Asking for advice on machine to landscape my yard

[Shrew_Gardens]

I usually use the 2-wheel tractor sub forum as I garden and do my property maintenance with a BCS -I live on an acre of property and have about 2000 sq feet of garden- but I want to build retaining walls, a patio, and freestanding walls out of stone, and am interested in a tractor that can help move both loose and palletized material and help with the larger stones (1/4 ton+). Not sure I would keep it past my building phase; I’m sure I will think of uses for it but my small barn is full of equipment that’s more suited to the size of my property.

I cannot justify spending more than 10k or possibly a hair more for just the right thing (say TLB, though I’m not sure a backhoe is necessary). I think the basic question is: would I be better off with a running larger/higher hp (25+) tractor with FEL only or could I get away with a subcompact with under 20 hp? I am seeing 25+ year old machines of both types that are in my price range but there are more of the larger machines. OR should I buy an older skid steer? Is an older machine of either type a bad idea for a non-mechanic? (I have lots of projects already and am a master at breaking off fasteners).

I don’t think I need 4wd as my land is pretty level (except for the part that needs retaining walls).

Appreciate any thoughts and I apologize if this question is too broad, too long, or I missed the obvious threads that would have answered it.

Thanks,
Shrew Gardener

 

[Milo]

More HP isn't really needed for what you're wanting, I'd focus on lift capacity. Sounds like one with a loader that'll lift 750#+ will do what you want. If you think you'll want to also use pallet forks be sure to look for a loader with Quick Attach carriers, most will be SSQA, which'll make it easy to swap bucket to forks and back. You might find a rear blade useful as well.

 

[2manyrocks]

The ground travel speed of many of these is very slow, but what about one of the $5,000 Chinese min-ex's? You can more easily position stones with their bucket/grapple, and if you don't want any tooth marks on the stones, use a sling. On one acre, I'd say the ability to maneuver in tight spaces is a plus. If the job is basically digging dirt or moving stones, I'd lean towards the mini-ex.

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

Thank you Milo. I will look more at the loader capacity going forward.

Too many rocks, I have considered a mini excavator -I think it would be extremely well suited (and super fun) -but I wouldn’t buy a new Chinese machine, based on principle, and am not seeing them for sale used in my area right now. There are a few Japanese or Korean ones around but they mostly command a high price and I’m worried that I will sink an lot of $ into something that I cannot turn over easily or that becomes a mechanical boondoggle. (I am assuming that they are mechanically complex relative to a tractor with FEL?)

 

[2manyrocks]

I'd be leery of buying any used chinese mini ex in particular because many didnt come with hydraulic filters from the factory. Might as well buy new making sure that the unit has hydraulic filter and is properly maintained from the beginning. I haven't seen any units from other sources that weren't expensive or beat up in my area.

The least expensive option for you to move rocks might be to make a stone boat sled to pull with your BCS or look into a front mount cart? I suppose you could add a hydraulic swivel jack to a front mount cart to lift the rocks into place provided the retaining wall isn't too high.

 

[careyo63]

The small Yanmars have a extremely tight a turning radius. A small 4wd. FEL. and a 3pt. Boom pole should handle the lifting. I've seen a small Elec. winch add to do the serious heavy lifting with a 3PT. pole. I have a 2wd. and it has a super tight turning ability and with the 4WD. you also have the use for mobility. Wet soil etc... This is depending on just how big and heavy those stones are?

 

[MarkMac]

I have an acre. Originally I paid $6500 for a cute 1979 Ford 1100. It was my little buddy. A real handy size, and capable of saving my back and arms from being sore.

Then one day it’s axle stub shaft separated. It was a known common problem. But, replacements are no longer made. The Ford is actually a Shibaura. I had to pay $250 for a rusty used shaft.. the last available on the internet. I repaired my beloved Ford 1100 and sold it for a tiny profit.

Then I bought a new Kioti CX2510. The Ford paid for 1/3rd of it. The Kioti has twice the capacity, is much faster, and honestly a tad overkill. I was a hard sell on the hydrostat, but now love it. At some point I’ll have more acreage and it’ll prove itself there.

4WD is almost a necessity for little tractors. With a heavy load most of the weight will be on the front axle, and it’s sketch if there is no drive power there.

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

I had not considered how a load in the bucket would affect traction for a small tractor, thank you.

I wasn’t aware of a boom pole for a 3 pt hitch so will look this up.

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

I’ve found a local 2006 New Holland TC29 that has a heavy duty bucket with cutting teeth & a lift hook and also comes with a 3pt finish mower for $8500. Hydrostatic, 4wd, 1600 hours and appears well cared for and was recently serviced and has no issues. Looks like I could find a backhoe for another 3-4k if I wish tho I’m not sure it is needed. Lift capacity of the loader looks like 875#.

I feel like this is a good deal and would do the job. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[careyo63]

Tractor Data is showing a Pic. of the TC29 with a BH.. Very nice! It should handle any of my needs.

