T9 & lot clearing, site prep, stumps, etc...?

[TSO]

Hello Terramite community ... I just recently started looking into compact TLBs, and I noticed the terramite t9. I would not say that I am ready to buy at this very minute, but just loosely shopping around. I am also looking at the JD 110, and the Kubota L 45.

I see that the T9 is smaller, and the capabilities spec wise are a bit less, though for it's size the numbers are respectable, especially the 6100lb loader breakout. However, in your experience with the t9 how well would it handle light lot clearing work, site prep, stump removal, etc.?
Obviously, it has less power than the other two tractors I mentioned, but the pricing seems pretty fair, I have seen them used for under 15k.

If you could, please comment on your experiences with these machines, their strong points and weak points, things to watch out for while shopping, and what major disappointment ( every machine has one!) I should expect should I purchase one. Thanks in advance!

.....

Also, I'm in southeast Michigan. Is there decent dealer support or manufacturer support for these machines? are parts easily available and fairly priced?

 

[Terrasteve]

I don't own a T9 but rather the T5D. But I can tell you that the terramites are very well built little TLB's and that for their size can really do a lot of work. They are built like tanks compared to a Kubota or deer in the same size range. You could drop a large rock on the hood of a terramite and it will just bounce off. If you drop the same rock on a Kubota's tin hood you will have a very large dent in your hood. Terramites are made out of all steel components and not tin body panels like deer and Kubota. Not bashing either just stating fact's. They will do a very wide range of digging and lifting very well and their compact size makes them great for really tight spaces. Now they are limited by their reach, they are small and cant reach out as far with the backhoe arm like the bigger TLB's that you mentioned. Another down side is their slow speed, if you have a lot of distance to cover they do not travel very fast and it takes a while to get from point A to point B. Mine max's out at about 4mph pedal to the metal. As far as digging out stumps my T5D does a decent job of taking out smaller stumps in the 6 to 10 inch size range with the small 8 inch bucket attached to it, but bigger stumps are harder for it top do. It will eventually dig them big en's out but it takes a while. The T9's have more power to the hoe than my T5D so I'm sure they do a better job with the stumps. If you have a lot of very large stumps I would recommend the bigger deer 110 for that job. I am a firm believer that bigger is better, but for their size, weight, versatility and used price, it is hard to beat a terramite. Good luck in your search.
Steve

 

[Green Power]

Go big and get the M59 No need to mess a round with smaller stuff. Or see if BFreaky will build a backhoe for your Massey. Or else just get a fullsize backhoe. Just my :2cents:

 

[TSO]

Go big and get the M59 No need to mess a round with smaller stuff. Or see if BFreaky will build a backhoe for your Massey. Or else just get a fullsize backhoe. Just my :2cents:

I really do like the M 59, and its power specs are very impressive. However, if I get a tractor like that it would be my only tractor, and not only is it crazy expensive by itself, it also does not come with a cab option. So, finding a good aftermarket cab on top of an already steep price would put me way way over budget.

I also have not ruled out the backhoe option I can get for my Massey, but I would much prefer a stronger more dedicated TLB, if that was the route I was going. I also don't like that I would have to exit the tractor to jump on the BH.

 

[Green Power]

So what happend to getting a CTL?

 

[TSO]

So what happend to getting a CTL?

That's still in my list to be sure, but probably another 2 years out. We'll see how business goes this year. I spent a lot of money last year, probably should pay some of it off LOL. Also, gotta buy a Harley rake this spring, so that'll set me back quite a bit to start off the season.

 

[CarlL]

I have owned a 2004 T9 for a number of years. With one exception, don't plan on getting around very quickly, it has proven itself up to every task I have thrown at it. I had 16 pine trees that were about 20+ feet tall and over 25 years old when a blight took them all out. The T9 did a good job knocking them down and digging them out. In some cases I did have to snap the roots with the backhoe before I could pull th stump, but I wasn't in a big hurry, so there was no problem. The loader handled moving the uncut trunks of the trees to waste pile, slowly. BTW- The backhoe is powerful enough to pull the T9 forward when it is being used, or tip the whole thing forward.

