Smaller Tractor (60HP or Less) with Cab & Backhoe?

[willysmb]

Does anyone make a smaller tractor (60HP or less) with a can & backhoe where you can operate the backhoe from within the cab? It seems like all that I find either can't fit with a cab or require operation from an outside seat.

 

[roadhunter]

This should be an interesting thread. I believe the JD 110TLB would be worth looking at. 41 HP according to tractor data. There are a few owners on here who I'm sure can give specifics on the machine.

 

[willysmb]

This should be an interesting thread. I believe the JD 110TLB would be worth looking at. 41 HP according to tractor data. There are a few owners on here who I'm sure can give specifics on the machine.

Uh oh. Did I ask something I shouldn't have?

 

[roadhunter]

Uh oh. Did I ask something I shouldn't have?

Nope. I just like these kinds of unique tractors.

 

[Grandad4]

Deere discontinued production of the 110 in 2012, leaving Kubota's series of compact platform commercial-duty TLB's the only ones continuing in production (Models: B26, L47, M62). Those models all have single, pivot seat layouts but have been open station only, no factory cabs. The M62 is a recent update in the 60 hp range; it was anticipated that a factory cab option would be offered but so far, nothing from Kubota about it. There are pricey aftermarket cabs available.

 

[jenkinsph]

Does anyone make a smaller tractor (60HP or less) with a can & backhoe where you can operate the backhoe from within the cab? It seems like all that I find either can't fit with a cab or require operation from an outside seat.

Their are cabs available (aftermarket) that allow most of the tlbs' mentioned to be operated from inside. I have a JD 110 with a Laurin cab that has worked out well. Not as quiet as a factory cab but everything else has been fine. Most of these Laurin and Boxer cabs are made for many models and are well thought out imo. With limited production compared to factory cabs these are a little more costly, I paid $7,500 for mine. Had I waited for Deere or Kubota it would be a long wait as these are still not offered.

 

[roadhunter]

b-30 bobcat is another discontinued model of TLB with a factory cab.

 

[willysmb]

Their are cabs available (aftermarket) that allow most of the tlbs' mentioned to be operated from inside. I have a JD 110 with a Laurin cab that has worked out well. Not as quiet as a factory cab but everything else has been fine. Most of these Laurin and Boxer cabs are made for many models and are well thought out imo. With limited production compared to factory cabs these are a little more costly, I paid $7,500 for mine. Had I waited for Deere or Kubota it would be a long wait as these are still not offered.

I might look at the L47. I don't know why but it bugs me having a separate seat for the backhoe like a lot of them do.

 

[jenkinsph]

I might look at the L47. I don't know why but it bugs me having a separate seat for the backhoe like a lot of them do.

I know why it would bug me. I often have to get in somewhat precarious situations and for darn sure would not want to be on the back exposed to being crushed and or hurt bad. With mine I can operate the transmission with two controls near the rear seat position. I can reach the front fel lever and steering wheel and drive around the site if necessary. Hard to do this from a rear seat outside the cab.

 

[Grandad4]

If a lot of your work involves digging and moving material (more than 50% ???), a TLB that can also handle 3 pt and pto powered implements makes good sense. If you're mostly doing other chores (mowing, cultivating, etc.), and sometimes need a backhoe ( less than half the time), a CUT with an add-on backhoe might be more suitable. For me, being able to easily detach the FEL for mowing chores (which you can't do with a TLB), more than made up for the two seat hassle with the backhoe, but that's a personal preference thing.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If a lot of your work involves digging and moving material (more than 50% ???), a TLB that can also handle 3 pt and pto powered implements makes good sense. If you're mostly doing other chores (mowing, cultivating, etc.), and sometimes need a backhoe ( less than half the time), a CUT with an add-on backhoe might be more suitable. For me, being able to easily detach the FEL for mowing chores (which you can't do with a TLB), more than made up for the two seat hassle with the backhoe, but that's a personal preference thing.

I haven't found that needing to detach the FEL is a problem. If clearance is an issue, the bucket can be removed from all of the Kubota TLBs but since they are quite small to begin with, I don't find the need to remove anything. Mine came with the 3 PH but so far in 5 years, I haven't needed to use it. The only time the backhoe has been off was when I bought it and the previous owner showed me how to take it on and off which was super easy. He used it to bush hog with a 5 foot mower but since I didn't buy the mower and already had another tractor, I haven't ever had it off.
On the really hot days, I suppose a cab would be nice to have but the 4 post canopy works pretty good for shade and rain protection, even when operating the backhoe. The one thing I hate about my cabbed tractor is the decrease in visibility which I find to be a hindrance to finesse work using the FEL. It is almost impossible to gauge the bucket's front edge from the cab. I think any pros for having a cab on a backhoe would be offset by the lack of visibility with it. I did watch a backhoe with a cab once while loading a dump truck that was so covered up in dust that you could hardly see the backhoe. That would have been a dangerous and dirty job without the cab.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think most of the tlb models have a ssqa fel so dropping the bucket is easy to do as well as swapping to forks or grapple.

Cabs vs. open station are up to the individual. I prefer a cab no question about it for me.

Dropping the hoe and installing the 3 pt. hitch is fairly easy to do. I did this for over four years until I bought a tractor to handle the 3 pt. work. You work with what you have.

 

[willysmb]

The tractor is going to need to be used for pretty much everything although I am thinking I may just get a smaller TLB and then an older tractor for the 3pt/field work. Everything I am going to be doing is hobbyist level so the cab is not really a necessity although surely would be nice to have. However for me, if the weather sucks that I don't want to be out in it I don't really have to be. The big reason I would love to have a cab would be for bees because my son is allergic but good prevention and I can solve that problem.

The 3pt work will pretty much be limited to some deer food plots and a smaller garden for now. If it gets bigger than an older dedicated 3 point rig might be in my future. I've got a mower for the lawn and I don't see doing much brush hog type work but you never know. Again, a $5,000 older tractor can handle that.

I know that older tractors require work and are less reliable. However I drive a 50's Jeep back and forth from work a few times per week. I enjoy working with the old equipment when your not in a rush or hurry.

I just need to decide what level of TLB would fit my needs. I would really like the L series just not sure if I want to spend that and not sure if the B series is enough. I also see that the Kubota B series regular tractors have a single seat for their back hoe but again not sure that is big enough for my needs.

 

[roadhunter]

I've always wanted one of the little t-9 Terramites. The fact that they are made in the USA makes them even better.
http://www.terramite.com/

 

[willysmb]

Man, the price on those doesn't seem to bad. I will have to give them a look.