Buying Advice needing a small tractor with backhoe

[gravelman]

Hi folks..gravelman here from chilly NH. i m thinking of buying a small tractor...25 hp with a loader and backhoe. I have a Kubota but would consider John Deere or Mahindra (closeby dealers) Im thinking turf tires, no cab. just wanting to know if anyone out there has an opinion, especially the backhoe part. i would want a thumb on it too.. thanks alot.

 

[GManBart]

Why not just buy the backhoe for your 2650? Do you need a separate tractor for a different location, or something like that?

 

[Snobdds]

It's too bad you don't have a Massey Ferguson dealer nearby. I have a gc1710 and it's a beastly little machine. It's first task was to dig footings for a cabin in rocky soil. It exceeded my expectations. I put a thumb on it just last weekend and promptly went out and picked up a giant rock with it. Always remember you will have more lifting weight capacity on the back end, hence the backhoe and thumb, then you will on the front with the loader.

I think most <25 hp tractors with a backhoe are pretty comparable these days. Plus if you stick to <25 hp tractors, you won't have to deal with all the emissions equipment and added expense.

 

[gravelman]

i have a cab on the 2650, i think that is a drawback Also, wanted something small with turf tires to run on the lawn, work in garden etc. My wife will probably be the main operator and she likes small, like my old Mahindra max 25 i would also look for something used...

 

[gravelman]

i actually do have a Massey dealer fairly close...

 

[Snobdds]

Iseki in Japan builds them for Massey and they have that Japanese quality about them. Definetly give them a look, they were about $3,000 cheaper than the JD and better quality.

Compare front axle size on the JD and Massey, huge difference. Plus the Massey had the most front loader capacity at 800 lbs, if I remember correctly.

 

[gravelman]

i will do that..thanks much

 

[Grouseman]

I like LS tractors I have a 10 year old Farmtrac with a montana 7.6 backhoe LS built it, and they use Mitsubishi engines. She is a strong little beast.

 

[gravelman]

ok, i will check that out also..thanks

 

[tcreeley]

I have an old Northern Hydraulic towable backhoe- worked great.

Here is a towable on ebay. 10' digging depth:
TOW BEHIND SELF CONTAINED BACKHOE 1ft DIG DEPTH THUMB ATTACHMENT | eBay

Cheaper and won't add wear and tear to your tractor.

I like this one: BRAND NEW MINI BACKHOE MINI EXCAVATOR TRENCH DIGGER FREE SHIPPED BY SEA | eBay