Buying Advice What do you guys think?

[jmmy]

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:

 

[Baby Grand]

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]

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

 

[20 20]

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]

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!

 

[TripleR]

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.

 

[Grandad4]

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.

 

[dodge man]

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]

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.

 

[crazyal]

I don't think you'll find anything that's going to match a 580 for backhoe performance. I think the closest you'll find is a M59 TLB. I'm not sure if there's an older version as I don't know if you'll find one in the $18k price range easily.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Air ride seat :thumbsup:

 

[jmmy]

wow! man you guys don't mess around. Thanks for all the responses. I have read thru them three times. First priority is to get the back healed up. And while recuperating keep searching around for the tractor/bushog with FEL. Then as soon as physically capable, rent skidsteer for grading driveway and spreading gravel (driveway is pretty much cut in as it is anlod logging road). Then I am just going to keep my eyes open for dependable old backhoe. It doesn't have to impress anybody....it just has to work. IF i don't find one when it comes time to do the digging I need to do,, I'll just get all my ducks in a row and rent one. I would rent a dozer for my grading work but around here you have to have some kind of insurance policy to rent any piece of equipment with metal tracks.

 

[20 20]

just a thought, if you allready have a tractor{with FEL} why not get a mini ex?

 

[jmmy]

I thinkthats where I am headed. I have used mini-ex alot at work. They are very versatile pieces of equipment. They can also be thrown on a trailer behind my pick up, for side work:thumbsup: You guys are agreat bunch to help a new guy out.....thanks

 

[TripleR]

I think thats where I am headed. I have used mini-ex alot at work. They are very versatile pieces of equipment. They can also be thrown on a trailer behind my pick up, for side work:thumbsup: You guys are a great bunch to help a new guy out.....thanks

We usually go with a mini excavator although we did rent a backhoe once. Even one this size can do quite a bit of work and is easy to transport.

 

[jmmy]

First of all Thanks for all the responses, about the equipment choices, and the back surgery. By the way, the back feels bettere than it did when I made my first post, still stiff as@#$@# but just taking it easy right now reading alot of old threads on here. Thank you for all your best wishes. So... Used tractor, with loader, 40hp range is what I am aiming for. Then, used mini-ex. What do you guys, who have bought used equipment, look for when making your purchases?? I know to look at hours ( and compare the number of hours to the overall condition of the machine) body damage, rust, bent up buckets, slop or loose controls, But what do you guys, look for? The tricks that you know when looking at used equipment?

 

[easygo]

My neighbor is also a heavy equipment operator and he rents an excavator or bulldozer when the need comes up. It is amazing what he can do with one of those machines in a day or two. He dug out the foundation for his brother-in-law and got enough gravel screened for a 500ft driveway in about 4 days. Could have done it faster if they had three dumptrucks hauling instead of two. He said that it would be a waste of a good machine for him to buy because it would be sitting around way too much unused. I would say just get the tractor and rent the heavy stuff since you have the skill to put it to use. What to look for? I think you would know from your experience on commercial machines. I bought two used tractors. Started fine, operated fine, no slop, not banged up or obvious signs of abuse, motor and hydraulic fluid smelled normal.

 

[jmmy]

Easygo, thanks fro te response.....You type pretty good for a cute kid in a bag:thumbsup:

 

[jmmy]

That was suppose to say...Thanks for the response:confused2: