Loader Question:
I am city slicker who bought 78 acres of land. And I am smart enough to know that I know nothing. But before I ask my loader question, let me give you some information:
The land is in the Midwest, mostly flat, a few slight elevations. Most of it is wooded, approximately 10 acres are meadow, which has not been mowed in years.
Three ponds: 1.5 acre, 1+ acre and 0.5 acre, all with trees and grass around them.
The house has also trees and grass around it.
Approximately 800 yards of gravel road.
Approximately 1 mile of hiking trail which will be expanded.
I have identified the following tasks for the loader:
Drag trees out for firewood
Lift heavy stuff and take it from A to B
Clean up work, i.e. branches, garbage…
Maintain the 78 acres of land
I am planning to buy the following tractor.
John Deere 3720 with a 300CX loader
Now I have the following questions:
Bucket:
61in or 73in wide?
Heavy duty or not?
If heavy duty, with tooth bars or not?
Are Debris Grapple Bucket and Pallet Forks useful to maintain my 78 acres of land? Or am I wasting money?
If a good investment:
Debris Grapple Bucket:
61in or 73in wide?
Pallet Forks:
42in or 48in?
PLEASE help with constructive criticism and with your experiences.
Thank you,
Regards,
FRIZ
I am city slicker who bought 78 acres of land. And I am smart enough to know that I know nothing. But before I ask my loader question, let me give you some information:
The land is in the Midwest, mostly flat, a few slight elevations. Most of it is wooded, approximately 10 acres are meadow, which has not been mowed in years.
Three ponds: 1.5 acre, 1+ acre and 0.5 acre, all with trees and grass around them.
The house has also trees and grass around it.
Approximately 800 yards of gravel road.
Approximately 1 mile of hiking trail which will be expanded.
I have identified the following tasks for the loader:
Drag trees out for firewood
Lift heavy stuff and take it from A to B
Clean up work, i.e. branches, garbage…
Maintain the 78 acres of land
I am planning to buy the following tractor.
John Deere 3720 with a 300CX loader
Now I have the following questions:
Bucket:
61in or 73in wide?
Heavy duty or not?
If heavy duty, with tooth bars or not?
Are Debris Grapple Bucket and Pallet Forks useful to maintain my 78 acres of land? Or am I wasting money?
If a good investment:
Debris Grapple Bucket:
61in or 73in wide?
Pallet Forks:
42in or 48in?
PLEASE help with constructive criticism and with your experiences.
Thank you,
Regards,
FRIZ
One thing that I would love to have for scooting around the place is either a Mule-like utility vehicle or, better yet, a Japanese mini truck (kei truck). Since I can't afford that right now, I tend to use my tractor more like a pickup. Which is a long way of saying that I think you're heading in the right direction with your tractor choice but I bet you'll want something else to augment it. Hey, more toys! 
