Northland
Platinum Member
Hi All, after all my research and the advice from all you good folks I finally ended buying a new Kubota B7800 w/402 loader + 60" bucket, Rim Guard in the back tires, block heater and hooks welded onto L brackets on the bucket - $US16K - with 3 Kubota hats.
Based on the TBN advice I also had a Markham Welding toothbar shipped to my dealer and installed into the bucket. That was US$300 but based on a few hours use of skidding out trees and knocking over/out old stumps that $ was well spent. I picked up the tractor Friday afternoon and had it stuck in the my back forest while trying to skid out a ready-to-burn maple tree the size of a telephone pole. I used the bucket to push myself out. I really need to learn all the in and outs of pulling, pushing and lifting with this tractor because it's apparent to me that safety first is required.
Now I need to buy some sling chokers for tree skidding, a 3 pt hitch blower or back blade for snow removal, a set of the Payne-type removable bucket forks, maybe a bucket grapple next year, a PTO generator for power back up and maybe even a backhoe.
I had hoped to buy a slightly used B7610/7800 or Kioti but the slim pickings and nominal savings over buying new convinced me to buy new. After yesterday's bush work I am very happy that I didn't buy the more easily garaged B7610 as the extra stability, ground clearance, and I suppose hp, came in handy. Out to work...lots' of trees and rocks to move around.
Based on the TBN advice I also had a Markham Welding toothbar shipped to my dealer and installed into the bucket. That was US$300 but based on a few hours use of skidding out trees and knocking over/out old stumps that $ was well spent. I picked up the tractor Friday afternoon and had it stuck in the my back forest while trying to skid out a ready-to-burn maple tree the size of a telephone pole. I used the bucket to push myself out. I really need to learn all the in and outs of pulling, pushing and lifting with this tractor because it's apparent to me that safety first is required.
Now I need to buy some sling chokers for tree skidding, a 3 pt hitch blower or back blade for snow removal, a set of the Payne-type removable bucket forks, maybe a bucket grapple next year, a PTO generator for power back up and maybe even a backhoe.
I had hoped to buy a slightly used B7610/7800 or Kioti but the slim pickings and nominal savings over buying new convinced me to buy new. After yesterday's bush work I am very happy that I didn't buy the more easily garaged B7610 as the extra stability, ground clearance, and I suppose hp, came in handy. Out to work...lots' of trees and rocks to move around.
