Buying Advice Advice on L3400 Purchase

[rcteel5]

I have 40 wooded acres in upper Michigan, and will be building a home in the future. I have several unmaintained logging roads and driveway, and also will need to push snow off the road for up to a mile, on occasion. Also plan to do some clearing of trees, digging septic, trenching, planting, etc.

I've been reading this site for months, have visited several dealers, and made my decision. I just placed an order for an L3400 HST and 513 quick attach loader with teeth and 3 hooks, Woods BH80X Backhoe with thumb, and a Woods 72" rake, box scraper and rear blade. Tires are loaded with RimGuard. I will pick it up in about a month, so there is still some time if there is something crucial that I missed (I've never owned a tractor).

For those of you with similar needs and some experience, is there anything I am missing? I am about 90 miles from the nearest dealer, and want to get it right.

 

[mjfox6]

I use my rotary mower (5 foot) more than anything else. I use it to mow the field, edges of the yard/woods and maintaining the roads through the woods. I also use a boom pole to skid logs.

Awesome choice, my L3400 never ceases to amaze me.

 

[rcteel5]

Could you tell me more about the boom pole...I'm new to all this...

 

[mjfox6]

I bought it at an auction, but it is similar to the ones TSC sells. I used it to skid lots of big logs thanks to Katrina. I used a choker chain (cheap), but a lot of people use logging tongs. Here is a picture.

 

[rcteel5]

Picture is worth a thousand words. I really appreciate you taking the time. Looks like just the ticket. All 40 acres is sugar maple, and I will be moving a lot of logs. This looks perfect.

Thanks!

 

[Z-Michigan]

Sounds like a great setup. One thing I would consider adding is a quick hitch. If I remember correctly you can't get extendable draft links on an L3400, and without those you will really want a quick hitch. It would cost $200-300 for a top quality model (like Landpride or Town and Country Ltd.) and I think you will thank yourself. Otherwise I think you're starting out with a really fancy rig and any additional needs will reveal themselves after you start playing with it.

 

[coasterez]

Hydraulic top link, rear remotes, grapple.

 

[rcteel5]

Coasterez...could you elaborate a little. Keep in mind I'm new at this...what will a hydraulic top link do for me, same with remotes, etc. I understand the grapple, and will probably not go that route for now.

 

[machmeter62]

RCTEEL5: I went down that same road you plan on going twenty years ago, with the end result of building a new home with a septic system. The 7'-6" backhoe, which is only on available on the L3400 will be too small for your construction work, with a septic system. The end result will be contracting some of it out, unless you get a L3240 or equivalent that can handle the 9' hoe. If you only plan on removing stumps, putting in fence posts, and landscape work; the smaller hoe is fine. I would do some more research before being disappointed in the future. There is a lot of difference in the capability between the two hoes. You may save money now, but cost more in the future as that septic system approaches? Also in the construction phase, it will be a bigger help. However, if you are building a very small home requiring a very small septic tank, you may be able to do the job? Good luck on your decision.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just wondering - if you have a backhoe with a 7.5' dig depth and you need a 9' deep hole, why don't you just dig 1.5' deep around where the hole will be, dig the 7.5' hole (now 9' below grade) while parked in that area, then backfill the 1.5' dig after you're done? Sure, it's more work than having a 9' backhoe, but if you only have the smaller hoe it seems like it would work.