder(s) have no shielding. Some are light, but that can be a real bonus on a small tractor. I do not know of any local dealers that stock this brand.

We stock and sell Terra Force grapples. If you have a dealer near you that stocks them, you should check them out. Just a disclaimer, I'm not on this Tremor forum to sell tractors or implements, but I am happy to answer questions. We sell about 400 compact tractors a year, so I have accumulated some experience.

I think for compact tractors, many grapples will get the job done just fine. Generally, you are limited to around 2000 lbs lift (in the 30 HP'ish size) and that doesn't tear things up too much. Put that same grapple on a 100 HP track loader and you can pretzel it. But put a super heavy-duty grapple on a 30 HP tractor and you will consume most of your lift capacity carrying it around empty. It's a balance.
 
DavesTractor said:
The grapple is such a handy addition, and you guys are smart to get a tractor with good loader capacity when using one. I always recommend a dual lid grapple as opposed to a single. They clamp oddball stuff better. I have one on my Takeuchi track loader and I have moved some massive oak logs, as well as a lot of brush. They are hard to beat.

One thing to watch for if you are getting your first grapple, is that you can easily bend the loader tilt rams on any brand of tractor if you have the rams fully extended (where they are weakest) and then drive forward or back with the tips of the grapple stuck into something or against something. On most hydraulics for compact and utility tractors, when the spool valve is centered (not operating the cylinders) then the pressure in the cylinders can't reach the pressure relief valve. If you have the grapple against a big log and fully tilted down and you drive the tractor forward, several things can happen 1) the object can move 2) you can spin your tires 3) you can bog the engine or slip the clutch or 4) you can break something. So be careful.
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There is also the root grapple which allows more cutting in to the ground with the tilt arms retracted position vs the skeleton style with a grapple lid. Does great ripping out smaller brush and grabbing trees with smaller loaders. The one I had had a lower tooth count to keep weight down so wasn’t the greatest at picking up smaller stuff. It was around the weight of the bucket so had great capacity for bigger trees. I would recommend a tighter tine spacing if not loader capacity limited in the root style grapple though.
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2020Tremor said:
There is also the root grapple which allows more cutting in to the ground with the tilt arms retracted position vs the skeleton style with a grapple lid. Does great ripping out smaller brush and grabbing trees with smaller loaders. The one I had had a lower tooth count to keep weight down so wasn’t the greatest at picking up smaller stuff. It was around the weight of the bucket so had great capacity for bigger trees. I would recommend a tighter tine spacing if not loader capacity limited in the root style grapple though.
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That is spot-on great advice.
 
Heading on back - the Kubota thanks me for clean oil , new filters , and a year of sh1t pressure washed of it , I’ll be on 281 north for the next 2 hours , honk , flip me off whatever :)
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soop said:
It’s here. And fitting right in.

View attachment 35228
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That's a well stocked stable! I haven't noticed any grapes in the background of your shots. Watcha working on over there if you don't mind me asking?
Around here they say the best way to make a million in the wine business is to start with two million. 😆
 
Potato Wilson said:
That's a well stocked stable! I haven't noticed any grapes in the background of your shots. Watcha working on over there if you don't mind me asking?
Around here they say the best way to make a million in the wine business is to start with two million. 😆
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This is a property I’m developing as a multi-generation homestead. Grapes to come. Currently working on clearing and building infrastructure. Hence the new toys.

Graded ~50k square feet of driveway and trailer parking with the 4060 today on only half a tank of fuel. The HST+ is amazing. Cruise control is surprisingly handy for blade work.

Dealer threw in a Bluetooth stereo too. Total game changer. I had no idea I was missing this all my life.
 
soop said:
This is a property I’m developing as a multi-generation homestead. Grapes to come. Currently working on clearing and building infrastructure. Hence the new toys.

Graded ~50k square feet of driveway and trailer parking with the 4060 today on only half a tank of fuel. The HST+ is amazing. Cruise control is surprisingly handy for blade work.

Dealer threw in a Bluetooth stereo too. Total game changer. I had no idea I was missing this all my life.
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Congrats, fleet looks good. Not having to wear headphones and a dust mask sounds awesome to me.
 
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