OP
RDrancher
Veteran Member
Rough grading some lovely black gumbo.
RDrancher's Photo Thread
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LJH
Platinum Member
Dang, looks like you could throw pots with that stuff.
Re: your previous post, good grief Charlie Brown! How big a doofus does it take to NOT see a freshly graded drainage swale? I hope somebody got medieval on his azz.
OP
RDrancher
Veteran Member
Oh I did!
Taking out some trees and dropping the grade down from the shed level (about 4'). Lots of rock.
Bye, bye, Kubota. Today I bought this...
It's a 2012 CASE TR320, 750 hrs, with an enclosed cab and smooth bucket. For less than the asking price, I also purchased the seller's 20' 14k tag trailer to compliment my 25' GN.
Taking out some trees and dropping the grade down from the shed level (about 4'). Lots of rock.
Bye, bye, Kubota. Today I bought this...
It's a 2012 CASE TR320, 750 hrs, with an enclosed cab and smooth bucket. For less than the asking price, I also purchased the seller's 20' 14k tag trailer to compliment my 25' GN.
two_bit_score
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2008
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- John Deere 110 TLB, Diamond C 19LPX GN trailer
Still the best thread on TBN!
But I have to ask why you made the change from Kubota to Case. I can sorta see why the smooth bucket would be better with what you do but I'd like to understand your reasons on that also.
Good education is never usually this easy to come by.
But I have to ask why you made the change from Kubota to Case. I can sorta see why the smooth bucket would be better with what you do but I'd like to understand your reasons on that also.
Good education is never usually this easy to come by.
OP
RDrancher
Veteran Member
I've only been renting the Kubota machines. Up until last summer 90% of my work could be done with my tractor, but I also used the tractor for too many jobs that really needed a heavier duty machine. Now it's closer to 40% heavier grading and such, so factoring in the price of a rental per use-per month, it didn't make any sense not to start looking at purchasing a ctl.
I am very familiar with the Kubota (and the dealership has treated me very well), but I think that the company is a little too proud of their equipment. I've operated a bunch of their tractors and never liked even one of them. I do like their mini ex's and ctls, but there were really too many things that annoyed me when it came down to paying out $40K+ in hard earned dollars for a ctl. You can't see the bucket corners without leaning forward, the tracks don't like to counter rotate at anything but full throttle with a full bucket (not something you want to make a habit out of, but still...), the a/c -heat vents are all on the left side so your right side is either hot or cold, it rattles and sounds like you're inside a bass drum in high gear, and vision is just OK looking out the back. On the vision deal...I do like the flip-up door, but it makes placement of a rearview mirror too high up on the cab (for me anyway.) Except for the vertical lift design of the Kubota, they took the Takeuchi route when it came to design. Both are very tough machines, but a little archaic. Both the SVL75 and TL240 lack lift height for loading trucks as well.
Bobcat was out of the race many years ago for me, and the dealer here is an a**. They do have nice attachments though. I can't see anything out of the back of the CAT (Maybe that's why they offer a backup camera?). Terex (ASV) is the leader in 100+ HP forestry equipped loaders, but I have about a 1% need for that. Gehl and Mustang used to be Takeuchi with swing out doors and different paint. They've had their fair share of problems since they went to their own design. That leaves Case and New Holland which are both CNH owned. My New Holland dealer has been great for my tractor, but they're out of touch when it comes to construction equipment. I have a Case ag dealer close, but they're similarly out of touch when it comes to the construction side, so I'll only use them for parts. I have two Case Construction dealers within an hour's drive for service.
Going from the interior of the Kubota and into the Case feels like hopping in a new Silverado after driving a 1968 Chevy truck. Since I'm a one man show, all day comfort is real high on the list. The Case also has ride control to inhibit bucket spillage over rough ground and a much quieter cab with better seals (mine even has a stereo). Speaking of the cab, vision out the back and sides is incredible, and I can see the bucket corners without moving forward at all. Engine access on the Case is much better and the battery and water separator are located out of the way, but accessible behind the plate at the lower rear corner of the machine. Both machines have great breakout power, but the Case lifts higher, feels like it lifts better (even though the published numbers don't show it) and I like the radial lift design better for pushing and reaching out farther into ditches for setting precast concrete culvert ends. The Case also has wider tracks for less impact and uses a wider bucket so I can haul more material per trip. Since I couldn't find another Case that wasn't $6-10,000 higher than this one, I'm considering the trailer as a freebee. I couldn't pass it up.
