Appreciate all the additional replies. this is a very helpful forum/community.
If I seem sort of cryptic in my description of the project as a garden scale train park, it is because sometimes being too open about the plan breaks down into "feasibilty" discussions of the plan. Once even being accused of really planning a "meth lab"!
But to be a little more clear, No, not in Arizona, yes it is near the west coast, a 6th scale diorama, which will have a 6th scale train running throughout. the land does have rocks but roads and track are planned to go around much of it negating the need for heavy excavation. the backhoe requirement would be for digging water features, septic, and some small permaculture activities.
At the moment I am in northern Florida where it seems like Deere 310s are everywhere and every grandmother knows what truck has cummins in it. but my understanding is that with a 310, what you see is what you get in terms of implements, whereas with the smaller TLB, the options are crazy. boxscrapes, Harley rakes, augers, etc. so im trying to pick a super flexible tool that might cover me with even unanticipated options. even though smaller than the 310.
As of now, I dont have the option to finance multiple toys, thus my single choice is critical and getting expert advise from you guys is again, very much appreciated.
Being ex Air Force, I visited a couple of civil engineering squadrons posing the same questions and they basically said what you all are saying, so there seems to be enough concensus for me.
It sounds like you guys are in agreement that the M62 is large enough to handle what I would use it for.
Sorry for the super wordy reply.
