okay....so long story, I need a hoe. renting wouldn't make sense for what I'm doing, a mini-ex tends to be quite high, and I think a TLB would work much better at dealing with my sandstone rock infestation. anyway. my options are as follows.
keep my 4060 open, buy a backhoe with thumb for 12k installed.
upgrade to a L4760 with backhoe for 17k more than existing loan (get the extra FEL capacity and a bit more power.
upgrade to a L47 TLB with 3 point kits and 3rd functions front and rear with thumb for 24k over my trade value. way more FEL capacity, much stronger built, same engine I have, which I'm pretty happy with power wise, much stronger backhoe with better reach capability, much better hydro pump. weight is much higher allowing greater traction and dirt work, not having to get on and off every single time. creeper. horn (which I think all tractors should have anyway) a better rops, lower center of gravity. same HST+ as the Grand L, which I love.
M59 (older gen) for 20k over my trade value. 150 hours. pretty heavy for my needs, but overkill is underrated. no emissions stuff, but I've had no issues with mine thus far with it.
what would you do?
I do the following.
hay bales large moving, loading, unloading etc. brush hogging, post hole digging (FEL), 20 acres of rock removal and likely more (800+ lb are common). building 2 stock ponds. ditch work. drainage work. trenching for plumbing electric and gas. pallet work. grading. some tree pulling work, post pulling etc. or wait until they come out with a TLB with a proper cab for a bit more and never buy another tractor again. reason I am looking at them now was my salesmen knew I was investigating mini-exs. he thought I would be better off with a TLB solution and the used M59 came up.
keep my 4060 open, buy a backhoe with thumb for 12k installed.
upgrade to a L4760 with backhoe for 17k more than existing loan (get the extra FEL capacity and a bit more power.
upgrade to a L47 TLB with 3 point kits and 3rd functions front and rear with thumb for 24k over my trade value. way more FEL capacity, much stronger built, same engine I have, which I'm pretty happy with power wise, much stronger backhoe with better reach capability, much better hydro pump. weight is much higher allowing greater traction and dirt work, not having to get on and off every single time. creeper. horn (which I think all tractors should have anyway) a better rops, lower center of gravity. same HST+ as the Grand L, which I love.
M59 (older gen) for 20k over my trade value. 150 hours. pretty heavy for my needs, but overkill is underrated. no emissions stuff, but I've had no issues with mine thus far with it.
what would you do?
I do the following.
hay bales large moving, loading, unloading etc. brush hogging, post hole digging (FEL), 20 acres of rock removal and likely more (800+ lb are common). building 2 stock ponds. ditch work. drainage work. trenching for plumbing electric and gas. pallet work. grading. some tree pulling work, post pulling etc. or wait until they come out with a TLB with a proper cab for a bit more and never buy another tractor again. reason I am looking at them now was my salesmen knew I was investigating mini-exs. he thought I would be better off with a TLB solution and the used M59 came up.