M62 TLB for Maintaining Hilly Land ?

[Smokeydog]

Back on the original track, a few days ago I had to use my M62 to move a stack of steel pallets that in a former life held Kubota RTVs during shipping. Got a couple dozen of 'em free from the dealer. Got 'em home and stacked them easily using a box blade and about 400 pounds of railroad track on the back for ballast. The spot I picked had a mild side slope, but I didn't have any issues with tipping moving six or eight pallets at a time. This time, though, almost as soon as I lifted six pallets, the uphill front wheel started coming up off the ground. Instead of the weighted box blade on the back was a five foot Bushhog. Much lighter. I had to do the job two pallets at a time, and move very slowly and carefully to keep that wheel down on the ground, especially for the pallets on top of the six foot high pile. Also note that I'd installed six inch wide spacers under each rear wheel. So anytime you're working high with loads on the FEL, that tractor is gonna get tippy on a side hill. Even a very small side hill, like six inches of rise over eight feet.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have tried to find a skid steer track loader that could accept 3PH implements, even if it meant using a wonky SSQA arrangement on the front, just for the added stability on side hills.

Think you changed to bigger tires on your M62 also?

While tracked, high horsepower, high flow machines sure can clear some steep ground. Climbing over the FEL for grapple or lifting jobs working alone is not going to happen with a skidsteer. Having additional labor resources could solve some issues.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Think you changed to bigger tires on your M62 also?

While tracked, high horsepower, high flow machines sure can clear some steep ground. Climbing over the FEL for grapple or lifting jobs working alone is not going to happen with a skidsteer. Having additional labor resources could solve some issues.

The original rear tires are still on it, but I replaced the fronts with a pair of the same size when one got a sidewall cut.

Agree that working under an unlocked/unblocked FEL is a bad idea...

 

[AuCivil]

Paralysis by analysis in full swing. The tippy-ness and woods work on my slopes has me jumpy. Also can't seem to get over the $110,000 hump for the loaded out M62. The drive off the lot hit (-40,000) is considerable too. Seems to be over-priced.

I can get Kubota mini-ex kx040-4 w/cab loaded out with 6-in-1 blade for ~78,000. The specs in the manual list a 36% climbing angle and 27% cross-slope which seems must more stable than a TLB. Add a cutter head and keeping briars and limbs cut back on the trails, mowing ditches and banks would be much easier. Was considering an offset flail for this purpose but wouldn't reach everything as well. Would need to pick up a tractor w/FEL or transport mine back and forth. The 3 mph is a big negative as well.

 

[2manyrocks]

One thought is to hire out the big jobs and then buy a smaller machine designed for slope work.

Power Trac Products

Compact Tractors, Slope Mowers, Articulated Tractors, Tractor Attachments, Trailer Packages

www.power-trac.com

 

[AuCivil]

One thought is to hire out the big jobs and then buy a smaller machine designed for slope work.

Power Trac Products

Compact Tractors, Slope Mowers, Articulated Tractors, Tractor Attachments, Trailer Packages

www.power-trac.com

That would be the best way to handle it but doesn't match my plan. I am hiring out the controlled burns because I don't do fire. Will probably hire out a few other things but this is mostly my project for my enjoyment.

 

[2manyrocks]

Slopes aren't much fun on a tractor. Besides some tractors having axles not allowing for the installation of dual rear wheels, traditional tractors typically have higher ground clearance which means the center of gravity is higher than Ventracs/Power Trac type machines. Bobcat also makes the Toolcat.

If your budget is $70k+, suggest you look at all your options.

 

[Smokeydog]

Recent series of storms and gully washers left several trees down 100+ branches. M59 made quick work clearing and carrying off debris. Then fixed the gravel driveway. Took a couple of hours for two days. Still have one stump to remove at a later time.

Tracked equipment has many advantages. Just too slow, less versatile and more expensive to maintain to justify owning. Definitely consider renting or having the work roughed in. Having your own equipment to do finishing details and maintenance. For me it is less about the $$$ but the time required and needed to perform the work. Between retirement obligations, age and heat I’m glad if I can spend a couple hours a day working on a tractor. Do get “priceless” enjoyment from being able still do this type of work.

 

[oosik]

I have 80 acres. There are a few places I simply do not go. I would not go to these places with any type of tracked vehicle.

You have to know the limitations of your property and equipment. The alternative is not a happy story.

 

[2manyrocks]

Add to that the deceptiveness of determining how steep a slope actually is.

 

[rScotty]

Recent series of storms and gully washers left several trees down 100+ branches. M59 made quick work clearing and carrying off debris. Then fixed the gravel driveway. Took a couple of hours for two days. Still have one stump to remove at a later time.

Tracked equipment has many advantages. Just too slow, less versatile and more expensive to maintain to justify owning. Definitely consider renting or having the work roughed in. Having your own equipment to do finishing details and maintenance. For me it is less about the $$$ but the time required and needed to perform the work. Between retirement obligations, age and heat I’m glad if I can spend a couple hours a day working on a tractor. Do get “priceless” enjoyment from being able still do this type of work.

Most of the same applies to our place. I hire younger workers or heavy equipment to do whatever work that they can whenever it is needed. Their doing the rough work leaves me more tractor time on the M59 to do finishing details. & landscaping. That type of work is where the most value to the property lies, and it is work which I find more enjoyable.
Doing that sort of work fits better with my schedule of a couple of hours on alternate days.

Hiring out the difficult and dangerous work actually increases the enjoyable hours of work that I can do with my own tractor, and shifts the schedule in my favor. No deadlines.
rScotty