TLB Questions

[natem]

I have the L 45, the hoe comes on and off very easily. I use it commercially and it is on and off all the time. I would say after you do it a few times its ten minutes or less from back hoe to 3pt. I can't say enough good things about it. I just love mine.

 

[Stick895]

Curious why you wouldn't also consider the M59. It's more suited to 89 acres and stumps....although frankly if I had to do anything on that much land I'd want a standard Case 500 series TLB

Well, it won't be 89 acres of stumps, leaving it mostly forest but still 20-30 acres of stumpage. I was mainly trying to understand the diff between the TLB & standard tractor with 'hoe attached so avc was right on. Lots to think about

 

[LD1]

I agree that for stumping, get the TLB machine. Lots stronger and built heavier. But they do cost more money. Even the standard tractors, the additional hoe is ~$8k or so.

So let me run this one by you.....

Get the L3800 or L4600 or even a MX5100 for you acreage. Instead of spending $8k for an add-on hoe (or $10k+ more for a TLB), take that chunk of change and buy and old "farm hoe".

I know in my area, they are plentiful. And old ford 4500, or 555, deere 300 or 500 series, case 580 series, etc. Even though they can be 40+ years old, for 8-10k, they will work circles around a small BH attachment for stumping.

And even if you have drainage or any trenching to be done, and old $8000 farm hoe will still be faster. They usually have deeper buckets in a given width (so more with each scoop), and they also have longer reach, so less re-positioning.

 

[millstreaminn]

I agree. I started out with a Case 580 Ck, bought it for 5,000 used it 3 years and sold it for 5,000.

 

[mguitas]

I agree with LD1 also, alot of those tractors are 12000 to 15000 Lbs.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

The Big thing with TLB's is One Seat that turns instead of another seat.

That and the four point crash/roll over protection. If clearing big trees mistakes and leave one on top of the drivers seat area. A heavy steel roof and four point cage can save one from some of his mistakes. Four points helps protect from both FEL and BH missteps.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I love my little B26 TLB and I bought it because it is small and able to get into smaller areas where my P7010 wont. But if I were buying tractors from scratch and wasn't concerned with getting into tight /small areas, I think I would get a tractor with FEL of the size I needed and then go with an industrial USED backhoe or even an excavator for my digging needs. The prices of the Kubota TLB's are really outrageous. For the difference in money between a tractor and the TLB you can buy a pretty new model of the industrial machines similar to the 580 CASE. They have so much more power and reach than the Kubota TLBs. If it is stump removal as primary goal, a used 580 or similar size machine would be my choice. Then you could keep your tractor ready at all times for 3 PH work.
2 pieces of equipment is much better than one.

 

[Stick895]

That's what I'm thinking now but I saw a used 2003 TLB 45 for $17.5K which got me thinking. Unfortunately I can't do anything until next year.

 

[avc8130]

That's what I'm thinking now but I saw a used 2003 TLB 45 for $17.5K which got me thinking. Unfortunately I can't do anything until next year.

TLB 45?

Do you mean a Kubota L45?

If so, if that machine is in good condition you better FIGURE OUT how to do something RIGHT NOW. That is a STEAL.

ac

 

[Gary Fowler]

TLB 45?

Do you mean a Kubota L45?

If so, if that machine is in good condition you better FIGURE OUT how to do something RIGHT NOW. That is a STEAL.

ac

That is a good price compared to new for sure, but it still depends on hours of use and how the maintenance was taken care of on it and how much the hoe was used, how much slack is in the pins etc. For heavy duty work, like the OP with stump removal, I would still prefer to double my equipment and get a new tractor with FEL and a used commercial grade heavy hoe like the 580 series or equivalent.

 

[KubotaToy]

I like my L45 but I have other tractors for 3pt work. I tested a lot of full size BHs during my search a few years ago and like them all but they seemed hard to move around in the woods. I felt more comfortable on the L45 and it could be trailered on my current trailer, the full sized BHs were 3-4000 pounds heavier and would require a new trailer.

I would go rent a few different ones and see what you like. I rented several over a 6 month period and had a lot of fun.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I was in the woods with our 1983 JD 310 BH this week and it is not 'WOODS' friendly at 88" wide, 12' high and 24' long in max format and weights 12.5K pounds. Now in an open woods with roads etc it is fine. It will let you remove a 24" standing tree in short order however. Ours is worn and was $7200 but saw a 1984 with 2400 hours and very tight with all lights, etc go for $9,750 this past May.

For serious clearing ground I would not want to put a new $30K plus TBL on the job. I have bent some sheet metal and broke several hydraulic fitting connections on BH and FEL from limbs and smaller stuff that went the wrong way. The the bigger stuff I watch closer because it could test the steel plate roof of the four point open platform protection cage.

All equipment has it ideal use niche. A full size BH like the 580 Case, 300-500 JD, etc in the $8K-$15K range can be a good option and many get sold when the big rough work is done. Old iron is great but one has to keep in mind it is best to write off your purchase price if you loose an engine and the like because it will be cheaper to sell for scrap and buy another used one unless you can fix it yourself. It is the same as buying a new one and working it hard in rough conditions because of loss of value from new to highly used. A 20+ year old BH will not loose any cash value typically even in rough use. When on your own place if something breaks it can set until you get the time/money to fix it.

Four point cage and one seat would be the min for ground clearing in hindsight from my experience. One seat is nice when you are really stuck too.

 

[avc8130]

That is a good price compared to new for sure, but it still depends on hours of use and how the maintenance was taken care of on it and how much the hoe was used, how much slack is in the pins etc. For heavy duty work, like the OP with stump removal, I would still prefer to double my equipment and get a new tractor with FEL and a used commercial grade heavy hoe like the 580 series or equivalent.

For stump removal Id prefer a large excavator.