What to buy big vs small?

jeff9366 · Jul 2, 2016

E-bay listings near Foster, Rhode Island:

Backhoe Loaders | eBay

Tractors | eBay

Poopdeck Pappy · Jul 2, 2016

It's hard to beat the overall utility of the L35 or L48, assuming the loader capacity is satisfactory for you.

jenkinsph · Jul 3, 2016

If it were me I would keep the equipment that works well and liquidate the other stuff. I would keep the BX as it is good for the tight quarters landscape work and mowing. Consider some thing like an Kubota L45 tlb, Deere 110tlb and a Kubota M59 tlb. All of these are available used and are configured to handle a variety of options.

The Kubota L45, M59 and Deere 110 are much more similar to full size backhoes yet you can move them with 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. All are available with skid steer attachments, top and tilt 3 point hitches and frame mounted backhoes. Having the creep to reposition feature which allows moving the machine from the backhoe operators seat is a huge improvement. All three use a fixed front loader mounting for heavy duty use and are available with front auxiliary hydraulics.

I have the Deere 110 with all the extra hydraulics and a Laurin cab and am well pleased with how useful it is. The Kubota M59 or new M62(?) do have more fel lift capacity and a 12' hoe which might make a difference for your needs.

oldpilgrim · Jul 3, 2016

do you know TBN member arrow from Foster?

lostfoundfarm · Jul 4, 2016

oldpilgrim said:
do you know TBN member arrow from Foster?

I'm sure I do. small town I'll have to look into it.

It seems the TLB (L48 110 etc) is the way to go. I guess the only downside is you can't find anything for less than 20k. The Ford New Holland 455 is similarly priced but the capability is a substantial upgrade at least loader wise (4000k lift) I'll keep you updated thanks

jenkinsph · Jul 4, 2016

20k isn't that much money today all there is to it.

The M59 and M62 are rated 3940 at the pin for the fel and that is pretty good for something you can haul on a bumper pull trailer.

lostfoundfarm · Jul 4, 2016

Yeah 20k is doable on the high end for a L48 BUT they are all hydro...I'd rather have shuttle/ torque converter/ gear. All of the M series run a minimum of 35k

bdog · Jul 4, 2016

I used to own a M59. Awesome machine and kind of wish I still had it. Some guy stopped by my house and asked if it was for sale and I said everything is for sale for the right price. He made an offer I couldn't refuse and I sold it. I now have a full size Deere backhoe with a cab which is very nice but I found myself using the m59 for various little tasks more so than I do the Deere. The M59 was my first hydro machine and I was keptical at first because I have always been a shifting gears type guy but I loved it. It is so much easier to use when going back and forth loading dirt or whatever than something with gears. I also liked how you could idle it all the way up for full loader power and then creep forward with the hydro pedal. On my Deere backhoe it doesn't use a clutch but when in gear you can't have the idle high or it moves. It has a button on the loader lever you can press to disengage the tranny and just have full hydraulic power. It works but near as user friendly as the hydro pedal on the M59.

jenkinsph · Jul 5, 2016

lostfoundfarm,

I have had the 110 for 11 years now and still feel this tractor was a good choice for several reasons.

Easy to move on a 12k bumper pull trailer with a 3/4 ton truck. I move it most of the time with an F550 though.

Very flexible attachments, skid steer attach with front aux hydraulics, top and tilt 3 point hitch and 3 rear hydraulic outlets. The backhoe is easy to attach with a secure frame mounting and has the aux. hydraulics on the dipper stick. The quick coupler on the backhoe allows for fast bucket changes or hydraulic phd mounting. You can easily add a thumb for the backhoe if desired.

From the operators seat in the rear backhoe position you can still reach the fel joystick for front bucket control, turn the steering wheel and control the transmission and tractor movement. Being able to control the tractor positioning with the left hand while operating the backhoe and stabilizers with the right hand is a huge advantage. It enables me to get in and out of some precarious locations with a much higher level of operator safety from inside the cab. As long as you are smart enough to wear a seat belt.

With the backhoe removed and the 3 point hitch installed it makes a decent compact tractor with the top and tilt hitch. I use an IMatch quick hitch for all of my implements except the heavy box blade. This makes implement hook up very easy so you can change attachments on a whim. As a tractor it compares well with other small compacts in the 30 to 35 pto hp range for mowing and tilling. For heavy box blade work it lacks rear traction for the tough jobs because the rear tires are not filled.

When using the backhoe having two pumps makes it operate much better. Not as good as a full size backhoe but light years ahead of the add on models such as the Bradco in your picture.

The Kubota M59 and new M62 add a few improvements over the Deere 110.
More power, about 50% when using as a tractor the pto output is much better.
The HST Plus transmission has the high low for a total of 6 ranges coupled to the hst section.
Higher fel ratings and deeper digging capacity with that comes a longer reach with the backhoe.

About the HST transmissions in all of these models, the manufacturers use them exclusively. I would suggest you get some time in the seat of one of these before you decide which transmission you prefer. I grew up with gear tractors and I am not going back on a tlb.