Terramite T5, are they really that bad?

[markct]

i know ya seem realy against a full size machine but let me point out that my JD 210C loader backhoe that i paid $7000 for realy does very minimal damage to lawn, its only a little over 10,000lbs and well balance for weight. i can take it over the lawn after its rained and not even leave a mark realy. and there very manuverable and tight turning, so look around, ya might be surprised how well a full size machine works for you. and with a full size machine you can always just drive it where ya gota go rather than worry about trailering it there

 

[scootr2d]

I am getting confused as to what you were asking.
I understood your initial requirements to be -

1. ) sub 4000 lb loader/backhoe.
2.) Around 7500.00

Given those Requirements -
I would have thought the used Kubota L275DT under 7500.00 would have met your needs.
Tractor w/ Loader and Backhoe (example pic below)
Length: 17 ft 0 in.
Width: 5 ft 3 in.
Height: 6 ft 0 in.
Weight: 3500 lbs
HP 27.5

Now given your additional criteria,

1. hydrostatic
2. Lift capacity exceeding 500 Plus lbs ??

you stated in previous post you "would love a Kubota B20/21 over a Mite, just like I would love a Ferrari over my Toyota."

However if your concerned about lift capacity , I don't think you are not going to find what you are looking for in a Sub compact and you may need to start looking along the lines of a compact, or full size.
Perhaps others can recommend a compact or full size with more lift capacity that still meets your 4000 lb, Hydrostatic, under 7500.00 criteria. I wish you Good luck in your search. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[Builder]

i know ya seem realy against a full size machine but let me point out that my JD 210C loader backhoe that i paid $7000 for realy does very minimal damage to lawn, its only a little over 10,000lbs and well balance for weight. i can take it over the lawn after its rained and not even leave a mark realy. and there very manuverable and tight turning, so look around, ya might be surprised how well a full size machine works for you. and with a full size machine you can always just drive it where ya gota go rather than worry about trailering it there

I remember when I bought my first backhoe. I thought it was HUGE and would destroy evrything under its' tires. Now I'm on my 3rd and they all seem small & manageable to me, even my LB at 19,000 lbs no longer feels big.

It's true about driving it from job to job. I actually sold my big trailer to a buddy of mine. Don't need it anymore. I just hit the road at 28MPH, it doesn't take long to get there. Try that with a mini-ex. :laughing:

Not having to buy & store an equipment trailer makes life easier. I think guys stray away from full size machines because of the size, but I can assure you, it'll seem much smaller by the end on the first day of use. :thumbsup:

 

[cstamm81]

Well I may have to reconsider a larger machine. Yes, my requirements were sub 4Klbs, under 7500 bucks, able to life over 700 lbs in front bucket, and hydrostatic. I may consider a non-hydrostatic, just from my research everyone seems to state hydrostatic is a must. I have geared garden tractors and I do see the reasoning.
It seems that my criteria could be met, there are quite a few machines that come in under the weight and can also lift over 1000lbs in the front bucket. The problem is finding one for the cost and not regretting the buying decision.
So, since everyone seems to think I should consider a larger machine, what exact models? I'm still not sold as wanting something as larger as say a Case 580 series though.

 

[cstamm81]

Just found this, need to call the dealer asap tomorrow. KUBOTA B20 Less than 40 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com
I have never seen a B20 for this low of a price. Anyone notice anything obvious in the pictures besides the completely worn right front tire? I will assume the hour meter went around at least once, so perhaps 1550 hours is more like it.

 

[MarkV]

You questioned the hours which is what I was going to mention. The listed hours seem low given that the last year for the B20 was 96. It does look in pretty good condition so it may have been a home owner machine rather than commercial or rental. That tractor does meet all your criteria. If you consider that tractor you might want to check and see if the 3pt. lift arms and related items are included. They are expensive to replace and may be hard to find for an older model.

