TLB for home construction and 8 acres

morsephoto · Oct 16, 2005

I am a new member of TBN and am looking for advice on a tractor purchase. I am building a house and barn in Sandwich, New Hampshire - the foundation is in and backfilled. I am looking for a TLB to build a septic system, dig trenches, landscape, construct a driveway, clear snow from a 400' gravel driveway, and move firewood on an 8 acre parcel, which is mostly woods. I have operated a loader before, but have no experience with a backhoe. I have lots of trail work, landscaping, and chainsaw experience, so I think I will be able to learn the BH quickly.

I have visited two Kubota dealers in NH - one recommended a used B21 for $21,900 and the other a new B7800 with BH75 backhoe for $22,400. I understand that Kubota is making a new bracket so the BH75 will fit the 7800, and that it is better than previous backhoes available for the 7800.

Do you know if the B7800 is capable of doing what I want? Should I add a front snowblower or blade to clear snow? Is that a good price? Other models to consider?

Thanks for your advice!

LarryRB · Oct 16, 2005

With all the rocks, boulders, and ledge that we have in New England area, I would suggest a L 39 or L 48. Both are commercial grade TLB's, and you will fair much better for the short and long haul...

jim_wilson · Oct 16, 2005

The backhoe is not that hard to learn how to use. My only previous experience with a backhoe was one day with a rented Terramite when I bought my BX23. Now after 330 hours I can pick up small rocks with the bucket teeth and I find myself wishing the BX had more hydraulic capacity so I could operate the hoe faster.

With 8 acres I would think seriously about getting something like an L39. The drawbacks to the L39 over something like a B7800 are that the L39 FEL is non removable and there is no mid PTO for operating a mower and front mount attachments like a snowblower. If you are mainly going to do construction work however I think the L39 would be a better choice than a regular CUT style tractor.

v8dave · Oct 16, 2005

I have a B7610 with a backhoe. While I am quite happy with it, I wouldn't recommend this unit for you. But, I have gained some experience that would change my decision criteria if there would be a "next time."

A straight TLB is fine for construction work, but you may need to do some other yard work and want mowers, tillers or other attachments that aren't possible or are inconvenient to attach to a B21, L39, L48.

Take a look at the Grand L series, say the L-3430, others with more direct experience can chime in here on the exact model. But this seems to be a good straddle between a big size and one that can still do some mowing. You can get a mid-mount mower for this, but, a L-series is not going to be a good selection for finish mowing of a front yard lawn. It's on the verge of being too heavy.

Get the biggest loader you can with the skid steer quick attach buckets. With a quick attach loader you can put forks on the loader frame and use it to lift lumber. Don't try to save money here.

Backhoes: The BH90 will be a good choice--you'll get advice that says choose a sub-frame BH from a 3rd party, I don't think that you as a home user need to worry about the "extra" strength of a subframe backhoe. If you were a contractor and let employees use it maybe you'd need a real TLB or subframe BH but for you own use, stick with the all Kubota approach.

Get the longest reach backhoe you can. After I gained experience, I find I am spending as much time moving the tractor as digging due to the short reach I have on my backhoe.

Get your dealer to weld chain hooks on the bucket. They'll likely do it for no charge and you won't believe how handy they are.

If you get a box or blade for the back 3pt attachment, get a top and tilt hydraulic control set too. Make sure the TNT controls are in a convenient position not blocking the entry/exit from the right side.

Get the tires filled. Any serious construction work will need the weight. Although, it will further diminish the useability as a finish mower.

LarryRB · Oct 16, 2005

(
A straight TLB is fine for construction work, but you may need to do some other yard work and want mowers, tillers or other attachments that aren't possible or are inconvenient to attach to a B21, L39, L48.

)

I don't know where you got this from, it is not true at all. I use my L 48 all the time for hog mowing and landscape raking. They are not "impossible or close to, and I don't understand "inconvenience"

fireplum · Oct 16, 2005

I dont want to hi-jack this thread I'm looking for more info,on the same topic 6 acres & a plumbing Co. that needs small trenches & holes dug time to time,
I rented the b21 for a week great machine,
I'm no expert but I was pulling stumps like a pro mid week,
Some mentioned the L39 nice machine I tried one out,
@ 39k it better be nice, looking to spend 20-25K
Dealer stated BH comes off quick on 21 to add rot,BB etc,
Have a 500ft drive currently blowing w/ a JD 445/47 in.
would like to keep that unit,for mowing etc,
WHAT would yo buy comparble to the B21 BUT with Mid pto,
thanks for your help, sorry didnt mean to hijack,
hopfully both of us can learn more

v8dave · Oct 16, 2005

( A straight TLB is fine for construction work, but you may need to do some other yard work and want mowers, tillers or other attachments that aren't possible or are inconvenient to attach to a B21, L39, L48.
-------------------------------------------------
I don't know where you got this from, it is not true at all. I use my L 48 all the time for hog mowing and landscape raking. They are not "impossible or close to, and I don't understand "inconvenience" )

Maybe I could have been a little clearer. This fellow has a bunch of acres and after he's finished digging holes, he may want a lawn. My comments were about finish mowing. I should have said that. TLBs do not make ideal finish mowers. It is not possible to mount a mid-mount mower on a B21. It is not convenient to mow a lawn with the front end loader still attached.

It was my understanding when I looked at B21s that you couldn't remove the front loader structure and therefore could not mount a mid-mount mower on a B21. I may have mistakenly assumed you can't put a mid-mount mower on a L48 and L39. I didn't care one way or another about a mid-mount mower because I don't mow and never plan to. I'd have bought a B21 if they weren't so expensive.

TLBs don't have a quick attach front loader assembly, not the bucket--the whole assembly, in order to mount a mid-mount mower. Dropping the loader assembly also drops the weight.

Those folks that do finish mowing, seem to prefer a mid-mount mower over a rear finish mower. They like the convenience of a shorter overall length and ease of manuverability. Mowing around shrubs and trees seems easier with a mid-mount mower (v.s., a rear mower). As I said, I don't mow.

If this is incorrect, I apologize and withdraw my referral.

LarryRB · Oct 16, 2005

What you restate here is true,, The 48 FEL system does not come off., No mid PTO option available... YOu could pull a finish mower if that's what one wants.. I take off the front bucket and have yet to have any maneuvering problems around trees, buildings etc. Dropping the hoe for an implement is no hassle... Only hassle I have had is after the fact. Dropping a hog mower then removing the lower 3pt arms... Some times they come right off and other times it takes five minutes.... I swear by the 48, have had zero problems or issues.. The 3pt arm removal really isn't an issue, or a problem. Great machine, can do a lot with it... Pushes snow better than the old CJ7 this machines plow replaces.

L3130 · Oct 16, 2005

Lets face it they are all nice machines. It's up to your wallet to determine how much you want to spend. I went through the same thing as you and after much thought I went with a L3130HST as I like the fact that is a very verstile machine for my needs. TLBs are good machines for construction so if that is what you need then that is your machine. Good luck in your decsion.