Mini X vs. Skid Steer vs. Tractor backhoe

[halfBaked2024]

I cant add much to the topic other than the following
You have 4 acres and probably 150 tree stumps plus another 150 after cutting the last of needed trees.
What I haven't heard is how many of those tree stumps must come out out since the future house or other construction ( yard ) need to occupy that space. Once the tree is cut then the stump is not obstructing your view and will eventually rot. Grind the ones down that are really annoying and beyond the house/ building / yard construction area.

For $40K your not going to get much for a tractor (need at least a 60 hp TLB ) or a an excavator ( need at least a 20K Lb machine ) in today's market and you don't have enough work to justifying buying and holding or even reselling.

Mark the areas where stumps need to come out due to construction. Decide where the stump and cut tree pile is going to be be because they don't disappear overnight. Hire a operator with excavator to stump and move debris. Let the ground settle for a year before digging foundation wall trenches, particularly where stumps removed, for your building otherwise you will end up with subsidence, cracked foundation and walls out of plumb and cracks in sheetrock.

Have contractor do the rough grade and level.

I'm not understanding the reason for the 6' retaining walls unless that is to create yard space. Based on 6' high retaining walls the amount of soil/ dirt to fill in behind those 6' walls is possible hundreds if not thousands of yards based on 250 linear feet of walls. There is no $40K spend for equipment purchase or rental, unless you hire out the job, that is going to move that kind of soil from one point to another.

Bottom line. You've got yourself a multi year project.

Planning will get this done in the least amount of time for the least cost.

The above is based on my experience with a significantly modified 11K Lb M59 running the KX series of excavator tools, including a root ripper and thumb, on the hoe. I would NOT attempt to do what you are asking to do with this machine ( original cost in 2017 of $40K ) and another 30-40K in attachment tools. Cleared acres of land and lots of trees and build 1/4 mile of gravel road over a 200 foot elevation change and bridges with this machine.

Finally an old timer got on this post - sounds like you’ve done this a few times! Thanks for all the wisdom and level setting. After going through the other slices of experience and recommendations on here, I am off the skid steer or mini X as a purchase… I was thinking of buying a used one, using it and reselling it, but now, plan will be to pay for those services where needed.

Currently noodling a 55 HP FEL, grapple, PTO stump grinder and (future) box blade.

The living spaces are already built here, I am just trying to expand vehicular access around the structures, build a pad for a shop and terrace some land to get to the bottom of the hill. Possibly install some solar panels. I’d estimate 30-50 stumps along the way. I don’t mind this being a multi-year project… this is what I will be retiring to.