Buying Advice What to buy for remote Alaska property

[ChugiakTinkerer]

Good morning TBNfolk. I'm still looking for the right piece of equipment for my property. I really appreciate all the feedback and ideas I've gotten to date. A tracked skid steer is performance-wise probably the best tool for the job, and I've been doing my research into costs. Any tracked rig will have undercarriage maintenance costs greater than that for a wheeled vehicle. I'm probably settled on the track loader but my mind wanders afield to a couple of other potential machines...

Anyone have any experience with a Ditch Witch XT1600? There is one listed on MachineryTrader. Any thoughts?

I also see a few tracked tractors, such as the NH TK4050, the Yanmar T80 and CT55, and some models by Landini. Any of these would be perfect if they came with a FEL, but none do. I'm curious what about these tracked tractors makes a loader impractical. Does anyone have an opinion of the feasibility of adding an after-market loader?

 

[fried1765]

Good morning TBNfolk. I'm still looking for the right piece of equipment for my property. I really appreciate all the feedback and ideas I've gotten to date. A tracked skid steer is performance-wise probably the best tool for the job, and I've been doing my research into costs. Any tracked rig will have undercarriage maintenance costs greater than that for a wheeled vehicle. I'm probably settled on the track loader but my mind wanders afield to a couple of other potential machines...

Anyone have any experience with a Ditch Witch XT1600? There is one listed on MachineryTrader. Any thoughts?

I also see a few tracked tractors, such as the NH TK4050, the Yanmar T80 and CT55, and some models by Landini. Any of these would be perfect if they came with a FEL, but none do. I'm curious what about these tracked tractors makes a loader impractical. Does anyone have an opinion of the feasibility of adding an after-market loader?

Bobcat and Gehl both make nice track loaders.
Might try to locate a good used one in the Seattle area.

 

[Grandad4]

If you google "Kubota with tracks", it brings up listings and many photos of Kubota equipment with tracks in place of wheels, including some pics of tractors with loaders and tracks. I think at least some of this stuff is available as a dealer installed factory option, but there are also a few independent manufacturers of add-on tracks (Matt-Tracks is well-known but there are others). The independent suppliers probably have options for makes other than Kubota. Regardless of where they come from, add-on tracks are big $ items.

 

[ChugiakTinkerer]

Bobcat and Gehl both make nice track loaders. Might try to locate a good used one in the Seattle area.

Indeed. I've seen a few used Bobcats listed in Alaska and they may be an option if I can get the seller down to a reasonable price. Folks are pretty proud of their equipment up here.

If you google "Kubota with tracks", it brings up listings and many photos of Kubota equipment with tracks in place of wheels, including some pics of tractors with loaders and tracks. I think at least some of this stuff is available as a dealer installed factory option, but there are also a few independent manufacturers of add-on tracks (Matt-Tracks is well-known but there are others). The independent suppliers probably have options for makes other than Kubota. Regardless of where they come from, add-on tracks are big $ items.

I've got some estimates for shipping costs that make the WA used equipment market pretty appealing. Regarding bolt-on tracks, I've looked at the Matttracks and the Soucy ones as well. You're right, insanely expensive if new. I might find something on auction though.

 

[AKfish]

Good morning TBNfolk. I'm still looking for the right piece of equipment for my property. I really appreciate all the feedback and ideas I've gotten to date. A tracked skid steer is performance-wise probably the best tool for the job, and I've been doing my research into costs. Any tracked rig will have undercarriage maintenance costs greater than that for a wheeled vehicle. I'm probably settled on the track loader but my mind wanders afield to a couple of other potential machines...

Anyone have any experience with a Ditch Witch XT1600? There is one listed on MachineryTrader. Any thoughts?

I also see a few tracked tractors, such as the NH TK4050, the Yanmar T80 and CT55, and some models by Landini. Any of these would be perfect if they came with a FEL, but none do. I'm curious what about these tracked tractors makes a loader impractical. Does anyone have an opinion of the feasibility of adding an after-market loader?

Good morning Chugiak,
Just noticed the dealer satisfaction survey here on TBN for 2016. LS scored very, very well. Schooch better than Deere as I recall.

FYI, a year or so ago, my neighbor and his wife (retired school teachers from Bethel) who are building a new house and expanding their farm/greenhouse operation stopped in the yard and asked if I could lend them a hand.

They had rented a tracked Bobcat (new design, 575 I think) and gotten it stuck out in the edge of the swamp - lot's of brown peat! Bobcats are heavy, heavy for their wheelbase. And when you spin out and those things settle onto the belly pan... Quit fighting and find a way to pull it out.

Nonetheless, I was able to pull the Bobcat out with my JD4720 (66hp) and eHydro @ 4,500lbs. Based on my experiences with using/hauling Bobcats, I'd guess that particular machine is very close to 9,000lbs.

IMO - buy a hydro tractor. Chain up all 4 wheels. You will want/need a backhoe with thumb. A front mounted loader grapple is really a must as well. Apply for a DNR permit. Chainsaw a usable trail to ground level. Drive the tractor across the lake and up the trail to property in early-mid winter. Ice on lake @12-18inches and snow level about the same.

Git R Done!

Really like the Lake Louise area. Have hunted Caribou in that area for a number of years. Can get **** cold there.. Anyplace that's dominated by Black Spruce is a serious indicator of cold and skeeters!

 

[mike69440]

Consider looking at the new Manindra 2545 Cab model.
2545 Shuttle Cab | Mahindra

Plenty of tire, decent weight, strong loader, and a Cab. Yes, do put chains on all wheels.
Looks to compete well with the Kioti similar Cab models

 

[buickanddeere]

There are other remote propertys that are not in the middle of nowhere , without the short summer and without long cold winter .

 

[AKfish]

There are other remote propertys that are not in the middle of nowhere , without the short summer and without long cold winter .

That's for sure..!! What the OP is considering is a very expensive and physically demanding - no, backbreaking endeavor.

No electricity, no hardware stores just down the block, no equipment sales/service for a breakdown-major or minor.

Materials, equipment, fuel, etc. will mostly have to be hauled and stockpiled during winter. Equipment once transported on site will have to remain there for extended periods of time.

This is not for the "faint of heart"! Alaska is rife with the abandoned remains of people's dreams scattered across the landscape.

 

[ChugiakTinkerer]

I spoke with the LS tractor dealer today and like the current prices - down about 5% from the November quotes. I may end up back where I started, looking at the 25 hp CUT with loader, open station and maybe a backhoe. I'm headed out to the property this weekend and will see what folks in area have had success with. It's time to fish or cut bait, so will be making a decision next week.

 

[fried1765]

I spoke with the LS tractor dealer today and like the current prices - down about 5% from the November quotes. I may end up back where I started, looking at the 25 hp CUT with loader, open station and maybe a backhoe. I'm headed out to the property this weekend and will see what folks in area have had success with. It's time to fish or cut bait, so will be making a decision next week.

Seems like 25HP might be a bit small for your needs, especially with a backhoe.
Maybe consider 30-35HP.
Too small, will have you buying 2 tractors! Trading the 1st one in (loosing cash), to buy another.