Terramite T5c or hold out for a tractor

[Alhamil]

So I have been looking for either a TLB or small back hoe like a terramite. I知 looking for a piece of equipment for removing stumps, land clearing, and general drainage work. I知 also trying to stay in 1/2 ton towing range. I致e found a couple terramites T5C close by for around $5k both with around 2,000 hours. I feel like a TLB would be a better choice mostly because you have the ability to add other attachments but every TLB I致e found is well over 10K. Anyone had any luck with the terramites or should I just hold out for a TLB.

 

[nyone]

A backhoe is good a digging. Grading not as much. A front bucket only gets you so flat and thats not very flat for planting grass.

I dont have much expierence with the tramite stuff but they do use a gas engine right? At 2khrs that will be **** close to the end of its life.

For light land clearing and removing some stumps with the addition of the occasional drainage swale or something...its hard to beat a mini Ex. With a thumb you can quickly make brush piles and dig out stumps. Even with my mico ex at 3,500lbs i dont use a chainsaw at anything under 4in diameter. Im mostly clearing maple and beech.

 

[jeff9366]

One recent thread, "SIGNS OF CORPORATE LIFE" indicates Terramite is barely in business.

Parts are difficult now, could be worse in the future.

Peruse the dedicated Terramite forum.


https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/terramite/

 

[Pete1961]

I seem to remember a couple of firms doing aftermarket Terramite parts, in case they do fold. One is Terry's Terramites of Madison Al

I did come across this make as a poss alternative Power Trac They do a range of artic steer small machines with optional backhoes & many attachments, new to me as yet. A bit like the home built Cadplans Cadtrac 1500? but more sophisticated. I have also been studying Struck as a possibility. Where I am the rental industry likes Honda engines if gas powered. Kohler though do have the best continuous rating for use on slopes - 25 degrees in any plane

 

[otlski]

I have Terramite TC5 clone and find it useful but with one significant limitation. It is small and under powered in breakout strength. I can stump with it and dig drainage but it is slow. If I had multiple stumps to pull, or a longer ditch through an area heavy in roots, I would be unhappy. So why do I even like it? Well for a couple of reasons. One, most of the time I am not in a hurry; working my land is my escape. The second answer is very situational. Though it is slow, I am usually pulling one stump, them moving on to my next task. It comes down to my situational convenience. The Terramite is ready to go at a moments notice. If I had to mount the backhoe on my larger tractor, it would take more time to do that and remove the stump, than it takes to plod through with the Terramite. At two or three stumps, the pendulum swings the other way.

 

[wvmfgsolutions]

try this place for terramite parts at About | Terramite Replacement Parts | United States they sell almost every part for terramites , screeds and sweepers . they do a pretty good job too! at least they answer your calls and you can get seal kits and small parts online off of their website , They are NOT affiliated with terramite or terraquip at all !

 

[Jchonline]

Personally under no circumstances would I purchase a Terramite gas machine. Who puts a 20 hp gas engine on a machine like this? Pass and wait for a tractor.

 

[Pete1961]

Otlski, is the T5 clone by any chance Waldron ? I think they do not now make this

 

[the old grind]

Bought my T5C in '06, the year I retired, and have never looked back. The FEL isn't much until you compare it to the mere blade on a mini-ex, but it does work. IMO, $5k is a good price, and HFT 'Predator' motor seems like a 'drop fit'. (might have to tool-up a flywheel-side 'adapter' to dub'l Cardans)

Buy a 'real' tractor of 40hp or higher to get comparable digging power/depth as a T5C. It won't weigh <3k on a trailer.

I had only a CUT when I bought my T-M in '06. I've since bought and sold two 50hp JD LUTs, sold the first CUT, and bought three more <40hp. (also used all three & the T-M in the last two weeks) My point is that I don't have to swap out a small-ish backhoe that'll tie up a 3-PH.

OT, and a bigger point is that IMO stumps of trees bigger than 12' or so are far better 'ground' than dug. (me no dig if >3" dia at 6" above ground) I removed twin 14" dia firs that big next door, one each way. Dug the first one, a 12' wide hole 2' deep and hours of seat time ripping/sawing side roots. I 'ground' the second one (also freshly-felled 30" dia elm stump in my yard) with my DR walk behind. (I'm 69, btw) Backfill with shovel and seed 5' wide 6" deep holes in quick time, vs unhooking/parking a BH and bringing yards of backfill, leveling, etc. btw, remove as much chips from backfill mat'l as you cant.

Terramites are made mostly from off-the-shelf components for rental use and for easy maintenance therein. (cyls, hoses, rod ends, Dana 44, etc) I've changed fluids and replaced a battery in 13 years of reliable use. A neighbor just offered to buy mine. Uh, sorry, not ready to part with it. :2cents:

 

[Fallon]

I've borrowed a friends Allmand a few times & wrenched on it a bit. Pretty much the same as a Terramite. 4-5k TBL targeting the rental market. Its dog slow with a 1 speed HST & tops out at 6mph maybe. Her machine is reasonably worn & a former rental unit. Pretty easy to work on though. It does a fraction if the work my other friends 40 year old real TBL does. But I'll borrow the mini hoe most every time, so much easier to haul & wrench on.

Its low on HP, but you dont need much power to run the hoe. Plenty of power to run it at max (slow) speed on the HST or run the loader as well.

I'd question the ability of any Teramite sized hoe to do much stump work on any stumps of noticable size though.