Buying 2016 GC-1710

[not2old]

I move my machine with a stick to reach the pedals while seated at the hoe all the time. I also use the hoe to push it forward if needed. I can steer either with the front wheels or by lifting the rear of the machine and moving it sideways. 2010 GC2610 with 750 hours and no repairs yet other than dropping too much firewood on the hood and having a steering hose rub until it leaked.

 

[Gofast]

I might be digging trenches for Geothermal install these are very long trenches. Moving the tractor this way would really save time.

 

[atsah]

Take a piece of 2inch wide bar stock three feet long and clamp it to the forward pedal, the two pedals are connected to each other so when you move the forward pedal forward with the clamped on bar, it goes forward, if you pull it towards you from the backhoe seat the tractor moves backwards.

 

[Hickorypond]

Just push it forward with the hoe, I have a 60" bush hog and it does fine.

 

[Gofast]

When I dug out the stump last weekend I was able to keep the tractor in neutral lift FEL put up outriggers and move the tractor with the hoe easily. Just like you described.
This will make digging the trenches so much simpler and faster.
How big of brush do you mow with the 60” brush hog.
I asked the dealer and they said to sell my 60” brush hog a get a 48” one they said it would be to hard on the tractor and it clutches.

 

[Hickorypond]

I cut 1"plus or so with brush hog. Back in if its thick, you don't have a lot of clearance underneath. Get yourself a 1x2 foot piece of metal ($20 from Lowes) and a couple of small u bolts and protect the hydraulic pump seals and fan underneath. Grass and twigs can trash your seals if they get wrapped around the shaft.