Comparison Choices, Choices, Too Many Choices

[PapaMowMowPNW]

What rngr wrote about backhoe.
If $$ are a primary limiter and your use of it will be limited that's a lot of $$ for an attachment often better rented.

Newbury, are implement rentals common in most areas? And is it common for the renter to mount the implement on your tractor? I, too, will likely have use for a backhoe, trencher, and auger at times, but only for occasional projects. Unless I find a used implement at a good price, I could see rental being a solid option. Thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

Backhoes are proprietary to each tractor model so not practical rentals. Most would rent a mini-excavator when a Backhoe is called for.

Trenchers and augers are usually rented as self-powered stand alone equipment rather than tractor implements.
Connecting power take offs (PTOs) defeat too many people without considerable tractor experience.

Box Blades and Landscape Rakes are the two tractor implements most often rented.

 

[prof fate]

rent a backhoe/excavator and spend your vacation or 3 day weekend pulling stumps.

A 'real' excavator is WAY more than an scut hoe will ever be. It will take 1/4th the time, if not less, and you won't risk your equipment.

I just leveled an area with my kioti CK3510 using a box blade and FEL. I've used small skidsteers in the past - NO comparison..I did it,but you cna did a basement with a teaspoon if your so inclined. Right too for the job is a BIG deal!

Other tasks..hoe is pricey, more so on some brands (Kioti I was quoted 7k, RK is 5k).

Details on brands...kubota's '01' models are their 'value' tractors and small USEFUL items are left off - grab handles being one. Options are pricy (rear remotes $900ish, kioti charged me $300).

Things you don't think about - fuel tank location. My kubota was under the hood - sucks to hoist 40lb fuel can over the loader. Kioti has it behind the seat..much better, but still not super great if there's an implement on the 3pt.

MMM- my kubota had one..sucked to take on/off. and I could driver over it, but off the tractor it was hundreds of pounds..with a loader you can move it..without, not really. dangerous really. I opted for no deck on my kioti and for the price got a used zero turn instead. Your hills may preclude that, but seriously consider a dedicated mower.

and whatever tractor you think you need, get the next size up.

I have 2 acres at home and 25 at the farm. 5 is in between...would a bx/cs size work for that? Yeah, but you may be working it kinda hard at times.

 

[Diggin It]

I see a Yanmar 424 listed with loader and belly mower for $16K from a dealer, but when I go to their site to configure the same unit, it totals out at closer to $21K. If they have that much to play with, can I expect similar on smaller units?

 

[Jchonline]

Not sure if you have looked at a bit of math to put it in perspective. Letç—´ say it takes you 3 hours to dig a 6 stump on a SCUT W/BH that costs $10k. Letç—´ assume to usable life is 3000 hrs. That is $3.33 per hour not including maintenance. So we have a cost of $10 to dig each stump. That is $500 plus 150 hours of your time. Rent a good sized mini ex and you can finish it in a weekend for less money. These numbers may vary, this is just an example. Please plug in your actual numbers to get a more accurate estimate.

Now if you don稚 mind 500 hours of play time on the SCUT, then you are good to go!

I have been struggling with the same type questions for my property and trying to do what makes the most sense financially and productively.

Maybe it would be best to rent a SCUT with BH and see how it works out. That $250 might answer a bunch of questions. I did and it helped a lot.

 

[Diggin It]

Hit green, two reds and little orange today. Nothing earth shattering, but I'm pretty sure little orange is well off the table. Quote was higher than green to start with. Didn't like the fuel filler location for another. India's red I wasn't overly impressed with. They did have one advantage over TYM though. Their labels were in real English, not translated English that didn't make sense. That kind of bummed me about TYM but I'm still waiting for price quotes on both.

 

[Diggin It]

One thing I noticed today that I wasn't really expecting to see was rust. Every machine, all the colors. And in places I thought should not show it, like hydraulic fittings and ram cylinders. These were all brand new machines too. I'm terrible at caring for stuff, so if it's rusting in their lots, what can I expect in a few years?

Has anybody considered spraying some kind of clearcoat sealant on these areas when you get them?

 

[tractorshopper]

Personally I'd get the Kubota, but I am brand loyal and don't really want to bash another brand so won't offer what tractor to buy input.

That said, I will offer this to you. I didn't notice anyone mention yet about getting your rear wheels filled with fluid. I apologize if someone did already and I missed it, but you mentioned you have hills to mow and traverse. I would highly recommend filling your wheels to help with lowing center of gravity for stability and safety and you get the added bonus of more ballast to help you get the most out of your loader when doing loader work.

I mow with my BX every week and have some real hills and slopes and am very glad I filled my wheels. Another option is to buy wheel weights for the same effect.

With a BH, you will have plenty of ballast, but you're planning on removing it and the loader while mowing (very wise decision BTW). With the wheel weights or filled wheels, you'll still have the stability while simply mowing.

 

[hawkeye08]

Depending on tree size and soil type, stumps can be easy peasy or a challenge that will test your patience and then some.

My daughter and SIL bought 5 acres mostly slopes to the east, lots of rocks, boulders and stumps. They purchased a full size TLB that weighs almost 17,000lbs. Some of the stumps that looked easy took 3-4 hrs each. Some of the rocks they couldn't lift and just pushed around some. They spent hours each day working on digging a trench for power (<500') and cutting a driveway in. They bought the backhoe in May or June, they have driveway mostly done (more to come later), power trench is done, conduit in, backfilled, waiting on power company to pull wire and energize.

Neighbor that had bought his property several years ago decided to put in driveway and power this year. Excavator came in and did it in a day.

So be careful about trying to get one tractor that will do everything, you will likely find that your budget will stop you. I bought a SCUT with FEL and a rear finish mower. I have added some other items (PHD, forks, sprayer and 3pt backhoe). I got my backhoe with the intention of building a subframe eventually, but in the mean time, I use is gently and it has served me well (we have no rocks or stumps, but do have clay that gets rock hard in late summer). Even if I put a subframe on, I still have to get off the tractor and climb on the BH and off the BH and on the tractor to move it. I can't imagine getting on and off the number of times needed to remove any number of stumps.

Please note, I am old and out of shape. For a young person in good shape, probably an annoyance more than anything.

 

[Diggin It]

I mow with my BX every week and have some real hills and slopes and am very glad I filled my wheels. Another option is to buy wheel weights for the same effect.

With a BH, you will have plenty of ballast, but you're planning on removing it and the loader while mowing (very wise decision BTW). With the wheel weights or filled wheels, you'll still have the stability while simply mowing.

The green dealer mentioned weights in preference over fluid filling.