Selling 3 tractors to buy one nice one, need advice...

[Piston]

For about the last 3 hours (maybe 4???) I have been looking and thinking more about the 110 over the 4520. The more I think about it and read about it the more I think it is a better idea???

The only reason I could see me (and of course everyone's situation is different) needing the 4520 over the 110 would be for ground engagement work or using an implement that required the 40+ PTO hp. I don't have any plans on using haying equipment or a really large tiller, so I don't know if I would need the extra PTO hp.

I can see the advantage of having the hyd thumb on the backhoe for moving or piling logs for the mill, and also the grapple for use in the woods...

Although I think now I'm going a little over budget but that might be able to work out.

This is gonna be a tough decision, for my uses I really think a TLB would work better for me. Are there other obvious disadvantages of a TLB you can think of for the work described?? or better yet ADVANTAGES???


Cinder:
That is a great point and good idea about the cage, like I said I really would LOVE the cab, maybe if you all convinced me to go with the TLB I could do what jenkinsph did with the aftermarket cab. Do they make a heater for that bad boy?

 

[Piston]

Piston,
FWIW, I bought the 110tlb without the cab installed and put it on myself in one day. I have a Laurin Eclipse cab and really like it. Removing and replacing the backhoe is easy and quick too. Since you stay in the cab to operate the hoe and have the electric controls to reposition the hoe from the rear seat position it is a much better setup than the 4520 with a 485hoe.

I do alot of clearing, cleaning and landscape work and have never wished I did not have cabs. I have wished I had more implements but slowly I am getting what I want.

Steve,
by the looks of it you have quite the team between those tractors. Could you tell me some more about the advantages and disadvantages of the yellow vs. green?
Obviously its nice having 2 tractors but is there anything you do with the green that you couldn't do with the yellow (maybe just slower) or vice versa???

It sounds like you do a lot of similar things with yours as I would do with mine, so I appreciate your thoughts since you have a direct comparison with both.

 

[jenkinsph]

Piston,
First about the Laurin cab, it has a built in heater and AC that works well. The cab while it appears to be tall is the same height as an open rops from the factory. It has more noise than the 4520 cab which is better isolated. Visibility is very good and the cab is roomy too. The rear glass can be removed and stored in the cab if preferred or used in place when operating either the backhoe or 3 pt. Both side windows open out about 5 inches. Overall I am pleased with the cab.

About the 110tlb, with the hoe removed and the topntilt 3pt hitch in place it is very similar to a 4120 with ehydro in abilities. It uses skidsteer style buckets, forks and rockbuckets. It will operate most of the smaller low flow skidsteer attachments too. The loader is fixed and while it is well made and durable I prefer to use a tractor without the fel in my way. The creep to position controls on the rear of the side console is something you need to try out to appreciate it fully. This is the real clencher when comparing to other rear mounted hoes. You can drive the bachoe around from the rear seat with it.

About the 4520, more power, lower height, slightly better visibility, less noise in the cab. For most 3pt work I prefer to use it instead of the 110 since it doesn't have the loader in my way. I should add that while shopping for the new tractor that I didn't feel that the 400X or CX was as durable as the fixed loader on the 110. I also like the upgraded cruise and economy pto on the 4520 too.

Having both the 110 and 4520 which are the same size tractors allows me to share implements, for the most part the 110,4520 and the 820 all can use the same equipment. Obviously the 4520 can go faster up a hill or long grade and likewise can brushhog at a faster pace and till at a faster pace.

For my work I prefer having the tlb ready for loader and backhoe work and the two tractors for the other tasks pulling trailers running a chipper and other 3pt tasks, My helper and I use both the 110 and 4520 frequently and on occasions use the 820 for lighter work. If I had to choose only one of these it would be the 110tlb because it can do all of the tasks.

I do have an F350 diesel chassis cab and it pulls any of the tractors above with no problems on long trips. For most jobs I use one of my F550 service trucks as it allows me to bring in tools and the equipment for my work.

 

[Piston]

Roller coaster!

