Can't make up my mind

[Bill63]

Hello All
Long time lurker here.
I'll be purchasing a new tractor sometime in the next few weeks. I think I have my choices narrowed down to three possibilities, all Kubota.

I have 70 acres in Upstate NY, about half an hour east of Syracuse. Mostly woods, with maybe 3-4 acres of tall grass/meadow, maybe 3 acres of grass to mow, two ponds and a stream or three. It's quite hilly.

There are trails throughout the woods, wide enough for a side by side UTV, with room to spare.
There are many culverts and ditches that seem to need to be cleaned out regularly. At least a dozen culverts, all in the woods, so they load up with leaves and debris.

I'll use the UTV to clear the snow. I haven't decided on the mower for the yard yet. The yard is very steep in places.

This is the equipment that i think I'll need;
tractor (Yeah, obvious, I know)
Loader
Backhoe (with a thumb)
Grapple
Flail mower with the ability to shift to one side
Woodchipper
Box blade

I'm looking at the Kubota L47 TLB, the M62 TLB, and the Grand L 6060. I like the M62, but it's probably too big for where I'll be using it. the L 6060 is nice, but the backhoe will be more cumbersome to use than it would be on either of the TLB's, and the machine doesn't look to be quite as sturdy as either TLB. Sturdy is very important, as I'm new at this and will need extra ruggedness to compensate for my ineptitude.

The L47 TLB seems to be ideal, except for the PTO horsepower. It is rated at 33 hp. Is that enough power to run a 6 inch chipper or a 50+ inch flail mower? I could go with a slightly smaller chipper, if necessary, but I'd rather not. I'm also looking at the R4 tires and wondering if they will be OK for use in the woods.

Thanks for any suggestions! And thanks for reading my rambling post.

 

[Peter 315]

The l47tlb is a nice tractor. It will dig but not like a mini excavator. R4 or Turf are the only options for tires..

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN neighbor.

 

[RjCorazza]

How easily do the dedicated TLB machines shed the backhoes? Since your usage will be including 3 point attachments, I would want to know what's involved in taking the hoe off.

 

[Peter 315]

How easily do the dedicated TLB machines shed the backhoes? Since your usage will be including 3 point attachments, I would want to know what's involved in taking the hoe off.

The backhoe come off just like all the others 2 pins and 3 hyd lines. Then you have to put the 3 point hitch arms on and the top link...

 

[paulsharvey]

I know you didn't ask this; but I would buy the tractor you Need and either a used full sized TLB or Chinese mini hoe.

The machines your looking at, with the hoe, are in the neighborhood of what, $60k? You would 'probably' be better served with a $38k tractor and a $12k dedicated hoe?

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a Terramite backhoe and a logging trail. It is a pain to orient the backhoe to dig a culvert out across the trail. My suspicion it would be even harder if it were bigger. A mini-x would be easier to use for cleaning culverts, IMO, and you would avoid having to remove/install a backhoe on a tractor.

 

[rScotty]

We have an earlier TLB - the M59. Consider that one too - they aren't all that old - but only if you can find some homeowner's creampuff.

I think you are on the right path with the L47 or M62. You want sturdy, and either TLB is a lot more heavily built than tractors are. Look at the frame thickness and the weight. Both the purpose-built loader and backhoe of the TLB are much stronger than those of equivalent HP tractors with an added loader or hoe. TLBs are more expensive than tractors, but you will enjoy the larger operating area, the insulated canopy, the HST+ transmission, and the high quality hydraulics. Plus the power. You do want power and stability for awkward jobs. Either the L47 or M62 will do that. And either is small enough to do chores around the place as well.

Removing the backhoe to mount the 3pt arms is quickly done. It is designed to be easy. If you get a tractor with a 3pt and a backhoe attachment you still have to do the same swap in reverse - but without the advantage of it being designed for quick changes.

