Big tractor syndrome

[DK35vince]

If you enjoyed watching mike hook up a heavy implement without telescoping lower links and stabilizers. Here he describes how to use those more deluxe features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pH9Tmdtsgg

My previous tractor had the fixed lower link arms and the turn buckle sway bars.
My current tractor is more deluxe model and has the telescoping lower link arms and stabilizers. I also added hydraulic top link and tilt cylinders.
The difference in ease of hooking up implements is HUGE.

 

[dave1949]

Ditto on the telescoping links. I wouldn't buy a tractor without them, or swinging lower link arms.

Other than starting off with those to make attaching easier, you can do lot more by keeping your implements on casters, heavy duty furniture dollies, etc. SCUT and CUT implements are light enough to roll, push around with one arm on a decent concrete floor with dollies underneath.

 

[ovrszd]

If they are really too small, give me some real facts....not your stories of your buddies friends brothers uncles sister cousin that had one and the wheels fell off of it the second he moved the backhoe.

You also read that people say the machines will do the work....just a little slower....well ok, not a problem....this is not my job, and it is sure going to be faster then me getting my 17yr old kid out there with a shovel.

We can't answer this for you. No one can but you. Is the BX too small with a hoe??? Depends on what you compare it to. If you use your comparison of your Son with a shovel,,, nope, it'll definitely outwork him. If you compare it to a fullsized backhoe, yep, it's definitely too small.

I'm accustomed to a fullsized backhoe. I'd have no use for a hoe on a BX, just as I'd have no use for a hoe on my JD2210. I'm also accustomed to an FEL on my M9540. I'd have no use for an FEL on a BX.

It's all about perspective. No one knows your perspective but you. But then, you asked. Don't shoot the messengers when you get a broad range of answers. After all, this is a discussion forum.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just finished digging 200 feet of trench about 18" deep with my B 26 TLB to put in another water hydrant by my garden. It took me over 4 hours to do that and I don't think I would want a backhoe any smaller to work in my hard ground with a lot of rocks, both large and small. I like the size of the B26 as it is very maneuverable, has the weight (4001 #) to push and lift some fair sized loads with the FEL, and it has pretty good underbelly armor to keep out most of the limbs when traveling in the woods. I have had it in some pretty good thickets clearing out small brush and vines and it came thru without a problem. I also like the FOPS canopy on top to keep off those pesky widow maker limbs from my head when working in the woods.
The cons are the FEL is not removable so no belly mower can be used, but it does come with SSQA bucket so swapping implements is easy. The back hoe is also easily removed in about 5 minutes if you want to use 3 PH implements. I think it is a good sized tractor for small acreage and still has a good bit of power and traction to move heavy loads. If you can afford it, that would be a good choice for you. I bought mine used with 60 hours on it for $25K and it has been worth every penny. I couldn't justify spending $34K for a new one though at the time, but after using it for a couple of years, it would have been worth it.
I no longer plant anything with a shovel, the back hoe does all my work for me. A backhoe would be very useful for putting in that peach orchard, removing all that fence line growth and thinning out those overgrown woods. Get one with a hydraulic thumb and you wont need a grapple to pick up limbs.
Now, I think I have topped everyone on spending your money while still keeping you in a small tractor that you want.

 

[jenkinsph]

For someone starting from scratch I recommend a quick hitch for the three point hitch and quick hitch implements. I use a quick hitch on my garden tractor, backhoe and compact tractor, most implements I can hook up without leaving the seat. Others I have to raise parking stands and/or hook up pto shafts but for the most part changing out implements only takes a minute or so. The two attachments that take longer are a conventional mid mount mower and a 3pt post hole digger, maybe 5 minutes each.

Using casters for moving implements around in a storage building can make sense but I would wan't to use a quick hitch while working so that I can change implements at whim in the field or pasture. I use the Deere IMatch with good results but there are other good quick hitches too. My compact tractor and backhoe both have telescopic links and top n tilt which makes hooking up very easy.

 

[dave1949]

For someone starting from scratch I recommend a quick hitch for the three point hitch and quick hitch implements. I use a quick hitch on my garden tractor, backhoe and compact tractor, most implements I can hook up without leaving the seat. Others I have to raise parking stands and/or hook up pto shafts but for the most part changing out implements only takes a minute or so. The two attachments that take longer are a conventional mid mount mower and a 3pt post hole digger, maybe 5 minutes each.

Using casters for moving implements around in a storage building can make sense but I would wan't to use a quick hitch while working so that I can change implements at whim in the field or pasture. I use the Deere IMatch with good results but there are other good quick hitches too. My compact tractor and backhoe both have telescopic links and top n tilt which makes hooking up very easy.

Good point and likely the best way to go for the OP.

Quick hitch or not, dollies make storing implements in less space possible. You don't have to drop everything where the tractor can get back to it. Drop it and wheel it to a corner, turn it sideways, whatever.

