Front-end-loader backhoe unit - HOW can I get a bush hog cutter attachment on it?

[fandelem]

Hi!

I have decided that a front-end loader/backhoe combo machine (like a JD 420E) is what I need to do 80% of my tasks. But 20% is grass cutting. There has got to be some attachment I can hook up to the front end loader to cut grass! Please suggest.

 

[Fallon]

A SSQA hydraulically powered rotary cutter would get the job done if you had the hydraulic flow for it.

Skid Steer Brush Cutter

 

[Bigfoot62]

A SSQA hydraulically powered rotary cutter would get the job done if you had the hydraulic flow for it.

Skid Steer Brush Cutter

^ what he said.

 

[Sysop]

Honestly most of the backhoe units go on and off with very little effort. I don't consider it a hindrance to change back and forth. First couple times are a bit nerve-racking, but after doing it 2 or 3 times it's as easy as any other implement change.

 

[paulharvey]

Honestly most of the backhoe units go on and off with very little effort. I don't consider it a hindrance to change back and forth. First couple times are a bit nerve-racking, but after doing it 2 or 3 times it's as easy as any other implement change.

I believe he's talking about a rubber tired hoe/TLB/combination. For the price of retro fitting aux hydro and a hydro powered cutter you could buy a used, dedicated bush hogging tractor and bush hog. Taking the hoe off would be a day long job, plus no QC on hoe hoses. Then he would need to get 3 pt arms and set up and Still no PTO to run it.

 

[fandelem]

ok, so like a 30hp tractor / bubshhog is the way to go it sounds like.

what is the best tractor for a 1800 lb heavy duty bush hog attachment?

 

[jeff9366]

ok, so like a 30hp tractor / bubshhog is the way to go it sounds like.

what is the best tractor for a 1800 lb heavy duty bush hog attachment?

Your two posts indicate your tractor experience is limited. That is OK, we are here to help.

The Deere 420 was last produced in 1958. With a Backhoe, it would be too heavy to operate on turf grass. I doubt 1958 backhoes are easy on/off.

Contemporary 30-horsepower tractors weigh 1,800 - 3,300 pounds. An 1,800 pound Rotary Cutter is too heavy for any tractor in this weight range.

A contemporary 30-horsepower tractor can handle a 60" wide standard duty Rotary Cutter, which weigh 600 pounds and will max cut 1-1/4" diameter brush and saplings. In my experience this is ample. For larger stuff, use a saw.

What are the tasks you wish to accomplish with the tractor?

What is your soil? Will you be operating only on flat land or are hills a consideration?

What are your requirements for a Backhoe, in particular? For limited digging a clamp on FEL Bucket Spade may suffice, leaving the three point hitch open for implements.

What is your budget? A new 30-horsepower tractor/loader (1,800 pounds) WITHOUT Backhoe is $17,000 with tax.

There is nothing wrong with a used, well maintained tractor with an industry standard three point hitch.

 

[paulharvey]

No, JD-420E is a 15,000# construction back hoe.

 

[jeff9366]

No, JD-420E is a 15,000# construction back hoe.

TractorData.com failed me this time.

Hmmmmm…..Good to know Deere nomenclature can be as confusing as Kubota nomenclature.

 

[paulharvey]

If you need the TLB, I would consider a MF35/135 and bush hog for mowing. A hydraulic brush cutter will be $5k+, still need something rigged to attach to front, and need auxiliary high flow hydraulics at loader

 

[paulharvey]

TractorData.com has failed me this time.

Hmmmmm…..Good to know Deere nomenclature can be as confusing as Kubota nomenclature.

I tried to google a JD210, and kept finding lawn mowers, when to me a JD210 is a 12,000# industrial grade tractor with TNT and down preasure on the 3 pt. I've heard that even some implements share numbers with tractor series.

 

[fandelem]

sorry for being so vague.

here are my requirements:

-roughly 6 acres of 50+ year old hardwood stumps needing to be removed/re-graded
-roughly 80 acres of 18yr pine stumps needing to be removed/re-graded
-need to dig a ditch about 600 feet to a creek (the 600 feet is mostly standing water-- google earth shows a fall of about 1' every 100' so it does eventually drain)
-120 acres of "hotland" overgrown 5 year raw land that use to be pasture land -- need to cut several times to reclaim to pasture
-need to either trench/dig a perimeter of roughly 10,000 feet to insert a HDPE 30" barrier (for commercial bamboo--separate project)
-need a 22 degree light-duty tree spade to transplant bamboo (only need 8" of soil, unlike a tree)
-have 6 ponds would like to be able to cut around the edges

budget of equipment can go up to around $50,000.
thoughts so far are excavator+dozer+light duty tractor or ditch witch trencher/blade/backhoe+light duty tractor+excavtor
time frame is two years for all the jobs.


thanks guys. yes, I am new to the heavy machinery

 

[Soundguy]

man i would hate driving my tlb around to mow with! it weighs a ton!


get a dedicated old tractor to mow.. keep the tlb for the work.

can get a nice old ford and hog for 2500$

 

[sd455dan]

What Soundguy said- 2 wheel drive ag tractor no loader... an older Ford would be a great choice.