Argh! After thinking more and more about it, and writing down many many lists of pros, cons, what I would use the tractor for most, and what I 'want' out of it I am back to thinking the 4520 might better serve me.

I DO have a lot of trees to take down, skid, and either dig out stumps, stump grind, or just cut flush. Which the TLB sounds much better fitted.

One thing that really made me second guess the TLB as a 'better-for-me' machine was looking at certain attachments and the prices of them. I didn't realize how much something like a hydraulic PHD was vs. a 3 pt hitch PHD!
I'm sure the hydraulic is much better, quicker, stronger, but I dont' need the extra oomph, although it would be nice. This was a good example for me though, obviously I could use a 3pt PHD on the TLB but with it only weighing a couple hundred lbs (?) I dont' think it woudl be ideal, whereas the 4520 would shine here, this is just an example.

However I was thinking more and more that once those trees are down I will want to do a lot of box blading, landscape raking, and mowing to keep the vegitation down and level out the high spots, which it seems like the 4520 would be better fitted...

I don't actually see the big advantage of the creep feature on the backhoe? I can see why it would be very convenient, but I don't see it as a feature that would sway my decision one way or the other?? Every backhoe I've ever used I "creep" to position....I would always just raise the outriggers up a few inches, and use the backhoe itself to either push or pull me forward or back, i could even move the rear of the tractor over a few feet left or right that way. Is the 4520 with backhoe not able to do this?? maybe because of the ehydro tranny or something?

Also, after looking more and more at the "attachments" section of the forum I am finding more implements that would be useful to me that I think the 4520 would do better/easier.

I think the reason this is a tough decision for me is because either of these machines will do what I need, and much more capable than I will probably use, so really it becomes personal preference I guess? I may try to find a place to rent a TLB for a day and just 'play' with it on my land for a while.

The first thing I'm going to use the tractor for is reclaiming some old field by mowing down the brush, box blading it to remove some dips and high spot, and then raking out the debris.

 

[Piston]

Here are some of the notes I jotted down.

-For the majority of the time I wouldn't need the backhoe (doesn't mean I wouldn't USE it) and would prefer to have a 'smaller' implement on the back for counter weight when using front end loader.

-I really think I want a cab, this is more just an affordability issue than anything, I can see myself really appreciating this while working in the horsefly season in the pine grove. (the only things I worry about with cab are it 'getting in the way' in the woods and having to open and close the door when I'm doing something that requires frequent dismounting of the tractor-small price to pay for the comfort though in my eyes)

-If I could add a skidsteer QA and 3rd valve (name?) up forward on the 4520, I could still run a grapple and use skid steer attachments (I realize not AS good and not AS many because of hyd flow)

-less lift capacity for those HUGE logs I want to get on the mill with the 4520

-Loader not as 'strong' and 'beefy' on 4520

-After reading a .pdf attachment on here I saw that there was implements listed that are not 'recommended' as well as some that are not advised.

-I wouldn's use many attachments they advertise for the TLB, such as jack hammer, Hyd PHD, or other Hyd implements. I also don't think the average 'craigslist' BB or landscape rake is designed for a machine like this.

-I'm worried that many attachments I would use would be too light for the TLB, and I really don't want to fill the tires.

-I think for the majority of items I would use (the majority of time) I would be using the 4520 more to its limit than the TLB. I don't see myself doing a LOT of digging or construction based jobs now that I think about it.

-I think I would "appreciate" the 'niceness' of the 4520 more than the the backhoe advantage.

-I realize I WANT the best of both worlds, but really don't even NEED the power and performance of either, so I know either one would fit the bill, in fact I could get away with a much less powerful tractor, but I know I won't have TOO much power.

-I will use the Farmi winch quite a bit to skid logs from the hillside, it's pretty heavy and would probably be fine on the TLB but it isn't even HALF the recommended weight for the TLB

-I really haven't used the Dynahoe in a really long time (actually I did use it once in the last year I think to bury a few stumps) so if I have to forego the backhoe to get the cab I don't think I would be disappointed, plus I could always rent a mini ex for the odd jobs???

