Tractor Sizing Backhoe comparison

[jmt1271]

We have 10 acres, presently 3 in pasture for a couple horses. Wanting to run several hundred feet of drains from the house gutters, and dig a bunch of French drains.

Also need to trench 250 to run power to the barn.

In addition to the regular barn duties etc, also have a small pond I want to clean up the banks.

Mowing is handled by a Scag Tiger Cat so mowing isn't a factor.

I'm looking at everything but lean toward Deere or kubota.

Wanting a small TLB. Honestly prefer a sub compact, but if the backhoe is significantly stronger and has significantly greater reach, in real world use moreso than spec sheets, I'd buy a compact instead.

I like the lighter weight and smaller size of a SCUT though.

Can anyone offer thoughts on which way I should go? Just general observations from those with experience in the path I'm looking to go is very useful.

Thanks.

 

[jmt1271]

Forgot to add our main driveway is 200 feet of gravel and there is a second driveway to the barn that totals probably 1000 feet of gravel so a box blade will be needed as well for general maintenance.

 

[flingwing1969]

As with most things tractor, you will never regret having more HP, a larger hydraulic pump, and more capability. As for a backhoe, one thing I've learned is, no matter how big it is, or how far it reaches, you will ALWAYS want more.

That said, I would not go with a subcompact unless I was always loading it and hauling it to other locations and didn't have my Dodge/Cummins 3/4 ton and 18' trailer to haul it with. I had a Kubota B21 TLB and I loved it - fair power, compact for getting in around my trees and tight spaces by my outbuildings, and very versatile. It's always said it is the smallest tractor you can buy that won't get you laughed off a job site.

That said, the price of a B26 cost much more for just the TLB sat than I paid for my 38 hp LS with 4n1, snowblower, forks plus tractor and hoe. Is the LS as good a machine, I'll have to let you know in ten years which is how my B21 reliably served me with only hydraulic hose failures needing repair. I love the added FEL and TPH lift and the added HP and weight of the LS and it is a pretty good tractor.

The hoe has limited reach and so takes more time to do any job but I have put in a full septic system with it, dug a lot of black oak stumps out with it, and used it and its thumb many times to move large rocks and lift logs for bucking. I live in a pine/oak forest so have a lot of maneuvering around trees to do and I have not had an issue with getting in there with the CUT - but a SCUT would certainly be easier.

 

[mikester]

Buy a used construction loader backhoe, get all your heavy digging work done, then sell it. You'll probably sell it for what you paid for it.

Buy a nice new CUT with a cab.

 

[jmt1271]

Lol don't need a cab. And would rather always have the backhoe as it's a very handy tool.

Just like the loader.

 

[flingwing1969]

Lol don't need a cab. And would rather always have the backhoe as it's a very handy tool.

Just like the loader.

Mine stays on almost all the time, unless I'm chipping, blowing snow, or running my rear blade or BB.

 

[Oldoak]

I would hire a contractor to dig the trench before I would purchase a used loader backhoe with the intention of using it and eventually selling it for what I had in it. You may even have to pour more money into it than the initial cost before you're done with it.

For what you want, I believe you could either purchase a SCUT and work it to it's maximum capability or purchase a SC and just let it purr along. And like has been said, you will always find more uses for the backhoe attachment once you own one.

 

[Code54]

I would look at the B series as a minimum in the Kubota line. The BX is great but i find the hoe is limited by a very short reach.
unless you get a large backhoe I think you may find it difficult to clean up the pond banks with a smaller machine. May want to think about renting a track hoe for a weekend as you can drive along the bank, scoop the bank, swing 180 degrees and dump into a cart/dump truck/etc, slide forward and repeat very quickly. A backhoe is tough for that kind of work as it is slow and the side swing limits the ability to do it easily. Heck it you have time you could even do your long trench and get yourself ahead a bit.

 

[jmt1271]

I would look at the B series as a minimum in the Kubota line. The BX is great but i find the hoe is limited by a very short reach.
unless you get a large backhoe I think you may find it difficult to clean up the pond banks with a smaller machine. May want to think about renting a track hoe for a weekend as you can drive along the bank, scoop the bank, swing 180 degrees and dump into a cart/dump truck/etc, slide forward and repeat very quickly. A backhoe is tough for that kind of work as it is slow and the side swing limits the ability to do it easily. Heck it you have time you could even do your long trench and get yourself ahead a bit.

