Grading - How important is weight of the tractor?

[Gary Fowler]

I am not a fan of a backhoe on rear of tractor. Never used one but it will not be a simple on and off attachment. However a lot of people have them.

That statement depends on the hoe and tractor. Most backhoes are available with a quick disconnect feature that is simply pull two pins, then use the backhoe hydraulics to lift the backhoe off the U bracket, pull forward, relax all the hoe cylinders, disconnect the hydraulic lines and go. Some of them even allow the 3PH arms to remain on the tractor when the hoe is attached. However on my Kubota B26, I have to remove them. It takes about the same time to install the 3PH as to unhook the backhoe.
One thing that makes hook up easier is having a level spot to do the hook up /unhook. Same with removing the FEL arms, if not level it will be a real problem hooking it back up. (note: the FEL arms are not removable on my B26, only the bucket is removable, but most tractors allow the FEL to be removed )
Personally, I use my B26 TLB for 90%+ of my chores around the house. I recommend getting the hydraulic thumb attachment as it makes for a more useful hoe. I use mine for not only digging out stumps, trees, rocks etc but also for picking up those things with the thumb and placing them where I want them. The hydraulic thumb allows you to grab things like a stump and shake it, rock it back and forth and lift it straight up all without repositioning the tractor.


Granted the cost is a lot for the hoe, but if you can swing the cost, then you will forever be using it for tasks you never thought of before. I have used mine to lift trees when I got my chainsaw blade pinched, lift logs and place them on top of a burn pile, lift and hold logs so I can cut them up, dig water line trenches, dig out stumps, rocks, dig holes to bury the dead animals (or anything else I need to bury), and many other things.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Just another note on backhoe usage. My B26 TLB has around 600 hours while my LS utility tractor only has about 180 and both are about the same age.

 

[joeu235]

I highly recommend you get a quote for someone else to do the work. You'll probably be amazed how inexpensive it is compared to buying a bunch of equipment.

 

[ustmd]

Lots of good advice, including getting a quote for someone else to do it.

However, remember the one rule of tractors and shops, no matter how big you buy/build, 2 years later you will wish that you went bigger.

That being said, the Kubota you are looking at is more than enough tractor for 5 acres--especially once it is clear. Any bigger than that, you will start to have issues about maneuverability in tight spaces and the hassle of using a big tractor on smaller jobs.

 

[RNeumann]

The B series isn’t the heavy ground contact machine for what you want. BUT no CUT is a machine for pulling tree stumps. So to do that you will be renting a mini ex for a day or two.

I have a very similar situation to yours. I have a box blade that I never take off the machine. I wouldn’t be without Top and Tilt and I believe you should budget for that. A box with hydraulic rippers is a near must too. For the trees etc you will want a grapple so a third function is needed too.

With 5 acres, trees and all the grading you will be doing I’d be in the L series sized machine. The HP isn’t too important, it’s the size and weight. So an L series at 25hp would be fine. The top and tilt plus grapple is more important than a few HP.

 

[kthompson]

No way will I say a backhoe on a tractor is of no value. Sure it is. However based upon my work I rather take the $8,000 talked about for it and buy a small used excavator.Of course been a few years since I priced them so may not be in that range. But small excavator will out work a tlb and a free tractor with blade or fel on it with an excavator together works so much faster...At same time what works for one is not best option for another.

I run a boom mower on my tractor that will weigh about what that backhoe does. (on the 3 pth) The hooking and unhooking of such weight or my fel which is rather simple to remove I just do not care for. Maybe it is my age, maybe is it know how dangerous that much weight can be.

 

[n530]

That statement depends on the hoe and tractor. Most backhoes are available with a quick disconnect feature that is simply pull two pins, then use the backhoe hydraulics to lift the backhoe off the U bracket, pull forward, relax all the hoe cylinders, disconnect the hydraulic lines and go. Some of them even allow the 3PH arms to remain on the tractor when the hoe is attached. However on my Kubota B26, I have to remove them. It takes about the same time to install the 3PH as to unhook the backhoe.
One thing that makes hook up easier is having a level spot to do the hook up /unhook. Same with removing the FEL arms, if not level it will be a real problem hooking it back up. (note: the FEL arms are not removable on my B26, only the bucket is removable, but most tractors allow the FEL to be removed )
Personally, I use my B26 TLB for 90%+ of my chores around the house. I recommend getting the hydraulic thumb attachment as it makes for a more useful hoe. I use mine for not only digging out stumps, trees, rocks etc but also for picking up those things with the thumb and placing them where I want them. The hydraulic thumb allows you to grab things like a stump and shake it, rock it back and forth and lift it straight up all without repositioning the tractor.


Granted the cost is a lot for the hoe, but if you can swing the cost, then you will forever be using it for tasks you never thought of before. I have used mine to lift trees when I got my chainsaw blade pinched, lift logs and place them on top of a burn pile, lift and hold logs so I can cut them up, dig water line trenches, dig out stumps, rocks, dig holes to bury the dead animals (or anything else I need to bury), and many other things.

In general, this is sort of my belief as well. If i have it, i will use it. Projects will just not get done if I have to go rent something, tow it here, ect.

 

[n530]

, the Kubota you are looking at is more than enough tractor for 5 acres--especially once it is clear.

Is that the B2650 you are suggesting here?

 

[n530]

To steer this back on track to at least the thread title (i added the other details just to give context on my impeding purchase, and I 100% appreciate the feedback from all).

The jist i get so far is the B2650 will not be a poor option for grading, with the appropriate heavy box scraper with rippers.