-It seems like unless I needed the greater hyd flow and the better digging/loader work then I could outfit the 4520 with certain options and be very satisfied.

-The cruise on the 4520 would be great for mowing.

-If I do go 4520, I think I would prefer the R1 tires.

Wow deciding on a tractor is exhausting! :laughing::laughing:

 

[Gittyup]

Piston,

Seems you're very focused on just JD. Obviously, they are excellent machines. But, if you are buying used, you might have a harder time finding the 4520 that you seek. So, I would suggest that you at least educate yourself on comparable models from other manufacturers. It could happen that one of these is available when the Deeres are not. I would pick out 3 or 4 makes/models and know their pros and cons, and costs. Then you'd be ready to make an educated decision when the opportunity presents itself. Often, if it's a desirable machine, you'll have to be ready to pull the trigger or someone will beat you to it.

Also note that a 110 or Kubota L48 or similar is much tougher than a straight up utility tractor.

You should also think about brands like Bobcat, Kioti, and Mahindra. For your budget you might be able to get a brand new tractor with a backhoe that meets your lifting needs for that kind of money. If it were me, I want to know all my choices, both new and used, from just about every make I could find.

I understand that buying other than the JD you want, would negate using your neighbors backhoe. But, I think the practice of sharing can create problems with your neighbor down the road, if something breaks. While sometimes people can work things out all the time to mutual satisfaction, if you can't then there are hard feelings. And for what you are going to be doing, you'll be pretty hard on the equipment. Best to just own it.

On working in the woods with a cab: there's a big difference between a New Mexico woodland and a New England woodland. I would think a cab in a new england hardwood forest would be very hard to operate effectively.

 

[flyingcow]

I do not have a subframe on my backhoe. Thought about it, but use the BH very little, and I go easy with it. With that said, my BH would fit on any 3-point hitch of the same size. If your neighbors unit is 3-point model only, it should fit on any tractor of the same size. Just a thought.

 

[Piston]

Gittyup:
Those are really good points you mention and actually I'm just starting to look at the Kubotas as well. I definately was leaning towards John Deere ONLY because I have a close dealer and went there and sat in a 4520 with cab, plus my neighbor is biased and 'convinced' me it was the way to go. so I am NOT educated on different types and certainly have some research to do.
I also need to to get to some different dealerships and sit on different models.

I think only because I don't know that much about tractors I would like to stick with one of the larger manufacturers, but that may change as I learn more.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Just a quick note - I'm sure one of the 110 owners will post later as well. Setting aside horsepower / hydraulic flow and heavy duty type differences for a moment, I think there are two differences between 4520 / 110. The loader frame on the 110 is not quick detach - it's permanent mounted. There is no mid PTO on the 110 so a MMM is out of the question but rear 3 pth implements should be pretty much interchangeable and FEL stuff with SS mount would be same / similar.

 

[jenkinsph]

Piston,
The three point hitch on the 110tlb is the same as the 4520, the hitch arms and linkage is interchangeable. the lift capacity for both is 2500 lbs 24" behind the lift arms. As I recall the 110 was designed around a 4600 model compact tractor. It closely compares in its abilities for 3pt work with the 4120 which is the same engine hp. Essentially you can use any of the Cat 1 3pt implements on either tractor, the difference being the 4520 is more powerful.

To appreciate the creep to position I think you need to experience it.

Don't forget the bellypan on the 110 if you are operating in the woods. I should add that I keep a polesaw handy to trim my way into thick wooded areas. I started out years ago driving tractors in the woods, raising branches over my head to drive forward etc. Being older and hopefully wiser I don't do stupid stuff like that anymore. I cut and clear my way into the woods now, I don't drive expensive new tractors through the trees with careless abandon. I grew up in Louisiana and Mississippi and am very familiar with thick undergrowth and hardwoods.

Just to be clear I like both tractors that is why I have them, I did alot of research before purchase of these machines. This is where I wound up.