Buying Advice 30 acres and plans to build a new house - Equipment to get?

[2manyrocks]

Thanks. I tend to suspect ethanol gas is more problematic in small engine carbs that aren’t adjustable, but it is just my own suspicion.

 

[two_bit_score]

Start off with a JD 333G or similar.

 

[Hay Dude]

Backhoes are nice but are limited when compared to a excavator. Much slower. Reach is limited. Limited ability to throw spoils and so on. Really the only good thing about a backhoes is the FEL capability. In the construction world they have become obsolete. Great all around machine but they dont do any one thing great.

As some who operates machinery (farm and construction) Id suggest a 308 to a 315 sized excavator with a blade. tree removal will be much easier and trail development would be a breeze.

Another thing a backhoe has over an excavator is it can be roaded. I would road my NH or case 580 Super M up to 20 miles.
Try that with an excavator.

Also a backhoe can do snow work, if you live in cold climates.
Try that with an excavator.

Also a backhoe is an excellent “rescue” piece. I have gotten a farm tractor stuck twice in 20 years and the only thing that could get me out is a backhoe. It was driven, over the road, into the field, and pulled my stuck ag tractor out using the dipperstick and a strong chain.

An excavator would have to be loaded, chained down, driven to site, unchained, pull out tractor (tearing up field with steel tracks), reloaded, chained down, driven home, unchained & unloaded.

 

[edgarrian]

Another thing a backhoe has over an excavator is it can be roaded. I would road my NH or case 580 Super M up to 20 miles.
Try that with an excavator.

Also a backhoe can do snow work, if you live in cold climates.
Try that with an excavator.

Also a backhoe is an excellent “rescue” piece. I have gotten a farm tractor stuck twice in 20 years and the only thing that could get me out is a backhoe. It was driven, over the road, into the field, and pulled my stuck ag tractor out using the dipperstick and a strong chain.

An excavator would have to be loaded, chained down, driven to site, unchained, pull out tractor (tearing up field with steel tracks), reloaded, chained down, driven home, unchained & unloaded.

Actually tracks have less weight on soil than a backhoe. So the backhoe would be causing more damage to the soil. Its why more farmers are starting to use track machines. Less compaction.

The OP is wanting something for his 30 acres was my understanding. I dont believe he was looking to move it from one place to another.

As for the snow work. True an excavator isn't going to offer anything. but i dont see people using a backhoe either for snow removal other than parking lots. Can a guy get by on a backhoe for his property. Sure but tractors offer more versatility in this area.

Fact is backhoes are obsolete. The hydraulics are very slow. He will be very limited in tree removal with a backhoe. An excavator will work circles around a backhoe all day every day. IF it stays on property. With out a doubt the excavator is a much better option than a backhoe.

Personally i dont think what you have highlighted makes a great case for purchasing a backhoe over an excavator. Too many positives owning an excavator over a backhoe that you can't deny.

 

[Hay Dude]

Actually tracks have less weight on soil than a backhoe. So the backhoe would be causing more damage to the soil. Its why more farmers are starting to use track machines. Less compaction.

The OP is wanting something for his 30 acres was my understanding. I dont believe he was looking to move it from one place to another.

As for the snow work. True an excavator isn't going to offer anything. but i dont see people using a backhoe either for snow removal other than parking lots. Can a guy get by on a backhoe for his property. Sure but tractors offer more versatility in this area.

Fact is backhoes are obsolete. The hydraulics are very slow. He will be very limited in tree removal with a backhoe. An excavator will work circles around a backhoe all day every day. IF it stays on property. With out a doubt the excavator is a much better option than a backhoe.

Personally i dont think what you have highlighted makes a great case for purchasing a backhoe over an excavator. Too many positives owning an excavator over a backhoe that you can't deny.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I’d rather have an excavator, too.

But when you said they are really limited compared to an excavator, I would argue the excavator is actually more limited more than the backhoe. Excavator will dig much stronger & faster, but backhoe can do things an excavator simply cannot do. It is also more versatile.

Another thing a backhoe can do that an excavator can’t do is work on pavement or blacktop areas without damaging them (if it has steel tracks). An excavator cannot do that.

If the OP plans to work across his driveway, he is limited to a rubber tracks excavator.

