[TPS]

Hi everyone -

My 1025R is currently on order and should he here in early June. I am using Deere's financing at 0% for 72 months. I have added some implements and accessories, but would like your opinions and suggestions on what implements or accessories you all think are must-haves. I'd like to take advantage of the financing deal and get any necessary equipment now rather than later.

So, here's my current situation...

I currently live on about 3 acres. I mow about 2 acres and the rest is wooded area. I have a lot of downed trees, brush, and rocks to clean up and move. I also have a bunch more trees to take down. We have some spots in the yard where we will be adding some loads of soil and will need to spread and level it out. I will also be working to make some trails in the wooded area for the kids to play and explore. We see a potential garden in the future, but nothing too large that would require a huge tiller.

Here's the equipment I have on order as part of the financing from Deere...

1025R with 120R NSL Loader and 53" Bucket
54D Autoconnect MMM (700CLV) w/ Load-N-Go Brackets
Deere iMatch
R3 Radial Ply Versa Turf Tires
Frontier AV20F Grapple
3rd Function SCV Kit (installed by the dealer)
Deere 60" Quick Hitch Front Blade w/ Rubber Squeegee
Front Quick Hitch w/ Hydraulic Lift and Hydraulic Angling Kit
Premium LED Work Light Kit w/ Brush Guards
(8) 70 Pound Suitcase Weights

Here is the equipment I have on order separate from Deere....

Heavy Hitch Offset Bracket w/ Heavy Hitch Cart
From KBOH: (2) Grab Hook/Clevis Combos w/ Shackles, Differential Lock Extension Pedal/Seat Spring Combo, Extended iMatch Hook w/ Adjustable Hook Pins

So, I'm looking for your opinions on what Deere/Frontier equipment I could potentially add to my order to include with the financing. I don't think I would get enough use out of a tiller, but I have been considering a Frontier box blade, potentially the BB2048. I'm also not sure I'd get enough use out of the box blade to justify the purchase.

I don't plan on loading the tires anytime soon and have been considering the addition of 72 pound starter wheel weights to the order.

I welcome any and all opinions! I'd like to take full advantage of the Deere financing deal, but it has to make some sense for my situation! I plan on keeping this tractor for at least 15 years.

Thanks!

 

[Festus]

Forks are VERY handy.

 

[Jimmy Walker]

sounds like a good list 👍. Just remember those 70 lb suitcase weights sometimes have to picked up! Some 42s are still useful.


Have you watched this video yet? GWT. used box blade rippers to make garden areas. i thought it was neat

 

[TPS]

Forks are VERY handy.

Talk to me a little bit about forks. I have the grapple for the downed trees, brush, etc, so I wouldn't need forks for that type of work.

Other than the obvious pallet work, what other uses do you find for the forks?

I assume the Frontier AP10F forks with either 36" or 42" tines would be the best choice if I decided to get them.

 

[TPS]

sounds like a good list 👍. Just remember those 70 lb suitcase weights sometimes have to picked up! Some 42s are still useful.


Have you watched this video yet? GWT. used box blade rippers to make garden areas. i thought it was neat

I did see this! This is what really got me thinking about a box blade.

 

[Mackford13]

Sounds like you got most of it covered. I would definitely add the wheel weights & look into getting some spacers. 1.50 worked for me on my 54d.

 

[filoufil]

Sounds like you got most of it covered. I would definitely add the wheel weights & look into getting some spacers. 1.50 worked for me on my 54d.

Heads up if you have the R3 radials and add spacers, they do not fit with the new 54D. Can’t comment on the earlier versions, but my 2021 with R3 versa turf with 1.4'' spacers does require the 54D some modifications.

 

[Rule292]

Talk to me a little bit about forks. I have the grapple for the downed trees, brush, etc, so I wouldn't need forks for that type of work.

Other than the obvious pallet work, what other uses do you find for the forks?

I assume the Frontier AP10F forks with either 36" or 42" tines would be the best choice if I decided to get them.

I picked the Frontier AP10F with 42" tines since it was available locally and it's amongst the lightest of the forks. Downside, it doesn't have a headache rack and the forks are offshore made.

Yesterday I needed to move my snowplow for my truck away from where we're having tree work done and into the back of the property.

No problem! Fire up the tractor, off comes the bucket, on go the forks and under the plow went the forks! Blocked up the back of the plow mount with a 2x4 and tied the plow on with a ratchet strap.

Granted it is a 600 pound standard duty plow and not an 800# pro plow but the tractor tilted and lifted it like a paperweight!

 

[MattL]

Forks can dig, lift, load/unload, pry, be a work surface (used mine today for that, cutting 4x6's with a chainsaw). Things you can lift outside the obvious pallets are other small heavy objects- I use them to move my wheeled generator around and to lift it to a reasonable height for changing its oil, pressure washer and snow blower as well. The 1025R is weight limited 600-700lbs max safe load so you'll not be unloadingba ton of palletizing pellets, but once you have them (in my opinion) you'll wonder how you lived without them! I've got 36" forks and if doing it again, would do 42" for better engagement with pallets, and once you have forks, you'll start to palletizing things and it's glorious!

As mentioned already I'd also pick up a few 42lb suitcase weights in pairs with the eight 70s - but I think otherwise you've got a great list! A lot of times you'll get a discount on the attachments purchased with the tractor. Also a handful of JD dealers sell Heavy Hitch, so you might be able to get that cat 1 offset HH from your dealer in the financing!

