looking for a larger tractor, more FEL capacity

[Transit]

Keep your eye on the fact of the upcoming kids expenses when making other purchases.
My kids got a car each at diffferent ends of 08 as they came of driving age, one has been in college since late 08 and the other starts in a few months.
When one kid is at this age its rough but doable. When there is overlap between expenses of two kids it can be a shocker.

No kids, no wife, no real problems.:thumbsup::cool2:

 

[Transit]

If your project is literally around 400 tons of fill and boulders this requires a large machine but only for a short period of time. I would consider renting a Cat 426 backhoe (rather large) or Cat 420, Case 580 or Deere 410 series. This would be the cheapest way to go even if you could only use them on weekends and evenings you should be able to get the job done in a month or so. Working full time at it maybe a week or more. Alot depends on what you are needing to accomplish. If you can work full time at this and all goes well you could rent a large backhoe for a week with transportation for roughly $2000 or do the same with a two month rental for about $4500.

If you really wan't to buy a cheap new backhoe with a Perkins engine large enough to do this work look at a new Terex 760B with 4x4 cab and extendahoe. Around 2005 these were selling for about $46,000 or so but I don't know what the current price is.

With the size of the boulders you mentioned I would not consider using any of the ag tractors and backhoe attachments their simply not up to this task.

In that price range I can have a NEW tractor.

 

[jenkinsph]

The price I mentioned of $46,000 was for a NEW machine.


Thanks for considering the other things mentioned, do as you please.

 

[Transit]

With all the feed back and research I'm getting a good picture of the larger Foton tractors with the Perkins engines. I don't recall where i read it; there was reference about the tractors ability to carry heavy FEL loads dependent on the front axle. The reference said that the Foton tractors equipped with a front axle manufactured in Italy has a particulary large load rating; however it was not clear if all the tractors are so equipped or that one dealer is using that option.
Speaking about dealers, I've e-mailed a few and only one has responded, Nortrack. These are large dealers, are they doing that well, don't need or want the extra business?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

With all the feed back and research I'm getting a good picture of the larger Foton tractors with the Perkins engines. I don't recall where i read it; there was reference about the tractors ability to carry heavy FEL loads dependent on the front axle. The reference said that the Foton tractors equipped with a front axle manufactured in Italy has a particulary large load rating; however it was not clear if all the tractors are so equipped or that one dealer is using that option.
Speaking about dealers, I've e-mailed a few and only one has responded, Nortrack. These are large dealers, are they doing that well, don't need or want the extra business?[/quote]

Welcome to purchasing a new tractor, your experience so far sounds like a lot of other peoples experiences also.(lots of problems getting prices ) Maybe try calling them shortly after you have emailed them with your request.
Is there a specific reason that you are focused on Foton? None of the AG tractors come close to what a construction machine will do for what you have listed out to get accomplished, they just are not built or engineered for that type of work. How much are you willing to spend? This can make a HUGE difference on what the posibilities are for you and will help us help you in finding a machine that will work the best for you. :thumbsup:

 

[Transit]

I´ve heard many good things about Foton tractors, the larger Fotons are powered by Perkins turbo diesel engines, and Perkins has an excellent rep. The clutch pack is German manufactured and overbuilt, transmission are full manual or shuttle-shift, the front axel is said to be well made if Italian. The quality of the FEL and backhoe depends on the manufacture, needs more dealer research. The base frame for the tractor is from china, full or half frame? The Electrical and Hydraulics are somewhat overrated, pluming lines too small and the wiring light gauge, that I can fix. As you say, the Foton is not a construction grade machine nor are construction machines well suited for farm work. Once I've done with construction, I'll still need to cut grass and plow snow, dig some holes. I think a larger tractor fits my need for an all around machine.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Iｴve heard many good things about Foton tractors, the larger Fotons are powered by Perkins turbo diesel engines, and Perkins has an excellent rep. The clutch pack is German manufactured and overbuilt, transmission are full manual or shuttle-shift, the front axel is said to be well made if Italian. The quality of the FEL and backhoe depends on the manufacture, needs more dealer research. The base frame for the tractor is from china, full or half frame? The Electrical and Hydraulics are somewhat overrated, pluming lines too small and the wiring light gauge, that I can fix. As you say, the Foton is not a construction grade machine nor are construction machines well suited for farm work. Once I've done with construction, I'll still need to cut grass and plow snow, dig some holes. I think a larger tractor fits my need for an all around machine.

Actally someone here on TBN was just saying that Cat 400 series, Case 580 series and John Deere 210,310,410 series are actually available in an AG configuration. I do not know this for a fact, only what was said here, oh and that they were very expensive.

 

[whodat526]

i know that johndeere, case and newholland all have contruction grade loader tractors that have a 3 point and pto and they make them with cab and air but a good second hand would probably cost as much if not more then a new off brand tractor i would just worry about how hard it will be to get hard parts for this brand in 5 years cause if u save 5000 dollars in the beginning and a forton but then in 3 years needed a rearend, trans, or motor and can not get one u really have not saved any money at all but i would think you know better than anybody what u wont and what u need i think u should get what best fits u and ur needs

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Actally someone here on TBN was just saying that Cat 400 series, Case 580 series and John Deere 210,310,410 series are actually available in an AG configuration. I do not know this for a fact, only what was said here, oh and that they were very expensive.

Having a 1983 JD 310B backhoe I do understand it basically used a farm tractor model (have yet to learn that for a fact) BUT that refers mainly to parts. Function wise my JD backhoe could never be a farm tractor. It has rear hitch or PTO. Alternators, engines, batteries, etc may interchange but it can not be converted into a farm tractor. They are made for relative hard/dry surfaces unless you are going to use the hoe or FEL to get around.

If they are bought for farm use it is because it is a larger farming operation or the owner plans to sell it when done clearing, ditching, etc.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Having a 1983 JD 310B backhoe I do understand it basically used a farm tractor model (have yet to learn that for a fact) BUT that refers mainly to parts. Function wise my JD backhoe could never be a farm tractor. It has rear hitch or PTO. Alternators, engines, batteries, etc may interchange but it can not be converted into a farm tractor. They are made for relative hard/dry surfaces unless you are going to use the hoe or FEL to get around.

If they are bought for farm use it is because it is a larger farming operation or the owner plans to sell it when done clearing, ditching, etc.

I know that the tractor that you are talking about is not an AG tractor, we have a Case 580E extendahoe and it is in no way an AG tractor. This guy was saying that they were available with 3pt hitches, pto, draw bar and AG tires.