ArmyDoc
Silver Member
Any recommendations? Looking at the jcb 525-60 agri loader today. Have a case dealer near by, but he doesnt stock these. Also have a bobcat dealer, also with none in stock....
Compact telehandlers
- Thread starter ArmyDoc
- Start date
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Just curious what the advantage is for you to go with a compact telehandler? Contractors use them because they are easy to haul around from job to job, but on a farm, bigger is always going to be better.
JCB is probably one of the biggest brands in the world, but they are few and far between where I live. The few people that I know who have owned JCB said that getting parts was slow. It was so slow, that they ended up selling it and going to another brand.
JCB is probably one of the biggest brands in the world, but they are few and far between where I live. The few people that I know who have owned JCB said that getting parts was slow. It was so slow, that they ended up selling it and going to another brand.
Rmart30
Platinum Member
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- Currently Kubota L4600HST, two Massey 265's, Massey 230, Kubota M8540...... Had Long 510, Mahindra 3510.Ford 4000, Deere 4230.
Construction equipment has been my thing for the past 30 years and I would not buy a JCB anything. For a mini Id go genie or cat.
Unless your wanting one small enough for hauling you can actually get a good used 6k full size for less than a compact.
Unless your wanting one small enough for hauling you can actually get a good used 6k full size for less than a compact.
JCB factory for their CTL / skidsteer based telehandlers is in Savannah, about 2 hours from here. Of course, the agri ones are made in England I learned. Something to consider.
Why telehandler? Well, I have an old 45hp MF but it's really too small and doesn't have a FEL. So I decided I'd look at a new tractor, and finally get CAB with AC while I was at it. But as I started looking at what I wanted to do, a couple people have suggested I look at machines other than tractor. My land is 95% forested, so I started considering a Skid Steer, but I don't really like the front entry vs side entry, and visibility isn't as good as that of a side arm based machine.
Here's what I'm looking to do, and kind of my thinking:
Jobs/tasks
1) Cut pastures
a) ~ 10 acres in back
b) ~3 acres in small fields around house
- these can be done with existing tractor and 5' bushog
- would be nicer/easier/more likely to get done if had CAB with AC
- Would be faster with wider implement
c) areas under and between trees
- requires smaller implement to fit between trees
2) Maintain fire-breaks and perimeter of property
- If cut once by someone else, then cut every 6 mos, these can be done with existing tractor and 5' bushog
- Lack of CAB with AC makes this unlikely to happen (I've had it cut, now it's overgrown so...)
- If HAD a CAB with AC
- could upkeep perimeter pretty easily with a tractor (it's about 15-20ft wide) but fire breaks might be too small (narrow and low) for larger tractor, and a few areas are a bit steep (they use a doser to cut them, don't feel comfortable taking my old 45hp tractor over all parts...)
- to maintain all of this myself
Firebreaks: need to be able to deal with 2-3 inch diameter sweetgum (mostly 2inch), but 6-10ft tall
- likely a problem to drive tractor over dragging a bushog, even though bushog could cut it probably
- could deal with with daneuser intimidator on FEL
- Maneuverability may be an issue for Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
- could deal with with front mounted flail or brush cutter
Firebreaks: need to be able to deal with 5 or 6 ft wide path, ~20% grade in some spots
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
3) Deal with Wind/Ice fallen trees and limbs
- FEL with grapple of some type
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
4) deal with vines & brambles in trees (wisteria, honeysuckle, blackberry)
- FEL with grapple vs daneuser intimidator
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
5) Manage & maintain driveway
- FEL with bucket vs 6/way scrape blade vs box blade etc
- Maneuverability may be an issue if digging rather than scraping: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
6) Pushing over dead but standing trees
- Falling tree safety is a concern - have seen stumps break 20 ft up.
- CTL - forestry package an option
- may be able to put forestry package on tractor too
- Height of FEL may benefit from higher reach in terms of leverage
- Telehandler has advantage in being able to stand farther back and reach farther up, Telehandler on a CTL/SS next
7) Transport of materials (e.g. fallen things to burn pile, feed, hay etc.)
- FEL
- Tractor and CTH faster than SS or CTL
so, those are my considerations.
JCB has something called a Teleskid that may be the best combination... it's kind of heading my list, but I welcome everyone's input. I had hoped to stay in the 50-70k range but my wife liked the forestry safety features on the teleskid, which puts it closer to 85k with a grapple and bucket.
