compact TLB vs. full size TLB

[AlanB]

Thanks guys.

I think I'm going to focus on a FS TLB and a smaller tractor later for 3pt hitch work. That seems to be the best option.

As far as a budget, I was prepared to buy a new L48, but that was really a little more than I wanted to spend. It would be nice if I could spend around $30k or even a little less on the TLB. I'm also curious to see the answer to machmeter62's question.

I would rather get a newer machine then have a cab. I'm sure a cab is nice, but in general the weather here isn't that bad. The winters are tollerable, as we've hardly had any snow the last couple of years, and the summer heat doesn't really bother me.

The prices you will find will be all over the place.

As I suggest with almost everything, the trick is finding a good dealer.

Sometimes I am successful, sometimes not...

I used both Lil (my 555 hoe) and Babe (my 33 hp tractor) today on the same project, did the bulk digging and lifting the clay with Lil, and the finishing stuff and finer work after it was broke up with Babe.

While true that Babe could have done it all, and yes it would take longer, there just reaches a point for me, where you are just out there playing.

If I can digress into an NSBTDT story. 1985, Sinai desert, they were putting in a pipe along the MSR. No joke, probably a thousand or more guys out there digging in the desert with shovels, putting in a water pipe for hundreds of miles. Yep, it can be done, I just don't want to be the one doing it.

Pics of todays playing,,, uh,,,, I mean working on the house on the AlB's house rework thread.

Oh, and what Eddie said about moving dirt and the 1 yard bucket, is VERY true. I was wanting a big skid today.. but maybe I just wanted to see if I could dance it

 

[coopers]

As old as the case backhoes were I used years ago, they didn't cost a fortune to fix. They did have problems but they just weren't major major problems. We had cylinder problems (needing to be replaced so they wouldn't leak), bushings needed to be redone on the hoe's, new zerk fittings, some engine problems, and maybe a few other things. But you should not have nearly as much problems with a newer machine (remember these were built in the late 60's). Just find the dealer near you that supports you and gives you all the attention you need. Alan is right, dealer relationship is key. If you don't mind driving a little to get to your dealer then that's not a problem, some like to have a dealer very close. But make sure you find someone who can get parts for you quickly and not inflate prices.

Keep us updated!

Good luck,

Blake
WA

 

[Builder]

As old as the case backhoes were I used years ago, they didn't cost a fortune to fix. They did have problems but they just weren't major major problems. We had cylinder problems (needing to be replaced so they wouldn't leak), bushings needed to be redone on the hoe's, new zerk fittings, some engine problems, and maybe a few other things. But you should not have nearly as much problems with a newer machine (remember these were built in the late 60's). Just find the dealer near you that supports you and gives you all the attention you need. Alan is right, dealer relationship is key. If you don't mind driving a little to get to your dealer then that's not a problem, some like to have a dealer very close. But make sure you find someone who can get parts for you quickly and not inflate prices.

Keep us updated!

Good luck,

Blake
WA

Very true. A good dealer makes a BIG difference. I was all set to buy a Deere 310SG, but the dealer is 35 mi away. The Case I bought was almost as nice and the dealer was 8 mi away and has a good reputation, so that decided it for me. I actually like Deere better than Case, but not that much more.

You may find you have a better dealer for a "tier 2" brand, like JCB, Terex, Komatsu, that might make buying one of them a better choice than Cat, case or Deere.

You'll know which machine to buy. You get a better feeling about the whole package (machine, dealer, price) than your other choices and that will decide the choice for you.

 

[jmfox]

I believe 3 pt. connection was mentioned. You should understand that full size TCB's are not designed with snap on snap off backhoes. Talk to your dealer about the process of removing the backhoe. If you're thinking about digging part of the day, mowing some, and then back to the hoe at the end of the day, you might be disappointed.

jmf

 

[Builder]

I believe 3 pt. connection was mentioned. You should understand that full size TCB's are not designed with snap on snap off backhoes. Talk to your dealer about the process of removing the backhoe. If you're thinking about digging part of the day, mowing some, and then back to the hoe at the end of the day, you might be disappointed.

jmf

What will he be mowing when he's building his house??? I was under the impression he's buying a wooded lot and will need to clear land for a building site, dig a foundation, install driveway, septic, etc. first, so there won't be much cutting that needs to be done.

"Currently, there are no improvements to the land and it's mostly mature pine and hardwood trees"

Then he can sell the big TLB and buy something smaller with a 3 pt to do the little jobs & cut cleared areas that have been planted with grass.

If there is cutting to be done, it's much cheaper to hire a local farmer to do some bushog work than hire an excavator to clear trees, dig foundation, etc.

I think some guys in this thread are acting like he'll always be stuck with or has to keep the first piece of equipment he buys. No, it's an "evolving" job. First he needs a big TLB to do the big work, then a smaller trator with a 3pt will be the desired unit for maintenance, mowing, light loader work, etc..

 

[jmfox]

The mower was just an example of a rear attachment, but as I read through I see JPCjr seems to understand that he'll be married to the backhoe and that he will need more than one machine (albeit consecutive rather than concurrent).

jmf

 

[JPCjr]

The mower was just an example of a rear attachment, but as I read through I see JPCjr seems to understand that he'll be married to the backhoe and that he will need more than one machine (albeit consecutive rather than concurrent).

jmf

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.

 

[JPCjr]

Then he can sell the big TLB and buy something smaller with a 3 pt to do the little jobs & cut cleared areas that have been planted with grass.

I'm trying to minimize the amout of grass I have. I'm sure we'll have some, but I don't want to spend any more time than I have to cutting grass.

 

[jmfox]

I'm considering a pond as well but I don't think I will be digging it with my 80hp compact track loader. If yours is a really small pond the hoe might do it, but mine will be about 3 acres and 15 feet deep (which is recommended to keep vegetation out). So I'm thinking I will need a large steel track dozer and probably a pond specialist/operator. Gardening is a good job for a skid-steer or a tractor with a 3 pt hitch. As to digging the basement I have dug them with a hylift track machines, not as efficient as an excavator but it does a good job. Frankly, I'm not convinced you need a backhoe and, if your woods is heavily wooded, I know you won't like maneuvering around it.

jmf

 

[JPCjr]

I'm considering a pond as well but I don't think I will be digging it with my 80hp compact track loader. If yours is a really small pond the hoe might do it, but mine will be about 3 acres and 15 feet deep (which is recommended to keep vegetation out). So I'm thinking I will need a large steel track dozer and probably a pond specialist/operator. Gardening is a good job for a skid-steer or a tractor with a 3 pt hitch. As to digging the basement I have dug them with a hylift track machines, not as efficient as an excavator but it does a good job. Frankly, I'm not convinced you need a backhoe and, if your woods is heavily wooded, I know you won't like maneuvering around it.

jmf

The pond I'm thinking about will be pretty small. Nowhere near 3 acres.

I looked at the ASV SR80 that you suggested and it looks like a really nice machine. The tracked SS and excavator combination is very appealing to me. However, the home site is in a very rocky area and there are some large rocks that I'll need to move. I don't know exactly what I'll encounter below the surface, but I was out there yesterday and judging from what's above the surface I think a full size backhoe will do the job...but it will be close. There are really only two reasons that I'm I'm leaning more towards the TLB over the tracked SS / excavator. First, the loader bucket capacity on a TLB is over twice the capacity of the SR80 and I think I may need that. The second reason is cost. After some quick shopping around, I think the cost of purchasing a tracked SS and a excavator will be much higher than purchasing a TLB. Maybe I'll look around some more....you're right, this could go in circles forever.