Central Texas Rock Farmer

[RonCTAMU82]

For 20 acre Blanco County TX tract on the Pedernales River, I am in the market for a 45-50HP either Kubota or Mahindra to:
--grade roads
--move rocks
--clear brush.
Besides a FEL, I am thinking an additional hydra loop to the front (for a grapple) and one to the rear for box blade make sense. I need to clean off cedar around oak trees so need an additional front implement to do so, but still studying. 100% of my neighbors have added beefier front-end guard protection and sun bimini to the rollover bar to their machines too. I am not against a new machine for the warranty/insurance but will strongly consider a clean used one, say under 300 hours too. Would consider trailer and diesel carrier too.

Ron Cormier
Johnson City TX

 

[RonCTAMU82]

Additionally...I need to rework a low water crossing across my aggregate driveway so contemplating a backhoe attachement. I'm getting plenty of push back from neighbors who say a half track excavator would be more effective so am all ears.

 

[jeff9366]

I need to rework a low water crossing across my aggregate driveway so contemplating a backhoe attachement. I'm getting plenty of push back from neighbors who say a half track (tracked) excavator would be more effective.

Rent a min-excavator for this task, buy a tractor for the rest.

A Backhoe for a 45-50 horsepower tractor costs $8,000 new.

If you go Kubota buy an optional Heavy Duty, Round-Back bucket for the FEL, which comes with SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach) FEL mounting, for those rocks. It will hold up much better than the standard bucket.

Consider a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment for removing the Cedars if they are more like brush than over 2" trees.
VIDEO: ratchet rake brush clearing - YouTube

I would not hesitate to buy a ONE OWNER used tractor with 1,500 engine hours if well maintained and priced right.

Tractors near Zip Code 78636 on eBay: Tractors | eBay

COMPLETED TRACTOR SALES on eBay: Tractors | eBay

 

[RonCTAMU82]

Wow thanks Jeff!!

 

[TBN Support]

:welcome:

Welcome to the forum!

:tractor: I'm going to move your thread over to our buying, pricing, and comparisons section.

 

[RonCTAMU82]

Ok I Agree

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

A backhoe attachment is expensive, and a lot of people can't justify the cost. But I never knew how handy it would be to have one until I bought one. I'm constantly finding new things to do with it. If you get one, consider getting a hydraulic thumb for it if you have very many big rocks to dig out and move.

I'm not up to date on the current Kubota and Mahindra 50hp tractors. Back when I bought my Kioti, I looked very hard at both a Kubota L4740 and a Mahindra 5010. The Kubota had more useful bells and whistles, but I could have been happy with either one of those tractors.

I think it would be hard to make a bad choice if choosing between Mahindra and Kubota. Have you also looked at LS? RCO Tractor in Austin is a highly respected dealer that sells LS, and LS gives you a lot of tractor for your money.

 

[4570Man]

My backhoe significantly increases the usefulness of my tractor. Lots of people recommend just renting a backhoe. They're probably not wrong, but under their logic most people would be better off not owing a tractor at all and renting one.

 

[grm61]

Additionally...I need to rework a low water crossing across my aggregate driveway so contemplating a backhoe attachement. I'm getting plenty of push back from neighbors who say a half track excavator would be more effective so am all ears.

You get a better buy on the hoe when you purchase it with the tractor..mine was 6100, a mini ex has more power...however having the hoe on hand for any hole you have to dig for a lifetime is pretty attractive,:

Oh and they are fun to use:thumbsup:

They are very useful, worth the investment IMO...buy it with the tractor though lots cheaper

 

[RonCTAMU82]

Pappy , most interesting. Both the Kubota L4740 and Mahindra 5010 are used models I have under consideration. Kubota quit the 4740 in 2013 but the 4760 is current. I have not considered the LS. They appear to have Fiat engine lineage like NH. I'm still a bit spooked on the Mahindras due to lots of complaints about malfunctioning electronics and ever-leaking hydraulics. On the backhoe I'm thinking it's worth the money; it appears they're "cheaper" if package-purchased with a new tractor. Though if I can find a clean low hr unit that saves 10 grand on the tractor, I'd spend 8 grand to add a bh.

 

[RonCTAMU82]

Agreed. I'm swaying toward adding the bh

 

[4570Man]

I bought my backhoe used at a little more than half the price of a new one. I use it quite a bit mostly on small jobs not big enough to rent a machine. Even the bigger jobs that would require renting a machine it's nice to do it at my pace without trying to beat the clock.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

FWIW, I have a 50ish hp kubota and a 9ft backhoe. I've also had a 18,000lb full size TLB. Both in NH. I have been very impressed with the 9' hoe but it will never compete with a full size machine or >8,000lb excavator.

I grew up in Boerne. If you are on limestone and caleche (sp?) I would not find the smaller hoe very useful. You really need an excavator and breaker IMO.

If you have some river silt or top soil then the smaller hoe will be very helpful.

 

[bookmyer]

I have a ranch in Blanco county myself. I would go check with Ewald Kubota in Marble Falls just down the road. They will get you what you need. I have an M5040 which would be great but they don't make them anymore. Unless I'm wrong I don't believe there is a Mahindra dealer close to that area? Even so I don't think I would go that route ( I did it once before). I've thought about a backhoe myself but I keep convincing myself it would be easier to rent or just hire someone versus buying another attachment.

 

[bookmyer]

FWIW, I have a 50ish hp kubota and a 9ft backhoe. I've also had a 18,000lb full size TLB. Both in NH. I have been very impressed with the 9' hoe but it will never compete with a full size machine or >8,000lb excavator.

I grew up in Boerne. If you are on limestone and caleche (sp?) I would not find the smaller hoe very useful. You really need an excavator and breaker IMO.

If you have some river silt or top soil then the smaller hoe will be very helpful.

That's what I was thinking about the backhoe. I have a lot of really large limestone rocks that I don't think a backhoe on my tractor would be able to get through.