Stll, with that many acres plus hills, trees, and water I can see more than one tractor in your future. The cabless TLB gives you the visibility you need for learning to use it, but once you master the technique, I predict you will come to miss the advantages and comfort of the cab. So make sure your additional machine has a cab.... the additional machine can be a larger 3pt tractor or an excavator.... but the TLBs you are looking at are still a good place to start. And it will remain as useful when you augment it with more attachments or another machine. Once you start using the machine on hills, the stability of the heavier, wider M62 may be a worthwhile advantage.

70 acres is a lot of land... you'll need the power.
rScotty

 

[Bill63]

Thanks everyone!
I guess it really comes down to the PTO hp of the L47. Will 33 hp be enough to run a 5 or 6 inch woodchipper or a 5 foot flail mower?

 

[2manyrocks]

I'm going to bring up a related question to consider of how much time you have to mow?

Your actual mowing speed may depend on the thickness and height of the vegetation you are going to mow along with how slowly you need to travel in order not to turn over on hilly terrain, especially if it is uneven, rutted, has woodchuck holes, etc hidden in the vegetation.

If I understand what you've posted, you have about 7 total acres you want to keep mowed. Most fields are rough enough that you may only be able to mow at about 4 mph. With a 5' cutter, you would be able to mow an esimated 2.18 acres per hour so it would take you about 3.2 hours to mow all 7 acres. Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

 

[rScotty]

Thanks everyone!
I guess it really comes down to the PTO hp of the L47. Will 33 hp be enough to run a 5 or 6 inch woodchipper or a 5 foot flail mower?

From the Operator's Manual for the L47 & M62 :

 

[nybirdman]

Seeing that you are in snow country;I would advise the L6060 HSTC.Cab is a necessity.Rent a excavator as needed.

 

[Bill63]

I'm going to bring up a related question to consider of how much time you have to mow?

Your actual mowing speed may depend on the thickness and height of the vegetation you are going to mow along with how slowly you need to travel in order not to turn over on hilly terrain, especially if it is uneven, rutted, has woodchuck holes, etc hidden in the vegetation.

If I understand what you've posted, you have about 7 total acres you want to keep mowed. Most fields are rough enough that you may only be able to mow at about 4 mph. With a 5' cutter, you would be able to mow an esimated 2.18 acres per hour so it would take you about 3.2 hours to mow all 7 acres. Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

Good question. I'm retired, so there is no need to mow quickly. The fields will be mowed once or twice a year. Same for the overgrowth on the trails - about 3 miles of mowing - a mile and a half on either side of the trails that have overgrowth.

 

[Bill63]

Seeing that you are in snow country;I would advise the L6060 HSTC.Cab is a necessity.Rent a excavator as needed.

I'll be plowing with the UTV. It's a Polaris Ranger with an enclosed cab and heat. I probably won't use the tractor much when its cold and snowy, unless the UTV is overwhelmed by too much snow.

 

[2manyrocks]

What I have experienced is a wide cutter is great for open fields, but not so great when trying to mow a confined trail. The former logging road I mow as a trail has no turnaround spaces until you get to either end. A 60" cutter might be better from a trail mowing perspective if the trail is just wide enough for one vehicle, but you won't be able to cut as much as fast as a 72" cutter would cut in the same time at the same ground speed.

Cab tractor would also be great for mowing in an open field, but not so great if the glass would get broken by limbs overhanging the trail.

 

[Bill63]

I finally made up my mind. The L47 TLB should be delivered in a week or so. The dealer has it in stock. They're just waiting for the hydraulic thumb to come in. They will supply the box blade and forks, too. I'll get the grapple, flail, and woodchipper from other suppliers. Probably EA and WoodMaxx.

 

[Bill63]

And Thank You to everyone for all of the advice!

 

[Skeletor]

Should be an awesome setup! I’ve been like yo I can’t make up my mind on what I want. It’s narrowed down but I can’t decide on the backhoe or not.

 

[blitzen]

I finally made up my mind. The L47 TLB should be delivered in a week or so. The dealer has it in stock. They're just waiting for the hydraulic thumb to come in. They will supply the box blade and forks, too. I'll get the grapple, flail, and woodchipper from other suppliers. Probably EA and WoodMaxx.

Congratulations would love to see some pictures when you get it!