Need Suggestions on Tractor for Removing Cedar Trees

[Xfaxman]

I think that's the key for anyone's purchase. Will the product do what I need it to do?? I can see great advantages for the Versahandler. Just not advantages that I would use on a daily basis. I see too many limitations for what I do. Biggest is no underbelly clearance. But sounds like it works great for you and that's what's important!!!

Yep, it works great for me, it is the most amazing machine I have ever had! The low ground clearance has never been an issue, probably because the short wheelbase makes it less likely to get high centered.

It is a “GADA” Machine! :thumbsup: (go anywhere do anything.)

It has 4 wheel steering that gives it a 10' turning diameter and crab steering to move sideways at a 45 degree angle.


The bucket is 6' wide.

 

[Xfaxman]

Is that mower hydraulically driven instead of PTO driven? From the pics, I can't figure out what powers it. It wins the "cool" award, for sure. Very nice. Sure would be handy for mowing ditches and embankments.

Yep, hydraulic motor:


You can see the hydraulic hose connectors on the boom, in this Tree Puller picture.

 

[Piston]

xfaxman,
How is the visibility with that compared to a tractor? Not referring to FEL vis but all around visibility? I really like those things and if they weren't so pricey I'd seriously consider one for my next purchase.

 

[KYDan]

You are just up the road from me. I'm down near Lavon.

I'm weighing the advantages of having a bigger tractor with more weight but a shuttle transmission vs. a smaller tractor (40 - 50 hp) with an HST transmission. Having HST on my garden tractor, I know some of the benefits of HST and would really like to have it for loader work. In the Kubota, for example, I think the L5740 is the largest tractor they offer with HST. But it may be out of my price range even without a cab, especially if I add at least 2 rear remotes (or 3) and the 3rd function on the FEL. I could go down to the MX5100 (3,775 pounds) and save some $$, but that's about the same weight as the L3940HST.

I drove an LS 5030 the other day and it was nice, well built and offers dual rear remotes, QA loader and self leveling bucket as standard. But that's a shuttle tranny too.

If you are looking at a Kubota in the 50+ up range and do not have to have a cab check out the mx5100 HST it is a good value for the money and a real workhorse.

 

[flusher]

Xfaxman and Ovrszd, I can only sit and drool at Xfax's Bobcat and Ovrszd's tree puller. I've seen stump bucket attachments before, but never a tree puller.

Ovrszd, I'm amazed that so many modern tractors don't come with rear remotes. Back on the farm 40 years ago, all of our tractors had rear remotes (usually 2 sets), because we had a lot of pull-type equipment (chisels, one-ways, offset disks, etc.) that required a hydraulic cylinder for height control.

And I'm also amazed at how expensive they are to add as an option.

Not that expensive. My dealer installed triple remotes on my 2008 Mahindra 5525 for $700 when I bought the tractor new 5 years ago. It's his design, not an overpriced OEM add-on. You get a lot better value for your money if you plan ahead and have extras like hydraulic remotes, skid steer quick attach, cab, etc. included as part of the tractor purchase package.

 

[Piston]

Flusher,
You got a great deal on those remotes! I added 4 rear remotes to my tractor, and didn't even have to pay for the 8 QD fittings @ about 30/set, and I ended up spending well over a grand for my setup, and that is doing all the work myself!

 

[Xfaxman]

..............

I'm weighing the advantages of having a bigger tractor with more weight but a shuttle transmission vs. a smaller tractor (40 - 50 hp) with an HST transmission. Having HST on my garden tractor, I know some of the benefits of HST and would really like to have it for loader work. In the Kubota, for example, I think the L5740 is the largest tractor they offer with HST. But it may be out of my price range even without a cab, especially if I add at least 2 rear remotes (or 3) and the 3rd function on the FEL. I could go down to the MX5100 (3,775 pounds) and save some $$, but that's about the same weight as the L3940HST.

I drove an LS 5030 the other day and it was nice, well built and offers dual rear remotes, QA loader and self leveling bucket as standard. But that's a shuttle tranny too.

Are you familiar with the Quick Attach attachment system for grapples, buckets, tree pullers and other things on the on the FEL? Not to be confused with a QA Loader, where the complete loader comes off.

This is the back view of the Kubota quick coupler, commonly called a SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach).


Front view, Bobcat SSQA.


You need to make sure that whatever tractor you get has this system on the loader arms.

 

[Xfaxman]

xfaxman,
How is the visibility with that compared to a tractor? Not referring to FEL vis but all around visibility? I really like those things and if they weren't so pricey I'd seriously consider one for my next purchase.

Compared to a tractor, not as good. Blind spots, right front and right rear.

But I solved that problem with this 7" monitor.


Pretty bad to the front when carrying a round bale.


Notice the cattle guard next to the hay bale, can't see it from the seat.


This is where it is, safe to go across.


Went across, pulled the reverse lever, the monitor switches to the camera mounted next to the right tail light.
Backed up until the red stop line was on the edge of the cattle guard.


This is where I stopped

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Are you familiar with the Quick Attach attachment system for grapples, buckets, tree pullers and other things on the on the FEL? Not to be confused with a QA Loader, where the complete loader comes off.

This is the back view of the Kubota quick coupler, commonly called a SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach).
View attachment 323241

Front view, Bobcat SSQA.
View attachment 323242

You need to make sure that whatever tractor you get has this system on the loader arms.

Yes, I am familiar with the SSQA. The LS 5030 I looked at had that as standard (plus the self-leveling feature). I know it's an option on the Kubotas and others. And, yes, it's a definite "must have" feature for whatever tractor I buy.

BTW, I just realized where Meridian, Ok is. I was born and raised in Frederick and went to college in Weatherford. Not sure I've ever been to Meridian, but I've been to Elk City many times.

 

[Xfaxman]

.................

BTW, I just realized where Meridian, Ok is. I was born and raised in Frederick and went to college in Weatherford. Not sure I've ever been to Meridian, but I've been to Elk City many times.

Good deal! :thumbsup: I know were Dallas, TX is. I have been there many times.