|
QUESTION:I know in the past I have read that some of the metal enthusiasts in the group
also like/have excavation or farm equipment. I believe Fitch has some, for
example. I have run into the need for a small loader/tractor and have heard
that someone is importing low hour Yanmars from japan. Yanmar makes the smaller
John Deere tractors.
Has anyone any experience with these compact 4x4 tractors?
If there is an website that is more focused on this sort of thing, kindly point me
in that direction.
ANSWER: I've done some research, the Yanmars are OK but there is some risk involved
with support because it is basically all gray market support. The Kubotas
are nice of course but even the smallest 4x4's fetch $10K around here.
I got a 1970-ish Bobcat skid steer some years ago (model 610), cheap, and
use it a lot as a loader and as a half-ton forklift. Was looking at
upgrading to a 4x4 tractor with a PTO and backhoe, but after looking at
small tractors decided to stick with the Bobcat and just make attachments
for it. The Bobcat is limited in the terrain it can navigate, but it's a
much heavier machine than a small tractor and can lift and carry quite a bit
more. Recently used it to lift and position a 400 lb beam 10' in the air.
It lacks a PTO or rear attachment point, but it does have aux hydraulics.
I've run into cheaper old full-size loader-backhoe's than compact
tractors -- says something about the supply and demand. And perhaps the
longer life span of a full-size machine.
|
|
|
|
