Asking for advice on machine to landscape my yard

[2manyrocks]

I also have a Terramite because that is what was in my price range 20 years ago, but today, I'd be looking at a mini-ex.

 

[rScotty]

Thank you for your replies.

It looks to me like a skid steer, such as a 20 hp bobcat, would be a great, focused piece of equipment, but more expensive and harder to justify.

I have to admit that I want a backhoe about 10 times as much as I need one. I see using for 1-2 years as I improve the property then not having much to do with it.

One other issue is that I have 100+ acres of woodland that is used for firewood harvesting (family use) and is accessed by a class 4 “road” that is not maintained. My dad used to keep the road open with constant attention but I don’t have the time and it is deteriorating. I could see the tractor with backhoe being useful there and do not see a skid steer having the same utility.

Shockingly my wife is giving me the go-ahead!

Skid steers are great for some jobs. But perhaps not so much for homeowner chores where downsides are tearing up the grass, no 3pt hitch, and being more difficult to get on and off.
It always amazes me how much getting on and off the tractor is involved in any project

You could rent one of each and try them. Our local Home Depot has both.

A small backhoe is very handy. Especially with a thumb. The older your own back gets, the more affordable a backhoe becomes.
rScoty

 

[2manyrocks]

I first thought this was a house foundation, but when I got closer, it appears to be a stone wall enclosing graves from the 1800s. Some of the stone I guess to be nearly 1x1x4 feet. It took some work to build without an excavator to lift the pieces.

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

I first thought this was a house foundation, but when I got closer, it appears to be a stone wall enclosing graves from the 1800s. Some of the stone I guess to be nearly 1x1x4 feet. It took some work to build without an excavator to lift the pieces.

View attachment 1736809

That sort of project is the reason I would like the excavator for the tc29. We’ll see where this goes.