Help a future small farmer out with first Tractor purchase

[bswampy]

The 2310 would do small stumps but I could pickup the loader if I pulled to hard with the backhoe.

Plowking can you give me some idea of what you mean by small stump?

From the responses in this thread it looks like my intended use is borderline for a SCUT.

I'd love to step up to a CUT if I could find something in the price range im looking for. Im willing to shop used but Im not sure if the risk is worth the extra capability

Its that darn backhoe thats big $$. Im not even sure if I can justify owning one for my property. I'll need one quite a bit at first I think but after that who knows. There is a place in town that rents them out so I still need to think hard about the backhoe.

I have to get into some dealerships and sit on these tractors, and then find a way to resist the urge to impulse buy!

 

[plowking]

Plowking can you give me some idea of what you mean by small stump?

From the responses in this thread it looks like my intended use is borderline for a SCUT.

I'd love to step up to a CUT if I could find something in the price range im looking for. Im willing to shop used but Im not sure if the risk is worth the extra capability

Its that darn backhoe thats big $$. Im not even sure if I can justify owning one for my property. I'll need one quite a bit at first I think but after that who knows. There is a place in town that rents them out so I still need to think hard about the backhoe.

I have to get into some dealerships and sit on these tractors, and then find a way to resist the urge to impulse buy!

The 2310 weighs around 2600 lbs. with attachments. The hydraulics are more then adequate to do the job,but the tractor could use more weight or ballast.[ This could apply to other brands as well.] I guess some users have filled the front bucket with dirt. The backhoe will move the machine around ,even with stablizers down. I have tackled stumps up to 12-18 inches or bigger. The trick is to break all the roots first and finess the stump out. A solution would be to hire or rent a large machine for real big stuff,use the subcompact for the rest. Think of the machine like ridin the mechanical bull at Gillies especially doing hoe work ,that might be an overstatement but short wheel base could be part of the reason. plowking

 

[plowking]

I read further and you are trying to justify the cost of hoe on the tractor. New ones can cost 5000.00 or more,I have seen used ones on craigslist with little use for 3000-3500 dollars second hand,but they don't always come with the subframe. plowking

 

[MFRED]

If the backhoe isn't a sure thing, you opened the door to a ton of options. With the financing rates the way they are, start looking hard. If you are going to finance, you can get more tractor over a used on just on the intrest difference.

If you find a used one, just be sure to look it over good, repairs can add up quick. As said before by many, make sure you trust the dealer, really good if you buy a used one and can't make repairs yourself. It's really amazing how much of a difference they can make.

 

[jaybrad]

From the responses in this thread it looks like my intended use is borderline for a SCUT.

There is a place in town that rents them out so I still need to think hard about the backhoe.

Great point - IMHO if you are borderline, I think most of us would step up a size rather than step down. You will find so many ways to use your new tractor, that the extra hp, clearance, etc. will be a prudent investment.

As for the backhoe, I struggled with the same dilemma. We have a fairly small piece of property and I was initially concerned about whether I really needed such an expensive implement. However, the reality is that since I can only work on projects weekends and during vacation, it will take me many years to do what we want to do. Not practical for a rental.

With the Bro-Tek thumb, I have used that to move and place stumps and rocks that would have been a real challenge in the FEL. I'm very thankful that we have a BH.

There is also the "cool factor" of having a backhoe that cannot be overlooked.

Jay

 

[Soundguy]

Great point - IMHO if you are borderline, I think most of us would step up a size rather than step down.
Jay

Ditto.. a couple HP too much isn't a problem.. but a couple HP to low can be..

soundguy

 

[greggh]

I would suggest forgoing the backhoe and hire a dozer and operator to clear the area of woods you want cleared. You would be surprised what an experienced dozer operator can do in one hour.

This would leave you more money to step up to the larger CUT tractor.

 

[bswampy]

Great point - IMHO if you are borderline, I think most of us would step up a size rather than step down. You will find so many ways to use your new tractor, that the extra hp, clearance, etc. will be a prudent investment.

As for the backhoe, I struggled with the same dilemma. We have a fairly small piece of property and I was initially concerned about whether I really needed such an expensive implement. However, the reality is that since I can only work on projects weekends and during vacation, it will take me many years to do what we want to do. Not practical for a rental.

With the Bro-Tek thumb, I have used that to move and place stumps and rocks that would have been a real challenge in the FEL. I'm very thankful that we have a BH.

There is also the "cool factor" of having a backhoe that cannot be overlooked.

Jay

I'm pretty much in the same exact boat Jay. I'm gonna need the equipment ready to work when I have an hour here and there. So renting would be very far from ideal but I still have to consider it as an option. I'm gonna try hard to get one because I know I if I dont i'll get regret everytime i pick up that pick ax And yes, I hear ya on the fun factor of backhoe. Its putting a smile on my face right now just thinking about sinking one of those puppies into the ground

Hiring a dozer is an interesting idea, though that may move things along at a little bit quicker pace than I'm prepared to handle. So is looking for a used backhoe to add on to whatever tractor I buy.

So i'll start making the rounds at dealers in the area soon and see what prices I can get, both used and new. I'll see if there is a way I can swing a CUT.

Thanks a lot for all of the responses guys. You've given me a lot to think about.

Brian

 

[Gittyup]

SCUT is too small. After a very short time, you'd probably wish you had more tractor. There is no substitute for weight when it comes to ground engagement. I'd worry more about weight and hydraulic flow, and less about HP. Anything above 20 hp or so will work fine. To stay on budget, I'd go used. There is little risk in buying a machine with 300 - 400 hours on it: Practically still new, but can save thousands off the price of new.

I have a 25 hp TLB weighing in at 5500 lbs with loaded tires. An awesome digger! I bought new for around $18,500. I've seen them used with just a few hundred hours going for $14,500. In hind site, I wish I had bought used. Just make sure you do your research first so you know the pros and cons of the tractors under consideration. TBN is pretty much a one-stop place to do that.

Worried about maneuverability but still want the size and power of a CUT? Consider the Kioti CK20 or the TYM T273. And they won't break the bank either.