compact TLB vs. full size TLB

[LarryRB]

don't forget, not hard, but a pain to put fuel in. I do lots of stumping with my 48, and use a 12" bucket for this... The 48 is a good all around machine,, Of course one could buy a full sized if the need is there,,, The 48 does all I've asked for and more... Probably could do a foundation hole.. Would take a lot longer, but, could be done if you have the time.

 

[Builder]

don't forget, not hard, but a pain to put fuel in. I do lots of stumping with my 48, and use a 12" bucket for this... The 48 is a good all around machine,, Of course one could buy a full sized if the need is there,,, The 48 does all I've asked for and more... Probably could do a foundation hole.. Would take a lot longer, but, could be done if you have the time.

Sure, but if that's the philosophy, why not just use a shovel? It costs lots less and the only drawback is it would just take more time.

Guys, I appreciate the ability of an L-48, but it's not an excavator's machine. Just because the guy buys a full size TLB don't mean he can't sell it when he's done then buy an L-48 to finish the rest of the work.

Does everyone here still own the same car they had when they were 16? have the same drill, saw, trailer, etc.? No. It's the same way with tractors. You use the right tool (or in this case, tractor) for the right job.

A lot of you are pushing him to buy an L-48 because it works for YOU, on YOUR hobby farm or your landscaping business, but that's not the task he's trying to accomplish, here.

Let's put our own self interests aside for a minute and try to help this man find the best way to spend $35,000 on a machine to dig a house foundation, install a driveway, septic system, and take down some big trees.

That's not what the L-48 was intended to do. If he wanted a landscaper's or small farm tractor, the L-48 would be suitable. But that's not what he's trying to do at the present, is it?

 

[LarryRB]

The 48 is a good all around machine,, Of course one could buy a full sized if the need is there,,, .

Builder, read what I wrote! If the need is there, buy a bigger machine., Why do we have to continually beat the dead horse? A 48 is a good all around machine, if you disagree fine.,. We read and KNOW WHAT HIS QUESTION IS.,.

 

[jmfox]

But that's not what he's trying to do

I think all we can do is offer our experience and opinion based on similar circumstances. As far as I can tell none of us have anything to gain no matter what machine JPCjr chooses. It is interesting how machine owners get attached to their mechanical helpers. It's not just a thing but the sum total of a company mind. Builder keeps his eye on the ball, I enjoy the process, others have enjoyed their Kubota, Deere, etc. So its not just what you're trying to do but how much time you have and whether you want to have some fun along the way, etc., etc. And no one can help or advise you about these things, they are yours alone.

jmf

 

[BarryinMN]

Yes, I realize that a FS TLB doesn't have a 3 pt hitch. That was a big reason I was considering the L48. However, at this point I realize that there is no one machine that will accomplish everything I want to do. I think a FS TLB and a smaller tractor will do it for me though. I'm thinking I'll get the FS TLB first and then a used tractor later. I may or may not sell the FS TLB. I have a feeling once I have it, I won't want to get rid of it. There are all sorts of projects I'd like to do after the house is built....a pond, rain water collection, clear land for a garden and who knows what else once I get out there.

I'll take a spin on the "what else." Starting with the transport system for equipment and materials. A full size TLB needs a lot of space to stretch out and chain down unless it's an extendahoe. And they get hefty fast - quickly puts you above 26K GCVW and all that goes with it.

Maintenance is a variable more hours = more maintenance. If something major breaks it gets more interesting.

No one perfect machine is true. The TLB is tippy digging rocks on hills. I added a dozer which came with a QT backhoe, the dozer itself is not tippy at all. Built my pond much faster than the TLB.

The ag tractor is the only thing I bought new. Use it year round mowing at +100F & snow removal at -30F. Multiple attachments front & rear.

Nowdays I mostly use the TLB to dig & lift dirt, use the tractor with rock bucket/grapple to grab and pull various attachments, the dozer to dig on slopes as well as make trails, plus Winter logging in the woods.

This year the tractor, its attachments or TLB were not cutting it to pick up small rocks in the field. (Previous efforts were focused on large rocks.) Added a 900 hour '90 JD skidsteer with 33hp. Old but mint condition and cheaper than a used Haybuster. A Haybuster is a PTO/hyd rock windrower, picker & dump all-in-one machine.

