Help me find the right backhoe/tractor - list of requirements

wasatchjohn · Nov 25, 2015

Hi all, happy thanksgiving. I am new here and looking for some help. In the last 5 years I have tried/operated many different types of equipment and they're all great at different things. Mini Exes, CTL's, skid steers, full-size tractor/loader/backhoe, etc. I'm looking for something that can do most of these things...but doesn't have to be great at any of them.

I think I have settled on a medium size tractor/loader/backhoe but I can't find the right model and dealers haven't been helpful. Can anyone think of a piece of equipment that meets the criteria below?

-weighs under 10,000. I want to be able to pull it with a 14k trailer and F350.
-has 3 point hitch in back for common farm implements
-has backhoe in back that can dig at least 9 feet and aux hydraulics that will let me swap the bucket for a breaker and/or auger
-detachable loader upfront with aux hydraulics that will let me swap the bucket for a snowblower
-enclosed cab with heat
-simple enough that someone like me with general repair skills can access most things (aka not a bobcat)

Thoughts? Suggestions?

El Hombre · Nov 25, 2015

Sounds like my neighbors LOT (little orange tractor), Kubota. So start looking for Kubota and clones. If you have to move it on the trailer, and only have a one ton truck to tow it, that's your market. Dealers aren't going to be much help; they want to sell what they have. Not help you find another place to spend your cash.

Mahindra, bunch of Russian tractors were imported about that size. Northern Tools has small tractors with attachments. Is this new iron? Or is used a possibility?

wasatchjohn · Nov 25, 2015

New or used, doesn't matter!

Started looking at Kubota's M59...but apparently the 62 is coming out in the Spring which will be a pretty good improvement. ~65K though, wow!

hetkind · Nov 25, 2015

The Chinese tractor from Northern Tool has everything you want, aside from reliability and good parts support. But basically you want a ag tractor that has a decent backhoe on a three point hitch...have you looked at either the compact Deere, New Holland or MF machines? My neighbor in Texas has a compact MF 4x4 diesel in the 35k range that meets your requirements.

I am in a similar boat, but since I am not looking for three point hitch accessories, I have a Deere 450/455 crawler loader with hoe in my sights.

Howard

Roddd · Nov 25, 2015

I don't have much experience with a backhoe that can be mounted to a three point hitch, but that seems like it may be too small for your needs. I could be wrong and I'll defer to the pros on here, but I think a skid steer with attachments may be your best bet and just rent a mini ex when it comes time to dig. The skid steer can run numerous attachments like a snow blower, auger and a breaker.

Deon · Nov 26, 2015

http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specifi...r+Backhoe&make=Kubota&model=M59&modelid=99590

Check out this link.
You can type in most any tractor model in Google and find a link called ritchiespecs.com with the specs layed out for you.

Delmer · Nov 26, 2015

I don't think you're going to find everything you're looking for. Under 10,000# is a small, not medium backhoe, or an OLD one that's not going to have many of the other features.

I'd suggest you try out whatever model you settle on. A full sized backhoe is a jack of all trades/ master of none. A compact tractor/three point is a homeowners tool.

Blueboy · Nov 26, 2015

I hate to say this but a skid steer sounds like it meets your needs. Attachments out the wazoo and light enough to haul. Only I'm not sure of the digging depth for the hoe attachment. I know your concerned about accessing most things for repair, but I think every machine out there has hoses and bolts you can't get to. I mean, what were they thinking! My preference is buy made in U.S.A. You have a Ford (not Chevy) why stop there...

oldtanker · Nov 26, 2015

The subject of 3 point hitch mounted backhoes comes up often on farm tractor forums. Most often the advice is if you are going to do any serious digging an older dedicated tractor loader backhoe is the way to go. Going to trench in a line from the barn or house to a shop? Rent. That's the advice you get from most farmers running anything from smaller older tractors to monster 4X4 and Quad Tracks.

You don't say anything about the type of work you are planning on doing.

Rick

CatToy · Nov 26, 2015

I have a L45 and like it all around usefulness. If you looking for a small TLB with 3 pt capability, search for Kubota L39, L45 or L48. JD 110 is same size as Kubota L45. There is a tractor forum on the net that has tons of threads on this subject.

Tags · Nov 26, 2015

I have a friend that started a company a couple of years ago. He needed something that would do a little bit of everything but only had enough cash for one piece of equipment. He ended up with a used Kubota M59, pretty sure he paid around $35000 for it with only 600 hours. I've had a chance to run it a few times to load my 10 wheeler and to dig a couple of small footings. For its size I have been very impressed with it, the loader and hoe run strong and smooth and it seems to have plenty of power and hasn't given him any problems with multiple operators. I would look for a used one, it pretty much is exactly what you described

Gooseidi · Nov 27, 2015

You want a New Holland 545D. 10,000lbs not including the backhoe. 4,500lb lift capacity to 10'6" all around the most stout machine you can find with a 3 point hitch and 540 pto.

Gooseidi · Nov 27, 2015

I have an 11HD Bradco hoe that's going on the back, it's on my list of things to do. Also, the 3 point hitch is hydraulically controlled so you can grade roads with a pitch to them. I will put a quick tach setup on the front at some point and they are available with an enclosed cab.

Blueboy · Nov 27, 2015

Gooseidi said:
New Holland 545D.

:thumbsup

KenMac · Nov 28, 2015

wasatchjohn said:
Hi all, happy thanksgiving. I am new here and looking for some help. In the last 5 years I have tried/operated many different types of equipment and they're all great at different things. Mini Exes, CTL's, skid steers, full-size tractor/loader/backhoe, etc. I'm looking for something that can do most of these things...but doesn't have to be great at any of them.

I think I have settled on a medium size tractor/loader/backhoe but I can't find the right model and dealers haven't been helpful. Can anyone think of a piece of equipment that meets the criteria below?

-weighs under 10,000. I want to be able to pull it with a 14k trailer and F350.
-has 3 point hitch in back for common farm implements
-has backhoe in back that can dig at least 9 feet and aux hydraulics that will let me swap the bucket for a breaker and/or auger
-detachable loader upfront with aux hydraulics that will let me swap the bucket for a snowblower
-enclosed cab with heat
-simple enough that someone like me with general repair skills can access most things (aka not a bobcat)

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I have gone through the exact same issue recently. After looking for TLB's and CTL's for months that met my criteria, I've decided to downscale slightly and buy new. Kubota is the only brand around here that meets service and supply requirements, other than JD. JD folks act like they're doing me a favor to talk to me. Two Kubota dealers within 30 miles with excellent reputations for service and parts and they come down to my level of inexperience with backhoes when they talk and explain their stuff. I'm going with a B26 with 4 in 1 loader bucket and hydraulic thumb on backhoe. It should be ready next week. I'd loved to have a B39, but it's been discontinued due to Tier 4 Final issues to be replaced by B47 this spring at considerably higher price. I could swing $37k and not much more. I was really tempted by a SVL 75-2 loaded with cab and a/c, but $60k was too much. Good luck with your search. Ken

Help me find the right backhoe/tractor - list of requirements

wasatchjohn

New Member

El Hombre

Senior Member

wasatchjohn

New Member

hetkind

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Roddd

Active Member

Deon

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Delmer

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Blueboy

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oldtanker

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CatToy

Well-Known Member

Tags

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Gooseidi

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Gooseidi

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Blueboy

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KenMac

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