A little advice.

[TheOldHokie]

I'm hoping some of you can help me make a decision.

I bought a TO35 a few years ago that wasn't functional. I went through it and fixed everything necessary to make it reliable. The problem is that I have a lot of trees, hills, and there is no power steering. When using it for my main purpose, the loader on it, it is a bit hard to use.

My property is wooded mostly. I used it to help clear some smaller trees and stuff but it really seems under powered for what I need it to do.

I bought a barn in a box(30x42) and I have a lot of other things I need to do. My property, in TN, has some hills and stuff. The MF is great as far as physical size goes but I feel like I need something stronger. I don't really use implements aside from the loader but if I had front hydraulics I think I'd appreciate many of the loader style implements. I'm split between getting a larger tractor, an older backhoe, or a skid steer.

I have never owned a tractor other than the 35. I see a lot of tractors like the Kubota B21, 2360 Long, Kubota 3710, Case 685, etc. I see a lot of skid steers that seem to be in functional condition. I also see things like the old Ford and Case backhoes that are more like mini excavators. I see all of these between $5-10k pretty regularly.

The probably is I'm not sure what I'm looking for to be honest. I see skid steers clearing land with apparent ease but I have no concept of the sizes and such. They all look the same to me essentially. I get HP differences and track/vs wheeled. Tractors have a similar issue for me. I get that 4wd is preferably for loader work probably and for land clearing.

Does a 50-60hp tractor do what the skid steer will? How does the Case 685 compare to a 90s-00s skid steer? How would it compare to my TO35? A foot wider and 2 foot longer?

I could rent a skidsteer but I have never even been in one. Being a complete novice, I'd probably have to take a week off and then pay for rental to get everything done. That is 1/3-1/2 the cost of a older gas skid steer. I'm not against buying one for more and then reselling it after I finish everything up. However, I feel like a skid steer could probably do all the work I do with the tractor anyway and more. I'm really not sure the size and reliability of the different machines to know which ones to look for. My F150 can pull about 9k lbs, so anything over 6 or 7k I'd have to get delivered.

Any thoughts you could give me as to the best path for my needs?

Skidsteers and utilty tractors have different capabilities with just a few in common.

If you are going to do a lot of digging, clearing, and grading you want a SS but it wont do the other things you need or if it does it wont do them well.

A MFWD utility tractor with loader and HST transmission is excellent for light loader work. Grading a site for a small building is well within its capabilities. Its way over matched if asked to clear acres of brush and small trees or cut and fill hillsides. Unlike a SS It will plow, disc, mow, and run small hydraulic implements but lacks the much higher hydraulic flow you get with most skid steers..Small detachable factory backhoes are a common option on newer utility tractors. The are great for trenching and footers but can' compete with full size backhoes.

A 4000# 40-50 HP diesel MFWD tractor with factory loader and HST transmission is a perfect swiss army knife solution for most small acreage land owners. After a couple days in the seat you will wonder why you still have the TO35.

There are lots of colors and vintages to choose from. I went barely legal orange.

TOH

 

[cjunrau]

If you buy a skid steer you will soon regret it when you start fixing.
I would think for what you are doing and want to do it slow and in time. Buy the hoe with loader in front and have fun. I can do all you want with a 1650 cockshut with loader. I leveled off the area to build my house 30X60. Took out a couple acres of trees, push down 4 ft of the top of a hill and put it in the bottom. All can be done with little stress on my or the tractor. Takes a lot of evenings after work but to me it was well worth it. Power steering is a must. 3 point would be great but a toe behind grader works great for leveling and making driveways.

 

[dbNga]

Just keep in mind that a SS is not a dozer and does not have much ground clearance if you have wet areas to deal with. An industrial model utility tractor with loader and backhoe added to your "fleet" would serve you well.

 

[Texasmark]

Skidsteers and utilty tractors have different capabilities with just a few in common.

If you are going to do a lot of digging, clearing, and grading you want a SS but it wont do the other things you need or if it does it wont do them well.

