Tractor Users - Using any special attachments?

hiker88 said:

do share!

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Can't... Tapatalk isn't letting me post photos now, and all my photos are on my phone! In any case, I picked up a clean Deere 855 MFWD (4wd) with model 52 loader, a fresh full body-off pro paint job and 800 hours for $7k. It's by no means new, but it will outlive my use for it. It came with a 72" belly mower deck, but that's not in great shape, and I'll probably sell it.

I already had a tow-behind aerator (too small), tow sprayer, and roller from my garden tractor. So, I just bought a 64" snowblower, the Herd broadcaster, and ballast box to go with the machine.

There we go!

Joful said:

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There we go!

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What is the purpose of that funky little box that you tow behind? Looks almost like a seeder.

I couldn't begin to put up wood without mine. BTW, a bush hog makes a dandy counterweight. I seldom keep the FEL on mine as it really detracts from the maneuverabilty & usefulness of the tractor. I bought this one new in 1980:

Highbeam said:

What is the purpose of that funky little box that you tow behind? Looks almost like a seeder.

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hah! Walnut harvester. That thing is a $500 plastic POS... but just about the only non-commercial option on the market, for picking up those blasted nuts.

Joful said:

hah! Walnut harvester. That thing is a $500 plastic POS... but just about the only non-commercial option on the market, for picking up those blasted nuts.

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My dad preferred child labor.

Stephen in SoKY said:

I couldn't begin to put up wood without mine. BTW, a bush hog makes a dandy counterweight. I seldom keep the FEL on mine as it really detracts from the maneuverabilty & usefulness of the tractor. I bought this one new in 1980:

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That's a unique splitter you have there. Would like to see that in action....

Stephen in SoKY said:

I couldn't begin to put up wood without mine. BTW, a bush hog makes a dandy counterweight. I seldom keep the FEL on mine as it really detracts from the maneuverabilty & usefulness of the tractor. I bought this one new in 1980:

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I borrowed a 4wd Deere 750, similar vintage to your machine, before I bought my 855. A very capable tractor, and a wee bit larger than the 855 (although same weight, HP, and lift). However, I found there were three things about it, which made it very difficult to use for loader or lawn work:

1. Manual steering! I developed a serious elbow problem during the time I had that machine. Don't underestimate how hard it can be to steer a 4wd machine with a full loader!
2. Seat between the fenders, with all the control levers between your legs, and loader frame blocking easy access to seat... made getting on and off a serious PITA.
3. Manual transmission. If you're going to have a loader, go with hydro. So much more useful / quicker / easier.

I've operated a lot of tractors over the years and I've always thought that little 2240 was the most operator friendly of them all. All the controls are just in a very natural place. I grew up on a Ferguson 40 we used as a FEL tractor with no PS. Never, ever, again.

The cantilever splitter is factory built and works very fast with adequate flow/pressure from the tractor. It only uses an 8" stroke so very few other splitters match its speed.

+1 on 4WD

It's gotten me out of many sticky situations and not just snow and mud. Sometimes modest hills can stop a 2WD tractor, and you have to back down and try a different path. I've been in situations where moving the forward in the easiest direction would potentially flip the tractor, and it sure is nice to be able to switch to 4WD before your heart drops into your stomach.

I'll go further, and say you should never put a front end loader on a smaller 2wd tractor. I had one very "educational" experience trying to drive forward down a hill in 2wd with a loaded bucket. Now, if I can't conveniently back down the hill, the machine always goes in 4wd with a loaded bucket.