Big job, total newbies, least # of pieces of equipment to get the job done :)?

[hunt4570]

s2dm: an excellent example of a skid steer quick attach implement. You should include the ~$1K SSQA option on whatever tractor you decide to buy.

YES!! This is my first SSQA, how did I ever manage without it or the grapple.... I just don't know!

 

[brown40]

If avocados are your primary intention for the property don't get too caught up in the vastness of options. An HST that fits your rows and can run what you intend to maintain them is what you need to shop for. Maintaining and doing small jobs with a backhoe can be done in most any size, with efficiency and maximum capability limited by the frame. Tire width and getting around the ?grove? should dictate your shopping. Pay attention to the man you hired to plan it out--he's likely put you in a five foot wide range based on what he's seen and thought out.

 

[Grandad4]

SOrry for the continued newb questions. What do people think of an L48 vs an mx5100hst?

L48 is the predecessor to the M59 in the Kubota TLB series. 48 hp, heavy and rugged machine, very strong hydraulics, loader and backhoe. Only gripe owners typically had was that the gearing was optimized for heavy dirt work rather than agricultural or property maintenance work. Low and Mid ranges were thus geared down low and slow for maximum pushing/pulling power, with the High range only suitable for road travel. That made it an absolute bull for heavy digging and moving, but slow and cumbersome as a general "chore" tractor.

Since these machines were primarily for commercial or construction use, many of them lived a hard life. A used one must be evaluated accordingly. If well maintained and lightly used it could be a real find; if it's retired from hard use in construction or rental yard duty, etc., it may be well past its prime.

If you wanted to have something for your initial building phases, it could be worth considering; for your ongoing needs the MX5100 would be more convenient. One of each would be the cat's meow.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think the M59 size tractor would work for you as an all in one machine. The 210LE would be a good choice for a lot of grading work, and has a much better fel than a typical ag tractor. Would also say that a rear pto is a common option for the 210LE or newer models. If the 210 you speak of is in good condition for a reasonable price you could ask the dealer what it costs to add the pto to it. Just throwing out some options.

I don't think I would recommend a fel on an agricultural tractor for working in a lot of rocky soil. All of the ag fels I have used and seen are too light and flimsy which could easily lead to a damaged machine. A tlb with fixed fel and removable backhoe and full hydraulic options would be a good choice from what I have read so far. The Deere 110, Kubota L45 and M59 are all good choices for all in one machines. All of these are available with ssqa and third hydraulics up front, triple hydraulics on the rear, hydrostatic transmissions, three point hitch, rear pto and backhoe. All of these will work well with a good assortment of buckets, forks, grapples, planetary hydraulic augers and topntilt hitch.

I would first get the overall plan worked out completely. Once you know exactly what has to be done initially and what will be necessary on an ongoing basis it will be much easier to decide what equipment you need. Some of it may need to be hired out, some of it may require more than one tractor but buying in haste can waste a lot of money.

 

[s2dm]

Appreciate all the feedback everyone. I'll post pics when the first round of work is done! We have a crew coming to do a big rip of everything, then we are going to map contour lines and have them back to terrace it out and likely put in a small pond/holding area. We are working with the planning department to get it all sorted out.

I think Ive settled on something in the TLB type family. Hoping to find softly used, but thinking the L45, maybe the m59 (but I am worried it will be too big for work between rows later) or something like the deere 110 if I can price adding a PTO.

 

[s2dm]

Can I get a few opinions about a kubota L45 versus a deere 110?

 

[jenkinsph]

Can I get a few opinions about a kubota L45 versus a deere 110?

There both good imo. I would be more interested in the particular condition of the machines I found to buy. The M59, L45 and 110 are all equipped with 540. The creep to reposition feature on the Deere is important in my use, don't know if Kubota has that. The M59 offers a high low added to the transmission and I think that is a great feature. Don't know if the L45 has the high low, if it does that would be a plus. To reiterate what I mentioned above when looking at these machines make sure it has all the optional hydraulics built in, some of it you can't add after the fact.

Just to be clear the comment made about the 540 pto being rare on the 210 is BS.

 

[Grandad4]

There both good imo. I would be more interested in the particular condition of the machines I found to buy. The M59, L45 and 110 are all equipped with 540. The creep to reposition feature on the Deere is important in my use, don't know if Kubota has that. The M59 offers a high low added to the transmission and I think that is a great feature. Don't know if the L45 has the high low, if it does that would be a plus. To reiterate what I mentioned above when looking at these machines make sure it has all the optional hydraulics built in, some of it you can't add after the fact.

Just to be clear the comment made about the 540 pto being rare on the 210 is BS.

I think both the L45 and M59 have the reposition creep feature and the HST Plus type transmission with the Hi/Lo shift, etc. While both of the Kubota models remain in production; I think the 110's were discontinued by Deere several years ago, so low hour 110's in good condition may be somewhat harder to find these days.

When shopping for these particular TLB models, make sure the particular machine you're considering has the 3 point linkage arms included. (These linkages are for mounting tractor implements such as a box blade, mower, etc., upon removing the backhoe). The linkages are optional, extra cost equipment that many commercial owners did not need and either chose not to buy or promptly cast aside. They can be purchased separately at considerable expense, but it's clearly better if they come with the tractor.

 

[s2dm]

Yes, the L45 and M59 both have the creep to reposition feature. Went to the dealer today and left feeling like I really wanted something in the TLB over the MX5100hst series. Small stuff, but the chassis seemed much stouter and was evidenced by the lift capacity. Also seemed like the backhoe on the TLB was a more useful backhoe, swivel the seat, standard backhoe controls, creep to reposition. It felt like a real add on on the mx.

Now just debating L45 versus M59. Seems the M59 is just a little bigger than the MX5100 footprint wise. Might just go for it. Like the smaller footprint on the L45 though as well for future orchard use once the landscaping component calms down.

 

[LD1]

Just gotta ask, what is this "creep to re-position" feature