A MFWD utility tractor with loader and HST transmission is excellent for light loader work. Grading a site for a small building is well within its capabilities. Its way over matched if asked to clear acres of brush and small trees or cut and fill hillsides. Unlike a SS It will plow, disc, mow, and run small hydraulic implements but lacks the much higher hydraulic flow you get with most skid steers..Small detachable factory backhoes are a common option on newer utility tractors. The are great for trenching and footers but can' compete with full size backhoes.

A 4000# 40-50 HP diesel MFWD tractor with factory loader and HST transmission is a perfect swiss army knife solution for most small acreage land owners. After a couple days in the seat you will wonder why you still have the TO35.

There are lots of colors and vintages to choose from. I went barely legal orange.

TOH

View attachment 148627

With that contraption on the front of that tractor, I don't see how you can consider that "light loader work". With the ft-lbs of the grapple itself, wonder how the machine has any more hydraulic pressure to lift a load......pretty much!

 

[davidpick]

can you add ps to a mf35, by chance I might end up with one, thanks

 

[TheOldHokie]

With that contraption on the front of that tractor, I don't see how you can consider that "light loader work". With the ft-lbs of the grapple itself, wonder how the machine has any more hydraulic pressure to lift a load......pretty much!

Light loader work as compared to heavy earth moving. Its all relative.

That "contraption" is a grapple - handier than a shirt pocket. The loader is quite capable of lifting it and 20' long logs and/or a mouthfull of brush. If it matters system hydraulic. pressure is 2600 PSI and produces 7 GPM flow. Respectable for a 39 HP compact tractor but not in SS territory.

The loader is equipped with a skid steer quick attach (SSQA) implement mounting system so the grapple comes of and the bucket or pallet forks go on in seconds. The loader is also quick attach so it comes off and goes back on the tractor in a matter of minutes..

TOH

 

[Floopy]

can you add ps to a mf35, by chance I might end up with one, thanks

Yes but they cost more than selling one without and buying one with would cost. There are electric power steering universal kits for 500-750.

 

[miangus]

I acquired a really nice MF 135 diesel with a loader and no power steering. The loaders coming off. Adding power steering to a MF 135 is a real job and costly. It appears with a little work this loader may go on one of my 202s. But since the other 202 has a loader, I will probably not go down that road. I use the 202 with no loader to rake hay and enjoy the power steering. I still see a diesel MF 40 in your future. My uncle could take his D4 and make any area look like a tabletop, me not a chance. So, there is an advantage to hiring a pro.

 

[davidpick]

sounds like good advice, thank you

 

[Floopy]

For those who would like to know the end result, I ended up getting a Massey 255 with loader. I figure I can do a reasonable job clearing with it slowly on my own speed.

It is like driving a Cadillac after the MF35. I didn't realize how bad the brakes were on the MF35. The 255 feels like a car by comparison. I guess not having any experience with nicer ones meant my standards were pretty low lol.

 

[davidpick]

either way a step up, new tractor (nice) and a start to a project

 

[MARK ROBKE]

For those who would like to know the end result, I ended up getting a Massey 255 with loader. I figure I can do a reasonable job clearing with it slowly on my own speed.

It is like driving a Cadillac after the MF35. I didn't realize how bad the brakes were on the MF35. The 255 feels like a car by comparison. I guess not having any experience with nicer ones meant my standards were pretty low lol.

Yeah, I grew up using my IH 300 utility with a loader-no power steering. I later bought a CIH 485 with a loader-it had power steering, and better hydraulics. I sold the loader from the 300. I did not know how much better the 485 would be until I had it. Night and day! Mark.

 

[tractorford]

yea rent the skids, see if you want wheeled or tracked. its a good way to go

 

[jddrawbar]

yea rent the skids, see if you want wheeled or tracked. its a good way to go

Good idea......also, might want to roll one of the tracks off in a mud hole and see how that works out.