ETDD - I might be able to give you a bit of advice based on my experiences this past year. I have a large wooded lot (15 acres) that I had some logging, driveway building (800 feet with 4 culverts) and building clearing to do, so (like you) I considered getting a machine of my own. I researched it pretty thoroughly (mostly on this forum) before making my choice, as I had zero experience as an owner or an operator of heavy equipment. But I had always dreamed of having my own dozer when I was kid, so that’s how I ended up finally taking the plunge. Anyway, long story short, of all the machines I researched, the tracked loader with a 4-1 bucket seemed to be the best overall choice for the wide variety of things I needed to do (especially considering I wanted to stay below ~$10k like you do). There are several heavy duty experts here that led me to that conclusion, including GeorgeMD, Deas Plant (from Australia), BobOnt, jdemaris and a whole bunch of others. I've found that their advice was dead on, I don’t regret getting the loader. You'd be wise to listen to what they have to say as you learn more, that is if you really decide to go the route of buying your own machine (it’s not for everyone though). Why was the tracked loader best? The tracked loader can carry dirt, it can doze (with a 4-1 bucket), it can grade, it can dig pits, it can push over trees, dig up stumps, carry stumps, lift downed trees up and move them around, tow big logs, since it has tracks it gets around much better than wheeled machines (especially in mud or softer soils), it can be used as hoist or forklift, it can pull concrete and dump trucks out of the mud, it can be used to manage burn piles effectively...I even use it to block/restrain downed, tangled up "spring loaded" trees so I can safely cut them with a chainsaw (without them taking my head off). All in all, the tracked loader is an incredibly versatile machine. Other more specialized machines are better at their respective tasks; a dozer will doze and grade better than a loader, a backhoe will dig better pits and more surgically remove stumps than a loader, and a wheeled loader wont tear the ground up as much as a tracked loader. But the tracked loader will still do all of these tasks and many other things that the other more specialized machines can’t do. The loader is a compromise, but overall it's the best compromise from what I've seen and for the purposes of lot clearing/logging/construction within a reasonable budget. I would strongly recommend one based on my quite "experience filled" and enlightening last year of heavy toil with one. As far as what size machine, if you have 60 acres and have quite a bit of soil transport work and perhaps a long driveway and substantial clearing to do, then I would get the biggest machine you can afford. I would try and get a bigger machine than the 450 if it were me. Don't get me wrong, the 450 is a nice sized machine (just a bit smaller than my loader), and it could probably do what you want, but when it comes to old machines oversizing is a good idea in my opinion. I say this for a couple of reasons. The larger machine will do more work, do it faster and not be "taxed" nearly as much as a smaller machine. When it comes to these old machines, you don't want to push them too hard, it pays (or saves) to take it easy on them and only work them at a reasonable rate/intensity. Having a bigger machine makes this possible, and still allows you to get the work done in a reasonable timeframe. Another curious factor, is that the larger machines in many cases go for no more money than the smaller machines (sometimes even less). Amateurs are put off by big machines because they are intimidated by their size (like I was before I bought my 11 ton machine), and feel more comfortable with a more "people sized" machine. This tends to bid up the prices of 350 and 450 sized machines. Also, larger machines are more troublesome and expensive to transport, but as long as you plan on keeping it on your property primarily (as I do), then its not really an issue. Professionals don't buy old crawlers because they need something that is newer, more reliable and easier to get parts for. This is mostly why larger old crawlers are pretty comparable in price to similar vintage/condition 350 and 450 sized machines. So that's what I would do, get the biggest tracked loader with a 4-1 bucket you can afford. A 4-1 bucket is a “clamshell” bucket that opens up and allows it to be used like a dozer or as a grabbing device (for picking up stumps, trees etc). And make sure it is a solid machine with a good undercarriage. If you plan on working in the woods extensively, I would really recommend a rollbar/cage (ROPS), although I've done ok with an open cab machine. As far as what brand, that’s a divisive issue, everyone has their favorite brand. I went with an International Harvester because they are plentiful, cheap and as long as they are well cared for and maintained, they are good machines (although IH is out of business, so parts can be an issue). I would recommend an IH loader of least my size (150), and preferably a 175 or even a 250 (which is a really good sized loader). JD and Cat obviously make fine machines, but command more money. You're going to have a really tough time finding a JD any bigger than a 450 for under $10k in decent shape. In fact you'll probably have a bit of trouble finding a decent 450 for under $10k. Not impossible, but they are popular machines. You can find some killer deals on Allis Chalmers (AC) machines, but parts for them is really an issue from what I've heard. But they did make some really nice machines, so something to consider, you can definitely get hooked up with a nice big AC for well under $10K. Case is another top brand, probably one of the best overall choices you could make, if not the best choice (in my opinion). I’d try and get an 850 sized machine. Lastly, what brand you end up choosing may be largely dictated with what kind of machines are widely available in your area. There are places where Case dominates, and then other places where everyone runs a Deere. Anyway, that’s enough for now. Let us know if we can help you more as you learn and define more what you want to do. Good luck.
|