MarkV

 

[cstamm81]

Good advice on the 3 pt parts, they sure would be nice to have. I hope the seller is upfront and honest, don't want to make that long drive unless the machine is what he says it is. I have to imagine it needs some type of repairs at that price.

 

[BruceWard]

That B20 looks good and I think the price is fair. I paid $11K for a 2004 B21 with 1150 hours.

The hydraullic hoses on the FEL and BH look older, perhaps original. The quick attach hose that I can see between the tractor and BH has a large steel collar as used by hose shops so I believe it has been replaced. In my opinion any newer hoses is a good thing.

From the way it looks I would not expect it to have mroe than 1550 hours and it might really have 550. I would jump on it.

 

[John White]

Dont waste your money on a Termite. Go for the Kubota. I know you seem to have a mind set on one like I have at times and some one with more experience tried to talk me out of it, I wouldnt listen and regreted it. Now I listen to people who have experience and been down that road.

 

[Builder]

I've had 3 small TLB's (Kubota DT285 w/ hoe, L-35, L-39) All very nice little machines at the same time I owned full size machines. They have their place (tight spots is my favorite useage for them), but once you get a few days in on a full size, if you need it enough to justify it, a full size will feel like a toy to you in no time.

Don't let the size intimidate you.

 

[2Terras]

In My Opinion,
I bought a used T5C about 3 years ago, it was a used rental that was for sale. Paid $6500 for it with the full ROPS and the super wide floatation tires. i primarily used it to dig out about 40 tree stumps in my back yard. A friend and neighbor would use it on occasion with the agreement I would sell it to him for the same money when i was done with it PLUS when he bought it I then could use it when needed. Well The machine was awesome. It dug out every stump I had with no problems. Yes the loader is small but its really a home owner backhoe. A contractor called it a powered wheel barrow! Anyway I missed it so much that I bought another one last year. It is a 1996 with the skinny AG tires on the back and just a roll bar. I like the hydrostat drive, I like that it takes 10w30 motor oil not hydraulic fluid, I like the ease of the forward/reverse pedal with no gears to shift. Yes it travels slow BUT where the heck are you going to drive to on a backhoe? I have just over 2 acres of land and these machines are fantastic workers. I wish I had the smallest hoe bucket for digging stumps and being a welder/fabricator guy I may build one. The 20hp motors do the job these machines are built to do. The Terramite company is there for you but be warned when you order parts they really charge way too much shipping, be sure to get a quote when you have them on the phone. My 96 has been blowing hoses lately and I have decided I should have ordered the complete kit from Terr. for the $450. to be ahead of the game. I have about $200 in replacement hoses so far and I pulled 2 more off yesterday. Luckily I have a hose maker about 1 mile from my house! So sorry to ramble on but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Terramite at all. The only drawback I see is the hoe is permanently mounted, no 3pt hitch like a small tractor. Thanks for listening 2terras

 

[GTM Terre Haute]

I have owned a T5C for 8 years and recently bought a second on a T5D for my second property 25 miles away.

My terramites can out lift and dig my neighbors BX23 bota. To use his hoe, you have to get off tractor and climb up hoe to get on a second seat. Terramites you just pull a lever and spin around to use hoe. Don't have to get off seat.

Terramites are not for speed, fast walk at best. If I need to transport dirt or wood chips, I use terramite and load a 10k dump trailer which I pull around with a Farmall C.

One of my properties does have hills and it does stress the unit to climb hills with a full load of dirt.

My T5D has a replacement 20 hp Honda, which is a sweet running engine. The T5C has the original 20 hp cold blooded starting kohler command. I did have to grind the valves on the kohler. Once it warms up it's as strong as the Honda. Both use very little gas, less than a gallon an hour.

However I wouldn't want a standard tranny with clutch on a front loader. You will burn out the clutch or spin the tires before getting the front bucket full of dirt.

I can always count on the gas engine starting when it sub zero. Most other small sub-compacts are diesel.

One down side to a terramite is you have to be able to work on them. Not aware if they have a dealer network. I call the factory for parts and advice. So if you have limited mechanical skills better find one a local dealer sells.

