First post :), CUT, bobcat, or mini backhoe ?

[Glowplug]

For digging, heavier is better. For that reason, there are better choices than the 7800. It's pretty light. I would look for a TYM 330, Mahindra 2815, or Kioti CK series.

Good choices. I just always have Kubota on the brain.

I wouldn't completely rule out buying new though. I know Kubota usually has 0% financing for 36 months. Of course, you would have to consult with your resident household chief financial officer.

 

[coasterez]

Tact makes a good point. Backhoes are expensive, adding $5K - $8K to price of a tractor. But, boy are they ever handy for many things!

Seems you're not in a hurry. So, look long and hard for the right deal. It'll be worth the wait.

 

[john_bud]

Don't know where you live but

Yesterday's Tractors - View Antique Tractor Photo Ads

Yesterday's Tractors - View Antique Tractor Photo Ads

Two machines that are 5-6,000.

jb

 

[Coyote]

10k, IMO buys nothing but a headache. Realistically, you are looking at 15k-20k minimum for anything decent. I have a Bobcat 763 skidsteer which is great for bucket work but useless for digging stumps. A cut w/fel and bh is the way to go.

You can buy a stump bucket for a skid steer for about $300, works great for digging up stumps. You will be amazed what you can do with a bobcat, but for your $$$ you'll be buying an old one. Try Scat Trak, I have one in that price range and it works great!

 

[capt_met]

if it were me with your budget i would seriously look at renting. you can get a good sized trackhoe for a few days to do the trees and then come back later to clean up and grading with a more standard ag tractor.
good luck

 

[candersen10]

I'd say get a bobcat over a tractor if you plan on doing the clearing yourself. With a bobcat with a grappel and a chainsaw you can clear alot of land very quickly. A compact tractor is more expensive, especially with a backhoe, and will not be as effective at moving around trees. Bobcats are also much safer working in the woods than compact tractors because you have ROPS and FOPS. You basically sit in a roll cage as opposed to being exposed. I've had a Bobcat 763, CAT 257, and now have a John Deere CT332. All of these machines will clear a whole lot of land very quickly, albeit leaving stumps unless you get a stump bucket. My approach to the stumps has been to simply have a guy run an excavator for a day, only costs about 800 dollars.

 

[dirtyb115]

Well i got an excavtor guy coming today to give me an estimate.
Ill let you all know how it goes.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Well i got an excavtor guy coming today to give me an estimate.
Ill let you all know how it goes.

Smart man.

Only a very large backhoe or bigger will handle trees of your size and not without danger. A FEL dirt bucket on anything is not the best choice for tree removal. Get the stumps out, then buy a small compact to boxblade with as mentioned before. A decent Ford 555 backhoe would be a good choice. But not if the excavator quote is reasonable.

 

[Cacinok]

dirtyb also check on what it would cost for you to rent a backhoe or a dozer.

for 10k you can likely buy something in the 20-25hp range, 4wd, w/ fel.

 

[schmism]

for 10k you can likely buy something in the 20-25hp range, 4wd, w/ fel.

thats 15 years old and has 1500 hrs on it.

I looked for d@mn near 6 months for a 10K tractor and if you didnt want grey market you had to be 10 years old and that age = quite a few hrs....