TractorData.com New Holland TC29DA tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[ning]

I’ve found a local 2006 New Holland TC29 that has a heavy duty bucket with cutting teeth & a lift hook and also comes with a 3pt finish mower for $8500. Hydrostatic, 4wd, 1600 hours and appears well cared for and was recently serviced and has no issues. Looks like I could find a backhoe for another 3-4k if I wish tho I’m not sure it is needed. Lift capacity of the loader looks like 875#.

I feel like this is a good deal and would do the job. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Re: Backhoe
If you're not already jonesing for a backhoe, I wouldn't go looking for excuses to buy one.
Myself, I have a backhoe, and I appreciate it, but it was actually one of the raisons d'etre for my buying a tractor in the first place - digging here on my land is unfortunately both common and especially difficult much of the year. If I wasn't already bemoaning the lack of a backhoe, I wouldn't want the expense of buying and maintaining it.
I suspect that the TC29 size tractor would be perfect for what you've talked about, and $8500 sounds pretty amazing!

 

[2manyrocks]

If you aren't actually planning to do much digging, I tend to think a back hoe attachment would be a pain to take on and off. You could move rocks around in the FEL bucket. Install a couple of bucket hooks, and you could have a place for lifting chains and/or lifting straps. Or use the 3pt with a boom pole.

One issue with any used equipment is whether it needs any expensive repairs.

 

[Elemento1991]

Considering you already have a tractor you could always look for the older skid steer you mentioned and out perform the FEL on the tractor by a long shot. If I didn’t need a backhoe and have concerns with ground damage I would be skid steer shopping for sure. Since I don’t already have a tractor and am looking to dig as well I am looking at TLBs. Skid steers have operating loads listed on their specs, but this is 35% of the tipping load if I remember correctly. Skid steers hydraulics and breakout forces are miles different from an FEL. They might not be able to carry 6000lbs because of their balance but the hydraulics will move it and won’t stall like a tractor FEL does.

A skid steer is a machine built around a bucket, a FEL is a bucket built around a machine. 10k might be hard to find a skid steer in good working order though. Also for myself I hate foot controls, however some guys like them. The older ones might be harder to find joystick controls. The old New Hollands seen popular around my area.

However lastly if you don’t want to work on it and just move some stuff around the property a simple FEL would do fine, especially if you plan to sell when you’re done. If you plan to keep you just have a lot more power IF you need it with the skid steer. My friend has a stand on skid steer and its power is awesome for such a small footprint however they are pricey. Just my $.02

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

Thank you for your replies.

It looks to me like a skid steer, such as a 20 hp bobcat, would be a great, focused piece of equipment, but more expensive and harder to justify.

I have to admit that I want a backhoe about 10 times as much as I need one. I see using for 1-2 years as I improve the property then not having much to do with it.

One other issue is that I have 100+ acres of woodland that is used for firewood harvesting (family use) and is accessed by a class 4 “road” that is not maintained. My dad used to keep the road open with constant attention but I don’t have the time and it is deteriorating. I could see the tractor with backhoe being useful there and do not see a skid steer having the same utility.

Shockingly my wife is giving me the go-ahead!

 

[the old grind]

Get the TC29(DA) and don't look back. My TC33(DA) is its twin with a few more hp and it's a lot of tractor. Honestly, the deal sounds unbeatable, and IMO nothing could be easier to resell. (to me?)

 

[WM75Guy]

The TC series are good tractors. Buy the TC29DA for daily work and your projects. If you need to dig, rent a mini-x for the weekend. It will do much more work than a backhoe in the same amount of time.

 

[Shrew_Gardens]

Thank you all for the advice! I did arrange to buy the TC29 though won’t take delivery for a while.

I have to admit that in spite of some obviously good advice from you guys I’ll be looking for the backhoe to fit. I can’t resist making work for myself.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some backhoes also require subframes. A few stories of broken tractor axles running backhoes kept me from buying one.

 

[the old grind]

And stories of CUTs with BH & subframe breaking anyway. Work to attach/remove for mowing or to use 3PH. Safe storage (weather) when not in use. Some plumbing there too. Not many used ones out there specific to X make/model.

Converting 14LA FEL to SSQA was expensive enough by the time I bought a tree/stump bucket & added a 3rd function (DIY) for my grapples. (worth it)

btw, I've had my Terramite Mini-BH for 18 years and while it's very handy I don't use it every year. Don't use the custom ripper tooth and haven't installed the thumb yet. Stumps are ground flush for the mower to pass over them vs ever digging up another. BTDT so there's that lesson learned.

 

[D'oh]

Thank you Milo. I will look more at the loader capacity going forward.

Too many rocks, I have considered a mini excavator -I think it would be extremely well suited (and super fun) -but I wouldn’t buy a new Chinese machine, based on principle, and am not seeing them for sale used in my area right now. There are a few Japanese or Korean ones around but they mostly command a high price and I’m worried that I will sink an lot of $ into something that I cannot turn over easily or that becomes a mechanical boondoggle. (I am assuming that they are mechanically complex relative to a tractor with FEL?)

You would invest Maybe $5000 into a Mini Chinese Hoe, Why worry about Resale?

Besides, once you have one, you won't sell it. For Investment and ease of up keep, you will have it for life of smaller jobs here and there.