Both my terramites have power steering. They have served me well.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I was looking at these before I bought my Kubota. The price was right for several in my area, and the capabilities seemed impressive.

Then I found a thread on another forum, wherein it was pointed out by several people that the hydraulic pump was NLA, and a rebuild was 10 grand. That was confirmed by several people.

I bought the Kubota!

 

[Code54]

Used them before - they work but are very unrefined and far from a joy to use. On steep hills they were down right scary. Compared to Kubota's, Deere's, etc they are a poor choice unless your only concern is price.

 

[GTM Terre Haute]

I was looking at these before I bought my Kubota. The price was right for several in my area, and the capabilities seemed impressive.

Then I found a thread on another forum, wherein it was pointed out by several people that the hydraulic pump was NLA, and a rebuild was 10 grand. That was confirmed by several people.

I bought the Kubota!

Terra corp sells new pumps for $600 for a T5C. Torque motors are around $800

 

[2Terras]

I'm still using mine about 3 days a week. Cleared another 125 trees and this Terra is working great. I'd love to try a T7 or T9.

 

[Terrasteve]

I bought a 2000 T5D about 3 or 4 years ago and have to say it has been the best money I have ever spent. This thing is a tank. Zero problems with it in the 300 hours that I have put on it since I bought it. It has around 1700 hours on it now and still runs and works like new. My buddy has BX 25 Kubota with hoe and even thou he spent 3 times as much for it as I did for my Terramite the Terramite will put it to shame in every category. Lifting capability's, Dig depth, rear boom lift you name it. Drop a 20 pound rock on the hood of a compact tractor and see what happens, You end up with a crush hood. On a Terramite the rock will just bounce off. They are made with plate steel not stamped tin. If you have a small acreage The terramite is perfect, I have dug a 400 ft trench and laid underground electrical to a pole building,dug a new 200 ft drain, moved huge piles of rocks and dirt, and cleared a lot of trees and brush with mine, even used it to tear down an old shed and clean up the mess. Like I said, best money I have ever spent.

 

[2Terras]

Great to hear! I like them too. I just wish I kept my 1st one it was in much better condition. BUT I also paid $2000 MORE for it than this one.
I had a friend with an excavator come here to remove about 125 trees. He pushes them over, strips the branches off, cuts off the stump and hauls away the trunk. He left me with the mess of cleaning up. The T5C is doing it fine, just slow cause its small. I'm happy!

 

[Hobby Dirt]

My experience with the T5 was very good. It was necessary to add a combination belly ripper/belly blade because the loader won't dig much without ripping it first, and grading with a loader is the pits.
The belly blade and ripper made a world of difference on long gravel driveways and big lawns. Ponds too. Rip it this way, scoop it that way and haul it off. The machine was plenty beefy and simple to work on. Greatly reduced cost of owner ship and headaches compared to a 8,000 pound plus tlb.
My old 8,000 pound Case 530 diesel was plenty easy to us with the low range and clutch shuttle shift. It was easy on soft ground with "very" low pressure in the rear tires "and" extending the hoe to offset a full load in the front loader so the front tires don't cut sink. I think it's a good alternative to a little tlb.

 

[agjones]

My experience with the T5 was very good. It was necessary to add a combination belly ripper/belly blade because the loader won't dig much without ripping it first, and grading with a loader is the pits.
The belly blade and ripper made a world of difference on long gravel driveways and big lawns. Ponds too. Rip it this way, scoop it that way and haul it off. The machine was plenty beefy and simple to work on. Greatly reduced cost of owner ship and headaches compared to a 8,000 pound plus tlb.
My old 8,000 pound Case 530 diesel was plenty easy to us with the low range and clutch shuttle shift. It was easy on soft ground with "very" low pressure in the rear tires "and" extending the hoe to offset a full load in the front loader so the front tires don't cut sink. I think it's a good alternative to a little tlb.

Any pics of that setup?