RenoHuskerDu
Senior Member
My business builds/maintains gravel driveways. I have a 21T lowboy dump trailer that can tailgate gravel at 2-5" of depth. Then if the customer wants it to last longer, I have a 3T compactor. Our soil around here is not given to deep erosion. But one of these days I will need to repair somebody's driveway or move it.
So I need a tractor/loader/backhoe. The economy is so good around here that decent used backhoes get snapped up in a day on Craigs List. Half of the listings are scams. So I'm looking new, shopping for heavy compact tractor with backhoe and loader. The Kubota L47 would be the bee's knees, as it were. But it's $57k which would take a while to amortize.
Tried the Yanmar, love the new i-tranny, but I don't fit. And the warranty barely covers business use. Tried the Solis, piece of crap imho. Mahindra, I heard about the wiring and dealer woes, no thanks. Deere lies about where there machines are made. America, my ass. Plus, no skid-steer standard bucket mount on a Deere and ISO controls.
Kub has the MX5200 for $40k and change. It's a contender. The L47 is a dream.
I know Zetors already from my time in Europe. Solid machines, heavy, rather simple, durable. But I found out today that the new Zetors (46-65 hp) are not Zetors at all. Rebadged TYM. I despise that shell game. He also proposed an LS tractor with a WoodMaxx backhoe, 3 point but has its own beefier top link. It also has an ISO/SAE switch.
https://lstractorusa.com/products/compact/xr-series/xr4155hc-55hp/ LS used to be LG. I ran an LG excavator for some time in Europe and it was great. So I'm considering this combo, which would save me $10k off the MX5200 price. Does anybody have experience with LS tractors?
http://www.woodmaxx.com/WM_8600_WoodMaxx_Backhoe_Attachment_p/wm-8600.htm WoodMaxx is a vet owned company with several very interesting products. Is anybody running one?
So I need a tractor/loader/backhoe. The economy is so good around here that decent used backhoes get snapped up in a day on Craigs List. Half of the listings are scams. So I'm looking new, shopping for heavy compact tractor with backhoe and loader. The Kubota L47 would be the bee's knees, as it were. But it's $57k which would take a while to amortize.
Tried the Yanmar, love the new i-tranny, but I don't fit. And the warranty barely covers business use. Tried the Solis, piece of crap imho. Mahindra, I heard about the wiring and dealer woes, no thanks. Deere lies about where there machines are made. America, my ass. Plus, no skid-steer standard bucket mount on a Deere and ISO controls.
Kub has the MX5200 for $40k and change. It's a contender. The L47 is a dream.
I know Zetors already from my time in Europe. Solid machines, heavy, rather simple, durable. But I found out today that the new Zetors (46-65 hp) are not Zetors at all. Rebadged TYM. I despise that shell game. He also proposed an LS tractor with a WoodMaxx backhoe, 3 point but has its own beefier top link. It also has an ISO/SAE switch.
https://lstractorusa.com/products/compact/xr-series/xr4155hc-55hp/ LS used to be LG. I ran an LG excavator for some time in Europe and it was great. So I'm considering this combo, which would save me $10k off the MX5200 price. Does anybody have experience with LS tractors?
http://www.woodmaxx.com/WM_8600_WoodMaxx_Backhoe_Attachment_p/wm-8600.htm WoodMaxx is a vet owned company with several very interesting products. Is anybody running one?