Tractor Sizing Finding the right fit?

[pipetrencher]

I'm checking any new posts on my phone, so I may miss something? But I know there's a couple guys mentioning to just rent a ditch digger etc... So I am hearing them, although I'm not sold on renting?

Okay, on my way to look at the tractor in the link I posted. I talked him down to 16.5k. it comes with a transferable powertrain warranty good until May of 2021. They said they normally do a 30-day 50/50 but I convinced him to take 100% responsibility for 30 days bumper to bumper.
the dealers actually three and a half hours away from me but he told me that there's a dealer 20 minutes away from me that would become my dealer.

 

[pipetrencher]

@dodgeman, your pricing USD. keep in mind I'm in Canada. and Diggin it, you also I the US?
So look at that Mahindra in the link, and if translated into USD as of todays rate it would be 12.4k

Lookin' better or what?

 

[dodge man]

Yes the price I paid was US dollars. What the money system in Canada, Molson?

That's not a bad price for that Mahandria.

 

[pipetrencher]

Yeah that and hockey pucks

So I drove and operated it. It all works as expected. Dug a bucket, it was zero strain, soft ground mind you. Stabilizers are good. Fired up instantly.
Missing plastic tube and knob on one of the backhoe controls, which salesman said he would fix. He also said he would give me 100% 30 day bumper to bumper. And it comes with a manufacturer powertrain till May 2021.


Cons., The seat is a bit temperamental, it doesn't operate real smooth, and the lateral adjustment is also sticking. The centre Hitch pin for the 3 point hitch is not even there and they won't give me one. But I do not plan to put anything else other then the backhoe on the 3 point hitch. I mean I may? I could change my mind later who knows and I would have to buy one I guess.BH Bucket is surface rusted. Don't know if that's normal or what?

So I guess it's a pretty good machine, now it's should I buy it or rent a trench digger as others have said??? I appreciate and understand thier suggestions, but again look at the driveway needs? Should I rent something to push the tons of stones and possible the cold asphalt around also? And I still need to clear snow every winter too.

Even if I bought it, did what i had to do and sold it, I could probably sell it for what I paid for it. IF I WANTED TO SELL IT.

Any last remarks anyone..

I thank all for their input this far.....

 

[looch]

I'm just downstream from you a ways, 3.5 acres, mostly lawn and field.

My driveway is a base of recycled asphalt with a top layer of stone dust. I get a fresh load of dust every 5 years or so.

I couldn't imagine a winter without a blower. My specific conditions are well served with a 3 point blower and front end loader. When there's not much snow, I'll push it with the loader and then blow the resulting pile. You have to be mindful of the bucket angle when the ground isn't quite frozen solid, but it's easy to make things right again in the Spring.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

To give you an idea of work that a SCUT can do, here's a few pics of my current project. This is a section of road that was literally mud. The dirt blew so hard from a bare field across from us, it created a dirt berm 8' wide, anywhere from 2-3' deep, and about 5-600' long. I regraded the road using a boxblade, scarifiers down about 4". Then started digging out the berm to get back our drainage ditches. The dirt is getting piled up on the other side of the fence, to be removed / spead by the other new homeowner. Who says a SCUT doesn't kick some butt! Spent a total of 4 hours on the road, 3 hours on the dirt so far....

 

[dodge man]

By the missing part of the 3 point do you mean the top link? They are easy to come up with if that is what is missing. Sort of a universal part.

Rusty bucket. Just means it has not been used for a while. Not a problem.

 

[pipetrencher]

I'm just downstream from you a ways, 3.5 acres, mostly lawn and field.

My driveway is a base of recycled asphalt with a top layer of stone dust. I get a fresh load of dust every 5 years or so.

I couldn't imagine a winter without a blower. My specific conditions are well served with a 3 point blower and front end loader. When there's not much snow, I'll push it with the loader and then blow the resulting pile. You have to be mindful of the bucket angle when the ground isn't quite frozen solid, but it's easy to make things right again in the Spring.

I would love a blower, but it's just another added expense. (I know that's tempting, but. come on) Even if it took me a bit longer with the loader, that's ok as long as it gets done without the use of a shovel. (Like the winter past) But yeah, the angle, especially on crushed lime or 5/8". I did touch on "shoes" previously. Not sure of the proper terminology, but I'm referring to the spacers added to the bottom of the loader bucket/Blade. It leaves an inch or two on the drive, but better than having your driveway in the bushes I guess.

Don't want to turn the thread into a snow removal and driveway discussion, but I have just recently stumbled upon recycled asphalt, and the discussions that I had with a couple of companies focused around the "cold rolled" asphalt as the final product? So this mention of "Dusting" I gotta say, that's beyond me.

