OP
MattRat
New member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2017
- Messages
- 13
- Location
- Kent
- Tractor
- Wheel Horse, but hopefully a Kubota L47 very soon
I have a b26tlb w 4n1 and thumb and won't have any other tractor with out a 4n1, but for rocks I really like my grapple. The other thing I did was foam fill the tires witch is really helpful as it added 1200lbs+ and I never get flats. I just added a hydraulic top link and should have done it from the beginning.
This little tractor will work circles around even L series with a hoe added.
I was also wondering about the top and tilt kit, but it adds another 1,000 dollars. Is that the same as your hydraulic top link? Getting the tires filled might be an option at my 50 hour service after I see how east it climbs my steep hill with a load.
I have a B26 with hydraulic thumb and I wouldn't do without it. As for a 4n1 bucket, never used one but if the cost is $3000 difference over a HD FEL bucket, I would go with a separate grapple with rock rake especially if you will be working a lot of rocky soil. I think you would appreciate it more than a 4n1 to pick up rocks without getting a lot of dirt mixed in.
If you have hard soil, go with a 12" bucket rather than 18". The original owner of my B26 bought it with a 12 and 18" bucket and immediately cut the 18" down to an 8" for trenching. The B26 is heavy at 4000# but still not heavy enough to use an 18" bucket in heavy hard clay soil or hard rocky soil. An 18 or 24" bucket would be good for cleaning out ditches or mud banks but for serious digging in hard soils it just wont handle anything bigger than a 12". I like the 8" for trenching in water lines. An 8" ditch is wide enough for ones foot to fit into the ditch but not so wide that you cant just drive straight across it with the tractor when finished digging and there is not so much backfill to do. Also when backfilling, the front tires fit dandily into the trench for compacting.
I think I'm going to get both the 12 and 18 inch buckets with quick connect. Can you ever have enough choices? That's good advice about compacting.
MattRat, I'm a homeowner with a few mountain, rocky acres in Colorado. I think you are smart to go to a TLB instead of adding a backhoe to the 2650. Not that it wouldn't work, but the TLB is built specifically for the types of jobs you are describing. The L37 TLB also gets an awful lot of good reviews. You might look for a good used one of those. For an acre I personally wouldn't go larger than the L37, but either it or the B26 would fit. In fact, all of Kubota's TLBs are a fairly recent model line and uniformly get excellent reviews. Good machines. You'll appreciate yours whichever it turns out to be.
If I were optioning, I'd go with the 18" BH bucket for rocky soil and would even consider a smaller bucket before going larger.
Be SURE to get the quick attach option for the backhoe and also for the FEL.
On extras, you can often get them thrown into a deal....so deal for them. I sure wish I had a single tooth for stumps and just for generally scratching out trenches for water lines and such. It would be very handy. I keep meaning to get one. Get one of those if you can.
I bought a QA front rock bucket. Wise purchase. In fact, I bought two with different bottom spacing. They are just the thing for moving large amounts of bulky material because you can see through it. Also it is important in our ground to be able to sort rocks out of dirt and leaves the dirt behind. The rock bucket pays for itself in saving dirt...not to mention is saves and sorts rocks for other projects. The SSQA makes it a two minute job to switch FEL buckets.
The backhoe thumb is a wonderful thing. Having the thumb makes our TLB into a whole different machine. Be sure to get it. In fact, get it before anything else.
If I had to save money I'd forgo the 4n1 bucket in favor of the backhoe thumb. If you get the hydraulic power to the loader arms as an option (a good deal & sometimes standard equpt) then you can always add a grapple to work with both the rock bucket and your regular loader bucket in the future.
The backhoe bucket plus thumb will do most jobs that a grapple or 4n1 would do. Not as well, but reasonably. Get a nice 10' chain that is easy to handle and have hooks mounted on both the FEL bucket and the BH bucket.
I got the 3pt option kit, but have never used it. But I'm glad to have it.
I did NOT get the optional combination of wheel weight and 2" wider rear tire spacers. But the M59 is plenty heavy as it. For the B26/L37 I would consider that option. Don't load the tires until you see how it works on your land and slope without loading.
I built my own tool box, but did get the hood protector.
Lovely machines. Keep us posted. I always am interested to hear from someone else using a TLB in rocky ground. Lots to learn.
Luck, rScotty
You have a lot of great advice and clearly, lots of experience. I appreciate your input. I will definitely add the 10ft chain and weld some hooks on. I'll have to look up pictures of what other guys have done for that, but I love the idea.
I appreciate all the feedback and hope to lock this deal up Monday or Tuesday before the 0% goes away. I'll surely keep you posted and add some pics. I can't wait to join the club and with my new tractor and keep learning from you guys. Your advice is priceless and for that I thank you.
I'll see if I can get some pics from my first project to post. It shows a pretty good sample of my rock soil and my project acre.
Matt