My BH and thumb pulls trees and limbs out of the woods, stacks the piles, grabs and holds it for firewood- its my grapple on my backhoe!
Yes, understood, if you don't want the BH, and you can likely find a cab tractor 35-40 HP used - I'd stay tuned into TBN members that are upgrading their machines.
I see a number of guys upgrading their tractors and either selling or trading them in. Doesn't seem you need to do this tomorrow, so wait and get the "right one" for you.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own a backhoe of my own and I could surely find uses, but I have zero legitimate need when there's a monster case half a mile down the road with the keys in it.
I've certainly been prowling the classifieds, but it makes it so much easier when you're looking for 2 or 3 specific models vs having to google up the specs of every 35-50hp unit that comes up for sale.
Absolutely, this isn't something I'm looking to do tomorrow. Just trying to form a plan of what to look for
.
I would consider the Massey Ferguson 1800M series. It has mid PTO options, has a slow/Soft start PTO, and bery capable lifting capacity.
Like most other tractor companies it seems, their website is miserable for easy to find facts. But the specs of the 1840M do look very quite impressive once actually found
here. It does have a DPF and low mounted fuel tank though. But if all the other features make it worthwhile, those can certainly be dealt with. I called the nearest dealer and left a message with a salesman to discuss features/specs.
If your doing a lot of log work ? I've seen one of these in action and they are perfect . Sell one tractor and find one of these ...
The 2500 HD is a powerhouse of an articulating compact wheel loader. With a full-size SSL plate, this mini wheel loader outperforms on all levels.
giantloaders.com
As handy as one of those would be, more PTO hp to run the
chipper and snowblower are other main considerations of upgrading if I'm going to go through the hassle of selling/buying. Even after adding a turbo to the 1620 and turning up fuel to 1200F egt's at full load, it's just barely adequate on HP for the
chipper and snow blowing.
I stopped today at the local TYM and Mahindra dealers. They had a few t474hst cab on hand to look at. The 48hp and 2200lb loader lift certainly are attractive in this size frame.
The mahindra dealer had both a 1640HST cab and a 2638 HST cab on hand. If the 1640 had the same beefy front axle as the 2638, it would be nearly perfect with having a clutch pedal PTO engagement, factory mid pto driven front blower, much better guarded FEL hydraulic quick connects, and lots of useful features. But that front axle assembly is cute vs the tym's/2638. The 2638 is absolutely the same unit as the TYM 394/474 (minus the engine) and the tie rod ends are cute and very exposed. I suppose all the axle beef in the world doesn't do much if you break a tie rod out in the field!
Researching around more, the Massey 1740M looks very attractive with a direct injection turbo 3 cylinder and no DPF. Going to try and find a used one to take a look at.
