B2920 Questions

[OldeEnglish]

Hello everyone, I have a few questions for all you Orange Wizards out there....

My wife and I are contemplating picking up a B2920 this spring so my father in law can start clearing her old farm land. I was planning on getting a brush hog for my 7100 but I'm afraid the acres of thick brush that need to be cleared will kill it.... I don't want to get rid of the 7100 and it does a great job clearing snow so I want to keep it around for a long time.... But I could really use a FEL around my house and a back hoe for digging up a crap load of stumps on her land... We also need to cut in a bunch drainage ditches to help rid some wet areas of ground water. A 2920 would be the perfect size for us and I'm not impressed by all the tier 4 issues.

My father has a BL4690 for his 2910 that is practically brand new. If he used it a dozen times I would be surprised. It's been more of an expensive counterweight than anything.

What does everyone think about using that hoe in a 2920? I see the BH65 uses a sub frame mount...the 4690 is 3pt mount.... I think if I used this for digging a lot of stumps out...It could possibly do some damage to the tractor...? My guess is that the BH65 is the only hoe that will not void the warrantee? I haven't read through the warrantee info, but it's a safe guess it only covered recommended factory equipment....

Down the road.... We would like to have a small hydraulic tree spade for relocating small saplings and berry bushes. One that I found new for a reasonable cost weighs about 1000 lbs and can either be quick attach mounted, or 3 pt mounted. Does anyone think a 2920 would have a hard time lifting one at either end with a estimated 100lbs of plant weight totaling around 1100lbs?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I personally would go with a subframe mount back hoe over a three point mount every time regardless of any warranty issues, they are just more stable on the subframe.

 

[OldeEnglish]

Thanks for the reply Wolfman, I was thinking in the same direction... That hoe has always worked well for us but mainly used for light duty digging jobs. I've come across a few threads mentioning damage to a 2910 from excess stress. I can't think of something more stressful on a hoe than digging up stumps trust me...with my luck I would find it weakness point!

Any thoughts on a 2920 handling a tree spade? The weight is the biggest issue I see, but I'm sure there is one that is lighter out there. Here is one that caught my eye...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-34-Tree...215?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2d09324f

Anyone ever use one? They look like one handy tool for someone that plants a lot of trees! I honestly only need one that can produce a 2' root ball.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Bump up to an L series tractor then you can play with one of those, they are 1000# empty and 1400# with dirt ball not including tree weight.

The price is real good as they are not a simple unit to make.

I use a 12" auger to plant trees at my place, works great.

 

[OldeEnglish]

Well we're stuck between a b2920 and an L3901. I would love an L but I'm afraid it's too big for what I really need. I also think an L would be too heavy to tow with my sequoia. It won't be towing very far but it will have to go up and down some steep mountains. I'm putting the b7100 up for sale Wife says I can't have two tractors..... I'll remember that next time she goes shoe shopping!

Question about a quick hitch on the B series.... Can the quick hitch stay mounted at the same time as the FEL? If I was to put a blower on that I would remove the bucket when the blower was on, but switching out sub frames is something I don't want to have to do....

With the new L series DT..... Anyone out there running one? If so how are they liking it? Wish you went with an HST instead?