Alright so I've watched a lot of videos and priced a lot of tractors. I know this is smaller but for the same monthly payment as I have now I can get a
L2501 with a backhoe. Yes an MX could pull a 3" or 4" tree out of ground with a chain and handle the terrain better while working with loader. But if I had a backhoe would I even need a 4,000 pound tractor? I'd just dig everything out. I like the idea of using a ripper and would expect good results on trees 6" diameter or less. My total projects of tree removal would be 3 acres along a path that a dozer made years ago. I would be widening it considerally and it probably totals 3 acres. 3 different trails in the woods. Advice wise at worst for 6" diameter tree how long would it take this setup to dig it out? If years, forget it I'll hire out.
Disc harrow would be used in a field that's already been tilled the previous year and only using the disc on tilled ground. From what I looked up I could pull around a 800 pound disc.
I do have drainage issues in the field from a collapsed culvert. I need to dig culvert out and backfill where it washed ground out into the field. I may also need to install drain tile.
Rocks, my backhoe should handle them I would assume with ease.
I would my box blade to till in the woods plots.
At some point I'll need to put in a another 18
inch culvert when I build a driveway.
When clearing instead of pushing more than the tractor could handle I could grapple it with a backhoe thumb into manageable sizes?
What I dislike about my tractor the most is spinning out while using a box blade. Or trying to push more brush than it can handle on uneven terrain. What really drives me nuts is if I get a full bucket of dirt or rock the back tires come off the ground and I have to drag the bucket. Makes me feel like it's not a tractor or what i paid for. I do not want to repeat this. Everghting else is great about the current tractor.
Biggest thing leading me to a backhoe is the comments about a fel shouldn't be used as I've been using it. The drainage issues in my field would have to be hired out if I got something comparable to an MX because I'd never pay the price for a backhoe on an MX.
R1 tires
1,000 extra pounds
Backhoe
That has to be worth something for around the same payment.
If I hired out I'd say it would be multiple times and I'd always think of something new.
If this is a weak backhoe though and would be slow and take an hour per tree I believe I'd get frustrated, yes I understand it's not an excavator and would murder the ground in minutes. I feel 20 minutes is reasonable on 6" and under.