Looks like you have plenty of work to keep the TLB busy

 

[/pine]

JMO...if the TLB will do 80% of your tasks...get one and buy a good used riding mower for the 20%...

 

[fandelem]

I was going to have something like this fabricated for the FEL/backhoe unit for stump removal... thoughts? or something larger out of T1 steel for an excavator...

 

[mud23609]

Speaking from experience here. You do not even want to consider driving 14k pound rubber tire hoe on any ground that either currently has or recently had standing water on it. Even a 4x4 unit will get bogged down fast in those conditions.

I would suggest a tracked excavator of some sort. My 3.5 ton machine will make reasonably quick work of stumps and will go in wet areas well but I would think it a bit small for 86 acres of stumps. In your case I would suggest something larger. Get a thumb and use it for your stumps, your digging, and for any heavy clearing. Back it up with a large wheeled skid with over the tire tracks(if you will be spending time in the mud with it) and rent a dozer as needed (dozers are hugely expensive to maintain.) Honestly I would forgo the tractor in your case and just get the head for the skid for now. Having the mower out front makes them more suited for clearing heavy brush than a tractor.

Once the initial work is done you might look into a tractor in the utility sizes for general upkeep but for now I personally would go for the skid and ex combo until the reclamation work is done.

Having owned every style of machine mentioned in this post thats what I would go for anyway.

 

[fandelem]

Speaking from experience here. You do not even want to consider driving 14k pound rubber tire hoe on any ground that either currently has or recently had standing water on it. Even a 4x4 unit will get bogged down fast in those conditions.

I would suggest a tracked excavator of some sort. My 3.5 ton machine will make reasonably quick work of stumps and will go in wet areas well but I would think it a bit small for 86 acres of stumps. In your case I would suggest something larger. Get a thumb and use it for your stumps, your digging, and for any heavy clearing. Back it up with a large wheeled skid with over the tire tracks(if you will be spending time in the mud with it) and rent a dozer as needed (dozers are hugely expensive to maintain.) Honestly I would forgo the tractor in your case and just get the head for the skid for now. Having the mower out front makes them more suited for clearing heavy brush than a tractor.

Once the initial work is done you might look into a tractor in the utility sizes for general upkeep but for now I personally would go for the skid and ex combo until the reclamation work is done.

Having owned every style of machine mentioned in this post thats what I would go for anyway.

awesome. ok, so then the question is... how big of an excavator do I go for? do I get one around a 25,000lb range with a blade on it for smoothing the dirt, or do I go for a 45,000lb beast? and what about that attachment to rip the roots out? any other suggestions there?

 

[Soundguy]

86 ac?

i'd hire it done and buy a mowing tractor..

 

[paulharvey]

sorry for being so vague.

here are my requirements:

-roughly 6 acres of 50+ year old hardwood stumps needing to be removed/re-graded
=track hoe with thumb


-roughly 80 acres of 18yr pine stumps needing to be removed/re-graded
=log for pulp wood, then track hoe with thumb


-need to dig a ditch about 600 feet to a creek (the 600 feet is mostly standing water-- google earth shows a fall of about 1' every 100' so it does eventually drain)
=track hoe with smooth ditching bucket


-120 acres of "hotland" overgrown 5 year raw land that use to be pasture land -- need to cut several times to reclaim to pasture
=old 40 hp 2wd tractor and bushhog



-need to either trench/dig a perimeter of roughly 10,000 feet to insert a HDPE 30" barrier (for commercial bamboo--separate project)
Track hoe with ~24" bucket


-need a 22 degree light-duty tree spade to transplant bamboo (only need 8" of soil, unlike a tree)
=? Can a hoe do it or do you need a skid steer mounted tree spade?


-have 6 ponds would like to be able to cut around the edges
=old 2wd tractor with bush hog

budget of equipment can go up to around $50,000.
thoughts so far are excavator+dozer+light duty tractor or ditch witch trencher/blade/backhoe+light duty tractor+excavtor
time frame is two years for all the jobs.

thanks guys. yes, I am new to the heavy machinery

My basic under standing is $20,000 for hoe, $5000 for tractor, and then see if you NEED a skid steer or articulated loader. For track hoes I would look at 12-16 ton, Komatsu, Deere, Cat, and Hiatchi.