 

[mike69440]

As some who owns both a TLB and an excavator, a small ag tractor and 2 UTV, dump trailer, flatbed, etc. AL well used, I appreciate the utility and capabilities each machine offers.
About the only thing I can contribute is that I agree with 99% of the argument made in this post, and offer these considerations:
After your homestead is established, what equipment as a bare minimum will be needed to operate your place? Get that machine now and don't skimp. Don't get a TLB, if it is something you would not keep.
TLB is not the best for construction, but if long term projects are in the future, having a swiss army knife is indispensable.
What makes sense to buy to do the construction that you can resell after construction development, and holds its value best?
I think the best for land development & constructionis a 5-12 ton excavator and a track steer. If bought new the stuff we have on the farm would be 3/4 million. We could never afford this, so we are lucky to have running useable old equipment. I don't envy trying to build in the current economy.

 

[arrow]

I have a buddy who bought a full size Buchus Erie excavator for $5000. It needed hoses and had 8000 hrs on it. He wanted to build barns and create fields on his property.
He bought it with the idea he was going to sell it after he completed his jobs. That was 20 yrs ago.
It now has 12,000 hrs on it

 

[Cranblue]

I'm sure your correct for the construction world. An excavator has a huge advantage over a backhoe for digging and tree removal. But it's probably the very worse machine for moving material. If you buy an excavator, you have to buy a loader or a dump truck, or some combination of machines to carry material.

What makes a backhoe the best all around machine for a farm is it's ability to dig, remove trees, haul materials and travel over the ground at a reasonable speed. Tires are always faster and easier to travel on then tracks. But for me, the reason I like the backhoe the best is that I rarely have to get off of the seat. For big trees, I have to use a chainsaw to cut it down, but for smaller trees, I just pluck them out of the ground, turn the seat around, pick them up, and carry them to the burn pile. Nothing is faster or easier. If I need dirt to fill in the hole from the stump, I can dig it with my hoe, haul it with my front bucket, spread it out, compact it by driving over the fresh dirt, add more dirt and spread it with the bucket until it's impossible to ever know that a tree had been there.

Have L4701 with BH92 R4 tires use machine around house and property.Track machine will tear ground up rubber or metal verses R4s on tractor being careful not in 4wd cutting wheels hard gunning throttle obviously.Have 20 acres in western NC ran full size BH for years on cranberrry farm in southern NJ Ford 555 and lastly JD 410G ext hoe as well as JD 160GLC excavator I’ve been very pleased with L4701 pound for pound BH 92 is built as good as any back hoe arm Ive ran now not as fast as full size BH but for one fill line and one return line with hydraulics I’m impressed with years on bigger machines.I totally agree tires are faster and cheaper than tracks I have cleared and burned up trees and stumps probably around 500 mainly Leland cypreess with chain saw,BH,and forks.Now I did rent an Bob Cat Ex85 excavator with thumb when I burnt my first large pile didn’t want to get tractor close to fire,last couple piles kept smaller used tractor.

 

[mike69440]

Actually tracks have less weight on soil than a backhoe. So the backhoe would be causing more damage to the soil. Its why more farmers are starting to use track machines. Less compaction.

The OP is wanting something for his 30 acres was my understanding. I dont believe he was looking to move it from one place to another.

As for the snow work. True an excavator isn't going to offer anything. but i dont see people using a backhoe either for snow removal other than parking lots. Can a guy get by on a backhoe for his property. Sure but tractors offer more versatility in this area.

Fact is backhoes are obsolete. The hydraulics are very slow. He will be very limited in tree removal with a backhoe. An excavator will work circles around a backhoe all day every day. IF it stays on property. With out a doubt the excavator is a much better option than a backhoe.

Personally i dont think what you have highlighted makes a great case for purchasing a backhoe over an excavator. Too many positives owning an excavator over a backhoe that you can't deny.

TLBs sink really deep on soft ground. I would never drive one anywhere near where an Ag tractor got stuck.
Hope that a long chain was used.

