40 Acres, Steep!, 1 Mile Road; Need Advice

[Reg]

Thought I'd mention that I'm planning to treck a bit further today and check out a kioti/TYM dealer. Quick look online revealed the DK6010SE, has mid PTO option leaving open the possibility of a front snowblower. Also the NX series, not sure if it's out my price range or not though. Looks like the t554 might be an option as well. Someone, can't remember who, recommended I look at kioti on here. Any thoughts on those brands or models? let me know

It wasn't me, but I'll add that when I was looking around 2004/5/6 I seem to remember that there was a Kioti loader option with (mechanical) self leveling.
If you aren't familiar with this yet it maintains the bucket(or pallet forks) to stay at the same pitch relative to horizontal as you raise/lower.
This can be GREAT for pallet fork work, or to help avoid the beginner stunt of showering the hood and/or yourself with gravel (or manure) the first time you raise to full lift and forget to roll out a bit.
The mechanical ones don't do it "perfectly", i.e. the linkages don't do the perfect parallelogram thang, but it can be worth having.
SOME implementations limit maximum lift, not by much - just enough for us to argue here about whether or not it matters.
A bit of added weight for the extra links too, we argue as to whether or not that is a meaningful loss of payload on the loader.

 

[woolyAcres]

woolyAcres, thanks for pulling for me. I wanted to let you know I have not ignored your post and other's suggesting used equipment.

Feel free to ignore my posts. I ignore half my own.

I know I've been singing a contrary tune. In an ideal world (at least my ideal world) you'd have 3-4 different machines. A big old heavy cat II machine for yearly driveway maintenance, 35-50HP machine with loader for most work around the homestead and a cabbed AC with a blower mounted on the front/back (depending on which way you face). I realize that's not only unlikely, but pretty big money so the only way I could possibly see that working out is with used equipment. Which is why I've been pushing it. I understand it's just not practical.

I spent 15 months shopping for a utility tractor. Anything I found was either affordable but not worth buying or worth buying but the cost of new (in a different brand). The last straw came this spring when, instead of making hay we were taking a bath in diesel fuel under the old, old Case. I'd had enough and called the local Kioti dealer and ordered a new RX7320. It starts every time, pull and lifts everything we need it to. The only downside are the payments I have to make each month. Never had to do that with the old Case, but we did have to spend 30-40 minutes fighting with it to get it started almost every time. So I understand why you are considering and leaning toward new.

 

[ericm979]

I think some Bransons will have mechanical self-leveling loaders soon. Many Bransons in Europe have them. Apparently they can limit the curl travel some which may be an issue for some uses. Kubota L60 series has an optional hydraulic self leveling system.

I have both forks and a grapple. While you can use forks to pick stuff up it's not nearly as picking up and carrying stuff as a grapple. For a small amount of use it might be ok, depending on what you're doing. I keep the grapple on the tractor as the default as I use it more than the bucket or forks. You don't need to order the grapple with the tractor.

 

[rScotty]

Thought I'd mention that I'm planning to treck a bit further today and check out a kioti/TYM dealer. Quick look online revealed the DK6010SE, has mid PTO option leaving open the possibility of a front snowblower. Any thoughts on those brands or models? let me know

No thoughts on models, but on any machine check the specified capacity of the mid-PTO. Front snowblowers are not common items, and any snowblower can draw a lot of power. That's part of why most are driven off the rear. Make sure the mid PTO is up to the load. Some mid-mounts are reduced capacity.
Good luck at the dealer.
rScotty

 

[jeff9366]

RE: Self-Leveling Bucket Alternative.

I have a $425 Long CR10 FEL Damper. This mech greatly reduces vertical undulations of FEL bucket, empty or full.
Vary rare any dirt or debris falls from a fully laden bucket. Improves productivity whenever Loader is used, reduces cleanup of job site.

LINKS: W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

 

[BAP]

RE: Self-Leveling Buckets.

I have a $425 Long CR10 FEL Damper. This mech greatly reduces vertical undulations of FEL bucket, empty or full.
Vary rare any dirt or debris falls from a fully laden bucket. Improves productivity whenever Loader is used, reduces cleanup of job site.

LINKS: W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

That's not a self leveling bucket device, that's is a ride control device.

 

[Reg]

I have looked at the Humpolec loader on my 42 HP Kukje tractor SO MANY TIMES with the thought of building a set of what I will call here "level maintaining links".
There are triangular brackets atop of the highest point of the frame on each side arm that suggest that frame is also used for a self leveling model.

Of course I have searched for other re-badged Humpolec loaders in other countries in the hope of finding a "kit", without luck.
I just need to take some measurements and sketch it up in a CAD program, export that to a model simulator to make sure the articulation all works out and get it to a fab shop.
Other things overtake priorities - one day, maybe one day...

