I'm new, I'm new, I don't know what to do -Joe Dirt

[Manofthehouse]

I joined to get advice on backhoes; Kubota L35, Vs L48, Vs Ford 555. Will the smaller backhoes keep up with larger old ones like a Ford 555. I am looking to purchase something soon. I know I would get rid of a large machine as soon as I got done with my project, but would likely keep the Kubota. I would also like to know how any of them would fare against a skidsteer (maybe something like a Bobcat S185) for loader work. I am going to rebuild an old pond. I also would like to extend my thanks for letting me join your tractor club!

 

[fried1765]

I joined to get advice on backhoes; Kubota L35, Vs L48, Vs Ford 555. Will the smaller backhoes keep up with larger old ones like a Ford 555. I am looking to purchase something soon. I know I would get rid of a large machine as soon as I got done with my project, but would likely keep the Kubota. I would also like to know how any of them would fare against a skidsteer (maybe something like a Bobcat S185) for loader work. I am going to rebuild an old pond. I also would like to extend my thanks for letting me join your tractor club!

Hire somebody with larger equipment to "rebuild an old pond".

 

[newbury]

Hire somebody with larger equipment to "rebuild an old pond".

Good advice.

Then stick to the person you hire like marine clay. Watch what they do and how, ask a lot of questions and treat it like a college course you HAVE TO pass with an A+.

A few thousand spent on an expert will likely save you many thousand on buying a Kubota. To even want to compare a Kubota L35 against a 555 is like comparing your 7200 to an L35.

And then you've got the job done.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I had a 50 plus year old pond rebuilt in late summer 2015. I drained it first as far as possible with a trash pump. It took both a medium sized bulldozer and a large Case backhoe to get it done, and only a 1/4 acre pond. They took out about 5 feet of sludge and smoothed again in three days.

 

[Manofthehouse]

I have been pretty successful in accomplishing a lot of things in the course of my life that I have been told to let someone else do, or leave to the experts. I come from a long line of Do-It-Yourselfers. I am just doing my research, and will not pull the trigger until I have a plan in place. I also have many other projects I would like to tackle, but that is another story. Also do not knock that little B7200, it is one tough little tractor that has dropped jaws at what it can accomplish with its loader bucket, 4x4, and 16 measly hp. On another note, I keep reading where the common theme with a Ford 555 was they are strong, but not fast, but reliable. But I see where owners of L35's, and L48's talk about how strong they are, and how they are able to handle things a lot of times almost as well as the large backhoes. I know Kubota tractors are tough, and the fact that it has a 3 pt hitch, means I will have a lot more uses for it long term.

 

[Manofthehouse]

I also should have mentioned, that I own the pond. Its not like I am going into the pond building business.

 

[TBN Support]

Welcome to the club!

:welcome:

 

[Gary Fowler]

You are really looking at different backhoes with even the largest Kubota not even in the same class as a 555. The 555 will have a much larger bucket on the hoe and FEL so it will move a lot more material per scoop but it is a lot heavier which may be a problem with digging out a pond. I have done that a bit with our pond and it gets really soft when you load up.
I think the best thing for digging out a pond would be a trackhoe. I would just rent one and go at it none stop till finished so I wouldn't burn up too many days of rent. You would need something to haul the spoils back away from the track hoe though like a small dump truck. You are going to have a lot of spoils, so plan for a good place to dump them so you can spread the dirt after it is dried for several months.

If you elect to use a full size backhoe like the 555, be sure that you dig to the hard pan on the pond as you go so you don't get out really far and sink that heavy tractor in the silt.

 

[Manofthehouse]

This is closer to the kind of reply that I am looking for. There is an experience curve that I feel like I would blow through a lot of money with rental with out getting much done. The more I hear about getting a 555, I feel I am having to face reality, and my own bias toward Kubota. I agree about getting down to the hard pan to travel on. I know lot of people shop around for equipment, and keep it long enough to do their project and then sell it for near what they pay for it. To me, that is the most economical way to do it and lets me do it in my time.

 

[Manofthehouse]

Thanks!