 

[edgarrian]

Have L4701 with BH92 R4 tires use machine around house and property.Track machine will tear ground up rubber or metal verses R4s on tractor being careful not in 4wd cutting wheels hard gunning throttle obviously.Have 20 acres in western NC ran full size BH for years on cranberrry farm in southern NJ Ford 555 and lastly JD 410G ext hoe as well as JD 160GLC excavator I’ve been very pleased with L4701 pound for pound BH 92 is built as good as any back hoe arm Ive ran now not as fast as full size BH but for one fill line and one return line with hydraulics I’m impressed with years on bigger machines.I totally agree tires are faster and cheaper than tracks I have cleared and burned up trees and stumps probably around 500 mainly Leland cypreess with chain saw,BH,and forks.Now I did rent an Bob Cat Ex85 excavator with thumb when I burnt my first large pile didn’t want to get tractor close to fire,last couple piles kept smaller used tractor.View attachment 2513243

BH are good if you don't have anything else. I have ran both BH and excavators and hands down the excavator out works them. IS there cons like moving from one site to another or tearing the yard up. Sure but if its getting moved then that doesn't matter. Tearing up the yard can be minimal if you try on an excavator. The points for using a BH over an a track ho are minimal and some just aren't worth mentioning. Price is probably a big concern for most homeowners. You can get BHs cheaper than a track ho for sure.

 

[EddieWalker]

TLBs sink really deep on soft ground. I would never drive one anywhere near where an Ag tractor got stuck.
Hope that a long chain was used.

I use my backhoe to pull my tractors and lawn mower out of the mud all the time. It's almost become a joke how often I get my zero turn stuck when mowing next to my pond. The walk of shame to get the backhoe is the worse part, but once I'm on my backhoe, it's pretty easy to pull anything I have out of the mud.

 

[HOPocrisy]

Here is my limited experience opinion. About 18 years ago I needed to put in my own septic system if I wanted to occupy my newly built house in less than 6 months. Even though I had never even sat on a backhoe I bought a 1970s Case 580CK backhoe. My only tractor experience previous was a Ford 9N my neighbor and I bought together a couple years before. So I learned how to operate a backhoe. Then I put in the septic system and the county was very happy with it and several employees were brought out to my place so they could learn what a proper Infiltrator type septic system should look like. I also put in several ditches for water, power, and phone. I dug about 800 feet of ditches for the water, power, and phone. Then I dug out a bunch of stumps. A bunch. Then put in an extra 250 feet of driveway through the woods. Then repaired another 200 feet of road. And removed more stumps. I moved many yards of dirt and rocks. At least 8 yards of rocks and probably 30 yards of dirt. The Case 580 CK is meant to be a Tractor, Loader, Backhoe, A TLB. I could remove the backhoe but it would be a chore. Anyway, to me the Case is a beast. It is heavy and still the hoe will throw it around. I have lots of rocks and am super glad I have the thing to get the rocks out of the ditches I am digging. I also have a Yanmar YM2310 that I bought a few years ago. I keep thinking about buying a backhoe for it but I know it will only be good for digging narrow ditches of limited depth, and the rocks on my land would be a big chore for a small backhoe. It is a great machine, has a loader, and there is no way I will be getting rid of it. If I was in your position I would buy a used TLB that was plenty big enough to do the jobs you need it to do. Really plenty big enough. At the same time I WOULD NOT remove the loader from your existing tractor, it is too useful. At least the one on my small Yanmar is. Instead I would add a bunch of weight behind the rear wheels, like a ballast box, or something similar, to make the front end lighter when using the FEL. Not only does it make steering easier it also takes some load off of the front end which is good for the tractor. On my small Yanmar I can have more than 1500 pounds of weight hanging from the 3 point. I do and it makes a big difference. My Case is big enough that it is hard to maneuver in tight spaces, I always need to be aware of the hoe behind me. And it is pretty long. That's why having the Yanmar YM2310 is great. It is much smaller and the bucket most of the time is plenty big enough for what I need to move. So really, having both machines is great, the Case is big enough to easily handle the big jobs and the smaller Yanmar gets used most of the time for the rest of the stuff. You can always sell the bigger backhoe and just keep your present tractor, but I bet you won't.
Eric

So this all came to be rather quickly. Monday went to look at and yesterday dug my first stump out with the new to me 1975 Case 580B I just paid $6,700 for with delivery. You are darn right that backhoe throws the tractor around. Was fun but Ive got a lot to learn. Now Mi just needs to warm up a bit.

 

[mike69440]

I use my backhoe to pull my tractors and lawn mower out of the mud all the time. It's almost become a joke how often I get my zero turn stuck when mowing next to my pond. The walk of shame to get the backhoe is the worse part, but once I'm on my backhoe, it's pretty easy to pull anything I have out of the mud.