 

[redhead]

Depending on changes in grade (or dips) along your road, the front-mounted snow blower could be problematic. I'm only familiar with my setup which uses a subframe mount and mid PTO. My blower hangs maybe 4 feet beyond the front axle and can only be raised up about a foot. This limits the terrain that can be traversed without bottoming out.
For my situation it's a blast to operate and does a great job, but it's not hard to get hung up.

Re: forks, you'll never regret having them. Incredibly useful

 

[Pugemasta]

Thanks Tennsawdust, going for ssqa based on your advice and other's.

Thanks for the tips on backhoe install, reg. Very good to know :thumbsup:

Thanks woolyAcres, I'll be sure to ignore your posts going forward :laughing:. I appreciate you offering your opinion, I want to explore all options. There's a lot pushing me away from used though, mainly I don't know enough to make a wise purchase and want something reliable. As motivating as saving money is, I think I would regret this decision.

Probably not mossroad, always fun to learn new things though! I'll let you know when I get to the septic project if I think formal training would be worthwhile .

Glad to hear your septic install went well GSVette. I still need to do a lot more research into the septic, have read most of the regulations and spoken to the county. I'll have the benefit of having a county inspector on site before and after the install (before it's buried of course). I don't take this project lightly, but it's doable and I could save some serious $ doing it myself. Should be fun as well.

Good point Brian, I don't think I will be disappointed in any of the options I'm considering. Will mostly come down to cost and dealer from here out. I'm looking forward to owning a tractor more than I like to admit.

Thanks Paul, I can see uses for both grapples and forks. I'm waiting on the forks until a need arises, keeping initial cost down. That's the plan for now at least.

Thanks rScotty, another great, helpful post! For the initial purchase I am thinking: 3rd function, 3 remotes (if an option), no cab, HST, SSQA, TNT, backhoe w/hyd thumb and 24" bucket, back blade, LPGS, grapple, FEL, chains, r4s, possibly smaller diameter for lower CG and set as wide as possible, loaded tires. don't think I left anything off. Still not sure about a mid PTO, I don't ever see feeling comfortable spending 6-8k on a front snowblower if the back blade is safe and does a good job, but my thoughts may change after a bad winter and I'll regret not having the mid PTO. Still have not decided on loader bucket type, just haven't gotten to it yet I guess. Any insights on bucket types? Anything I left off?

Dealer visits were constructive and it was good to finally assess in person. I like the Branson (comfortable, good fit) not impressed with the dealer. Looks like a one man show plus a mechanic. The phone rang and went unanswered several times as we chatted. He also wasn't great at responding to emails before I visited. Disappointing as I like the tractor.

The kioti/tym dealer was superior based on initial impressions and is well reviewed relative to the Branson/LS dealer. But one state over, an additional 40 min drive probably, so not too much further all things considered. 3 people in the office vs 1, dealt with the original owner, his son and grandson where the other two in the office. They seem to deal a greater volume. He was generally more helpful and generous with his time, both were knowledgeable enough for me.

The salesman was trying to stear me to the Branson 4720 (48 hp) as the 5520 is nearly 2k more. After describing my needs to the Kioti/TYM salesman, he suggested in the 40-50 hp range. Similar kioti and TYM tractors have 45 or 50 hp. The consensus was that I chose the hp well originally and my gut tells me to buy a little more than I need as insurance. Don't want to beat a dead horse, but any sense in reviewing my hp decision of 55 or so? A min I should consider?

FYI: The TYM T454 (46 hp) came in at 36,200, he wasnt clear why, but said one model could be done at 27,000 as it was a slightly older model or something along those lines plus rebates. Kioti DK4710HSE (44.9 hp) was 33,300 or 27,000 after rebates, the 50.3 HP version was 34,500/28,000, next step is 57.7 HP. The Kioti MX5010 (50 hp) was 39,500/31,600 after rebates, the 45 hp version being about 2,600 less, still rich for my blood though. Still waiting for the Branson/LS dealer to get back to me with prices... All prices above are w/ filled tires, FEL, 3rd function and 2 remotes.

Any thoughts on those specific models or series, feel free to let me know :thumbsup:

 

[rScotty]

RE: Self-Leveling Bucket Alternative.

I have a $425 Long CR10 FEL Damper. This mech greatly reduces vertical undulations of FEL bucket, empty or full.
Vary rare any dirt or debris falls from a fully laden bucket. Improves productivity whenever Loader is used, reduces cleanup of job site.
LINKS: W.R. Long, Inc. | Comfort Ride

Wow! Does the damper work? Do you disengage it to do FEL work?

I never knew about ride control until we got the John Deere 310 backhoe., and then only because we accidently turned it on one day. Wowser! Say an immediate "goodbye to hobby-horsing" on rough roads....! Active ride control stops that right now. It's a wonderful thing.

It turns out that most big commercial equipment has some form of "active ride control" - maybe it works differently from pure damping....I don't know.

I had no idea that there was a add-on version for compact tractors. Congratulations for finding and trying it.
rScotty