Be sure to build a large enough barn up front to house your list of tools. I still have space left but my list is complete. I avoided the SS for years because they are noisy, hot, dusty, dirty, etc.

Solved the noise problem by drilling a hole in the roof and mounting a REI roof mount radio and plugging in an Ebay noise reduction headset. Works great & mutes the hydro whine to a low rumble similar to the dozer. The rest of the issues - well there is no perfect machine.

 

[Dirthog]

Builder has sum good points but another thing to consider is the fact that some one with the right equipment and know how could do the job in 1/4 the time and cost. The only thing a larger machine will do is make more of a mess if you don't know what you are doing. I have a L48 and I love it. It has done everything I ask and more we installed 17,000 feet of main water line and moved all the bedding sand and did most of the backfilling with it. Just remember there is no perfect machine for every job

 

[xxxsandman]

I was just going to say if I got the proper machine for every job I've done on my place, I would be bankrupt.

With that being said my advise is buy the most versital machine(s) you can with the amount of money you have to spend. It my also work to your advantage to plan on selling some of the equipment you purchase for your initial contruction and replacing it with something more suited for the type of work you will do after you build your house. If you choose that route, be sure to buy the equipment you plan on re-selling at a good price. If you buy it at a good price and don't tear it up, no one will care about the 100 hours you put on it and you will probably get most if not all of your money back!

 

[Builder]

Builder, read what I wrote! If the need is there, buy a bigger machine., Why do we have to continually beat the dead horse? A 48 is a good all around machine, if you disagree fine.,. We read and KNOW WHAT HIS QUESTION IS.,.

Relax. I never said I disagree with the statement that the L-48 is a good machine. Of course it's a good machine, in fact, it's a very good machine.

You guys are getting all hurt & insulted that JPCjr's needs aren't really a good fit for your L-48s. The better fit for him is a big TLB first, then sell it and buy a small TLB (like an L-48 or smaller).

You act like I hate the L-48. I don't hate your beloved L-48. What I DO hate is people suggesting to a man in search of help the wrong advice or tools to get his job done right. I think Coopers, EddieWalker, Mike and some other guys here have really made some great suggestions.

Others are more intent on simply pushing the tractor they own to feel like they can publically justify in their minds that they bought the best machine that can do ANYTHING.

 

[Dirthog]

I am not trying to push any machine if I was it would be a large excavator you can do just about anything with those that you can with a backhoe with the exception of carrying dirt/stone and I have done that when it was the only way to get it in My point is that if you are going to buy a backhoe to do your own work and have no experence don't plan on saving any large amount money or time it won't happen. With the permits and inspections now days if it's not done right they will not let you keep building and more important the bank in most cases will not finance it! Almost a third of my work is fixing up things that have done wrong in the first place. For the amount of money you are going to spend you could have the work done $35,000 will buy a lot of labor because that is all you can save much on the materials will cost about the same.

 

[jmfox]

As a master of none, I have learned that you cannot beat a good man at his trade. But there are other reasons for the do it yourselfers. A few hears ago I was building a new driveway. Normally a bulldozer is used, but because of the junk I needed to move and the location of the drive, I rented and excavator to dig it out. All went well, but when it came time to level it out and call for the stone my tractor with hytico (box scraper) broke down. So I called in the troops. They stormed in and took over the show. I had specific instructions for the depth of the gravel, placement and pitch of the drive, wide spots for passing etc. but they new better. In the time it takes to answer a phone or run to the store they did what they do every day. When the dust settled it was not what I wanted, they understood what I wanted, but those subtle differences were lost on their rush to get er done. I own the driveway but it is not my making. So, if all your job needs is a cookie cutter, you can't beat a guy who does it day in and day out. This is the safest bet, especially if you are not willing to do your homework. However, if it is your masterpiece, or you have a special interest, you best do it yourself. This may not be the fastest or most efficient, but like any job worth doing, it has the greatest rewards. Digging a basement is not exactly the Sistine Chapel, but doing it yourself, PROPERLY, (homework, homework, homework) can add meaning to the phrase "my house."

jmf