MX5000 w/LA852 loader, need toothbar?

Stackwood · Oct 23, 2006

Greetings forum. I will soon be the proud owner of a new MX5000 and will thus join the clan. Wahoo! Can't wait. This forum has been a goldmine of information; thanks to all. Now I have some specific questions.

The tractor will see hard use. I hope to dig with the FEL extensively. Right off the bat I need to clear the top soil for a 24x24 garage, followed shortly by digging two shallow, 1-2' pits 6' in diameter for a couple of cisterns. Future use will include stump removal and, hopefully, construction of stock ponds on the hillside. Our soil is heavy clay interspersed with rock. The new tractor will have 4wd.

I believe a toothbar will be manditory for these efforts. The dealer quoted me $225 for one, not sure what make. Is this a good price?

Anyone had any experience with toothbars? How do they hold up? Do they have replacable teeth in this class? Am I likely to tear up the bucket by installing one? How well do they work?

Thanks in advance for your insight.

m7040 · Oct 23, 2006

Any digging will require a toothbar. Very much a worthy investment. I was digging out an old UG tank this weekend and was more than 6 ft deep with a ramp for access. Did not take very long to dig even in rocky soil. The 72 inch bucket with the toothbar can take some big bites. A toothbar will allow you to fill the bucket every time versus wasting time on getting the soil in the bucket. But watch the curl on the bucket when driving into the soil and keep it flat to prevent busted hoses.

john_bud · Oct 23, 2006

No, you don't require a tooth bar. I have a smaller tractor without teeth, and have moved 1000's of yards of dirt, gravel, clay and what ever. It takes more technique and finese, but it can be very effective without a tooth bar.

However, a tooth bar will make the digging action easier as it will loosen up the dirt, especially beneficial in your clay. Is it worth $225, probably. Just be sure that the teeth are replaceable. Either pin on or peen on work well.

jb

m7040 · Oct 23, 2006

a toothbar makes you much more efficient and saves time

Stackwood · Oct 23, 2006

M7040, it sounds like you've got a big tractor. I have to ask, what's a UG tank? I didn't quite follow you about the busted hoses. Do you mean overloading the hydraulics and building too much pressure?

John bud, I agree about the replacable teeth. I check with my dealer. Glad you think the price is right.

My experience with an ancient old backhoe we used to have was that I spent a lot of time skidding on the surface when I tried to use the untoothed loader on virgin ground. I didn't know if a toothed bucket on a lightweight tractor would have much effect without the weight and brawn of a track loader.

m7040 · Oct 23, 2006

It is an old fuel tank left on the farm from years ago. Do not like the idea of it rusting and leaking so decided to dig it out. Now that I have it out not sure what to do with it and can not cut it up since it smeels very strongly of gas. May I can explode it and see what is left?

Yes you can bust the hydraulics by too much pressure on the bucket when curled. Was not a problem on my 2 wheel drive MF since it had limited traction. The M7040 in 4 wheel drive has very good traction so I learned my lesson when I busted the hose this weekend

Stackwood · Oct 23, 2006

Ouch. I lived in fear for years of breaking something expensive or difficult or both on the old Case. I seem to remember replacing a hose or two. A local shop made them up, using the old one to establish size and length.

That old tank is a real headache. Be careful. What you've got is a large, unpredictable bomb. How much raw gas do you think is still in it? Blowing it up might actually be one of the safer things to do. Time was that you could go buy your own dynamite for the job, plus 500 ft or so of wire. Not anymore since 9-11.

Stackwood · Oct 23, 2006

That would be a big heavy tractor. How much does it weigh fully loaded?

m7040 · Oct 23, 2006

it likely weighs about 8000 lbs with the liquid in the wheels. About to add 2000 lbs of ballast to bring it up to about 10,000 lbs

mr.wayne · Oct 23, 2006

Stackwood,
I'm about to buy an MX5000 FWD also. Been haggling with the dealer for a couple weeks now. I didn't know if I needed the heavy duty loader or not. Most of my work will be moving dirt around. This tractor priced with the loader, Modern Contractor's boxblade w/ratchet lever scarifiers,1 hyd. remote in rear, for $23,400. Don't really know if this is good or not. Just wondering. I've been reading this forum for a while now. Very informative group here. I'm sure I'll have alot of questions in the near future. Congrats on your new tractor.
Thanks Wayne