Mini/midi ex land clearing on slope

[fried1765]

On the subject of mini excavators and hills it seems like not putting stabilizers on them like the larger wheeled excavators have is a missed opportunity. After purchasing a mini I very quickly missed the ability to level itself on most hills like a backhoe can. For that matter not offering a mini with wheels seems dumb. More times than not being able to move faster than 2 mph would be better than the flotation offered by tracks. View attachment 684254

That is EXACTLY why a mini, though nice, would never appeal to me.
The reason a TLB is best for me, is because it can DRIVE, rather than crawl!

 

[Hay Dude]

That is EXACTLY why a mini, though nice, would never appeal to me.
The reason a TLB is best for me, is because it can DRIVE, rather than crawl!

Had 2 backhoes back in the early 2000s, Case 580 Super M and a New Holland 110. They were nice when you had a lot of running around to do. Cant beat the track for traction tho.

 

[ruffdog]

Probably why Feller Bunchers have the ability to stay vertical on steep grades. They will also install grousers or cleats on the tracks to keep from sliding.

 

[4570Man]

That is EXACTLY why a mini, though nice, would never appeal to me.
The reason a TLB is best for me, is because it can DRIVE, rather than crawl!

Well I have both now and the mini is so much better than the TLB I’m considering trading it for a 210 Deere with a blade on the back, no hoe but 4 corner stabilizers and the ability to go faster than 2 mph would be big improvements to the mini.

 

[4570Man]

Good observation. Blade is only stabilizer and not all that wide. All I could do is face uphill and work, but not sideways on the steep slopes.
The railroad guys in my little town have a wheeled loader on rail gear they use for clearing ROW brush & branches.

They make these but I doubt you could get one in this country and they’re about too specialized for everyday use. Dyer All Terrain: Walking Excavator on Mountain Side - YouTube

 

[fried1765]

Had 2 backhoes back in the early 2000s, Case 580 Super M and a New Holland 110. They were nice when you had a lot of running around to do. Cant beat the track for traction tho.

Only acres and acres of sandy soil here!
No rocks, no clay, no mud, no hills!
Even my old Ford 3400 TLB with 2WD was just fine.
I don't need no mo stinkin traction!

 

[4570Man]

Had 2 backhoes back in the early 2000s, Case 580 Super M and a New Holland 110. They were nice when you had a lot of running around to do. Cant beat the track for traction tho.

The rubber tracks aren’t great for traction. I haven’t chained them together for a scientific test but I would bet on my M59 out pulling my KX040 in most conditions. If it was a complete mud hole and the contest was drive in without clawing yourself in and making a huge mess the 40 would win by huge margins. The metal trackhoe tracks aren’t much better. They don’t have anything close to the grousers a dozer does. On the plus side you can drive them on the road without much damage.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, but I like the way rubber tracks float and get great traction together. Its like a combination of assets that are better than the other options. My backhoe would be stuck on this particular job site in minutes.
If the brush was smaller, I could use my CX-15. I cleared smaller brush on Friday for another customer and although itll get the job done, you just know a skid or midi with a forestry mulcher is the tool of choice.

I have to tread lightly- cant be a mud bowl upon completion or the hay ground goes to someone else-and its a lot of hay land!

 

[fried1765]

Yeah, but I like the way rubber tracks float and get great traction together. Its like a combination of assets that are better than the other options. My backhoe would be stuck on this particular job site in minutes.
If the brush was smaller, I could use my CX-15. I cleared smaller brush on Friday for another customer and although itll get the job done, you just know a skid or midi with a forestry mulcher is the tool of choice.

I have to tread lightly- cant be a mud bowl upon completion or the hay ground goes to someone else-and its a lot of hay land!

Might be really good if you could do that work about now, when the ground may actually be surface frozen.

 

[Hay Dude]

Might be really good if you could do that work about now, when the ground may actually be surface frozen.

Pretty cold here now. Mid-upper 20’s.
As usual, you are correct young man.