 

[paulemar]

I keep coming back to the motorcycle comparison.
So many think you have to have a 800cc+ machine to do any kind of highway riding...and that is just flat wrong. You see people telling new riders to go and get that CBR1000RR or they will not be happy....then a week later they sell the thing as it scarred the _______ out of them.
I personally have ridden across one of the flattest most boring states in the union (Kansas sorry) at 80mph on a Yamaha XT225. Colorado to Missouri and not one single problem, I did not blow up the motor, it did not get too hot, I was not blown off the road by a semi truck, I had zero problems passing slower cars at 65mph. But those people are out there that will still tell me I am a flat out fibber, those same people have never been on the highway on a smaller bike.

This is not a reasonable comparison. How would you feel if the XT225 would only do 20MPH? It would still eventually get you there but it would take a lot longer. A BX or similar tractor will likely get the job done, but it will take 2,3 or 5 times as long as a larger tractor on many jobs. I have a BX25 and love it, but the backhoe was not able to break some of the heavy roots on a 12" apple tree stump that I was removing. I had to use a chainsaw on those. If I had a lot of them to remove, it would take forever. Easier than hand digging? You bet! However, I've only got a couple of acres, mostly field with woods along the edges, plus I maintain a couple more acres that I can use for a neighbor. Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I had gone for a B with more weight, larger tires, no cooling fan, and higher ground clearance. As has been said on these forums many times, very few complain about buying too much tractor, quite a few wish they had gone bigger.

 

[Cherokee140]

I just learned about that quick hitch thing last weekend.....I was like what a great idea. No more kicking the arms, pushing pulling cussing to get the stuff on and off.

Those other things on the video...I never knew. I do change stuff often just like he says...post hole digger, then blade, then mower...it is such a huge pain. Cool stuff and thanks bunches.

If you enjoyed watching mike hook up a heavy implement without telescoping lower links and stabilizers. Here he describes how to use those more deluxe features.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pH9Tmdtsgg

Of course there are other options, to make life easier for hookups, like Carters, Pat's, and Quick Hitch devices to add on to the tractors equipped with fixed lower links if that is what you wind up with.

 

[GreenWannabe]

There are a lot of people who swear by larger tractors, and a lot more who swear by their small tractors. While I personally think you are getting good advice, in the final analysis it matters what you think. If I were having the dilemma you have, I would ask the dealer to put me in touch with owners who have BX series tractors in your vicinity, especially those with similar property, and go talk to them about what they do and what they do not like about their tractors. That will give you a better feel for what you might like. If possible, try some out doing the kind of tasks you want to accomplish, to determine their suitability.

Yes, you can do most things with a smaller tractor, but it will take longer. What value do you put on your time, and how much of it do you want to spend on your jobs? If you have as much time as you need to do those jobs, fine. On ten years following thiese boards, I've seen a lot of people who wanted larger tractors than they got, and a few who needed smaller tractors than they got.

Good luck in your search. Look at as many tractors as you can, and try them out. Have fun shopping!

 

[Cherokee140]

The last few replies really have helped. The thought of just taking longer to do the job, or having to chop the job into smaller sub jobs is something to take into mind...Not being strong enough to bust up larger tree roots is something I had not thought of...I just figured you could push the edge through like you would with a shovel or pick. Back to the motorcycle thing...yes I would rather do it on the XT, because I can get off the interstate if I want to and go down those back roads and really see the country...that is why I own Dual Sport bikes....highways are a bore, the back roads is where America is. And to the other comment that is a what if....it does not. It goes just as fast if I want it to, but it will also go to places you can't take that huge gold wing into.

I think I am getting more of a feel for it now, I am getting the feeling if I want to dig a new river I can do it with a 1 series, I can do it faster with a 2032r. However if I want that river to go between two _______ and get off that well traveled road I might just have to have that smaller more nimble machine to get into the spots that I like to go.

Thanks guys, I have really learned a great deal here....those quick hitch and other 3 point stuff is really new to me, I have also learned a little more and will look more close at what I am going to actually do and it really looks like the more important question is how fast I want to do it is....then size from there.

Thanks again.

This is not a reasonable comparison. How would you feel if the XT225 would only do 20MPH? It would still eventually get you there but it would take a lot longer. A BX or similar tractor will likely get the job done, but it will take 2,3 or 5 times as long as a larger tractor on many jobs. I have a BX25 and love it, but the backhoe was not able to break some of the heavy roots on a 12" apple tree stump that I was removing. I had to use a chainsaw on those. If I had a lot of them to remove, it would take forever. Easier than hand digging? You bet! However, I've only got a couple of acres, mostly field with woods along the edges, plus I maintain a couple more acres that I can use for a neighbor. Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I had gone for a B with more weight, larger tires, no cooling fan, and higher ground clearance. As has been said on these forums many times, very few complain about buying too much tractor, quite a few wish they had gone bigger.