Hey everybody, don't look at the time that I posted this, you'll think i am off my rocker:laughing: Just had back surgery about a week ago and pain meds put me to sleep, and wake me up at all kinds of crazy hours. I would like your input. I am looking to purchase a tractor (4x4) in the next month or so. I am seriously looking at used Kubotas. I need something to bush hog approx 10 acres, I want a FEL for moving dirt/gravel/ brush,etc.. I need a backhoe to dig in my H20 line, leach field, remove stumps. I will also be pulling ogs out of the woods (with the aid of log arch). Now, I am a heavy equipment operator by profesion, So If we think about backhoes, like a 580 Case, can I buy a kubota with power even close to a machine like that (case) without spending over $18,000? Or am I asking to much? I have considered buying an OLD used backhoe in the $7,000/9,000 range, and then Trying to find a diesel tractor with just the FEL in the $6,000 range. But not real crazy about buying two used machines if I can get one to do it all. I am sure you understand. So what do you think? By the way I have been lurking around this sight reading all kinds of threads from the forums, and have totally enjoyed listenng to your advice to other guys. I hope to become a regular contributor. Looking forward to any help I can get. Thanks in advance, jim:thumbsup:
Buying Advice What do you guys think?
- Thread starter jmmy
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Baby Grand
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Getting a decent 4x4 Kub with a hoe that has the capacity you're looking for for that price is going to be a challenge. I suspect your alternate plan to get an old, used hoe for $7/9k is doable. You already know how to use it and maintain it. Then look for anything used that can run a 5' or 6' brush hog and you could still be under budget.
Army grunt
Platinum Member
Go easy with that back. Mine is bad so I can relate.
My 30 hp New Holland is a little on the light side. You should be looking for 40 hp. that will give you the power your looking for to do stump work. I have a apc backhoe its ok but not very strong.Your in a good price range for a good used one.15 to 18 will put you in a seat..finding one will be the trick.call every dealer in your aera , an try cregslist. good luck an take it easy. get off those pain meds asap!
Army Grunt
My 30 hp New Holland is a little on the light side. You should be looking for 40 hp. that will give you the power your looking for to do stump work. I have a apc backhoe its ok but not very strong.Your in a good price range for a good used one.15 to 18 will put you in a seat..finding one will be the trick.call every dealer in your aera , an try cregslist. good luck an take it easy. get off those pain meds asap!
Army Grunt
20 20
Elite Member
I do not understand why so many feel having two machines is worse then one? If you have two it can be a plus, each machine could be used for different purposes. Plus if one gets in a bind {or breaks down}the other is there to pull it out. There would be more maintanence but not that much when you figure maintanence and hrs running. Just my :2cents:
Carl_NH
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Take care of that back and get well soon.. but to the subject at hand.,
I would find a large older hoe - I see the older JD and Cases from $5-10K then newer JD/Case/JCB with 2-3000+ hrs in mid to high $20K.
Once you are done with your big projects though I would sell it so you don't get in the constant maintenance loop on the old machine. Typically when they aren't run every day they degrade faster.
Then a decent 4x4 Kubota with a loader - those in the 30-35HP would be a nice size for your place - probably 8-15K depending on the condition and age.
Good luck and welcome to TBN!
I would find a large older hoe - I see the older JD and Cases from $5-10K then newer JD/Case/JCB with 2-3000+ hrs in mid to high $20K.
Once you are done with your big projects though I would sell it so you don't get in the constant maintenance loop on the old machine. Typically when they aren't run every day they degrade faster.
Then a decent 4x4 Kubota with a loader - those in the 30-35HP would be a nice size for your place - probably 8-15K depending on the condition and age.
Good luck and welcome to TBN!
TripleR
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If you can figure a way to do what you want for the price you want, you are a better man than I. We went with an old backhoe and tractor.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Best wishes recovering from your operation, Jimmy. A couple of comments about what you want to do... I hope they are helpful.
First, since you have experience with the big iron, you may find what you can do with the little guys is a little underwhelming. You won't find any compact tractor-loader-backhoe setup that will dig or push like a 16,000 lb. TLB. The other thing is the kind of backhoes they put on compact tractors typically have a second seat, not a swivel like you see on a true TLB. If I were just coming off of a back operation, hopping back and forth between 2 tractor seats every time you need to re-position wouldn't be my idea of fun. And, believe me, with a 9' or smaller hoe, you re-position a lot more often than with the bigger equipment.
So, what you should buy really depends on what kind of work you need done. If there is some serious digging to be done, I'm thinking another approach (aside from buying a used full-sized TLB) would be to get your projects all lined up and rent either a full size or a mini excavator and "git 'er done". Then use your money to find a good 30 to 40 hp compact with FEL, cutter, box blade and maybe one or two other attachments. That would set you up well for your on-going work.
Kubota and Deere do make some nice dedicated but smaller TLB's, but you may have trouble find a decent used one in your price range.
I bought the add-on backhoe for my Kubota, and it has been a workhorse that would do everything you talked about, but, again, you probably wouldn't find a decent used one in your price range, and you'd have the 2 seat setup to contend with. The advantage to owning it is it's available whenever. So it really doesn't cost anything to do each project needing a backhoe when it's convenient.
First, since you have experience with the big iron, you may find what you can do with the little guys is a little underwhelming. You won't find any compact tractor-loader-backhoe setup that will dig or push like a 16,000 lb. TLB. The other thing is the kind of backhoes they put on compact tractors typically have a second seat, not a swivel like you see on a true TLB. If I were just coming off of a back operation, hopping back and forth between 2 tractor seats every time you need to re-position wouldn't be my idea of fun. And, believe me, with a 9' or smaller hoe, you re-position a lot more often than with the bigger equipment.
So, what you should buy really depends on what kind of work you need done. If there is some serious digging to be done, I'm thinking another approach (aside from buying a used full-sized TLB) would be to get your projects all lined up and rent either a full size or a mini excavator and "git 'er done". Then use your money to find a good 30 to 40 hp compact with FEL, cutter, box blade and maybe one or two other attachments. That would set you up well for your on-going work.
Kubota and Deere do make some nice dedicated but smaller TLB's, but you may have trouble find a decent used one in your price range.
I bought the add-on backhoe for my Kubota, and it has been a workhorse that would do everything you talked about, but, again, you probably wouldn't find a decent used one in your price range, and you'd have the 2 seat setup to contend with. The advantage to owning it is it's available whenever. So it really doesn't cost anything to do each project needing a backhoe when it's convenient.
dodge man
Super Star Member
Kubota makes construction grade TLB's in B size, L size and M size machines. The back hoe comes off, so you could put a brush hog on the back, but the FEL doesn't come off. I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've read good things about them. They might be out of your price range, but something like a used B21 might be possible.
Diamondback
Bronze Member
I bought a lightly used (200 hrs) Kubota L35 TLB a few years back and it has served me quite well. At 35hp it's quite capable and should handle the projects you listed just not as quickly as a full sized machine. The seat swivels to backhoe position rather than two seats and the backhoe comes off easily to use other implements. If you are a tall or large man the swivel situation can be a little tricky without getting of the machine however. Should be in your budget if you can find one that has not been abused. Your experience will be a huge asset when inspecting used units. Good Luck.
