Question: Is it even worth investing just $25k in a CTL, or am I better off renting for a few years?
In short we are in the throes of buying 100 acres in BC, Canada. We need the equipment to maintain around 1500ft of gravel road, clear snow (lots!), mow, build trails, create some building pads etc. etc. My wife and I have both run skid steers, a Deere CTL and mini excavators and agree tracks are best but pricey. The problem is we will be pushing credit on the purchase and development, so don't want to tie it up in financing equipment just yet.
Option A: Spend limited cash on a very used CTL
Option B: Buy a cheap UTV with plow and mower then rent the CTL as needed: but this is $3.5k a month and up.....
Option C: Buy a skid-steer to start, hope I don't get stuck (no help for miles) and upgrade later
I've considered a tractor but we have a fair bit of heavy digging to do and I really need a cab for winter which pushes the price as high as a CTL. I also much prefer having the implement in front. Best flexible option was a toolcat, but they are insanely expensive in Canada! A previous thread suggested a shovel and spade: have both already! My eyes are bleeding reading all the posts and brain hurts from all the options!
My thanks in advance!
In short we are in the throes of buying 100 acres in BC, Canada. We need the equipment to maintain around 1500ft of gravel road, clear snow (lots!), mow, build trails, create some building pads etc. etc. My wife and I have both run skid steers, a Deere CTL and mini excavators and agree tracks are best but pricey. The problem is we will be pushing credit on the purchase and development, so don't want to tie it up in financing equipment just yet.
Option A: Spend limited cash on a very used CTL
Option B: Buy a cheap UTV with plow and mower then rent the CTL as needed: but this is $3.5k a month and up.....
Option C: Buy a skid-steer to start, hope I don't get stuck (no help for miles) and upgrade later
I've considered a tractor but we have a fair bit of heavy digging to do and I really need a cab for winter which pushes the price as high as a CTL. I also much prefer having the implement in front. Best flexible option was a toolcat, but they are insanely expensive in Canada! A previous thread suggested a shovel and spade: have both already! My eyes are bleeding reading all the posts and brain hurts from all the options!
My thanks in advance!