OP
northtractorsearch
Member
Hello everyone,
Our season is coming to an end, so I thought that I would post some of the things that we have accomplished, some of the interesting things we have learned, etc. I am not sure how relevant it would be for anyone, but it would have helped me decide when I was looking, so here we go. Some pictures are at the end if you want to skip...
Just under a year ago I asked here for some advice: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/349558-search-sub-compact-tractor.html
These were some of the tasks I listed, the tabbed ones were completed:
1. Mowing
8. Digging an outhouse
11. Building a garage
12. Building a cottage
We did not attempt any of the other ones listed this year. Some of the additional things we did that were not in the initial scope: moving a rotten, rusted Willy's jeep. This has been there for 50 years, the tires still held air, but everything else was seized. The tractor just drug it across the lawn like a champ. Also loading a bunch of metal scrap that has been in a pile behind the dwelling for a while.
So let me say some negative things first, then I will get on to the positives. When we were doing our 50 hour service, the manual was sufficiently confusing that we accidentally changed both filters - there are 2 hydraulic filters and they are NOT the same. So we ended up spilling a gallon of hydraulic oil on the ground and disabled the tractor for a weekend for us to get a replacement for the other filter. The shop we bought it from comped us a filter and bottle of fluid. We blew a hose on the backhoe, again disabling it for a weekend, shop helped us out. The backhoe redirect line that comes out of the transmission was leaking, shop helped us out. Anyone need a reference for a great Kubota dealer in Ontario, let me know.
So, some of the positives...
Well, if you cannot tell from any other photos, or the ones below, we have a very rocky property. I cannot get over how much having a backhoe (with thumb, without this likely it would be useless for us) has helped us. Everyone may not get a good use out of theirs, but HOLY S*** has that been helpful. I cannot articulate this properly just how many rocks - small boulders? - have been left "in the way" in the past because they are too difficult for us to move. Those are all out of the way now. I would say the backhoe has been effective for roots as well, but I think more force would be better.
Photos!
32 inch corrugated steel culvert:
The space for the old culvert:
New one:
Mostly done:
Overall still very happy with the purchase.
Our season is coming to an end, so I thought that I would post some of the things that we have accomplished, some of the interesting things we have learned, etc. I am not sure how relevant it would be for anyone, but it would have helped me decide when I was looking, so here we go. Some pictures are at the end if you want to skip...
Just under a year ago I asked here for some advice: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/349558-search-sub-compact-tractor.html
These were some of the tasks I listed, the tabbed ones were completed:
1. Mowing
2. Forking pallet-like objects
3. Towing a trailer
4. Removing trees/clearing brush
5. Landscaping (reshaping land, moving rocks, logs)
6. Replacing a couple culverts
7. Maybe snowblowing in the future?3. Towing a trailer
4. Removing trees/clearing brush
5. Landscaping (reshaping land, moving rocks, logs)
6. Replacing a couple culverts
8. Digging an outhouse
9. Clearing a driveway
10. Digging a septic tank11. Building a garage
12. Building a cottage
We did not attempt any of the other ones listed this year. Some of the additional things we did that were not in the initial scope: moving a rotten, rusted Willy's jeep. This has been there for 50 years, the tires still held air, but everything else was seized. The tractor just drug it across the lawn like a champ. Also loading a bunch of metal scrap that has been in a pile behind the dwelling for a while.
So let me say some negative things first, then I will get on to the positives. When we were doing our 50 hour service, the manual was sufficiently confusing that we accidentally changed both filters - there are 2 hydraulic filters and they are NOT the same. So we ended up spilling a gallon of hydraulic oil on the ground and disabled the tractor for a weekend for us to get a replacement for the other filter. The shop we bought it from comped us a filter and bottle of fluid. We blew a hose on the backhoe, again disabling it for a weekend, shop helped us out. The backhoe redirect line that comes out of the transmission was leaking, shop helped us out. Anyone need a reference for a great Kubota dealer in Ontario, let me know.
So, some of the positives...
Well, if you cannot tell from any other photos, or the ones below, we have a very rocky property. I cannot get over how much having a backhoe (with thumb, without this likely it would be useless for us) has helped us. Everyone may not get a good use out of theirs, but HOLY S*** has that been helpful. I cannot articulate this properly just how many rocks - small boulders? - have been left "in the way" in the past because they are too difficult for us to move. Those are all out of the way now. I would say the backhoe has been effective for roots as well, but I think more force would be better.
Photos!
32 inch corrugated steel culvert:

The space for the old culvert:

New one:

Mostly done:

Overall still very happy with the purchase.