Great point. The pond project would likely be the only one that exceeded the capacity of a SCUT. Renting an excavator could make it a non issue.

 

[JK22]

For 10 acres, I’d want a B. I love my BX but I push it to the limit with my 5 acres.

 

[jmt1271]

I'm trying to not overspend lol. That's always difficult.

But I should add that I will likely very rarely have to trailer it. Only plan to use here at the house.

 

[ovrszd]

You didn't mention a budget. How much are you able to spend?

 

[MikeInEburg]

The BIGGEST challenge with a subcompact is ground clearance. Be sure to understand this before purchasing, as it can significantly limit where machine can be used.

 

[jmt1271]

You didn't mention a budget. How much are you able to spend?

Really want to stay under 25k, and purchase new.

 

[jmt1271]

The BIGGEST challenge with a subcompact is ground clearance. Be sure to understand this before purchasing, as it can significantly limit where machine can be used.

Understood. Before we moved back to MO from TN I owned 35 acres and had a deere 34 20 with a 300cx loader so I get what you're saying.

 

[Peter 315]

I know a guy that has a 1984 Ford 555 backhoe cheap

 

[fried1765]

I'm trying to not overspend lol. That's always difficult.

But I should add that I will likely very rarely have to trailer it. Only plan to use here at the house.

If you buy a just RIGHT SIZE machine, you will soon buy the next... RIGHT SIZE machine.
Don't make the too small mistake.
You really should consider a low hour used machine.
Tell local dealers of your needs/ wants.

 

[jmt1271]

If you buy a just RIGHT SIZE machine, you will soon buy the next... RIGHT SIZE machine.
Don't make the too small mistake.
You really should consider a low hour used machine.
Tell local dealers of your needs/ wants.

Solid advice. Planning to do just that this coming week.


Hoping to capitalize on a good deal from a manufacturer on a new one though.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

A lot of good suggestions previously. I have an LS scut, the mt125. It is a TLB. I compared all of the brands, specifically the specs and capacities, and the price. I pretty much eliminated both JD and Kub. Right off the bat, due mainly to the outrageous price difference (5-7K difference). Mahindra was eliminated due to cost also, secondary fit and finish. Down to 3 at that point: LS (mt125), Massey (1720), and Kioti (cs2410). None of these dealers were anywhere close (between 400 to 500 miles away). Re-compared specs to price, summarizing "best bang for the buck". Hands down, LS provided that. The Massey and LS were the closet in specs, but the best deal for the Massey was $1000 more. I ended up purchasing the LS mt125 for $16,900 for the TLB w/ a 12" bucket and a PHD w/ 9" auger. I drove 1100 miles to pick it up.

Look at the tractor dealer's manufacturers ratings (what dealers think of the different manufacturers), Massey, Kioti, and LS are up there. How many complaints are the owners making about the respective brands? Lots of things to consider. Some folks have to have great dealer or service , others not so much.

I have subdivided my property and am in process of building a small house on the adjoining property. So far I have trenches 350' for power service, installed a septic system (2 leach trenches 2' wide, 5' deep, 110' long, plus the hole for the tank: 6' x 6' x 12'), moved 200 tons of stone for the septic, and dug another 300' trench for water lines. Graded and leveled the building site. Will be putting in a 400' driveway (grading away topsoil and placing stone). This little tractor can do what I need it to do. I also have a 6' finish mower and a 54" heavy box blade.

This scut tractor will fit into places and work where a compact won't go. Would a compact do the work faster? Sure, but it depends on what is being done. Digging a trench using a 12" bucket? It will take the same amount of time. Spreading stone? Well the bigger compact will pick up and spread more, how much more depends on the bucket size, bigger tractor...bigger bucket. I'm not going to be picking up giant bales of hay.. Maybe 2 or 3 small bales. I have carried 15- 80# bags of concrete in the bucket. I will be digging around 300 post holes this summer to fence in a pasture. This little tractor was worth every penny. Saving almost 10 grand over buying a similar larger compact paid for my septic system and an addition onto the garage to house the tractor and implements. In a quite a few years, if I buy a 20-40 acre parcel, I may consider getting a larger tractor.

If you are considering a scut, a good U-tube site is "Tony's tractor page". He has many videos of his scut at work. He has owned JD, Massey, and currently an LS