tractor recommendation needed

[rockriver]

nearby park where i work frequently needs another tractor...
storm michael left a mess.

they currently have very good and useful 2wd tractor..

need 4wd with a loader and a grapple.
tree trunks, limbs, galore.

it's clear a lot of you are homesteading/farming, etc...

45 to 60 hp
4wd
loader
grapple with 3rd function...

what brands? models? on tractor/loader combo and on grapple... need a root rake version.

root balls are 3' to 8' will the loader be able to shake this stump/rootball loose? no funds for a backhoe.

comments?

[rockriver]

i'm surprised that there are no replies...
you guys do have a tractor, or is everyone else on here, like me... live in a high rise condo?

bottom line..
a kubota was purchased that includes above items...

park owner found a great deal at perrin tractor in tifton ga..
folks from alabama and florida were there making purchases...
so, making a recommendation if you are into kubotas.

now, i've got to learn how to operate this thing. no clutch where clutch is supposed to be...
brakes on the wrong side of tractor. no 4 on the floor... no 3 on the tree... no o.d. 5th.
hmm... i wonder... how many folks on here ever drove a 3 on the tree. man's about old enough..
but i've never operated anything with a 3rd function before!

park's 2wd kubota is for sale... great shape. 50+ hp ??

[rockriver]

grapple!
i know a bunch of you guys have got tractors...
(and a few have things with tracks)
i just spent 5 hours on tractor with a grapple....
awesome time saver...
michael caused great damage at local park.
huge oaks, pines and other treees i don't know the names of are on the ground, leaning, broken.

previously, you drove up, got off, drug chain to tree trunk, hooked chain around trunk (or a few limbs) got back on tractor, tried to lift trunk with chain attached to box blade, so that you wouldn't trench up the ground, drive to burn pile, get off, undo chain, load chain back on box blade, turn tractor around and use loader to push tree trunk onto burn pile (or wherever it is you want trunk) then repeat process.

versus, driving up to trunk. quick maneuver to get close to square, push buttons/lever for grapple to grab and lift trunk. carry trunk to burn pile. place trunk on top with grapple... note: you don't get off the tractor! that is a yahoo! repeat the process...

if you are clearing your woodlot, cleaning debris, preparing to cut firewood, whatever,, a grapple makes the job a huge timesaver. and backsaver!

[rockriver]

reference grapple....
in this case but applies to other equipment also...

get equipment that is proper for size of tractor.

after the storm hit grapples disappeared from dealers immediately.
dealer in neighboring city had one and willing to deal on money.
owner bought... i didn't know enough to discuss the pros and cons.

kubota tractor was up to the task... grapple worked but broke...
both claws/clamps/whatever they are called started twisting/bending/getting out of square with frame.
hydraulic pistons were welded to bottom of frame... both broke loose.
owner not happy at all. he complained... but hard to complain at me, because i volunteer... after about 3 sentences, i'd ask for a 20% raise and he'd realize even if i caused the problem, 20% of nearly 0 was 0!!
each of the 4 "breaks" meant another trip to the welding shop.

here's the problem. tractor could lift the weight, so i'd push the buttons and move the levers... but the grapple parts were not up to lifting/pushing/twisting the weight. physically the grapple was the right size for this sized tractor, but physically the parts were not strong enough and the welds/connecting points were not stout enough...

another example... an old 6' box blade was available and used... with new tractor... old tractor was a 30hp. box blade was scratched and dented but if the blade hit a tree stump, the blade would jerk the tractor to a halt... ... box blade was suitable for a 30 hp tractor and tractor weight....
we hooked old box blade to the kubota which had more hp and more weight. and 4wd...
when it hit a tree stump the tractor kept going.... the shanks would break or the frame of box blade would bend... box blade not strong enough for the heavier, stronger tractor!

i did not understand the significance of this theory properly ahead of time!
when purchasing similar take someone with you. or study up ahead of time...

if owner had purchased a heavier duty grapple, the cost would have broken even, considering
$$ that would have been saved at the welding shop.