Thanks for your input

 

[pipetrencher]

To give you an idea of work that a SCUT can do, here's a few pics of my current project. View attachment 599574View attachment 599575View attachment 599576View attachment 599577This is a section of road that was literally mud. The dirt blew so hard from a bare field across from us, it created a dirt berm 8' wide, anywhere from 2-3' deep, and about 5-600' long. I regraded the road using a boxblade, scarifiers down about 4". Then started digging out the berm to get back our drainage ditches. The dirt is getting piled up on the other side of the fence, to be removed / spead by the other new homeowner. Who says a SCUT doesn't kick some butt! Spent a total of 4 hours on the road, 3 hours on the dirt so far....

That just goes to show ya I guess..... nice...

I read your septic project too. ...See I also have a septic...it's 20 years old.... What about when that needs new piping d-box etc.... Why can't I do that myself? this is why having one of these tractors is such a bonus. I say this because others are recommending renting ditch diggers. I respect their opinion, I'm just not sure it fits in with my personality. But to be honest I'm still not sure?

Thanks..

 

[pipetrencher]

By the missing part of the 3 point do you mean the top link? They are easy to come up with if that is what is missing. Sort of a universal part.

Rusty bucket. Just means it has not been used for a while. Not a problem.

Yeah, pretty sure that's what he said. it's located directly in between the BH controls and the seat. I googled it and all of the shown pics displayed the "toplink" in a horizontal position in use. So I'm assuming that when it's not connected to an attachment of sorts it stands vertically (I was comparing to another tractor on the lot, that's how I noticed it) Good to know that they are not a huge issue. I will check pricing on them.

Rusty bucket, I kinda figured so, but good to hear from someone who knows more about this stuff than me.

Thanks Dm

 

[Diggin It]

Top links run $30 or so ... no big deal. They detach at both ends by means of a simple pin. Some leave them attached to the tractor, some to the implements, others hang them in a shed between uses. People often have several because they need to be adjusted to different lengths for different implements.

CountyLine Adjustable Top Link, Cat. 1 at Tractor Supply Co.

 

[looch]

I would love a blower, but it's just another added expense. (I know that's tempting, but. come on) Even if it took me a bit longer with the loader, that's ok as long as it gets done without the use of a shovel. (Like the winter past) But yeah, the angle, especially on crushed lime or 5/8". I did touch on "shoes" previously. Not sure of the proper terminology, but I'm referring to the spacers added to the bottom of the loader bucket/Blade. It leaves an inch or two on the drive, but better than having your driveway in the bushes I guess.

There's a brand called "Edge Tamers".

Don't want to turn the thread into a snow removal and driveway discussion, but I have just recently stumbled upon recycled asphalt, and the discussions that I had with a couple of companies focused around the "cold rolled" asphalt as the final product? So this mention of "Dusting" I gotta say, that's beyond me.

Thanks for your input

Not "dusting" - stone dust, as in crushed limestone, sometimes called "screening".

Get to know your local excavation guy/dump truck guy/gal. I did my driveway myself, removing 8" of topsoil. I asked the excavator about material and he said that he was contracted to haul asphalt from a local highway resurfacing job. I paid him like $100 a load. I leveled and flattened it myself, simply running back and forth over it with the filled tires of my B7500. I then finished it off with said stone dust (2 loads I believe). The only downside, and it could be a significant one for you - the small stones stick to your shoes.

Sorry for slightly veering off topic - but I wanted to clarify.

 

[pipetrencher]

Top links run $30 or so ... no big deal. They detach at both ends by means of a simple pin. Some leave them attached to the tractor, some to the implements, others hang them in a shed between uses. People often have several because they need to be adjusted to different lengths for different implements.

CountyLine Adjustable Top Link, Cat. 1 at Tractor Supply Co.

Yes thanks, I can get one here ..
16 in. Top Link | Princess Auto

 

[LouNY]

Well I just skimmed thru all the posts on this link.
One thing that jumped out to me was your description of the ditches you would be digging only being two feet deep.
Then I saw mentioned that they would be for piping the heated water from an outside boiler for heating use.
To me that seems quite shallow for burying lines, seems like your frost depth would be much deeper then that.
As far as digging the ditches with a compact it can certainly be done, in many cases size and power are directly related to the time to do a project.
Lots of time can equal lots of digging, if on a schedule and quicker results are needed more power required.
Personally for ditch digging and direct burial I prefer rental trenchers with rock chains, 3-5 feet deep and only 8 inches wide.
My :2cents: , enjoy

 

[pipetrencher]

There's a brand called "Edge Tamers".



