Looking for Model Recommendations.

kattywumpus · Sep 28, 2004

I will be building a house next year on a 17 acre lot and I’m considering buying a tractor to help with some of the building tasks and yard work after we move in. Some of the building tasks I’m considering using the tractor for is building the driveway, building the septic field, wire and pipe trenching, and other small earthwork and hauling tasks. The only reason I’m even considering using the tractor to build the driveway is its location is very flat with mostly small stumps. I will not be using the tractor to dig the foundation hole! After the house is built we do have several landscaping and gardening projects planned.

If I were to purchase a Jinma or Yanmar what tractor, loader, and backhoe model is recommend for the tasks I’m planning to perform and what other implements would be helpful. I’m considering a box blade, finish mower, rotary tiller, and snow blower. And are the any recommended dealers in the southern Maine and New Hampshire area or will deliver to southern Maine for a reasonable cost? Thanks

shvl73 · Sep 28, 2004

If you want to try a Jinma, try Bolton Power in Bolton, Ma. Graham is a TBN member.

Boltonpower · Sep 29, 2004

Hi there

Yup, I have plenty of Jinma's (20 - 45 Hp) in stock.. Happy
to deliver either assembled or crated anywhere in New England
on my truck. I have factory Hoes and install KOYKER loaders.
Send me an E-Mail or give me a call daytime at 978-549-8557.
Still have some Chippers left but they are going 2 or 3 a week.
Probably be out sometime in November. Visits by appointment
but I've got plenty of dirt you can move to "test" them out /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Regards
Graham

SPIKER · Sep 29, 2004

Bolton would be a great place to start: also think of 25~30 hp range would probably be good with a 5' tiller and a 6' box blade. the FEl is indespensable best thing going. don't think about attempting to build the septic using the tractor that is a job for a BIG machine and will require tons of permits up there! other thing such as putting in water lines ect those can be done with small hoe but there is a high cost per useable amount of work from them. not sure how much LAND vs TREES you have though a brush hog may be needed and a 5~6' would work fine for the 25/30hp range on flat ground. anyhow I'm sure graham can give you the best advice and show you haw to run these little work horses.

Markm

JohnS · Sep 29, 2004

Give Graham a call, and make arrangements to visit his place. Nothing like playing in the dirt, before you buy. You could talk over all the requirements and details, at that time.

From your initial tasks a 304-354 sounds about right, but it maybe slightly big and possible ag tire issue, with finish mowing. Post house, a 254/284 pkg is probably sufficient. Anyway, Graham will help you sort through all that. Let us know what the final decision is.

kattywumpus · Sep 29, 2004

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. When I get a chance in the next few days I will contact Graham to help iron out a decision, but please continue with any helpful recommendations. Due to the cost justifying a FEL can be a challenge. Even if I don’t use it to stump out the driveway and build the septic field (I don't plan on digging the septic tank hole), I can foresee projects I may want it for. For example, there is an overgrown ½ acre field I would like to reclaim for a garden. Also while the driveway and house are on high flat ground there are slopes that run from the north and east side of the house to lower flat ground. Because my wife and I are into landscaping we may want to terrace some of the slopes. While I understand the concern about attempting to build a septic field with a tractor mounted FEL instead of an excavator, please understand my septic design is for a 11’ x 30’ field with 26” mound. Luckily this is a much smaller field then some of my future neighbors have. I have some nice deep sandy ground were the driveway and septic field are going. Plus I have been involved in building septic fields in the past using a tractor mounted FEL. It will take longer to build but I believe it’s very doable. I’m more concerned about stumping out the driveway by mid-spring next year. While about 50% of the stumps are less then 6’ diameter and 30% are around between 6” and 10”, its the another 20% that concerns me. There are a few stumps that are around 24” in diameter. Having never attempted the remove stumps this large with a FEL I have no idea how long each stump removal will take. It would be very helpful if someone could give me a basic time estimate for each stump size removal. By counting stumps and using these basic estimates I could figure out if I lost my mind or not.

By the way, does anyone want to purchase some nice large straight red oak logs? Mowing may not be an issue since one of my neighbors is my father who has two lawn and garage tractors with mowers. Plus he is very skilled at running heavy equipment and is retired!

Durbob · Sep 29, 2004

Here is one that would be worth paying the shipping charges. And Chip is a dealer with a very good reputation.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=56977&item=3842383991&rd=1

SPIKER · Sep 30, 2004

kattywompus:

As I understand it you are wanting to build an above ground septic? one with a sand mound and airiator system?

ok then that is a bit different you can do that usign fel to move dirt/sand./ BUT if you plan on removing dirt first them using a BOX scraper and FEl combo is needed.
for small stumps chain and fel/with rippers works. for the larger ones you need a back hoe OR hire it out by someone wiht a stump grinder. making sure they grind down DEEP to get out as much roots as possable... expect sink holes @ those locations in the drive after 3~5 yrs and for a good 10 yrs they will rot up the rest of the roots if ground. back hoeing them out will stop that but you will still have several years of setteling in the holes...

Chip has lots of posts and has been a helpfull dealer too. never heard anything but good comments about him as well...

Remember a FEL is best thing on the tractor and if you like landscapign them byall means get one NOW with the tractor. great for lifting moveing raising beds dirt ect. a TOOTH bar is great as I'm told, I can't DIG with the fel very well as mine is flat bottom and has not rippers. tooth bar fixes that and will be on mine someday... BOX BLADE with RIPPERS will pul up lots of those roots and HELP clear the stumps under 6" range pretty easy. I can RIP roots in the 4" range with out much problem with my 6' box blade and my 284. they are hard on it though. I've cought some BIG ones which stopped me dead! then I've also simply tore out soem 3~4" ones that were very surface side and not known they were back there.

mark M /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif