Creamer
Elite Member
Unless you have a lot of other work for the backhoe I would rent a mini-excavator and have fun - then take it back when you are done. What I am saying is - I wouldn't size the tractor you have for years based on the backhoe work for one project. There are plenty of good used 4wd tractors available in the 35-40 hp range that are a long way from $45k that you can do all the grading you want to do.
If it was me I would buy a good used tractor for grading and get the project started. When you are ready, rent the mini-excavator over a weekend and maybe an extra day to root out a few trees and dig the footer. Then give the backhoe back and enjoy your tractor for years.
If it was me I would buy a good used tractor for grading and get the project started. When you are ready, rent the mini-excavator over a weekend and maybe an extra day to root out a few trees and dig the footer. Then give the backhoe back and enjoy your tractor for years.