Is an FEL and Backhoe Worth It?

[Ken45101]

I keep my other attachments on a skid so moving and storing them is much easier than hooking up with the 3 point.

Duh! I think that's the best idea I've seen here on the board!:thumbsup:

OTOH, in general forks are of limited use here because I don't have much flat terrain. We have 128 acres, 125 of it is hillside.

Ken

 

[jenkinsph]

I would consider a new or used Deere 110tlb, 43 hp so is about the size tractor you are looking for. One of the best combinations out there IMHO.

 

[Gizmo2]

It depends on the individual setup, but one tractor and taking things on and off (like the backhoe) can be a long involved hassle. Enough of a hassle that it may not get used. For example, I used to have a Kubota M4700 tractor with a FEL. It was too much hassle to get it on and off (1-2 hours including the front weights) and it was too much weight on a 2wd unit to leave on all the time. So it sat in the barn 99% of the time. Of course the big mistake there was a FEL with 2wd.

Back about 2004, I bought a Kubota B21 TLB. Convenient to jump on and use at a moment's notice. I put 400 hours on it in 5 years.

I am NOT in the camp that a FEL is so useful. I pretty much only use mine for moving dirt or gravel. For moving firewood or hay, I use a trailer.

Bottom line, it may be more of a hassle to put things on and off than it's worth. Also, on hilly terrain, the BH raises the center of gravity and makes the tractor less stable.

Now is a good time to buy used construction equipment. However, some of the stuff out there may be maintenance headaches....or you might find a good one.

Ken

Good post!

 

[Mousefield]

While I understand some of you have gotten the FEL and then later gotten a backhoe for your particular tractors, I think the real question still needs to be answered.

Does spending for the FEL and the the BH justify the cost or would you have been better off just getting a used dedicated TLB like a Case 580 or similar machine. For the extra $14K a tractor sized FEL and then backhoe would cost, I could get a real nice dedicated full size machine, no?

It is of course your money. You are asking about buying an apple or orange. There is a price difference between a new tractor with FEL and backhoe OR a new TLB. Now you mix in your thought of a new tractor with FEL and backhoe vs. a used TLB. Not knowing all the projects you will be doing with it figure out the size of machine (and attachments) you need to accomplish them. So now the question is could you find real nice dedicated used TLB for $8-$10 thousand (1st post) (now $14K in 2nd post), as you have suggested, up our way the answer is a big no. A used 20 year old Case 580 start around $15 - $20 thousand and have 5,000 thousand hours or more on it. As an earlier post suggested buying something that old/cheap will probably cost a lot to keep it running in good shape. You also stated you are looking at keeping it (tractor) for a long time. That is why I bought a new tractor with FEL and backhoe, came with 4 year warranty.
You are getting different opinions which is what you want to help you make the right decision.

 

[crusty 1]

I got the fel because for me a must have the hoe not so much.Its cheaper to hire it done for my small usage,you can in many places rent things like the hoe as its needed.In the end only you know what your needs will be.But I will say a older tlb is not going to be cheap and those things were generally worked hard.

 

[gwjd]

look in to an fel and a used mini excavator, these units have far Superior hoe pref romance of any thing mounted on an ag tractor and they will fit and work any were, here in mo i dont even see new tbl's all the construction guys are ruining big cat skid steers and mini ex, when i do see a tbl they are mainly being used for there high lift capacity fel or utility work.

best part of this set up is you can shovel into your wating fel bucket or other two machine uses

 

[robertwhite]

It is of course your money. You are asking about buying an apple or orange. There is a price difference between a new tractor with FEL and backhoe OR a new TLB. Now you mix in your thought of a new tractor with FEL and backhoe vs. a used TLB. Not knowing all the projects you will be doing with it figure out the size of machine (and attachments) you need to accomplish them. So now the question is could you find real nice dedicated used TLB for $8-$10 thousand (1st post) (now $14K in 2nd post), as you have suggested, up our way the answer is a big no. A used 20 year old Case 580 start around $15 - $20 thousand and have 5,000 thousand hours or more on it. As an earlier post suggested buying something that old/cheap will probably cost a lot to keep it running in good shape. You also stated you are looking at keeping it (tractor) for a long time. That is why I bought a new tractor with FEL and backhoe, came with 4 year warranty.
You are getting different opinions which is what you want to help you make the right decision.

Actually, I never suggested I would be looking at a new TLB, only a new tractor.

In my area, one can easily find a used Case 580 for under $10K and it will be in fine working order. The $14K was a reference to how much it would cost to do a tractor with both FEL and BH, AND they will be way underpowered, smaller and under reached than the Case 580 or similar. Just doesn't make much sense to me.

I have many project for a backhoe, so I am not worried about lack of use. The only concern would be that once all the projects are done (a few years from now) and I sell the TLB for pretty close to what I paid, I would then not have an FEL for the tractor. So in that scenario, I would need to keep it.

I appreciate all the opinions from the board as it gives me a lot of insight.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Going the used TLB as noted really only makes sense IF you been a BH. That is a tail that can wag the dog when using mainly the FEL. Plus the weight means off road you can get stuck faster.

Finding decent used TLB's does take some effort but can be down. I think hoses and pins should be "considered" when making your offer to the owner of an older TLB.

Hoses and pins/bushings are a "known" one time expense just like tires and batteries. For personal use one should be good for another 20 years as far as hoses and pins go so just do it.

I got a TLC in part due to physical limitations. Now all I have to change on the nake tractor is bushhog to box blade and back. I even have a FEL to use in case I need it. The TLB can lift itself and if it is the MF with a tire issue the TLB is there to use.

If either get hung I have the second tractor. Having a 16' flat bed dump truck and the need to do some filling by putting some hills in the low places made a TLB expense more acceptable for us at this time.

Yes there are two batteries, 8 tires, etc but I can sell it at will and get most of my money short of a blown engine, etc. The cost of having $8K-$10K tied up can be a consideration to some. Parking it and letting it rot needs to be avoided if one finds his needs have changed or health will not permit using it in a safe manner.

The JD TLB I can sell but the late FIL 265 MF is here for life. I just like having a naked tractor too.

 

[Carl_NH]

Robert,

I would get the Case and the new tractor with an FEL, then you have a long term solution. As others say, maintenance will be a factor on the 580 but unless its major you probably will be $400-800 a year or less doing seals/bushings, hoses and normal wear items.

The rationale of a new tractor with FEL is you have a backup plan if or when the TLB is either too big, or is not feeling well one day, or you sell it.. The newer FEL do come on/off fairly easily if necesary.

I have a TLB and wish for a second standalone tractor/FEL and 3PT for blading/raking to minimize the change over. I also see merit as others have suggested with an excavator but if you have a large property it can take time to get from point A to B, but they have the most utility but are very hard to find for 10-15K.

 

[Ken45101]

look in to an fel and a used mini excavator, these units have far Superior hoe pref romance of any thing mounted on an ag tractor and they will fit and work any were, here in mo i dont even see new tbl's all the construction guys are ruining big cat skid steers and mini ex, when i do see a tbl they are mainly being used for there high lift capacity fel or utility work.

best part of this set up is you can shovel into your wating fel bucket or other two machine uses

I agree a mini excavator might be a wise consideration vs. buying a backhoe. That is the way I've gone. Of course it depends on your needs and how you will use it.

Ken