First Tractor Advise for making a Homesite

[jasun]

Hello All,

I was hoping to get some suggestions on a machine to purchase for making a home site on some acreage I own here in WA State.
Will need to pull a lot of stumps, do foundation work, some grading, trenching etc.
So far I have been looking mainly at Case 580c's, these seem like they might be a good option for a tight budget.
I'd like to stay close to 10k.
Any suggestions on other machines that might be good would be greatly appreciated.
This will be my first purchase of any type of heavy equipment. Any suggestions on what to look for in a used machine would also be appreciated.

Thanks, Jason

 

[jeff9366]

Tractors are not good for stump removal. If you cannot wait for stumps to rot the usual methods for reduction are grinding, bulldozing or removal with a mini-excavator.
VIDEO: mini excavator stump removal - YouTube
bulldozer removing stumps - YouTube

For "some" grading and trenching let your General Contractor hire the appropriate subcontractor. It takes considerable time to learn tractor and implement operation.

Shop your tractor for your post construction, longer-term needs. How many acres do you have? Flat or sloped? What use do you intend for the land?

 

[jasun]

Should have said Backhoe and not Tractor, thanks though.

 

[jeff9366]

Small tractor Backhoes are not much for stump removal, although Backhoes are one option for trenching and useful for some foundation work. Backhoe has to be removed (no big deal) before Three Point Hitch is accessible to mount construction implements.

Conundrum remains: Construction implements take quite a while to learn. By the time you become partially proficient, your need is probably over. Box Blade probably most useful construction implement but requires many hours to learn.
VIDEO: tractor Box Blade - YouTube

Shop your tractor for your post construction, longer-term needs. How many acres do you have? Flat or sloped? What use do you intend for the land?

 

[Egon]

Just some variables that may affect type of equipment required.

Digging depth, boom/dipper reach, bucket height dumping, soil type, types of stumps & size, time allotments.

 

[newbury]

Hello All,

I was hoping to get some suggestions on a machine to purchase for making a home site on some acreage I own here in WA State.
Will need to pull a lot of stumps, do foundation work, some grading, trenching etc.
So far I have been looking mainly at Case 580c's, these seem like they might be a good option for a tight budget.
I'd like to stay close to 10k.
Any suggestions on other machines that might be good would be greatly appreciated.
This will be my first purchase of any type of heavy equipment. Any suggestions on what to look for in a used machine would also be appreciated.

Thanks, Jason

If you are confident about buying and maintaining a good used Case 580c for $10K it looks like a great option for building a home site.

Since it's definitely NOT a "small tractor backhoe" (weighs about 14K w/ a reach of 14' unless you get the Extend-a-hoe) it should have enough power to dig stumps.

But a quick look at the online auctions show few in your price range.

Good luck and we want pics.

 

[bspeedy]

My fear with a $10k construction backhoe would be the maintenance. Problems on my small, newer tractor are cheap to fix. Problems on that big boy may cost a lot and be very difficult.

I'd hate to have a 5 grand repair on a 10 grand tractor.