TonyH

Got an error as I tried to go into Tractor Reviews so.. i'll ask here.

First my background.
I know nothing about tractors. I am working on buying 18 acres of open land that I will build a home on. I will be needing a tractor with a Cat 1 hitch for mowing.

Very very long term, I'm sure a farm tractor with a bucket would be fine. But longish term I will have a lot of trenching and land manipulating ahead of me.
My friend works his land with a Kubota 3540 with a FOP and he's almost happy.

I am looking at what I think is a great machine for my needs The JCB MIDI.
I love the Quick release bucket so I can use any Skid steer attachment. The Flow to the front Hydraulics is as good as the Skid Steers. The Removeable Backhoe is great ( I think). The fact that the controls are inside the FOP makes it more appealing over other tractors. I will be using the heck out of the hoe to trench for electric as well as run trenches to get water runoff to go where I want it. I will be growing my own Firewood so there will be ongoing backhoe work there.
I will be getting the FOP option because where I will be, I will be doing some serious snow removal down a 1100 foot driveway.

I think I did my homework but I'm writing here to get an education. Pros.. Cons.
Any thoughts are welcome

tractor beam

Welcome to the forum Tony. Sounds like you are headed in the right direction for certain in my opinion!

__________________
Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.
America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs, from sea to oily sea. _______________________________________________ Some say I have a bad attitude...... "Screw them!"

farmertim

Welcome Tony, anything reliable that you can use with attachments is good when learning.
Cheers

__________________
Einsteins theory of insanity; doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result

G'day from Tim in Australia.

Thomas

Welcome Tony.
Can think of thing for as you said "I think I did my homework" other than did JCB come to you for comfort..those long hours of seat.

rsmith335

I'm a dumb ole plumber, the quick detach back hoe have very sholdy, controls are really bad, power to the bucket is marginal, been there done that, I wouldn't make a decision about a tractor baised on a back hoe atachment. I would get my ducks lined up in a row and rent a real back hoe for a month and get all the stuff done in half the time and avergation. Real back hoe or a trac hoe if you have a front end loader on your tractor. With a real Trac hoe or Back hoe you will be time and money ahead. AND WELCOME