Front loader essential?

[vvanders]

Spend the money on the FEL that you might have spent on a tractor mounted backhoe. Most of them are underpowered pieces of crap. When you need to dig a hole, rent a real backhoe, or better still, a small excavator. The FEL will be 10 times more useful than the backhoe unit.

Yup, rent the backhoe and pick up a FEL. If a new/used BX/1-series isn't out of your budget I'd look that direction for the amount of acreage you have. Based on your tasks a 20HP SCUT is fine and anything larger/heavier will just tear up your turf.

Will echo a set of 3pt forks is handy. We've got a SSQA set of swappable pallet forks and they see almost as much usage as the loader bucket.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

TLB is definitely the way to go. With manufacturer financing at 0 down/0 interest deals; quit looking for used and get a new one. Don't buy someone elses problems unless you really get a killer deal an just want to spend your cash. It is very difficult if not impossible to finance used except at personal loan rates (12-28%). 1500 hours later my BX has paid for its self twice over in not having rental and hiring out costs. Even small trees up to 10" are a piece of cake except slow. Implements: get what you have to get started and make the financing deal work. Then buy used ones. Not much risk there especially if you are mechanically inclined like I am. Rear forks are no replacement for a FEL. You cannot raise enough for much of anything even though they lift more weight. If I buy anything heavy or bulky I have them load it on a pallet and then I can lift from the PU and wove to where I want it. 4 forks on a FEL make a good poor man's brush handler. Better than a pitchfork.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

For 1.5 acres (what I have) I consider my BX25D perfect for landscaping and maintenance. Fits in tight spaces, easy on the grass, life long companion... yes I am in love. Got to have a bucket, that is a no brainer.

The backhoe is a luxury for some, but I have done quite a bit that I wouldn't have done (on a rental basis). That just depends on how much digging, trenching, planting, etc. you will do. If you are starting from 'scratch' then the BH will easily pay for itself. Two hour hand digging jobs (with breaks) are done in 10 minutes with no sweat.

I don't mow with my BX as I need the ground clearance. I have a small zero turn for my modest grassy areas and I buzz over my elderly neighbors place with pleasure as well.

 

[finnercy]

Thanks and that is pretty clear, I am def getting tractor with a FEL. Been looking at a used Kubota B2400 although not sure a machine that light will be able to tow a box blade, I plan on making some shallow ditches with a box blade?

 

[Utopia Texas]

Tractors years ago were mostly used on family farms that row cropped in the field and a FEL was considered a option. Today tractors are used much more for utility work and a FEL is the most important option on a tractor. IMO a tractor without a FEL is like a milk cow without ****.......

 

[TnAndy]

These are good for shallow ditches. Open part faces the rear of the tractor. Adjust your top link to increase or decrease the 'angle of attack' into the ground. Bucket pivots inside the frame, piece of rope to the trip lever on the back, and you can dump without leaving the tractor seat.

Pond Scoop:

 

[Diggin It]

All my shovels are rusting down now that I have my TLB with hydraulic thumb.

Mine still will get a lot of use for detail work where the buckets won't fit. And for cleaning the stuck mud out of the buckets.

 

[TnAndy]

Will echo a set of 3pt forks is handy. We've got a SSQA set of swappable pallet forks and they see almost as much usage as the loader bucket.

Amen to forks. You'll be amazed how much stuff you'll move on pallets with a set of forks. Mine stay on the FEL 90% of the time. I move everything from the weekly trash cart pickup at the road to firewood logs out of the woods to pallets of plants in containers to work pallet with all the tools/generator on it and so on.

 

[Diggin It]

I'd almost like to see a 'pond scoop' set up for the BH. I'd imagine I could make some use of that in ditch clearing.

 

[TnAndy]

3-Point Dirt Scoop, Dirt Scoop, Dirt Scoop For Tractor | Agri Supply 671

These scoops aren't big. Recommended for 15-35hp tractor. Empty weight 225lbs. Hold 4.5 to 6 cuft of material....so only about a contractor type wheelbarrow load....but one you don't have to shovel in