Buying Advice Best Machine for the Job(s)?

[PapaPerk]

I would buy a larger kubota farm tractor... M5040, 7040, etc with loader or MX5100 w loader. That will handle most of your jobs. Get the quick attach loader option so you can change loader implements... bucket, pallet forks, stump bucket, grapple, etc, etc, etc. :laughing:

If you have backhoe work I would rent a mini excavator and get the work done quick. Nothing can keep up with an excavator when digging is concerned. :thumbsup:

The B21 is too small for your land. And the larger TLB machines are cost prohibitive in my opinion. Unless you can find a good used machine... which like you said is not easy. :confused2: Plus removing the hoe to use the 3 point would be a pain IMHO.

Good luck!

 

[tmeadows]

2 wd with loader you can not use the horse power before you lose traction!

 

[RollingsFarms]

If it were me I would have a look at a used ford/new holland 555 tlb. These are some very good backhoes and aren't too hard to find in good shape ready to work. Might be a little bigger then what you said you needed but it will get some serious work done and will be easy to sell for what you paid for it if not very close to it! A 2wd backhoe can be had for cheap and since you don't seem to be **** bent on 4wd this should give you the a lot more choices. Case also makes so good older backhoes as does John Deere. I'm even keeping my eyes peeled for an older backhoe to keep around my farm. Doesn't need to be fancy and new just needs to run. I'd also consider selling that gas tractor and finding you a good older diesel in the same hp range or slightly larger. Something like a 2555 2wd would fit the bill. I know where a very good one is for cheap if you're interested just pm me.

 

[jamesv]

So I'm leaning away from the backhoe now, unless I can find something too good to pass up. I'll focus on the loader and other implements. If I buy any new or used tractor, it will definitely be 4wd diesel, but since I have 2wd gas, I'm still playing with the idea of trying to make that work. In terms of power and efficiency, my 1520 doesn't look all that different from a JD 5055E according to tractordata.com. If that's true, then the only thing I'm really missing is the 4wd. That would definitely be a big plus, but I'm hoping the 2wd will work well enough... At least on level ground. And I'm thinking it will be more capable than a 4wd sub compact with an FEL anyway based on the sheer weight and power that it does have over those two rear wheels. Does that sound right?

 

[jenkinsph]

When we started out we were lucky to have a tractor at all. Everyone I know had 2wd tractors and got alot done with them. While I prefer 4wd you can still get lots of work done without it. A 1520 is heavy enough with filled rears to get lots of work done. We all like new tractors but I still like my old 820 and it is about as good as new. Even if you trade in the near future a good loader will help the sale.

My guess/opinion is that a 1520 compares closely with a 5055D, your tractor is heavier built though.

 

[jamesv]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say thanks again for the input and to let you know what I finally decided to do. Hopefully this will be helpful to somebody looking to do something similar. I just put a deposit down for a Kubota b20. I will also keep my JD 1520 for mowing and field work. I thought about adding a FEL to my 1520, but I figure it would have ended up costing me $4-5,000 to put a used loader on there. Then I also would have wanted to get an auger for tree planting and post hole digging. That would have tacked on another $1500. I got the b20 for just under $12,000 and now that I have both machines, I'll be able to knock out everything on my punchlist and then some. The earthmoving tasks will obviously take longer than they would with something bigger, but I don't have a ton of stuff to do and there isn't any time constraint for most of it. I think it'll also make a decent garden tractor as it is pretty small, so I'll have that front covered as well. Aside from cost, this was one of the main reasons I didn't go with something bigger. The L39, for example, would have been perfect for my earthmoving needs, but would not have been as useful in tight quarters it seems.

Thanks,
James