Hello to all, newbe to board.

[scooterg]

Kevin, you are on to something there. I don't have lots of them to remove, more laying around needing to be buried. To remove the big ones, I will take your advice about renting the bigger equipment to do the job.

I was thinking the BH would be nice to have for landscaping, digging trenches and holes.

Maybe it would be better just to rent a BH when needed and just live without one? They are pricey.

Scott

 

[JWE]

Scooterg, I have a BX2200 and I love it but my property is not wooded and the low ground clearance in my case is a plus. My property is on a hillside so the low ground clearance also means that I have a lower center of gravity (very important when operating on a hillside). In most cases, higher ground clearance is a plus. It allows you to operate in rougher terrain and use a wider range of 3PH implements. With the BX tractors the 3PH does not raise high enough to use some of the standard Cat1 3PH implements.

If I were you, I would get a B7500 or larger tractor.

John

 

[GregJ]

Scooterg,
One thing about TBN is that you will get a lot of different viewpoints and experiences. I like that. So.... from my perspective, I wouldn't have a tractor without a backhoe. That's my experience. I have used it almost as much as the FEL. It sounds like your uses might be similar to mine and quite frankly when I was shopping I really didn't think I would use a BH that much. Thank God my wife talked me into it. ( She has visions of me digging a swimming pool for her someday.) The BH can be used for a variety of tasks that require finesse as well as brute stength. I have used it to dig stumps, 2 ponds and a river connecting them, logging/firewood cutting, digging up big rocks, installing sprinkler systems, trenches for wire and plumbing, sod removal and even weeding in some of the areas that have gotten away from us. These are just a few of the applications that I can think of right now. I have dug up about 25 stumps on my property, varying sizes and locations. These were mostly done spur of the moment. We wouldn't have done it if we had to go rent a machine to remove them. I just really like the idea of having the capability so that when we get an idea, we can do it right now. Kevin makes a good point if you have several to do in an area, but if you are planning on "progressive" landscaping like we are doing, the ability to look at a tree and think..."it could be gone by this afternoon" is a pretty good feeling, not to mention a lot of fun... Just one more perspective.

Greg

 

[scooterg]

I must say, this is one great discussion forum. You all are helping me to get a good handle on what I want/need in a compact tractor. Thanks so much.
Scott

 

[Buster57]

You are correct. Use the right tool for the job or you will beat yourself and the tool to death.
Also, review how often you will be using the tool. To rent or hire a professional for a day is easier to swallow then purchasing expensive stuff you will never use.
I need a compact backhoe to run a drainage trench from my garage to a septic tank. It would be cool own one, but I would use it once or twice a year and then have to store and maintaine it.