Excavator v. Skid Steer for Hobby Farmer?

[Xfaxman]

I sold my tractor soon after I bought my first compact telehandler in 2009, a V518.
Used it as an anchor here for the winch:
View attachment 754607

I couldn't find any pictures of what the winch was pulling. I knew it was a big oak tree pushed over by the dozer we hired to clear the back of the dam.

It had such a big root ball that the V518 could not pick it up. Winched it up to the top of the dam and drug it over near the fence out of the way.

Used the forks on the V518 to knock the dirt from the root ball. Then it was light enough to take it to the southeast burn pile.

The tree is in the previously posted picture in post #81:

 

[Xfaxman]

I did not know about them until I saw one with a big bucket for sale on eBay.

This was it, a V623:

It was to heavy for my trailer but I discovered the V518 compact telehandler and started looking for one to buy.

 

[Hay Dude]

This was it, a V623:View attachment 754724

It was to heavy for my trailer but I discovered the V518 compact telehandler and started looking for one to buy.

I like that one (623) for snow removal. The cab would be great. The bucket is perfect for snow or debris.
The compact telehandler is a really impressive machine.
I’m surprised they aren’t more popular. I think it’s simply because no one can stop and think that a CT is the “one machine” answer.

So it has enough hydraulic ass to power a 5-6’ bush hog? Are high flow hydraulics available?

 

[Xfaxman]

So it has enough hydraulic ass to power a 5-6’ bush hog?

Easily runs this 7' brush hog that weighs 1800 pounds:

Are high flow hydraulics available?

No, standard flow only. 22 gal/min.

 

[Hay Dude]

Easily runs this 7' brush hog:
View attachment 754739View attachment 754741View attachment 754740

No, standard flow only. 22 gal/min.

might be available on bigger or newer units

 

[Xfaxman]

So what's the better second machine for a gentleman farmer who doesn't grow anything but needs to dig and move stuff?

Have you decided on a decision?

 

[M59]

You can weigh round bales with it:
View attachment 754083

Xfaxman,

Thanks for the info on crane scales. Mine just arrived and should help fill in missing lift capability data on M59 backhoe when boom and dipper are not fully extended.

 

[Xfaxman]

Xfaxman,

Thanks for the info on crane scales. Mine just arrived

You're welcome.
Start a thread on what you come up with.

 

[M59]

You're welcome.
Start a thread on what you come up with.

I intend to. Kubota publishes, in workshop manual, a graph of of lift capacity for backhoe fully extended but does not provide any information about hoe lifting capacity for distances closer to the machine. The lift capacity is also derated to 87% of full capacity for an as yet unknown reason.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

We have a 10,000lb mini excavator on our farm and a CAT 262 skid steer that weighs around 8,600lbs. They both have their place and do jobs the other machine isn't good at. As others have said, a purpose built TLB like Kubota makes is a pretty good compromise. Their M62 TLB really interested me, but I went with a MF 4707 with the upgraded loader (FL3615) so I could have decent 3pt hitch capability and a fairly stout loader. The M62 could get places on the farm much quicker and more easily, but the mini ex could out dig it by a large margin.

I really don't want to add any more equipment to the farm (we have quite a bit already, see sig), but I could see replacing something. If that something was the Jubilee TLB (which we still use on an almost weekly basis), I'd consider something along the lines of a JD 310 or 410 where the loader clearly outclasses the skid steer and the 4707 and also has a backhoe.