Why telehandler? Well, I have an old 45hp MF but it's really too small and doesn't have a FEL. So I decided I'd look at a new tractor, and finally get CAB with AC while I was at it. But as I started looking at what I wanted to do, a couple people have suggested I look at machines other than tractor. My land is 95% forested, so I started considering a Skid Steer, but I don't really like the front entry vs side entry, and visibility isn't as good as that of a side arm based machine.
Here's what I'm looking to do, and kind of my thinking:
Jobs/tasks
1) Cut pastures
a) ~ 10 acres in back
b) ~3 acres in small fields around house
- these can be done with existing tractor and 5' bushog
- would be nicer/easier/more likely to get done if had CAB with AC
- Would be faster with wider implement
c) areas under and between trees
- requires smaller implement to fit between trees
2) Maintain fire-breaks and perimeter of property
- If cut once by someone else, then cut every 6 mos, these can be done with existing tractor and 5' bushog
- Lack of CAB with AC makes this unlikely to happen (I've had it cut, now it's overgrown so...)
- If HAD a CAB with AC
- could upkeep perimeter pretty easily with a tractor (it's about 15-20ft wide) but fire breaks might be too small (narrow and low) for larger tractor, and a few areas are a bit steep (they use a doser to cut them, don't feel comfortable taking my old 45hp tractor over all parts...)
- to maintain all of this myself
Firebreaks: need to be able to deal with 2-3 inch diameter sweetgum (mostly 2inch), but 6-10ft tall
- likely a problem to drive tractor over dragging a bushog, even though bushog could cut it probably
- could deal with with daneuser intimidator on FEL
- Maneuverability may be an issue for Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
- could deal with with front mounted flail or brush cutter
Firebreaks: need to be able to deal with 5 or 6 ft wide path, ~20% grade in some spots
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
3) Deal with Wind/Ice fallen trees and limbs
- FEL with grapple of some type
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
4) deal with vines & brambles in trees (wisteria, honeysuckle, blackberry)
- FEL with grapple vs daneuser intimidator
- Maneuverability may be an issue: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
5) Manage & maintain driveway
- FEL with bucket vs 6/way scrape blade vs box blade etc
- Maneuverability may be an issue if digging rather than scraping: Tractor > CTH > SS or CTL
6) Pushing over dead but standing trees
- Falling tree safety is a concern - have seen stumps break 20 ft up.
- CTL - forestry package an option
- may be able to put forestry package on tractor too
- Height of FEL may benefit from higher reach in terms of leverage
- Telehandler has advantage in being able to stand farther back and reach farther up, Telehandler on a CTL/SS next
7) Transport of materials (e.g. fallen things to burn pile, feed, hay etc.)
- FEL
- Tractor and CTH faster than SS or CTL
so, those are my considerations.
JCB has something called a Teleskid that may be the best combination... it's kind of heading my list, but I welcome everyone's input. I had hoped to stay in the 50-70k range but my wife liked the forestry safety features on the teleskid, which puts it closer to 85k with a grapple and bucket.
Xfaxman
Super Star Member
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You already know my vote is for the CTH.
For those that don't know or haven't seen what a CTH can do, click this: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...pact-telehandler-post3243370.html#post3243370
For those that don't know or haven't seen what a CTH can do, click this: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...pact-telehandler-post3243370.html#post3243370
mike69440
Elite Member
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- 1984 Kubota B7200D (Sold 2015,) 2005 L39 Kubota, 2006 RTV 900 1997 Komatsu PC75UU2E w/ Thumb & Blade, 2013 Mahindra Max28XL Shuttle
geoduck
New member
A telehandler would be my dream machine for a lot of tasks.
Xfaxman
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2013
- Messages
- 12,928
- Location
- Guthrie, OK
- Tractor
- Toolcat 5610 G - Bobcat V417 - TORO+Loader
I prefer CTH mainly due to steering tires, not skidding tires or sliding tracks. And faster travel speed
But I would take a Teleskid over any tractor.
JCB has some small Compact Telehandlers also.
Last edited:
Piston
Elite Member
Do any of the telehandlers have high flow options?
I think the "cool" factor is certainly there with the telehandler, but aside from pushing over dead falls from a distance, I don't really see anything you want to do as a challenge to any decent sized tractor.
If money is no object though, they sure are pretty awesome!
I think the "cool" factor is certainly there with the telehandler, but aside from pushing over dead falls from a distance, I don't really see anything you want to do as a challenge to any decent sized tractor.
If money is no object though, they sure are pretty awesome!