My flagstone project.

[LD1]

Got a big rock along with the purchase of a JD210 disc. So had to get it the 1.5 mile journey home. It was a big one. Roughly 5' x 4' x 2'. Guessing 6000-7000#

 

[ustmd]

Nice rock. Wish I could get one here

 

[ohmyback]

Not what I was expecting when I read the title. :thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

Nice find!!!

I retrieved a large red rock out of my timber few years ago. Had to hire a dozer to push it 1/2 mile. But it was worth it!!!!

P.S. Wish I had your hoe. Just what I need!!!!

 

[LD1]

Nice find!!!

I retrieved a large red rock out of my timber few years ago. Had to hire a dozer to push it 1/2 mile. But it was worth it!!!!

P.S. Wish I had your hoe. Just what I need!!!!

I keep kicking around the idea of selling it and getting a nice 9-10' hoe for the MX. But then I get into projects like this :confused2:

I think the old ford is more valuable to me than I could get for it

 

[ovrszd]

I keep kicking around the idea of selling it and getting a nice 9-10' hoe for the MX. But then I get into projects like this :confused2:

I think the old ford is more valuable to me than I could get for it

I borrow my neighbor's 3pt Woods hoe mounted on a 4440 JD AG tractor. It gets the job done. But not even close to the abilities of your Ford. I think you would forever regret selling it unless it was to buy a bigger/better one.

Around here it would bring $5000 on a good day. That won't buy much of a hoe for your MX and you'll have much less machine.

 

[ovrszd]

Hope you don't mind me posting rock pics here. I'll delete if you do.

Here's a better pic of my "split rock". Found it about a mile down the creek that runs thru my farm. Carried it out piece at a time with the Kubota. The two pieces were laying about 100ft apart in the middle of the creek. I carried a limestone slab rock from the same place to sit the pieces on.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Other than a little more maintenance, I think you would be disappointed if you went with a hoe for your tractor over the backhoe. Specially if you use it much at all.

 

[LD1]

Dont mind the pics at all. Thats a cool looking split rock for sure.

As to selling......yea, I am sure I would regret it. NOt much chance of buying bigger though. They dont come much bigger....and the ones that are, are a bit more rare. While I'd probably take $5k, that would be painful. Would like to see closer to $7k. Remember, its got a rebuilt motor ~100hrs ago too. Its not the tightest or driest machine. But its pretty reliable. When I need to dig a big hole to burry something, or rip out stumps, it sure does the job in a hurry. Same when it comes to heavy lifting on the FEL, or moving and pushing piles of dirt in a hurry.

But I am hoping most of those jobs are behind me. The pond got all the trees removed, the fencerow got cleared, and done digging holes to burry alot of the demolition debris from when mom and dad tore down the old farm house and built new. Crap like chunks of sidewalk slab, footer, old chimney block, etc.

99% of what I do with the backhoe is field tile repair. Fixing a blowout here and there, sometimes putting in a hundred foot or so, repairing outlets, etc. This just seems overkill. While there are times I enjoy this machines size and power......alot of times I wish it was a little smaller and more nimble. And given the cost, maintenance, etc. IF I ever get into a big project.....can always rent an ex. But as it is currently, I am really limited to driving distance with this hoe to make money. And my small 8-acres dont have much need anymore for a 18,000# machine. IF I had a hoe on the MX....trailing would be no problem and could take on some more work. I am still up in the air.....

 

[LD1]

Figured I'd post this here too. This was dads flagstone rock...

 

[ovrszd]

I totally understand. I'd be all over that hoe here in Missouri for $5K. I'd probably be on it for $7K knowing the owner.

You need to price 3pt hoes. They are stupid expensive. They are also HARD on the host tractor. Not familiar with your tractor, but, for example, do your pedal brakes lock? If not then you are dependent on your HST to hold the tractor in place. My neighbor's JD doesn't have brake locks. It uses a park pin in the power shift trans. The pin is almost gone. I don't trust it at all on a hill. His has sheared the top link pin twice since he's been my neighbor. Extreme high guess is 75hrs of use in that time.

Keep me posted if you sell and do something different. I'd be interested in your opinions.

 

[LD1]

I see 3pt hoes here, in the 9-10 ft range, that appear decent, in the $2500 range.

But my idea isn't to use it as a 3pt hoe. I'll fab a sub-frame mount. Which I would likely have to do anyway because what are the odds of finding one off a MX anyway.

I just think it would be so much handier for 90% of what I do. And would allow me to trailer it and offer that as a service as well as bushhogging. But when needed, there is certainly no replacement for the big matching. Which is why I'm torn

 

[ovrszd]

I see 3pt hoes here, in the 9-10 ft range, that appear decent, in the $2500 range.

But my idea isn't to use it as a 3pt hoe. I'll fab a sub-frame mount. Which I would likely have to do anyway because what are the odds of finding one off a MX anyway.

I just think it would be so much handier for 90% of what I do. And would allow me to trailer it and offer that as a service as well as bushhogging. But when needed, there is certainly no replacement for the big matching. Which is why I'm torn

I understand your dilemma. Great price on hoes there. Twice that here. And so are full sized hoes like your old Ford.

 

[LD1]

I understand your dilemma. Great price on hoes there. Twice that here. And so are full sized hoes like your old Ford.

There are alot of 3500-5000 hoe attachments here as well. Just every once in a while you see some ~$2500 ones.

Full sized hoes....hit or miss. With 1960's-1970's equipment....condition is everything. Might see some that look good, and comand premium prices.....but need alot of "unseen" work. And some, that don't look so good, but are mechanically alot more sound, than can be had for less.

Dads also kicking around the idea of selling his Ford 4500. but its a good lookin, good running, and tighter machine than my 5500. Probably worth $8k'ish. Its not got the power and reach of the 5500, would never dream of moving this rock, and about 6000# lighter.....but still alot more machine than a backhoe "attachment".

I'll probably end up keeping the old ford. I have cursed at it more than once, but when I need the capacity and power that machine offers.....it always puts a smile on my face. Just like having to fetch this big boulder. I was already kicking around plan B, C, D in my head about how to get this rock home. And when I scooped it up and she curled, what a joy. Then when i actually lifted it with the lift cylinders.....priceless.

 

[crazyal]

I bought my 580k back in 2003 to clear the wooded land I bought to build a house. My plan was to sell it and get something like my 4240. But each time I thought about it a project came up and the price for a hoe for a compact tractor was close enough to being a wash so I just kept it. Even last summer I built a retaining wall with large rocks. I thought I had some pictures but can't seam to find any. I'm sure some of them were over 5000lbs. I was easily able to lift and place them where I wanted with the hoe. These were rocks that I would never even think about trying to lift with my Kubota. Even selling it and renting when needed just seams like too much work. Right now I can decide to do work when I feel like it.

 

[orezok]

I've got a rock for sale. Only $500. Delivery not included.