View attachment 2573038

My little 8,000 lb. L39 TLB has small R4 tires that break thru the grass roots on soft wet soil and it just sinks. As it is a TLB, it can pick itself up an swing sideways/pull to get on solid enough ground to get unstuck but what a mess it makes. Over the same ground I can drive my 3,000 lb. Ag tractor and not leave deep ruts, at least a few passes. I have used my excavator to pull the TLB for sliding/rolling down a 15' steep gully, etc on more than one or two occasions.
I have pulled/lifted stuck cars, trucks UTV's, other tractors, with the TLB when I can keep it on firm ground but it is only 1/2 the strength of a full size TLB.

 

[edgarrian]

Oh don’t get me wrong, I’d rather have an excavator, too.

But when you said they are really limited compared to an excavator, I would argue the excavator is actually more limited more than the backhoe. Excavator will dig much stronger & faster, but backhoe can do things an excavator simply cannot do. It is also more versatile.

Another thing a backhoe can do that an excavator can’t do is work on pavement or blacktop areas without damaging them (if it has steel tracks). An excavator cannot do that.

If the OP plans to work across his driveway, he is limited to a rubber tracks excavator.

Rubber tracks are offered on machines all the way up to a 315. He wouldn't neccearily need rubber tracks. You can still cross the pavement without issue if it was backfilled properly.

 

[Hay Dude]

Rubber tracks are offered on machines all the way up to a 315. He wouldn't neccearily need rubber tracks. You can still cross the pavement without issue if it was backfilled properly.

I catch anyone with steel tracks on my driveway without mats and I’m crackin skulls.

 

[Hay Dude]

I use my backhoe to pull my tractors and lawn mower out of the mud all the time. It's almost become a joke how often I get my zero turn stuck when mowing next to my pond. The walk of shame to get the backhoe is the worse part, but once I'm on my backhoe, it's pretty easy to pull anything I have out of the mud.

View attachment 2573038

The dipper stick on a backhoe is crazy strong once the stabs and loader bucket are down.
My friends JD210 backhoe, which is their smallest full size hoe, pulled my stuck farm tractor out of deep mud effortlessly.

 

[rScotty]

So this all came to be rather quickly. Monday went to look at and yesterday dug my first stump out with the new to me 1975 Case 580B I just paid $6,700 for with delivery. You are darn right that backhoe throws the tractor around. Was fun but Ive got a lot to learn. Now Mi just needs to warm up a bit.

WOW! WHAT A BEAUTY THAT IS ! LOOKS NEW !... and the price ...CONGRATULATIONS.
I bet you could rig up a soft canvas cab and heater real easily for winter.
In good weather I do prefer an open station with an insulated canopy like yours has.

 

[etpm]

So this all came to be rather quickly. Monday went to look at and yesterday dug my first stump out with the new to me 1975 Case 580B I just paid $6,700 for with delivery. You are darn right that backhoe throws the tractor around. Was fun but Ive got a lot to learn. Now Mi just needs to warm up a bit.

Nice machine. I think you will be amazed by how much work it will do. And how much fun you will have doing it. If you ever need to install an infiltrator type septic system I can give you some pointers. I don't know how your hoe controls are configured. On my machine the swing control is from foot pedals. It is easy to swing the boom inadvertently on my machine. The boom swings FAST. It is important to keep people far enough away from the machine so that they cannot be struck by the boom. I have had folks come up on me while I was operating the machine and I didn't see them until they were inside the radius of the boom swinging. That really scares me because that boom could kill someone. So now whenever I am operating the machine I make sure to tell anybody that's around to keep away.
Eric

 

[4570Man]

The dipper stick on a backhoe is crazy strong once the stabs and loader bucket are down.
My friends JD210 backhoe, which is their smallest full size hoe, pulled my stuck farm tractor out of deep mud effortlessly.

We got a log truck stuck on my job earlier in the week. I was impressed how easily my D3 dozer made the job look. There’s no way my rubber track skid steer would have done the job. We had the log truck suck worse the day before and the D3 didn’t struggle that time either.

 

[Hay Dude]

Your logger truck friend needs full locking tandems or a 6x6.
I was in slippery mud earlier this week and the 4WD and locking differential made all the difference in the world.