110 TLB vs 4x20/485BH

[Spudland_Dave]

not to get off track here, but have you considered a miniexcavator? since you already have the 2520 with fel, seems to me you really are just looking for a hoe, and a miniex will out dig any thing

I was gonna say the same thing.... Hoe's are nice for tree planting and a hole here...hole there (lots of travel) digging, but to seriously dig...an Excavator is the ONLY way to go.
Me, I wouldnt/couldnt live without my factory JD Cab. Wouldnt trade it for the world. Yes, the 110 is a Purpose Built HD Machine, but for MY uses around the house on our property, I much prefer the nicely designed interior, operator station, etc.. If I were a contractor or doing contractor work with employees, then yep, 110 it is without a doubt.
Tough machine or not, I dont think I could have gotten a 110 by SWMBO....not just because of the crude operator station and lack of cab...but because its yellow . A cabbed, GREEN, 110 would be quite the machine...

 

[CurlyDave]

Something to consider about implements on a 110.

My manual says the minimum weight for any implement you substitute for the hoe is 1250 lbs. If you buy the box blade from Deere (Woods brand) you can meet this minimum, but it is very expensive.

But, this is going to leave out a lot of implements which will work just fine on an agricultural tractor.

 

[AKfish]

The right tool for the job... it all depends upon what the job is or will be down the road.

I've got a 32K lb Komatsu 138U excavator just up the hill from the house right now that I've been using to clear about 5 acres of trees. Amazing tree killer! And BIG hole digger..

But it won't run my rototiller or backblade or PHD or Landpride scarafier or fertilizer spreader or landscape rake.

I read the same thing in the operators manual, Dave. And given the dimensions of the FEL, (materials, weight) and the weight of the HD bucket with edge; the stability of the machine is no doubt reduced with the hoe removed (the hoe weighs ~2,000lbs) and should be a concern when using the machine on slopes and uneven terrain without adequate counter-balance weight.

However, the 110 is well positioned as a landscaping machine. Generally, when I'm using my 3pt attachments, I drop the HD bucket (6-700lbs) and go about my business.

I try very hard to pay close attention to safety and recognize that any machine; without a whole lot of difficulty can be flipped or laid over on it's side. (Grabbing the root wad of some of the larger trees and curling the bucket on the Komatsu can be a real lesson in that...)

AKfish

 

[skidoo]

I'm thinking loaded tires would help without the hoe. The dealer delivered one for demo about an hour before dusk. Trying it on the drive in high range, it felt fairly bouncy. Again, I am hoping loaded tires would help that. Backed it up a slight slope and cycled the FEL. It still jerked and groaned some. After cycling it a while and after it was warmed up a bit, it did seem to settle down some, but it still isn't as smooth as the BH controls yet. In fact, it seemed to be more jerky with higher rpms than with lower rpms. I took it over to where a 12" dia tree was cut. It pulled the stump fairly easy. I'm starting to like this machine!

I am wondering if the bucket needs to be loaded for it to smooth out or if it needs a break-in period? Hopefully, I'll find out tomorrow.

Anyone else here run one with loaded tires? It comes with a 72" HD bucket and all the hydraulics options. List of thing to add:

Skid plate
Thumb
Loaded tires

Anything else a must have?

 

[CurlyDave]

My dealer was very reluctant to load the tires, wouldn't say why, but just didn't want to do it.

I have to say that in 3 years I have never felt the need for loaded tires.

I have an Addington thumb because there were reports of the Deere thumbs being too soft when I was buying it. I have no idea about the current state of affairs, but I am satisfied with the thumb I have. With any thumb, it is not recommended to use the 12" bucket, and the reason is that the way the thumb mounts, a pin longer than 12" is used, so a 12" bucket would have this pin dragging in the dirt.

AKfish: I don't know about removing the FEL bucket with the hoe off. Clearly this makes the machine less "tippy" toward the front, but I think it might be better to have the bucket on. If it does tip to the front, I would much rather have the bucket hit the ground than the ends of the FEL arms. Sort of a moot point for me since I don't really intend to ever use an implement other than the box blade on the rear.

 

[AKfish]

I believe that much of the bounce comes from the tires. The 110 rides just like other construction equipment that I have operated; JD 524 and 544 loaders come to mind. I just slow down when the road or trail is rough, 'cause when you get that harmonic "wave" bounce going; it's not a happy time maintaining control. (If you've ever seen heavy equipment start that bouncing "wave" motion going down the road; you know what I'm talking about.) But I don't seriously believe that loading the tires will change that dynamic.

The hydraulic controls are more responsive and therefore less forgiving of operator miscues. Especially at higher rpms. The FEL and hoe will jerk (very quickly..) and can inadvertantly "smash" things before you can get the word "Sh@#t outta your mouth! So, take your time and keep your rpms down while you're still figuring everything out.

Curly, I can appreciate what you're saying. I think the primary safety concern operating the 110 without the hoe is front to rear stability especially when attempting to use the FEL to move heavy materials. Of course, when the rear end gets light and lifts upward, the machine will begin to tilt off to one side or the other and could roll on it's side.

That said, I would not use the loader without significant rear-mounted ballast, etc.

My HD 20" bucket and thumb are from a JD 27 ZTS mini-excavator. It's a pretty stout configuration - IMO.

If you plan on using chains, you should consider rear wheel spacers. Heavy 3/8" chains will not easily clear the inside of the fenders and will likely rub the inside of the fender.

To genuinely make a fair comparison - is there any chance that your dealer would have a 40x20 machine that he'll let you demo? Even without a hoe, it might be worth your time to work the FEL and experience the ride and control layout, etc.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

AKfish

 

[CurlyDave]

(If you've ever seen heavy equipment start that bouncing "wave" motion going down the road; you know what I'm talking about.)

On of the most amazing sights I have ever seen was during clearing the pad for our house, the excavation contractor had hired a young woman as one of his equipment operators. Well, the temperature was on the high 90s, she was dressed appropriately for that weather, and she was not overweight, but tall and very, very buxom.

She drove a front end loader with tires at least 6 feet in diameter and a 4 or 5 yard bucket. Well, when the machine started that bouncing wave motion, she had her own bouncing wave motion that was a sight to see...

 

[AKfish]

YeeHaa.. LOL!! I got a great laugh outta that! And while I was carrying on - my wife just had to see what was SOO funny.

She only had two words... YOU GUYS!!!

AKfish

 

[skidoo]

What is a reasonable discount from 2009 list on a new 2008 model?

 

[AKfish]

I seem to recall hereabouts on TBN that there's been a 7.5% price increase on the 2009 models over the 2008 models.

Anyone verify that...?

AKfish