Tractor Sizing SO many factors to consider... but ground clearance and +/- backhoe may be the top

[Xfaxman]

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What I've been looking for is a Swiss Army tractor that can do it all ---------------------------

Also, I've been blessed, and cost is not a HUGE factor.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered,
Steve, from the very flat and sandy eastern NC.

Here is my Swiss Army Machine: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t/160568-compact-telehandler.html#post3243370

Too big for mewing the lawn at 6' wide, but great for everything else. :thumbsup:

A 15' tall cedar tree.

Clamped on with the Long Arm tree puller.

Shook the dirt off.

 

[DVMSteve]

Creating a channel will probably require a North Carolina EPA wetlands permit and there will be issues about spoil disposal. Often Ma Nature triumphs over man's effort to change her ways.

You are SO right. Before I even bought the property, I had the Army Corps of Engineers come out for a consultation. There were several things that I had in mind. He told me what I could and could not do without permits, what I would likely be allowed with a permit, and what I should just forget about. He even suggested something that I hadn't even thought of, which was the first thing I did!

 

[DVMSteve]

Mine is in the 400 series. They make several sizes and have some slope mowers as well.

I've never heard of such a thing; very interesting. I checked out their web site, but didn't see a "400 series"; older model # maybe? Crazy list of attachments! It looks like you can get one with either a mower, OR a backhoe (not that I'm still interested in one of those, thank you all), but not both?

I think I'd get that thing stuck in a big hurry, though!

 

[DVMSteve]

I forgot Bobcat was still out there. There used to be a dealer not too far from where my practice is; don't know if they're still in business. No idea what kind of machines they offer, but I'll have to check them out. I saw a subcompact tractor I think in a few videos produced by a company that sells grapplers. THOSE are cool! I could do some damage with one of those. I could also spend a month or two trying to make it to the end of their 200 page thread.

 

[MossRoad]

I've never heard of such a thing; very interesting. I checked out their web site, but didn't see a "400 series"; older model # maybe? Crazy list of attachments! It looks like you can get one with either a mower, OR a backhoe (not that I'm still interested in one of those, thank you all), but not both?

I think I'd get that thing stuck in a big hurry, though!

The PT425 is in the T8 class with the PT2425.
Their naming convention is kinda strange.
All of the attachments fit either one, with the exception of the backhoe.
I've only gotten it stuck once in 16 years, and that was dropping off a hidden ledge/log in very thick brush and my front tires were then hanging in space.

 

[CurlyDave]

IMHO dropping a front wheel into a hole is not a huge problem if you have a FEL. The FEL is strong enough to lift the whole front end of the tractor and curling the bucket will inch the tractor backwards. Or just use the FEL as a skid and back up. This has gotten me out of a lot of holes. Of course, having the hoe to act as a claw makes backing up even easier, but it takes some experience to avoid lifting the back end too far and it acting kind of tippy when doing this.

If you have easy access to a mini-ex, that will dig much better than a BH, and I have a a BH. Now, if you want to move that pile of dirt you just dug out, there is where the FEL is very handy. The mini-ex stinks at that job. It has a blade and can push the dirt right back into the hole, but that is about it. There are a lot of jobs where you want to dig a hole, trench, whatever carry the dirt away and either not backfill or backfill with something else. There the combination of two machines, a mini-ex and either a tractor with FEL or a backhoe is perfect. Dump the dirt directly into the FEL and cart it off without making any kind of mess on the ground. Two operators is faster, but one guy can run both machines, just at slower speed.

 

[mike69440]

Consider a good used Kubota L35? Might be hard to find. Tough TLB, Small in size, big in capability.
MachineryTrader.com | Loader Backhoes For Sale - 1 Listings - Page 1. $15-18K would be fair price.

 

[mike69440]

IMHO dropping a front wheel into a hole is not a huge problem if you have a FEL. The FEL is strong enough to lift the whole front end of the tractor and curling the bucket will inch the tractor backwards. Or just use the FEL as a skid and back up. This has gotten me out of a lot of holes. Of course, having the hoe to act as a claw makes backing up even easier, but it takes some experience to avoid lifting the back end too far and it acting kind of tippy when doing this.

If you have easy access to a mini-ex, that will dig much better than a BH, and I have a a BH. Now, if you want to move that pile of dirt you just dug out, there is where the FEL is very handy. The mini-ex stinks at that job. It has a blade and can push the dirt right back into the hole, but that is about it. There are a lot of jobs where you want to dig a hole, trench, whatever carry the dirt away and either not backfill or backfill with something else. There the combination of two machines, a mini-ex and either a tractor with FEL or a backhoe is perfect. Dump the dirt directly into the FEL and cart it off without making any kind of mess on the ground. Two operators is faster, but one guy can run both machines, just at slower speed.

Agree, Just go big as possible on the "Mini" excavator and unless you need 3 PT work, a CTL will kill a TLB for moving spoils. Versa Handler is also good Landscaper. TLB is good Swiss Army Knife.

 

[DVMSteve]

Well, I finally made some decisions. It took a disgustingly long time to LET GO of the idea of having a little backhoe to decorate my shed. My brain got there a long time before my heart. So yesterday I got a nice little mower. Bought a Cub Cadet Z Force SX 54". Mowed the 2 acre pasture in about 50 minutes; it was 90 to 105 with the Sears garden tractor with the same size deck. 42 trees to go around.

Now its on to looking for the tractor, minus the backhoe and MMM.....

 

[jeff9366]

Now that you have eliminated a Backhoe from consideration, consider if a bucket spade will meet some of your needs in that direction.

Bucket spades are best on rigid FEL buckets. Mine is mounted on a Kubota optional L2296 Round-Back, Heavy Duty bucket.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html


Photo shows bucket spade on Kubota B3300SU with standard bucket.