Newbie

[Kelago]

Hello Everyone:

I just discovered this site last week and would like to request some advice, so here goes: I have 17 acres, 12 of which is comprised of open fields surrounded by hundreds of yards of stone walls. As anyone who lives in rural (southern) New England can tell you, we have a lot of invasive, non-native shrubs and vines that collect around stone walls, i.e., multi-florosa, honeysuckle shrub, wild grape vines, and, of course, the relentless oriental bittersweet, among others. This stuff is thick, entangled and extends about 20 -30 feet into the fields from either side of the walls. Left alone, this junk will eventually smother the fields. Some of the vines (bittersweet) and shrubs (honeysuckle) can have 3 -5 inch diameters.
I need to rip this stuff out; (using a chain and the hydraulics
of the front end loader). In addition, I plan to build a new hundred yard long stone wall, as well as repair much of the existing stone walls; so I’ll be hauling a lot of stone. I’ll be doing some grading and other light earth moving, as well as hauling around cow manure, loam and mulch. I’ll also be clearing a 200 foot driveway of snow, but will not be doing any mowing. I am sure, as the years go by, I’ll discover other uses for the tractor, but this is it as far as being able to pre-determine what I will do. I believe I’ll need a heavy duty FEL with a toothbar, as well as a backhoe; (they’ll be a number of stumps to rip out). The last thing I want is to be underpowered. Any suggestions regarding model and implements?

Thank you

Kelago

 

[theboman]

As far as the vines and stuff use a bush hog (roatary cutter), that'll save you a lot of time. I ain't much help on the others stuff.

Bluegrass, Pick It Up!

 

[GlueGuy]

Without looking at the heavy-dutiness of the stumps, etc. I think the smallest thing you'd want is an L35 TLB. You can do a lot of stuff with this beast, but it still isn't too large. There are a couple more larger models in the L series you may want to look at too, depending on your budget.

Regardless of what you get, you may want to demo a unit on some of the stuff you plan to do.

The GlueGuy

 

[Kelago]

theboman: Thanks... unless a bush hog runs alongside the tractor, I don't see how this would work. I presume a bush hog trails behind the tractor? Some of this stuff gets 20 feet high and, as I said, entangled with each other. I think it needs to be ripped out.

Glueguy: Thanks too... budget is 25K... Do you think a 3010
could do the job?

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Kelago,

$25K and your out the door with a B21TLB.

Al

 

[MarkV]

Kelago,
Al and I both have B21's that we are happy with and find to be real work horses for a small TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe). The backhoe adds big bucks to a tractor purchase so, as I learned, 25K does not go as far as you would like when you add that option. Do you see alot of backhoe work on your land, or could you hire that part out and put the extra money towards a larger tractor? If the trash has growen out 20', I am wondering if it would not pay to bring in a dozer for a day to take out all the stumps and crap in one big push. Once cleared you could maintain with a bushhog and be within 6" of the wall.

MarkV

 

[Kelago]

Twinkle Toes & MarkV: Thanks. Advice is appreciated. Sounds like you're both B21 fans. Can either of you compare the power and "workhorse-ability" of a B21 to an L3010? In my first and only visit to a dealer, I came away with the advice that an L3010 would suit my purposes. I have a long way to go before making a decision, so if anyone out there can further educate me about either or both of these models; especially those who have experience with either or both of them, it will certainly be very much appreciated.

Kelago

 

[toddler]

The B21 is designed more for contractor use as a loader backhoe than the L3010. If you plan to plow, move snow, till, or use a rotary cutter, the 3010 is the better choice. If you plan to do a lot of construction type work, the B21. The B21 is an overbuilt B series. It's designed to be very portable, but still almost bullet proof, so contractors can bring it to a job site, and work it all day without fear of breakage. In exchange for being a little tank, it gives up a lot of the versatility of the L3010 which is by no means a fragile tractor! I'd go L3010 since this is a one property tractor, and agree that a bull dozer for a day may make sense.
Todd

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Kelago,

I could read the specification differences between the two, but you could do that. I have no direct experience with the L3010. I think Mark was right on, with his comment to examine your need for a backhoe. The backhoe will run you 5K+ and that savings will put you into a much larger tractor. The theme on this board seems to be, get the biggest tractor you can afford and still fit where it needs to go. A couple of points on the B21; won't accept a midmount mower, the loader is not designed for easy removal, the backhoe is easily removed. I bought the B21 for the backhoe. I didn't "need" a backhoe I "wanted" a backhoe. So if your asking for advise from irrational people, I am qualified. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Al

 

[GlueGuy]

As others have stated, the L3010 would do the job except in your price range it would be w/o the backhoe. The backhoe is an expensive option, and you really need to examine how badly you need it (or want it /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif).

Perhaps the best choice is to forego the backhoe (hire out a dozer to do the heavy work), then use the L3010 for the rest. I think the L3010 is the heavier-duty of the choices between the B21TLB and the L3010, but you have to give up the backhoe... What other attachments do you need? FEL and brush hog? You could put a monster brush hog on an L3010, and I "think" the biggest brush hog a B21TLB could handle would be a 4'.

The GlueGuy

 

[ChrisR]

Hi Kelago

I reckon if you intend to build a hundred yard stone wall, your going to need a backhoe, if only to dig the foundations. I have a Kubota L35 and belive it is the best compromise if you intend to do a lot of earth moving and landscaping as well as cultivating,spraying and mowing. I've dug and moved some pretty big stumps with mine. Of course price comes into it and I was originally going to buy the B21 except the L35 came up at a receivers sale (18mths old, 570hrs, immaculate) and I only paid $12,250 US. I intend to keep it for a good few years. To me the B21/L35 are the best machines to have if you are going to do a bit of everything around your land.

Have you tried burning off and spraying your weeds ?

Chris

 

[MarkV]

Chris,
You paid $12,250 for a L35 with 570 hrs! What a steal! I paid $19K + for my B21 with 400 hrs and had a hard time finding one. Even though I like HST I would have jumped all over that deal.

MarkV

 

[Kelago]

Thanks to all and everyone... One thing I forgot to mention was that I had the use of a Kubota a couple of years ago for about a month . I didn't take note of the model as all I was interested in was learning how to use the FEL properly and staying alive, though not necessarily in that order. Happily, I managed to do both and got a lot of work done, (cleared one field totally, looks great; hence my interest in getting one of my own). Anyway, it was about the size of an L4610, just a shade larger than the L3010. It was a fussy machine, a bit difficult to handle, but it did the job.

The points made about the backhoe vis a vis the brush hog (bush hog?) is something to seriously consider. I have zero experience with one of these, but I imagine it is a heavy duty lawn mower for high grass and brush? Admittedly, the backhoe, while not needed, would be convenient,
(by the way, unnecessary for stone wall foundation). Time for some re-thinking, as well as more education. I'll come back when I know a little better my wants vs. my needs, and when I can frame my questions a little more precisely.

Thanks again everyone...

Kelago