First decision: CUT vs construction backhoe

[rScotty]

RScotty, I'm curious why you keep pushing him toward a $30-40-50K machine when you know he can't afford that?

For example, I think you should buy a $250K Dozer or Grader to do smoothing work around your place.

Ovrszd, that's a valid question if there ever was one. So I gave it some thought & treated your question seriously and here is why I said what I did....

Partly it's because because I didn't see where he said he couldn't afford something in that higher range. After all, he says he is older and has already built the house (13 years ago).
What I saw instead was him originally saying in the first post, ""I have been looking at used older 2x4 construction backhoes in the $10k range."
Then in #51 he wrote, " I guess it comes down to a $10-15k 2x4 construction backhoe or a $25-35k l45 or jd 110.

So I don't know that he can't afford to buy more expensive....just that he prefers to buy for less. Frankly so do we all. It's just that the guy is a novice at this. And while I think that in the 25K to 35K range he can definitely find something nice.....I also kinda doubt that a novice tractor guy can buy as good as an old-time tractor guy when spending under ten thou. But that's just me; I could be wrong and hope I'm not steering him wrong because of that.

For comparison, an old-timer up the road from me just bought a kinda beat older but still pretty usable 4x4 JD 310D for 15K. But he is knowledgeable about those machines and has had to do some work on it plus tires and batteries, and he bought it from our neighbor....a friend. So it can happen, but it's not the kind of price range and unknown machine that I'd expect the first time buyer to buy successfully.

The OP does say he is mechanically inclined and enjoys some wrench work.... so I try to take that into account.

Still it's all just advice - the advantage here on TBN is that there are a group of us old timers - I think of you and several others that way - who can & do argue all sides of tractoring. IMHO there's no better way to learn.
rScotty

 

[Coach v]

Ovrszd, that's a valid question if there ever was one. So I gave it some thought & treated your question seriously and here is why I said what I did....

Partly it's because because I didn't see where he said he couldn't afford something in that higher range. After all, he says he is older and has already built the house (13 years ago).
What I saw instead was him originally saying in the first post, ""I have been looking at used older 2x4 construction backhoes in the $10k range."
Then in #51 he wrote, " I guess it comes down to a $10-15k 2x4 construction backhoe or a $25-35k l45 or jd 110.

So I don't know that he can't afford to buy more expensive....just that he prefers to buy for less. Frankly so do we all. It's just that the guy is a novice at this. And while I think that in the 25K to 35K range he can definitely find something nice.....I also kinda doubt that a novice tractor guy can buy as good as an old-time tractor guy when spending under ten thou. But that's just me; I could be wrong and hope I'm not steering him wrong because of that.

For comparison, an old-timer up the road from me just bought a kinda beat older but still pretty usable 4x4 JD 310D for 15K. But he is knowledgeable about those machines and has had to do some work on it plus tires and batteries, and he bought it from our neighbor....a friend. So it can happen, but it's not the kind of price range and unknown machine that I'd expect the first time buyer to buy successfully.

The OP does say he is mechanically inclined and enjoys some wrench work.... so I try to take that into account.

Still it's all just advice - the advantage here on TBN is that there are a group of us old timers - I think of you and several others that way - who can & do argue all sides of tractoring. IMHO there's no better way to learn.
rScotty

Scotty, you are correct in many of your assumptions. I am somewhat older at 44. We started building 13 years ago, now living in the house for the past 11. I can probably afford $35K, but as a public school teacher and father of 3 growing and eating boys, less is ALWAYS better. If I do buy a $35K backhoe, I will probably be sleeping with the pigs for a few weeks, lol. I do have wrench experience and friends with heavy equipment wrenching experience. Being isolated in rural NE California probably is the toughest aspect of finding a backhoe as I need to travel far to just look at one. One aspect of the midsize hoe that I really like, is that I can get it on a trailer and take it somewhere if I need to, but not sure how often that will happen. I also like the idea of a HST, especially for my growing boys.

Thanks for all the advice. I will look for mid-sized Kobota TLB as well as more moderately priced construction backhoe loaders.

 

[fried1765]

Scotty, you are correct in many of your assumptions. I am somewhat older at 44. We started building 13 years ago, now living in the house for the past 11. I can probably afford $35K, but as a public school teacher and father of 3 growing and eating boys, less is ALWAYS better. If I do buy a $35K backhoe, I will probably be sleeping with the pigs for a few weeks, lol. I do have wrench experience and friends with heavy equipment wrenching experience. Being isolated in rural NE California probably is the toughest aspect of finding a backhoe as I need to travel far to just look at one. One aspect of the midsize hoe that I really like, is that I can get it on a trailer and take it somewhere if I need to, but not sure how often that will happen. I also like the idea of a HST, especially for my growing boys.

Thanks for all the advice. I will look for mid-sized Kobota TLB as well as more moderately priced construction backhoe loaders.

Depending on where you live ( you are not showing a general location in your profile), you may be able to buy an 800 hour HST Kubota L48, for 25K or slightly less.
Only routine maintenance will be necessary for many more hours.
Don't buy a new car!
It will depreciate like a sinking rock.
Buy a low hour mid sized Kubota TLB.
A mid size Kubota TLB will depreciate at a VERY slow rate!

 

[rScotty]

Scotty, you are correct in many of your assumptions. I am somewhat older at 44. We started building 13 years ago, now living in the house for the past 11. I can probably afford $35K, but as a public school teacher and father of 3 growing and eating boys, less is ALWAYS better. If I do buy a $35K backhoe, I will probably be sleeping with the pigs for a few weeks, lol. I do have wrench experience and friends with heavy equipment wrenching experience. Being isolated in rural NE California probably is the toughest aspect of finding a backhoe as I need to travel far to just look at one. One aspect of the midsize hoe that I really like, is that I can get it on a trailer and take it somewhere if I need to, but not sure how often that will happen. I also like the idea of a HST, especially for my growing boys.

Thanks for all the advice. I will look for mid-sized Kobota TLB as well as more moderately priced construction backhoe loaders.

Well, OK then ....congrats on the family. IMHO, with 3 boys there's a need to reduce the "rodeo" factor as far as possible. Combining teenagers, tractors, and icy hillsides just made 4wd as a necessity and HST went way up on my list as well.
The reason is downhill braking. If you are used to cars then tractors with FEL can take you by surprise going downhill. That's because tractors only have brakes on the back tires. Going downhill with a load on the front means that the back tires have less contact with the ground. Tap the brakes and the back wheels can slide real easily. When that happens, the only thing slowing the tractor down is the engine braking on the front tires. And engine braking only helps if it is already in 4WD when you started down the slope. Applies equally to dusty roads in the summer or icy in the winter. Get 4wd.
'nuff said... rScotty

 

[Coach v]

I ended up finding a Case 580 super k 4x4 extendahoe fairly locally and cheap. It needs some tlc for sure. I am guessing that the best place to for specific questions would be the Case forum?

 

[spitter]

What did you wind up paying ? Looks good ,good luck.:drink:

 

[Coach v]

I paid $12k for it delivered to my property. It needs wiring and has a few leaky cylinders. Some hoses are new, some will need to be replaced. Parking brake needs help.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That was a good choice in my opinion. Your OP was kind of like asking, do I buy a toboggin or a snowmobile?

 

[ovrszd]

Best place for info is Heavy Equipment Forums

 

[fried1765]

I paid $12k for it delivered to my property. It needs wiring and has a few leaky cylinders. Some hoses are new, some will need to be replaced. Parking brake needs help.

Assuming that the engine, and transmission are in good condition, I think you made a GREAT choice.