5 Must-Have Implements | Compact Tractor Buyers Guide Part #3

You know what tractor you want, but now it is time to determine which tools you need to accomplish all of your tasks. These must-have implements are a great place to start to give you full-year use of your tractor to maintain your property.

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Compact Tractor Buyers Guide

00:00 - Buyers Guide Part 3
00:44 - Skd Steer Quick Attach
02:29 - Implement #1: Pallet Forks
03:36 - Implement #2: Box Blade or Grading Scraper
04:48 - Implement #3: Mowing (Flail or Rotary)
06:16 - Implement #4: Grapples
07:11 - Implement #5: Snow Tools (Boxes, Blades, Blowers)
08:33 - Equip your tractor with these must-have implements

[duck-n-cover]

As soon as you have pallet forks, you start palletizing things to move around...storage bins, containerized tool kits/camping gear, 15 bags of concrete, bags of lime, firewood, etc.

[wallyzworld]

Pallet forks are a must have, but don't under estimate the simple heavy tined landscape rake. Use it more than the box blade for driveway leveling and maintenance.

[TheRChannel]

I think a landscape rake is another must have attachment. They're very underrated.

[johnmerryman]

Great list! For the box blade I’d highly recommend at least a hydraulic top link, if not a full top and tilt kit. Really makes the box blade so much more useful and productive.

[blessedandhappy]

Pallet forks aren’t a must have but they are absolutely a should have. I store all of my attachments on pallets and can move them anytime with ease. In fact, if it is anything my wife or I foresee moving at a future date it is going on a pallet. Replaced the box blade with a land plan and have no regrets. If you have 3rd function you will be glad you have a grapple.

[brianhillis]

Something not frequently mentioned is rear forks. Put a pallet or box on it and carry a sprayer, drums, bags of stuff, tools, and adjustable rear weight system. Putting a chainsaw, gas, wedges, helmet, chaps, brush cutter, in it and you can do some real forestry work. Tractors are terrible for carrying loose items like tools. And supplies. Trailers are handy but make it too long and you have to do the lifting.

[jasonbroom]

It's interesting that you mention the quick attach option and then go straight to the pallet forks. The only true "must-have" implement, is the front-loader itself.

[DougBittinger]

Right on target. I highly recommend having the pallet forks, box blade, and a ballast box for those times when you need the balance but also need to maneuver in tight spaces where the bigger implements are a hazard.

[wdglockandroll]

Out of all my implements the grapple is my favorite. Stay safe

[thebradleysoncatbirdhill]

As always, spot on advice regarding tractors and implements. Pallett forks and a root rake grapple have saved me literally weeks of work over the years.👍👍👍

[rob]

For my money, a good quality 4 in 1 bucket should be at the top of the list. Sure, it won't grapple as well as a proper grapple, but the time I've saved not having to return to base to switch implements has been remarkable. Usually I (and I daresay most COMPACT tractor users) only have 1 or 2 logs to move, not a stack of them. Switching implements for such a small job would be a pain. Plus, you then get your grading blade and push blade included.

Bought a set of pallet forks but have yet to find a use for them...

[michaeldouglas]

I agree pallet forks are essential. Got a set fir my 70hp loader and I use them constantly.

[JCWren]

My big three in order of regular usage are a litter bucket, pallet forks, and the rotary cutter. Also have the bucket that came with the tractor, a tiller, landscape rake, boom pole, and post hole digger. I've never used the PHD, but it was an estate sale and far too cheap to pass up :)

[jimwright]

Purchased forks with my BX23s intending to use them to help around the beeyard, but they have become so darned handy - even made strawberry boxes for my wife that I can now move in and out of the greenhouse to extend their season. I also purchased a box blade with a certain function in mind, but again, does so much more from providing some minimum ballast for the loader, to grading the driveway to snow removal. Two excellent choices for versatility.

[xdudex]

Pallet forks by far my most used attachment

[charlesperry]

I bought my subcompact in November. I started with a loader bucket and a set of pallet forks. I quickly added a box blade. Most recently I added a tiller. I definitely use the pallet forks the most. I am always finding ways to use them. And skid steer quick attach is a must!

[plakor]

Most used for me: pallet forks, flail mower, and grapple. The grapple is a game changer. The added 3rd function hydraulics enabled so many things. This alone is well worth the added expense if buying new.

[BG-vqfd]

I ordered forks with my tractor. Most things in my building are now on pallets. Bought grapple last fall it's great.

[randallthomas]

I bought a used 23-hp SCUT primarily to move materials and do minor earthwork as I build a new house. The guy I bought it from bought it to plow snow, then added a set of forks, and used it mostly to move materials, and scaffolding when he remodeled his house. My favorites: pallet forks with 42-inch forks, buy the fork capacity you FEL can lift. A fork frame rated at 6000-lbs, is a waste of money, if the FEL can only lift 1500-lbs.

Second box blade, third landscape rake, fourth a SSQA front 3-point set up this let’s you mount things up front. Suddenly you rear blade or box blade are a snow plow. An “Add a grapple kit”, modified with 2-inch square tubing so you can move the grapple between, your forks, regular bucket, rock bucket, etc. by welding receivers on them.

[Treeplanter]

My pallet forks are indispensable for working in my woods, carrying logs, brush, lifting other tools, for everything!! Absolutely the first implemente to buy. Secondly a brush cutter.