Comparison Really need to decide by Tue: bx25, b3200, gc2410 or ccyan

[FxdGrMind]

That sounds like a lot of work for a SCUT or even sub 35hp Cut.

Not that it can't be done, but it will take more time and wear out the equipment faster than something larger.

I say rent a small BH with FEL... 30hp and see what you can do with it. If that's good enough. well then you know what you need. I fear that you will find even that slow going for digging foundations and such.

You are on the right track with the separate mower.

2 acres of trees and clearing intentions, BH is a must and you may want the additional graple attachement for it to pick up and dig through the root balls. This would require a min 30+ hp TBL. if the trees are anywhere near 30yr old trees or more. them's some big roots!

I've doug 3 root balls from trees in my yard (70+yr old Pine) using FEL only on my B7800. 2 day's work for each and the hole... OMG! HUGE 25' Dia and 7-8' deep. A BH would have made it far easier, but still a Day for each minimum. Back filled added top soil and grass planted all in 2 days for each.
So if you calculate that out for your trees, with a 30hp TLB you will know how much work you are looking at for such equipment.
Cheers and HP is your friend! Once you buy, you are stuck with what you have, I suggest you buy as much HP as you can.

 

[AustinTX]

That sounds like a lot of work for a SCUT or even sub 35hp Cut.

Not that it can't be done, but it will take more time and wear out the equipment faster than something larger.

I say rent a small BH with FEL... 30hp and see what you can do with it. If that's good enough. well then you know what you need. I fear that you will find even that slow going for digging foundations and such.

You are on the right track with the separate mower.

2 acres of trees and clearing intentions, BH is a must and you may want the additional graple attachement for it to pick up and dig through the root balls. This would require a min 30+ hp TBL. if the trees are anywhere near 30yr old trees or more. them's some big roots!

I've doug 3 root balls from trees in my yard (70+yr old Pine) using FEL only on my B7800. 2 day's work for each and the hole... OMG! HUGE 25' Dia and 7-8' deep. A BH would have made it far easier, but still a Day for each minimum. Back filled added top soil and grass planted all in 2 days for each.
So if you calculate that out for your trees, with a 30hp TLB you will know how much work you are looking at for such equipment.
Cheers and HP is your friend! Once you buy, you are stuck with what you have, I suggest you buy as much HP as you can.

So the only "higher HP" unit I could afford with TLB would be the cub/yan DX3200, unless I went to a TYM and I do not think I want to go that route...

As far as the heavy excavation - I will hire that out, I just want to do as much prep as I can to minimize the cost.

 

[FxdGrMind]

Fully understand the budget issue. Just trying to help you understand the capability of this range of equipment.

I used a Subcut TLB for digging my septic test holes for the state. 6 holes per state speck took all w/e... I should have rented a bigger TLB. But I got really good at operating it.
I love my B7800 FEL and attachments. It does A LOT of work without wearing me out.
I rented a Cat450 dozer for building my pond, best $ ever spent! It's a mater of the right equipment for the job and sometimes renting or hiring out is just the better way to go.

Buy what you will be "Happy with" and rent the rest. It is fun learning how to work the other equipment. If speed is the need then hire it out.

Cheers and Happy Tractoring.

 

[AustinTX]

OK, so it looks like I could also get a Kioti LK30 TLB in the 22-23K range and I think at this point I would be a little more comfortable with one of those than the CubYan. I think the cub is as good, but their current dealer networks is a little more scary than Kioti's.

Geez- my deadline is approaching and I am adding options rather than narrowing them down.

One thought- in case anyone has feedback- my Landscape architect told me that a heavy tractor would compact the dirt around my tree roots and could kill them within five years. He did not define "heavy" but I know the Kioti is significantly heavier than the SCUTs. I have some 50-100 year old live oaks that I would hate to harm running too much weight over their roots on a regular basis.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I really think you may be rushing into this. Its not that I do not want you to have a tractor but I feel you need to get in a BH and Dozer, full size, to do most of this work. Later as the project gets going you can get a tractor that fits your needs to finish things out. A good ZTR is the right tool for your mowing and a CUT will do all you ask for the cleanup and landscaping phase.

I have been running tractors for a long time and a full size BH can out work my 2 tractors in 10 to 1. I have a 30ishHP cut with FEL and BH and a 48HP tractor without any attachments. A good operator on a BH or dozer could do more work than both my tractors in 1 hour than I could accomplish in a full days work.

There is a reason you do not see these types of a machine doing heavy work. I agree it can be done but wear and tear plus your time its a losing battle. There are tons of guys slow on work and lots of equipment and operators sitting idle. Take advantage of that.

Chris

 

[AustinTX]

I really think you may be rushing into this. Its not that I do not want you to have a tractor but I feel you need to get in a BH and Dozer, full size, to do most of this work. Later as the project gets going you can get a tractor that fits your needs to finish things out. A good ZTR is the right tool for your mowing and a CUT will do all you ask for the cleanup and landscaping phase.

I have been running tractors for a long time and a full size BH can out work my 2 tractors in 10 to 1. I have a 30ishHP cut with FEL and BH and a 48HP tractor without any attachments. A good operator on a BH or dozer could do more work than both my tractors in 1 hour than I could accomplish in a full days work.

There is a reason you do not see these types of a machine doing heavy work. I agree it can be done but wear and tear plus your time its a losing battle. There are tons of guys slow on work and lots of equipment and operators sitting idle. Take advantage of that.

Chris

Good points. But I have been shopping for a year now. And I am sure I could spend another year deciding...

I am really leaning to the LK30 now, as I think that it would handle the heavier work much better than the SCUTs. My only real fear is that its weight could harm the root systems of my trees.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good points. But I have been shopping for a year now. And I am sure I could spend another year deciding...

I am really leaning to the LK30 now, as I think that it would handle the heavier work much better than the SCUTs. My only real fear is that its weight could harm the root systems of my trees.

I have used a 5,200# tractor to do everything around my place for 7 years including snow removal, mowing, stumping, digging, ect.

Chris

 

[bluechip]

Cub is running a promotion giving a free lawn tractor with th EX2900 or EX3200. Just thought I'd help keep you bouncing! (this is instead of a 500 dealer settlement allowance so in effect it will cost the dealer 500 to give you the lawn tractor. it is the 42" model with hydrostat that they are offering sort of "buy one get one free". On the CK series KIOTI they are offering a free loader, Kioti's backhoe is a little less than cub's. If you have an LS dealer near you you might look at a J3020 27HP subcompact (big subcompact) available with backhoe. too bad your not closer, you could visit us and see them all in one place!

 

[radioman]

I have a BX24 with MMM and rototiller. I do swap out the deck and it's not bad. The only hardest thing is the midpto shaft really. I have used a RFM and I honestly prefer a belly mower for my lawn. If you are going to remove, disconnect mower more then once a day, then perhaps a RFM with quickhitch is your answer no matter what brand of tractor you get.

 

[AustinTX]

Cub is running a promotion giving a free lawn tractor with th EX2900 or EX3200. Just thought I'd help keep you bouncing! (this is instead of a 500 dealer settlement allowance so in effect it will cost the dealer 500 to give you the lawn tractor. it is the 42" model with hydrostat that they are offering sort of "buy one get one free". On the CK series KIOTI they are offering a free loader, Kioti's backhoe is a little less than cub's. If you have an LS dealer near you you might look at a J3020 27HP subcompact (big subcompact) available with backhoe. too bad your not closer, you could visit us and see them all in one place!

Do you have a link to that Cub promo? I have a nearby dealer with 72 mo at 0%, that could stack nicely...