I don't have wheel weights, but am not mowing or operating on too many hills and no significant side hills while mowing. No filled tires either.

 

[MattL]

Forgot to add - I'd personally skip the Deere LED lights and just get the cheap versions off Amazon. You can have 10 cheap ones fail before you've covered the cost of the Deere version and they are really easy to swap out (what I did) and the light output for the cheap ones is great!

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Heads up if you have the R3 radials. They do not fit with the new 54D. Can’t comment on the earlier versions, but my 2021 with R3 hybrids and 54D need modifications.

2020 1025R with the latest 54D deck and everything works just fine with my VersaTurf's.

 

[Jimmy Walker]

Seat cover. LP68694

 

[TPS]

Heads up if you have the R3 radials. They do not fit with the new 54D. Can’t comment on the earlier versions, but my 2021 with R3 hybrids and 54D need modifications.

I can't see how this is true. There are plenty of people on this forum with the new 54D mower decks and the R3 radial versa turfs. I know for sure @MarkEagleUSA ha this setup and I'm sure there are more.

What type of modifications did yours need? Maybe there was some other issue?

 

[TPS]

Forks can dig, lift, load/unload, pry, be a work surface (used mine today for that, cutting 4x6's with a chainsaw). Things you can lift outside the obvious pallets are other small heavy objects- I use them to move my wheeled generator around and to lift it to a reasonable height for changing its oil, pressure washer and snow blower as well. The 1025R is weight limited 600-700lbs max safe load so you'll not be unloadingba ton of palletizing pellets, but once you have them (in my opinion) you'll wonder how you lived without them! I've got 36" forks and if doing it again, would do 42" for better engagement with pallets, and once you have forks, you'll start to palletizing things and it's glorious!

As mentioned already I'd also pick up a few 42lb suitcase weights in pairs with the eight 70s - but I think otherwise you've got a great list! A lot of times you'll get a discount on the attachments purchased with the tractor. Also a handful of JD dealers sell Heavy Hitch, so you might be able to get that cat 1 offset HH from your dealer in the financing!

I don't have wheel weights, but am not mowing or operating on too many hills and no significant side hills while mowing. No filled tires either.

Thanks a ton for the great info!

I already have (6) 42 pound suitcase weights that were used with my x758, so I will be sure to keep those!

I already purchased the Heavy Hitch directly from the company, but it's good to know some Deere dealers offer them. I had no clue!

You make a compelling case for the pallet forks! I'm really thinking about them now along with a box blade.

 

[filoufil]

2020 1025R with the latest 54D deck and everything works just fine with my VersaTurf's.

I can't see how this is true. There are plenty of people on this forum with the new 54D mower decks and the R3 radial versa turfs. I know for sure @MarkEagleUSA ha this setup and I'm sure there are more.

What type of modifications did yours need? Maybe there was some other issue?

@TPS and @MarkEagleUSA Sorry if my post was confusing, but if you reread it. I am replying to someone that is suggesting 1.5'' wheel spacers.

I have the Bro-Teks 1.4'' and they do not fit with R3 Radial and the new 2020+ 54D.

I'll edit it to make it clearer.

As for mods, the right rear ''deck wheel handle'' is contacting my right tire. I am getting it cut and welded at a 45 degrees angle away from the tire.

 

[TPS]

Seat cover. LP68694

Thanks, Jimmy! I ordered it!

@TPS and @MarkEagleUSA Sorry if my post was confusing, but if you reread it. I am replying to someone that is suggesting 1.5'' wheel spacers.

I have the Bro-Teks 1.4'' and they do not fit with R3 Radial and the new 2020+ 54D.

I'll edit it to make it clearer.

As for mods, the right rear ''deck wheel handle'' is contacting my right tire. I am getting it cut and welded at a 45 degrees angle away from the tire.

Thanks for the clarification. It's definitely good to know in case I ever consider wheel spacers.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

@TPS and @MarkEagleUSA Sorry if my post was confusing, but if you reread it. I am replying to someone that is suggesting 1.5'' wheel spacers.

I have the Bro-Teks 1.4'' and they do not fit with R3 Radial and the new 2020+ 54D.

I'll edit it to make it clearer.

As for mods, the right rear ''deck wheel handle'' is contacting my right tire. I am getting it cut and welded at a 45 degrees angle away from the tire.

Pretty sure @Mackford13 has the same setup as mine and is also running 1.5" spacers.

 

[filoufil]

Pretty sure @Mackford13 has the same setup as mine and is also running 1.5" spacers.

Hopefully @Mackford13 chimes in with his experience. A quick search showed me that he has a 2017 though.

I am running a 2021 with R3 Radials, 1.4 spacers and a 2020+ 54D and and I am telling you that they don’t fit.

 

[jdforever]

once you have forks, you'll start to palletizing things and it's glorious!

What Matt said

Also I would consider forgoing the JD frame mounted plow and look into a loader mounted plow instead.

 

[MattL]

What Matt said

Also I would consider forgoing the JD frame mounted plow and look into a loader mounted plow instead.

2nd this- loader mounted plow. I've got the quic-tach 54" plow but no 3rd function. Doing it over, I think the loader mounted version is cheaper, and while stacking is possible with the quic-tach, it'll be a ton easier with the loader mounted version. - Unless you're planning on adding a blower or sweeper in the future (or already have them with the X7xx) - I'd skip the quic-tach.

If you're really looking to set that wallet on fire, no mowing set up is complete without a MCS... The TKV20 is the current king of the hill, at ~$4700. But it's dump from seat and PTO powered!