Buying Advice Newb buying a Tractor

[Paultace]

New to the site... First Post... So, Hello, I'm Paul. Building a house in Arkansas... see pics below. Glad to be on here and get your opinions.
I've read through tons of posts on here and other sites and have narrowed my choice down to a Kubota MX5800. With that, I plan on getting the R4 tires filled, 3rd Func for Grapple, 60" EA root Grapple, Land Pride BB35 Box Blade, RB37 Rear Blade and a Cat2 Quick Hitch. Might get a stump bucket... need advice on that too.
I'll attach some pics of the property... 24 acres, mostly wooded and sloped. My driveway is a 15 degree grade at 1000 feet long, it will be asphalt, but I have a lower road that's probably a couple thousand feet long that I want to whip into shape. Lot of stumps to deal with. Lot of Dirt that needs to be moved around. Very little grass or brush to cut. That lower road will need a trench for rain runoff, thus the need for the rear blade with some tilt. The terrain is very rocky. Thus why I'm going with the heavier duty cat2 items LP has to offer.
The 'connectingroad' pic... that's where I need to make a connecting road from the main driveway to the lower road you see to the right. Lots of hauling material and moving the trees to the left of that pic.
Truly value the opinions of this group. You can't hurt my feelings! Lol... have a good one guys!

 

[AllDodge]

The grapple will be a good thing for picking trees, limbs and such up, but note, I would not use it as a "root rake". The term sounds good but no tractor is designed to handle that kind of job, you need a dozer. Just went through this discussion in another thread. The loader arms are not strong enough for this kind of work. The rest of your items should get it done to brake it loose using the 3 point

 

[Paultace]

The grapple will be a good thing for picking trees, limbs and such up, but note, I would not use it as a "root rake". The term sounds good but no tractor is designed to handle that kind of job, you need a dozer. Just went through this discussion in another thread. The loader arms are not strong enough for this kind of work. The rest of your items should get it done to brake it loose using the 3 point

Totally agree on the grapple... there are a lot of large flat rocks I want to pick up and move to the build site. The grapple is for that and dealing with trees. I plan on renting an excavator at some time to deal with some trees/stumps and leveling out some points of that unimproved lower road.

 

[AndyMA]

The MX5200 is a good machine. I bought a MX5200 instead because like you I didn’t need the PTO power. Either the 5200 or 5800 will be fine in your case. Personally I’d get the 5200 with a backhoe. It’s the most useful tool for much of the work your tackling

You’d also be better off with R1 tires for all the ground engaging tasks

Andy

 

[DaddyFlip]

...but note, I would not use it as a "root rake". The term sounds good but no tractor is designed to handle that kind of job, you need a dozer.

The term was cleared up for me when Tim demonstrated the 55-inch model. It's intended for grass roots, not tree roots.

How To Use the Unique Everything Attachments 55" Wicked Grapple Rake - YouTube

 

[Paultace]

Yeahhh... the B92 Backhoe is right at $10 Grand. That and the dealer I'm working with said i could borrow their B26 backhoe anytime. Oh yeah, if I did get it, it would get used! But I just can't justify the cost for what I'd get out of it that I couldn't do with the FEL and a stump bucket.

 

[DerbyRunner]

Ability to borrow a backhoe instead of purchasing is a very nice option.

 

[TripleR]

Your setup sounds good though I didn't see rear remotes on there. In my opinion, one rear remote with hydraulic top link is essential, two better and three the best. The BB35 is a good choice; I got the HR3584 with TnT as I do lot of dirt work and too old to be climbing on and off. We rent backhoe, excavator etc. when needed; made more sense for us. When we were building our houses, doing site prep, we bought a used one. After that it just sat in the shed; others find them essential.

I'm inclined to agree with AndyMA on the R1 tires. I have R4 on mine because of the way I use it and our M8540HDC with R1s are down the road on another farm.

 

[flashpuppy]

To me... looking at those pics and knowing that mowing is not a primary need... I think I would lean towards skid steer opposed to a tractor. You have a much more aggressive bucket for digging and prying. I might even consider trying to rent a small dozer to get everything into shape.

 

[Jchonline]

Hi Paul! First make sure the width of the MX5800 will fit in all the places you want it to go (use a piece of PVC cut to length). If it will then you have the right size! I like all of your attachment choices just remember that with the LP QH you are going to be getting all LP implements that fit it. There are no standards for QHs so you may not be able to use other manufacturer's implements. You could forgo the QH and BB...getting top and tilt kit instead. The top and tilt will require the extra rear remotes, so make sure you get at least 2 for it. If you want a hydraulic angle blade and top and tilt, that is 3 remotes. I went this route over a QH and BB...will see how it works out. I have the same HR 3584 with hydraulic angle as TripleR....its a nice setup.

For stumps...absolutely wear someone else BH or excavator out. I have a M62 and I am not digging stumps much either.

If you aren't snow blowing or mowing you really dont need all of that HP. I would even look at the MX 4800 (non turbo) where you are at sea level as an option. Spend the money on implements, rear tires ballast, etc.

If considering a skid steer...I would definitely consider a tracked loader...and they get expensive quick. For that reason I think the MX4800 give you more flexibility. Rent a SS or mini-ex as needed for specific tasks.