Kubota B7500 - Questions before purchase...

[truejourney]

I am considering the purchase of a Kubota B7500 HSD with Loader & Backhoe and would really appreciate the insight and opinion from those on this message board (where I've already found a wealth of information - thanks).
The tasks I have to perform are: Digging around the perimeter of our house (5-6' depth) to waterproof basement; Digging out collapsed basement wall of another house; Laying 1000' of 4" solid/perforated drain pipe; Occasional cleaning of 750' open ditch; Landscaping tasks (grading steep banks to more gentle slope, etc.); Electric, water and gas line installation 200'; Septic system installation; Installing a decorative pond (120 sq ft); Miscellaneous things that come up on occasion.
After finishing the home projects, I'd be interested in doing occasional landscaping / backhoe work for others. I want to keep the scale down to part-time, smaller jobs and tasks (work full time as a firefighter 24 hours on / 48 hours off, retire in 7-8 years). (Have a JD318 for lawn maintenance / front dozer blade work and plan on keeping it.)
My Questions:
Is the B7500 a suitable size to perform these tasks (vs B2410 or others)?
Which Front Loader would be best LA272 or LA302 ($225 more)?
16" Hoe Bucket - good all around size (should I get a 10" bucket also ($350))?
Reversible flip pads for backhoe (rubber/steel) a good investment ($150)?
Tires - Bar Turf vs Contractor/Industrial tread?
Engine block heater (reside in Ohio) ($45) worthwhile?
What size trailer will I need (14' or 16')?
Opinions / experience others have had with various attachments: Rotary tiller (or plow / disc harrow); box scraper; post hole digger; tire chains.
I anticipate making a decision / purchase within the week. Thank you!

 

[MarkV]

Truejourney,

Sounds like you have a lot of work planned. Have you looked at the B21? Same horse power as the B7500 but designed for the backhoe (sub frame mount) and loader (about 1/3 more lift) work you are talking. The big factor is the extra hydraulic output. The B7500 generates 7.0 gpm and the B21 13.1 gpm. You may want to read some of the past post on 3pt backhoes and saftey issues.

If you haven't guessed, I have a B21. Depending on your soil, I think I could do all you are talking about with my tractor. The "BUT" is, it will take a lot more time than a larger machine. As has been said many times on the forum, somethings are better hired out.

To give you my take on some of the items you listed;
-16" hoe bucket is a good size. 10' would be handy for your drain pipe and power line.
-Reversible foot pads, I would not go with the rubber unless you plan on working on pavement. The backhoe will move the tractor around enough that you want all the bite you can get. I would spent the money on a tooth bar for the loader. Does a great job keeping you in place while doing backhoe work.
-Tires, go with the R4's.
-Trailer, no smaller than 16'.

Good luck, and let us know what you end up getting.

MarkV