If you think $15-18K is expensive then you definitely wont be able to afford to fill the fuel tank...expect to burn through 100+gal of fuel every day on the older big pay loaders. Get an account set up with bulk fuel delivery, you will empty a 500gal fuel tank every week.
89,000lb wheel loader or 18,000lb backhoe???
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Birdhunter1
Veteran Member
In the budget range of $15-18K I wouldn't look past a tracked skidloader. You would be rather amazed what you can do with a 8-9000 lbs tracked skidsteer, I'm thinking like a Bobcat T250 or T300. It may not handle popping your largest rootwads out of the dirt but it will likely push a few around and will definitely be handy to have around for construction.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I bought a New Holland 555E that is 2 wheel drive and open station. It has proven to be the Swiss Army Knife of equipment. It will do pretty much everything. At 80 hp, it has enough hydraulic power to dig out the biggest pine tree, and I've taken them out with 3 foot thick trunks!! For years, I dragged the trees to the burn pile, then pushed them up with the loader bucket. Eventually, I converted it to a Quick Attach System that I can use a grapple, pallet forks, and hay forks on it too. This was a huge game changer. I'm able to clear and clean up my place a lot faster and easier!!!
Excavator is the best at clearing trees, but it's horrible at moving them any distance. Backhoe does both.
Wheel Loader is great at loading material, and carrying it over a distance, but horrible at taking out trees. Backhoe does both.
Dozer is great at grading land, but horrible at taking out trees and moving them to the burn pile. Backhoe does both.
Find a backhoe with a quick change front bucket and it will be the one machine that does it all.
Excavator is the best at clearing trees, but it's horrible at moving them any distance. Backhoe does both.
Wheel Loader is great at loading material, and carrying it over a distance, but horrible at taking out trees. Backhoe does both.
Dozer is great at grading land, but horrible at taking out trees and moving them to the burn pile. Backhoe does both.
Find a backhoe with a quick change front bucket and it will be the one machine that does it all.
flusher
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What you're doing is called site preparation. Hire that type of work done by professionals who have the proper equipment and know what they're doing. You're asking for trouble trying to do it yourself.
Good luck and stay safe.
Good luck and stay safe.
Industrial Toys
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I always wanted construction equipment. One day back in the late 80s or 90s I was doing some phone work at a DEERE construction equipment dealer. Got talking to the service manager about a 644 loader or similar and he showed me the invoice for a torque converter repair. I think my construction equipment fantasies ended that day.
kf4uda
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Eddie is giving you some very good advice here in my opinion. I have a Ford 555A which has very useful and versatile over the years.
BigBlue1
Veteran Member
Check out the videos in this thread to see what a CTL can do with trees. Not sure his are as big as what you describe, but worth looking at to compare.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/423100-building-lake-corona.html
Rob
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/423100-building-lake-corona.html
Rob
no I don't believe my budget is an expensive one for a piece of equipment,, not by a long shot. its just what I have to work with at the moment. And running the e275c wasn't realistic, just more of a cool factor being able to play with that big of a toy lol
you are certainly right, I definitely wouldn't want to have to fuel that beast all the time!!
you are certainly right, I definitely wouldn't want to have to fuel that beast all the time!!
I have looked into it, between there versatility and the attachments you can get for them I would consider it. just haven't really found any in my area in my price range and shape I would be willing to buy.