Tractor Sizing Subcompact with Backhoe, or Compact without.

[ShenandoahBolens]

Hey Guys,

I currently have 3 acres of woods that I'm turning into lawn slowly. I'm not in a time crunch, but I would like to find the best machine to assist me in removing small trees, brush, mowing, and lots of dirt moving. My dilemma is this: I have a tight budget, and I can't afford an L series sized tractor with a backhoe. I can afford either a BX or 1 series with the hoe, or an L/3 series with just the loader and maybe a box blade and finish mower. I currently have an 88 bolens 21hp diesel 4x4 compact tractor, but I'm looking for hydro and a loader. The bolens will be sold when I get the new unit to offset cost. My neighbor has a large New Holland backhoe and is more than happy to help out when needed, but my dilemma is which option is more suited to my tasks. I don't want to lose tractor functionality by going down to a BX from my current setup, but I also think a small backhoe could be very useful in building my gun range, planting trees, digging drainage, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[arcadelt]

Hey Guys,

I currently have 3 acres of woods that I'm turning into lawn slowly. I'm not in a time crunch, but I would like to find the best machine to assist me in removing small trees, brush, mowing, and lots of dirt moving. My dilemma is this: I have a tight budget, and I can't afford an L series sized tractor with a backhoe. I can afford either a BX or 1 series with the hoe, or an L/3 series with just the loader and maybe a box blade and finish mower. I currently have an 88 bolens 21hp diesel 4x4 compact tractor, but I'm looking for hydro and a loader. The bolens will be sold when I get the new unit to offset cost. My neighbor has a large New Holland backhoe and is more than happy to help out when needed, but my dilemma is which option is more suited to my tasks. I don't want to lose tractor functionality by going down to a BX from my current setup, but I also think a small backhoe could be very useful in building my gun range, planting trees, digging drainage, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I my opinion, if your neighbour is happy to help, or if you can occasionally hire a mini excavator, you'd be better of with the bigger machine without the backhoe.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Are you set on a Kubota? There are a few other manufacturers like LS, Kioti, Mahindra, Massey, and Branson. Not sure of your location and which dealers you have nearby. I will say that I am prejudiced, I would never buy a Kubota or JD.

I paid less (by almost $3k) for my LS COMPACT tractor with a BH, PHD, and Box blade than I would have paid for just a Kubota BX with a BH. The L2501(comparable size with XG3025) would have cost me $8K more. The K and JD dealers out here are very proud of their tractors and actually charge more than the MSRP on the build your tractor sites.

Take your time, visit different dealers / brands and sit on many different tractors ... they are different. Find one that fits you. You need to be comfortable with the tractor.

 

[lostcause]

you can always buy the L (or whatever brand and model you choose) and look for a backhoe later if you have a loaner solution for the time being. i see a lot of them roll through craigslist around here at a good discount from new - i'm talking stuff in the 5+ year old range.

I think the majority of people may tell you that you don't need a backhoe, or it is not worth the cost. I've had a lot of family and friends say that, though it appears that it may not be worth spending the money for them when they can ask me to do the digging for them. For me it has been worth it, just for the ability to do what i want, exactly when i want to do it and not have to wait another weekend to rent something, or schedule someone to come do the task. the instant something comes up i can hop on the seat and do it on an evening after i get home, or whenever i choose.

 

[DMW]

Get the BX with FEL and backhoe. It will actually be heavier then a G214. The FEL alone doubles the usefulness, backhoe almost triples it. Backhoe has a high initial cost, but retains a huge part of its value if you resell, even 10 years from now. The SCUT will just take longer then a CUT do do a job. If you are removing a lot of tress and can't burn, get a chipper.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

You indicated you are not in a hurry. I have a 2011 BX 25 and have put 1500 hours on it. House and 21 AC of forest. Working woods, and slash piles along with property improvements. Cleared a lot of space, trenched utilities, mowed a lot of blackberries and other brush along with knocking down small trees (push over) and dug out a lot of stumps. Some stumps were so big I had to build a ramp into the hole and roll them out. The BH is on at least half the time. Only thing I wished for was a grapple. If time is no essence the BX will serve well once you figure out the limits. Sold the property and moved into town, still use the BX for property improvements there. BH has not been off for 3 years now and sold all the other implements. Once the ground improvements are done, the tractor and trailer go. Never got the hang of the box blade for leveling so bought a 6 way rear blade with gauge sliders, cats meow for me.

Ron

 

[jeff9366]

A FEL Bucket Spade costs $400 and will do a fair portion of Backhoe tasks on an 'L'. Good mounted on a standard bucket, better on a Kubota optional L2296 SSQA heavy-duty, round-back, bucket. (SSQA = Skid Steer Quick Attach)

MUCH MORE: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

If your neighbour is happy to help, or if you can occasionally hire a mini excavator, you'd be better of with the heavier machine without the backhoe.

YES. L2501.

 

[Diggin It]

Go with the Hoe say those of us in the know. I beat the price of every other color by at least $2K and got more for it in my opinion.

These little feiiers have been called Swiss Army Knives with attitude. They'll move, haul or dig most anything you want on YOUR schedule, not somebody else's.


Spades belong on the end of wooden sticks, or in card decks.

 

[ShenandoahBolens]

I was kind of leaning that way. I feel like my little Bolens has gotten me through a ton of stuff that a BX probably wouldn't have based on tire size alone. I don't want to sacrifice the tire size to get a backhoe and end up losing some functionality that I'm used to.

 

[ShenandoahBolens]

you can always buy the L (or whatever brand and model you choose) and look for a backhoe later if you have a loaner solution for the time being. i see a lot of them roll through craigslist around here at a good discount from new - i'm talking stuff in the 5+ year old range.

I think the majority of people may tell you that you don't need a backhoe, or it is not worth the cost. I've had a lot of family and friends say that, though it appears that it may not be worth spending the money for them when they can ask me to do the digging for them. For me it has been worth it, just for the ability to do what i want, exactly when i want to do it and not have to wait another weekend to rent something, or schedule someone to come do the task. the instant something comes up i can hop on the seat and do it on an evening after i get home, or whenever i choose.

I hadn't really thought about buying the backhoe later, but I suppose that would be the best of both worlds. I agree that being able to do my by work when I want it done is worth the money in and of itself. Ideally I could by the L with a BH now, but just can't afford it unfortunately. I may buy the L and see if I can live with it and begging the neighbor's BH, then buy a BH down the road if I need it. Thanks!