Ultimate Rack®

This is the biggest assist and improvement in my farm life since I bought my Kubota. Made finding and moving tools to where they are needed a dream!

The Ultimate Rack is quite possibly the most brilliant tractor accessory you could ever own. This invention embodies the phrase "work smarter, not harder." It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities, and you'll only have yourself to blame if you don't have what you need while out and about on your property. Due to limited space on the tractor, I used to struggle with what to take and how to take it (usually in the bucket, which was never ideal). Now, I take everything I think I might even remotely need. It's supposed to be rear ballast anyway, so LOAD IT UP! Thanks, Tim, for the great customer service and an amazing product!

It is well-designed, has solid engineering, quality components, quality service, excellent packaging, and assembly instructions. I wish I had bought it sooner. Do not buy a Utility Vehicle if you have a Compact Tractor; buy a BTR. Thanks, Tim Descoteaux!

The details of my purchase and experience with the BTR are below...

I am a mechanical engineer with over 25 years of experience designing, testing, globally sourcing, servicing, marketing, and manufacturing compact tractors and utility vehicles. I have five patents for products used on diesel engines and utility vehicles.

A few years ago, I bought some acreage and a JD 1025 (Thanks to Tim Marks @ TTWT) to clear the property. I was fortunate enough to add several accessories to my tractor purchase, including a grapple and forklift. I saw the BTR, but unfortunately, I did not purchase it then.

Hurricane Helene came through my area several weeks back. It took us over 30 hours of work to saw, rake & move 12 large pine trees off my house and property. I dragged my tools, axes, fuel, wedges, spare chains, safety gear, and saws around in the grapple and ballast box. I frequently walked back to the garage to get more tools because there was not enough storage on the tractor. Not buying the BTR became a big regret that week. Once I got the property cleaned up, insurance claims in process, and my contractors lined up to repair the house, it was time to revisit purchasing the BTR.

I had a few questions after reading through the BTR website multiple times. I emailed Tim Descoteaux, the owner and inventor. Tim promptly answered my questions and offered his phone number if I needed more assistance. I took Tim up on his offer, and we had an informative and excellent discussion. Needless to say, I ordered the BTR!

I received the BTR in a well-packaged, sturdy wooden box. Using my JD 1025 and pallet forks (Thanks again to a Tim Marks @ TTWT recommendation), I lifted it off the semi-trailer and took it to my garage. The box showed signs of abuse by the freight carriers. No worries, though; the contents were well protected by the shipping box (well done, Tim D.). I opened the box, and with assistance from my sister-in-law, we spent a few hours assembling the BTR. The instructions were great. The only issues we had were determining the orientation of the tailgate cable and crossbar brackets. Note, I assembled the entire BTR on my pallet forks, which was a simple way to do it (Safety tip: when you use the pallet forks in this manner, place the empty wooden shipping box underneath the pallet forks. Then, slowly let the forks down so the box can take some of the weight. This step is necessary just in case someone accidentally hits the controls, the forks settle downward as you add weight, and to catch any parts you drop. Be smart, be safe.) Tip: Make sure you follow the note in the instruction manual that says you must keep fasteners loose until you have all the main parts in place and holes aligned. My only other issue was deciding how to configure all the tool holders. A great problem to have!

Once finished, I lined my tractor up to the BTR and hooked it on my JD iMatch Quick hitch. I only had to make a quick adjustment to the 3-point hitch Top Link, and I hooked her up. The next step was where to place all my tools. You can see my final load and configuration in the pics.
Bottomline: This is an awesome product and company to do business with. I am looking forward to heading to the woods to cut up more fallen trees and remove more debris from the Hurricane.

Thanks for providing this great solution for compact tractor owners, Tim. Enjoy the foggy morning phone pics.

The Pinecone Farmer
11/21/2024

I received my BTR a few weeks ago. I assembled it last weekend and only had one missing part - a washer. After finishing, I was impressed with the quality and the storage options that it has for holding just about anything I will need to carry.

No disappointments. The rack is very well designed and yet versatile enough to accommodate places for your particular tool inventory.