Piston
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if I'm in the right section of the forum here, but since I don't know what I need, I didn't know which equipment specific section to put this in.
I'm looking for advice on which piece of equipment would be most beneficial for my situation, which is, mostly land clearing.
I am NOT a contractor, and I don't pretend to have thousands of hours operating equipment, but I do have experience as a homeowner and grew up with always having a large loader or backhoe/loader in the yard.
I have about 50 acres of land which is currently forested. My family will be moving up to our land (from MA to NH) this winter. The house we are moving into has less than an acre of open land, probably more like a half acre ar best. I want to clear a LOT of trees and move a fair amount of dirt small distances. Trees are mostly small diameter (less than 8" DBH) white birch and 8"-20" max DBH white pine.
The lot is gently sloping (nothing I could drive across but certainly not level). I would like to regrade and level an area of about an acre or two in size, and create lawn. I've always wanted a flat area to mow and this should be attainable.
So, my original plan was to buy a larger tractor in the 70-80hp range, and use that to do the work. However, I know it really isn't the right tool for the job. But I'm wondering what IS the right tool for the job?
That is my main question, what is the right tool for the job? Now the hard part, I would be looking to spend in the $30k range if I buy something. I've ALWAYS wanted an excavator, and I've always loved backhoes. I've never ran a dozer and only limited experience in a skidsteer. I'm also open to any "outside the box" ideas like tool carriers/telehandlers or anything else if it's a good choice.
A cab would be a must. I figure it's probably between a backhoe or excavator, but what do you experts say?
(I am active over on tractorbynet and know a lot about tractors, but not so much about the real deal equipment like this).
I'm looking for advice on which piece of equipment would be most beneficial for my situation, which is, mostly land clearing.
I am NOT a contractor, and I don't pretend to have thousands of hours operating equipment, but I do have experience as a homeowner and grew up with always having a large loader or backhoe/loader in the yard.
I have about 50 acres of land which is currently forested. My family will be moving up to our land (from MA to NH) this winter. The house we are moving into has less than an acre of open land, probably more like a half acre ar best. I want to clear a LOT of trees and move a fair amount of dirt small distances. Trees are mostly small diameter (less than 8" DBH) white birch and 8"-20" max DBH white pine.
The lot is gently sloping (nothing I could drive across but certainly not level). I would like to regrade and level an area of about an acre or two in size, and create lawn. I've always wanted a flat area to mow and this should be attainable.
So, my original plan was to buy a larger tractor in the 70-80hp range, and use that to do the work. However, I know it really isn't the right tool for the job. But I'm wondering what IS the right tool for the job?
That is my main question, what is the right tool for the job? Now the hard part, I would be looking to spend in the $30k range if I buy something. I've ALWAYS wanted an excavator, and I've always loved backhoes. I've never ran a dozer and only limited experience in a skidsteer. I'm also open to any "outside the box" ideas like tool carriers/telehandlers or anything else if it's a good choice.
A cab would be a must. I figure it's probably between a backhoe or excavator, but what do you experts say?
(I am active over on tractorbynet and know a lot about tractors, but not so much about the real deal equipment like this).