Not "dusting" - stone dust, as in crushed limestone, sometimes called "screening".

Get to know your local excavation guy/dump truck guy/gal. I did my driveway myself, removing 8" of topsoil. I asked the excavator about material and he said that he was contracted to haul asphalt from a local highway resurfacing job. I paid him like $100 a load. I leveled and flattened it myself, simply running back and forth over it with the filled tires of my B7500. I then finished it off with said stone dust (2 loads I believe). The only downside, and it could be a significant one for you - the small stones stick to your shoes.

Sorry for slightly veering off topic - but I wanted to clarify.

View attachment 599619

Screening I understand. I have just never heard the term "dusting" in relation to a driveway or screening. but yeah, I get it now. But they way it was explained to me is the top finished layer is the cold rolled asphalt? The stones were used as the base.

My pending plan was to do the same 8" or so removal, as mentioned I can dump it down (95% dirt, 5% pea and 5/8" both lime) a relatively steep unusable embankment on the property, followed by leveling out 4" delivered 3" minus, and then 4" of 5/8" lime, and then apply cold asphalt and Roll it with a rented 5 ton.?

Lot of work..you bet.... but no stones in my shoes

But to keep true to the topic, the bottom line is, this can all be done with a SCUT....

 

[looch]

Screening I understand. I have just never heard the term "dusting" in relation to a driveway or screening.

Nowhere in my previous posts did I use the term "dusting."

Sounds like you have it pretty well figured.

 

[pipetrencher]

Nowhere in my previous posts did I use the term "dusting."

Sounds like you have it pretty well figured.

Oh I see.......... Well..... I have never heard of stone dust either. crushed limestone, and screening yes. So I guess I just earned a new term.....

As far as having it all figured, Not so sure. Just seeing what others are doing and how it works out for them... IOW I'm not saying was you did was backwards, maybe what I was told was backwards? But by the sounds of it, it seems to be working out for you. I'll just keep my ears open is all I can do at this point.

Thanks

 

[pipetrencher]

Well I just skimmed thru all the posts on this link.
One thing that jumped out to me was your description of the ditches you would be digging only being two feet deep.
Then I saw mentioned that they would be for piping the heated water from an outside boiler for heating use.
To me that seems quite shallow for burying lines, seems like your frost depth would be much deeper then that.
As far as digging the ditches with a compact it can certainly be done, in many cases size and power are directly related to the time to do a project.
Lots of time can equal lots of digging, if on a schedule and quicker results are needed more power required.
Personally for ditch digging and direct burial I prefer rental trenchers with rock chains, 3-5 feet deep and only 8 inches wide.
My :2cents: , enjoy

I may have to rent a small backhoe/mini ex, opposed to a trencher as many have mentioned. This is because the trenchers that I have came across only dig down 18" and 4" wide. The dual insulated pipe that is needed to be installed is about 6" wide. Hence I may need a small backhoe/mini ex. Cost for a 6' depth mini ex I think it was will cost $600 weekend max 12 hours use, delivered and picked up.

The trench depth is only meant for protection due to a heavy vehicle possibly crushing the pipe under a driveway or any large equipment that may be on the grass. It is not meant for frost line protection. At least this is how it was explained to me, and this is the way everyone that I spoke with (which is quite a few) installs the pipe.

The fire is started in the fall and remains lit until spring. The water is circulating from furnace to house/shop continuously during this period. As long as the water is circulating there is no chance of freezing. But I understand your point and I wondered the same thing. I may dig down 4' + anyhow just be safe, y-not

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

To give you a little more to ponder, the cold crushed asphalt on top has some pros and cons. A pro is that it does compact well, almost like a "hot asphalt job", usually doing ok for a few years. Then needs to be "worked" again. This is where a major con comes to play... Some of it sticks together and forms BIG clumps. Really hard to grade smooth again. Almost impossible to get it as good as when it was first put down.

So, with that in mind, using it as a base course, works very good, compacts nice and hard. Then having a top course of crushed stone, allows you to re-grade as any " normal" drive, using a blade or landplane for example.

 

[pipetrencher]

From the informative posts provided by the SCUT owners here, (and all other posts, thanks) aswellas my little digging test on the Mahindra I think that if I do get my own tractor, that a SCUT is all I will ever really need. Unfortunately I have changed my budget perimeters, knowing of course that this will give me an older machine with more hours, but it is the only way that I can justify having one.

The other option is rent a min ex or backhoe... and buy a pick up with plow for a few grand to do the snow, which theoretically I could use to push the stones around on a driveway project I guess.

I let you know how things go...

Thanks to all ...