We have a 1000 gallon propane tank in a pit and I was able to lift it with the loader. Note that I fully extended the backhoe with a boulder in it to help avoid tipping forward.

What I like about the T9 is it is bulletproof. No plastic anywhere and no cheap tin hood. I have dropped stuff on the hood and all I ended up with was chipped paint. When I dropped a heavy branch on my old Kubota, I ended up with a very dented hood.

Do it yourself repairs are simple and everything is easy to get to. Terramite will talk you through any repairs, if you call them.

I have also used my T9 to dig out a septic tank and I can confirm that it will dig down a full ten feet.

When used for show clearing in winter, I have found the diesel extremely hard to start in below freezing temperatures. I use a 300 amp starter/charger and have to go through about 20 cycles on the glow plug before it will grudginly start the kubota engine. My Kubota diesel tractor had no problem starting on battery at the same temperatures. Go figure.

So, in summary, it has proven a great machine for me with the exception of how slowly the hydraulic drive allows it to travel compared to a standard tractor. Nothing I could find anywhere near what I paid for my lightly used T9 had anywhere near the capabilities.

Let me know if I can answer any more questions.

 

[TSO]

I have owned a 2004 T9 for a number of years. With one exception, don't plan on getting around very quickly, it has proven itself up to every task I have thrown at it. I had 16 pine trees that were about 20+ feet tall and over 25 years old when a blight took them all out. The T9 did a good job knocking them down and digging them out. In some cases I did have to snap the roots with the backhoe before I could pull th stump, but I wasn't in a big hurry, so there was no problem. The loader handled moving the uncut trunks of the trees to waste pile, slowly. BTW- The backhoe is powerful enough to pull the T9 forward when it is being used, or tip the whole thing forward.

We have a 1000 gallon propane tank in a pit and I was able to lift it with the loader. Note that I fully extended the backhoe with a boulder in it to help avoid tipping forward.

What I like about the T9 is it is bulletproof. No plastic anywhere and no cheap tin hood. I have dropped stuff on the hood and all I ended up with was chipped paint. When I dropped a heavy branch on my old Kubota, I ended up with a very dented hood.

Do it yourself repairs are simple and everything is easy to get to. Terramite will talk you through any repairs, if you call them.

I have also used my T9 to dig out a septic tank and I can confirm that it will dig down a full ten feet.

When used for show clearing in winter, I have found the diesel extremely hard to start in below freezing temperatures. I use a 300 amp starter/charger and have to go through about 20 cycles on the glow plug before it will grudginly start the kubota engine. My Kubota diesel tractor had no problem starting on battery at the same temperatures. Go figure.

So, in summary, it has proven a great machine for me with the exception of how slowly the hydraulic drive allows it to travel compared to a standard tractor. Nothing I could find anywhere near what I paid for my lightly used T9 had anywhere near the capabilities.

Let me know if I can answer any more questions.

Thanks for that.

How has it been for reliability? How about getting parts (ease & pricing)?

 

[CarlL]

Thanks for that.

How has it been for reliability? How about getting parts (ease & pricing)?

Like most things today, the Terramite is basically made from a lot of parts sourced from outside suppliers. Getting parts directly from Terramite is very easy. The manual showing each part number is available on the internet. The parts are not cheap, but they ship quickly.

If you do a little research, it is possible to find alternative sources for parts, usually at lower cost. Hoses, bushings, cylinder parts, filters, should all be available locally. I found a Kubota industrial engine shop in my city that handles all of the parts that might be needed for the turbo diesel. Other Kubota parts can be sourced from Kubota tractor dealers.

Except for a somewhat leaky outrigger cylinder, a blown hydraulic hose, a leaking O-ring at the backhoe control rack and a dead hour meter, I really have had no expenses running the T9 for years. I did replace the worn round teeth on the backhoe bucket with a really nice set I got off of eBay. Getting the retaining pins out was a pain, even with the right punch and a lot of grinding.

Grease every fitting before each use, keep the oil topped up in the hydraulic reservoir (remember, NO Hydraulic fluid) and these little guys seem to run forever.