The Case I bought was used by the previous owner to cleanup mud and debris in the oil/gas fields after they powerwashed equipment. He told me that it was an impulse purchase and overkill for what he needed. They never put a cutting edge on the bucket and the bucket edge looks practically new after 750 hours. I'll be putting a smooth cutting edge on this bucket and purchasing a 4n1 bucket with teeth.
I am very familiar with the Kubota (and the dealership has treated me very well), but I think that the company is a little too proud of their equipment. I've operated a bunch of their tractors and never liked even one of them. I do like their mini ex's and ctls, but there were really too many things that annoyed me when it came down to paying out $40K+ in hard earned dollars for a ctl. You can't see the bucket corners without leaning forward, the tracks don't like to counter rotate at anything but full throttle with a full bucket (not something you want to make a habit out of, but still...), the a/c -heat vents are all on the left side so your right side is either hot or cold, it rattles and sounds like you're inside a bass drum in high gear, and vision is just OK looking out the back. On the vision deal...I do like the flip-up door, but it makes placement of a rearview mirror too high up on the cab (for me anyway.) Except for the vertical lift design of the Kubota, they took the Takeuchi route when it came to design. Both are very tough machines, but a little archaic. Both the SVL75 and TL240 lack lift height for loading trucks as well.
Bobcat was out of the race many years ago for me, and the dealer here is an a**. They do have nice attachments though. I can't see anything out of the back of the CAT (Maybe that's why they offer a backup camera?). Terex (ASV) is the leader in 100+ HP forestry equipped loaders, but I have about a 1% need for that. Gehl and Mustang used to be Takeuchi with swing out doors and different paint. They've had their fair share of problems since they went to their own design. That leaves Case and New Holland which are both CNH owned. My New Holland dealer has been great for my tractor, but they're out of touch when it comes to construction equipment. I have a Case ag dealer close, but they're similarly out of touch when it comes to the construction side, so I'll only use them for parts. I have two Case Construction dealers within an hour's drive for service.
Going from the interior of the Kubota and into the Case feels like hopping in a new Silverado after driving a 1968 Chevy truck. Since I'm a one man show, all day comfort is real high on the list. The Case also has ride control to inhibit bucket spillage over rough ground and a much quieter cab with better seals (mine even has a stereo). Speaking of the cab, vision out the back and sides is incredible, and I can see the bucket corners without moving forward at all. Engine access on the Case is much better and the battery and water separator are located out of the way, but accessible behind the plate at the lower rear corner of the machine. Both machines have great breakout power, but the Case lifts higher, feels like it lifts better (even though the published numbers don't show it) and I like the radial lift design better for pushing and reaching out farther into ditches for setting precast concrete culvert ends. The Case also has wider tracks for less impact and uses a wider bucket so I can haul more material per trip. Since I couldn't find another Case that wasn't $6-10,000 higher than this one, I'm considering the trailer as a freebee. I couldn't pass it up.
The Case I bought was used by the previous owner to cleanup mud and debris in the oil/gas fields after they powerwashed equipment. He told me that it was an impulse purchase and overkill for what he needed. They never put a cutting edge on the bucket and the bucket edge looks practically new after 750 hours. I'll be putting a smooth cutting edge on this bucket and purchasing a 4n1 bucket with teeth.
kevin37b
Veteran Member
Looks like the hired man approves also .
OP
RDrancher
Veteran Member
Yes he does! Don't know how, but the little bugger has a real knack for being able to instantly find the horn button on anything he gets in.
Funny, my wife says we need to redo my profile pic, but she wants to lose weight first. Women.....
Funny, my wife says we need to redo my profile pic, but she wants to lose weight first. Women.....
Bob77064
Elite Member
Congrats on the Case, my grandson found the horn button on my tractor the first time he climbed on.
OP
RDrancher
Veteran Member
Thanks guys.
Ya, a bit winded in justifying my decision to myself! It's a good one though. I spent so much time investigating ctl machines over the last few months that my wife says I was driving her crazy. :laughing:
I'm ordering a Construction Attachments Xtreme Duty 80" 4n1 combo bucket with bolt-on teeth this week. A dealer here will order it in at $700 less than EA's price and no tax. Hmmm, I thought that EA had pretty good prices.
Ya, a bit winded in justifying my decision to myself!
It's a good one though. I spent so much time investigating ctl machines over the last few months that my wife says I was driving her crazy. :laughing:I'm ordering a Construction Attachments Xtreme Duty 80" 4n1 combo bucket with bolt-on teeth this week. A dealer here will order it in at $700 less than EA's price and no tax. Hmmm, I thought that EA had pretty good prices.