I'm not set on using the large blocks we may end up just doing something with either railroad ties or using the smaller retaining blocks in which case I would still need to be able to pick up large pallets of block to set it on the hill I'm not sure how heavy is a pallet of retaining wall blocks would be though I suspect that would be over a thousand pounds
Looking to buy a tractor, or CTL, or skid steer, need advice
- Thread starter bf15
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Jchonline
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2018
- Messages
- 2,843
- Location
- Red Feather Lakes, CO
- Tractor
- Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, X1100C, M62(S)
Just RENT a CTL and Mini Ex for the job. You didnt list any other tasks on the property you need to accomplish besides some dirt work.
I would not get a tractor based on what you have described.
Also a 5000 lb CTL? That is a baby machine. You are probably going to want something at least around 8-12k lbs if you want to move some serious dirt. A backhoe on the CTL has very limited reach and not a ton of digging force also range of motion is severely limited...it will be frustrating to use . I would absolutely rent a Mini Ex (maybe 10-12k lbs) for this.
There is no way a 5000 lb machine will handle carting around 2000lb blocks on hills. Get the right tool for the job. A TLB will do the job as well, but you will need something in the 8k lb weight range. Kubota makes some more compact TLBs that are construction grade...you could consider a L47 or M62 (L48 or M59 are older models). They would do everything you need. However they are expensive. You could also rent a full size TLB..but again with your hills a CTL would be best.
I would not get a tractor based on what you have described.
Also a 5000 lb CTL? That is a baby machine. You are probably going to want something at least around 8-12k lbs if you want to move some serious dirt. A backhoe on the CTL has very limited reach and not a ton of digging force also range of motion is severely limited...it will be frustrating to use . I would absolutely rent a Mini Ex (maybe 10-12k lbs) for this.
There is no way a 5000 lb machine will handle carting around 2000lb blocks on hills. Get the right tool for the job. A TLB will do the job as well, but you will need something in the 8k lb weight range. Kubota makes some more compact TLBs that are construction grade...you could consider a L47 or M62 (L48 or M59 are older models). They would do everything you need. However they are expensive. You could also rent a full size TLB..but again with your hills a CTL would be best.
chas0218
Gold Member
I rented a Yanmar 220 to do some stuff around my house and backfill the foundation for our addition. For the amount of work I needed to do with it I couldn't justify the cost of a new one or used (new are close to $60,000 and used beat to **** are $15,000). Ask yourself if you can use it on a weekly basis, if not just rent it. I rented one for a 3 day weekend for $200. Also it was all my 1500 wanted in terms of hauling back and forth to my house and their business.
dodge man
Super Star Member
Another thing to keep in mine is a CTL or a skid steer is construction grade equipment, and they cost accordingly. Most of the tractors discussed on this forum are not construction grade. They are capable but just not in the same league as construction stuff. There are web sites where you can look at prices. If you doubled your budget you would probably be getting into something decent.
When I read your posts, I keep thinking you are buying something for one job. You are worried about picking up pallets of landscape block. If you can't pick that up, so what. Split the pallet up by hand and move half pallets. Unload them into the end loader bucket and move them that way. Think how you will be using this machine long term. Price out skid steer attachments also, very pricey.
When I read your posts, I keep thinking you are buying something for one job. You are worried about picking up pallets of landscape block. If you can't pick that up, so what. Split the pallet up by hand and move half pallets. Unload them into the end loader bucket and move them that way. Think how you will be using this machine long term. Price out skid steer attachments also, very pricey.
RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
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- 15,143
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
If you are building a garage in a place that is too steep for a tractor to safely access you have a poor building site.
A $15K budget is MAYBE halfway there for a properly sized CTL that has a chance of being reliable enough to complete the work and large enough to do the job with the exception of digging the footers.
A $15K budget is MAYBE halfway there for a properly sized CTL that has a chance of being reliable enough to complete the work and large enough to do the job with the exception of digging the footers.
I have a road that i can take the tractor up to the garage site on with no issues, but this is a foothills propery in nc so nothing is flat, of the 4 sides there is no risk on the 3 sides, but on the edge where the building site has to expand it has a clif like edge. I would feel alot safer in something that i can see the bucket on
I did check out some local used skids and i think i may pickup some from a seller thats selling several from a construction company that closed down. They are in good shape with service records and low hours. Im planning to use this to do some side jobs, and have at least 6-7k worth of work lined up. Im going to go with a bobcat t450, and get a mini excavator as well in a combo buy.
They seem to not be selling to make a profit, but to quickly liquidate the business, so ill have about 27000 in it. I should be able to make that back in a year ir so hopefully.
Thanks for the advise. I did check on renting locally but around me to rent long enough to do what i have planed i would have 7-10k in rentals dues its not something that can be done in a weekend. Out skid rentals here are about 1k per weekend.
