TLB for home construction and 8 acres

[morsephoto]

Thanks for your suggestions. The construction TLBs sound like the right choice for my needs, and I will probably stick with the used market to save some money, then sell it when I am done with landscaping and construction. So far I have found a B21 (2000 w/ 635 hours) for $21,900 and a L35 (1994 with 1177 hours) for $26,500. What do you think?

 

[JimMorrissey]

Morse, Welcome.....

Don't take my tone the wrong way...I'm just rambling to give you something to think about. I'm biased to the TLB /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So I would think you would have a real lawn mower to mow your lawn once it's installed. I've been through it with three machines now.....buy a real lawn mower, then get a TLB if you want to take care of the construction end. Sounds like you've got a lot more to do than a B7800 would be appropriate for, IMO. Sure you could struggle through it for weeks with a smaller machine, but it won't be a productive use of your time. Getting the house done is key, both emotionally for you and your family and the bank. Tractors the size you'll need aren't good "mowers" per se. They are just too big and heavy to mow a private lawn (large fields of grass and industrial and school yards are another story). Again this is my opinion after owning a BX, L3830 and now a L39. I love my lawns and a tractor is not the right tool in my mind for a nice finish. A BX is a great mower, but it's too small for what you need to do. 3030 would be border line, but again I think it's too small for the projects you describe. The long term soil compaction is not what you're looking for. It promotes weeds and crab grass.

I think it comes down to, do you want something that is OK at everything under the sun, or do you want one machine that's really good ditching, roads, drainage maintenance, snow blowing, etc. Then you get a lawn mower to do what they're designed to do, mow lawns. Now that I have a lawn mower, I'd never want to go back to mowing with a tractor again. Unless it was a huge expanse of non-home surrounding grass.

I'd take a look at the JD110 or the K L-39. There is no comparison between a real TLB and a CUT when it comes to construction. That's what they're made for.

 

[JimMorrissey]

You can run all kinds of things off the front quick-attach. They will be hydraulic powered, so many of the Bobcat attachment will be available for you to buy or rent. Can't remember the flow, but it's pretty high on the front end....12 or 13 GPM.

 

[JimMorrissey]

I second that. Big rocks are a big problem for a small machine. Big rocks are not a problem for a 48/39. You'd be amazed the size of the rocks I've moved with the 39. Here's one for you.....This beast was right in the middle of where I'm digging my road. It moved it, didn't like it, but it did it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[L3130]

Thats a good way to BREAK a backhoe for sure. Be careful. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

Morse, seems to me the prices you've found so far are high. I bought a used L-48 (2000, 575hours) this summer for several thousand less than your price for an L-35. I followed the ads on equipmenttrader.com and ebay for 6-9 mos. There were other sources but those became the main ones. IMHO, a '94 L-35 with that many hours should be selling for less than $20,000.

I love my L-48 by the way, very satisfied with it.

Michael

 

[LarryRB]

This is one of the problems as used or new tractors are considerably higher in New England than here,, compared to Texas, midwest or south...

 

[JimMorrissey]

Nah....It's not a big deal for the mighty BT1000. Breakout force is rated at just under 6000 lbs. This is not a hoe attached to the rear of a CUT with a subframe design. The stabilizers are massive.

That rock is big, but the hoe pulled it right out of the hole. Now the loader was none too pleased, but she performed as directed (barely). I had to skid the rock into place, mainly due to its size and the fact that I couldn't get it into the bucket far enough under the pivot point. That's the problem moving big rocks with a standard bucket. Forks are necessary for rock lifting.

 

[_RaT_]

Larry, do realize that as nice as the compact TLB's are, they have what I consider some very weak points. Whether it is a JD 110, a L48 or L39, the bushings wear quite rapidly when used in "hard" situations. True for the hoe and for the loader. They can be rebushed, but I'm finding using a compact TLB to do tough construction work is just plain hard on these compacts. My suggestion would still be to have the big stuff done by a construction type hoe or excavator and do the much easier stuff with the compacts. My L48 with 300 hours on it and lots of grease still started picking up lots of bucket slope. Others seem to concour.

I tried using my L48 in a mower configuration, but it also had several glaring drawbacks. The first has been discussed, I could not stand having the loader on and mowing my acerage. The second and perhaps worst is that medium range on the L48 is way to slow. High is beyond the engines abilty to move up any incline. I replaced it with a Kubota L3830 and much prefer it as an all around tractor. As nice as the TLB's are for homeowners, their use is in my opinion better suited for light TLB work. The L39 would however work extremely well with my Harley landscape rake and box scraper not to mention the usefulness the hoe would be around here for the plethora of small jobs. If I was looking for a multipurpose heavy duty compact construction machine, I think the next would be a Bobcat T180 or smaller. I would get a dedicated ZTR mower for the mowing.

 

[chipski]

I was also in the market for a TLB and was lucky to find a JD 110 TLB. 390 hrs , $30K. I am pleased with this machine. I looked at this new last year and was turned away by the price and started looking at the K L39. This a great machine and would have done a great job for me. I am using this for trenching for my electrical business and plan on using it for snow at my shop. I would call Dennis at Hawkenson Equipment in NH. He sells both brands and is very good with information on either. He said the comparison was in favor of the JD but I think that reflects the difference in price. Finding a used L39 will be tough because they are a new model. By calling Dennis you will get some good info. He does get trades .

Good luck.