MX or L series for 11 acres?

[Scoot]

So we just bought this property and it's a mix of open pasture, creeks, a big pond and them some very dense oaks. Gonna have a couple horses, and a couple cow/calf pairs, as well as chickens and other barnyard critters.
I know I'll have to shred the pastures and clean out horse stalls, as well as remove trees, stumps and some rocks. I'm gonna get a ZTR for the 2 acre yard but which tractor should I get?
I was leaning towards the L4701 but the salesman shook his head and is trying to sell me a MX5200. Of course I want all the goodies including grapple and backhoe, although he actually is trying to talk me out of the bh.
Oh, and I also have a 400 acre hunting ranch that I'll occasionally haul the tractor to for cedar clearing and road work.
So I need something big but not too big for 11 acres.
Thoughts?

 

[Top Gun 96]

I went through this dilemma a while back. In my opinion, I would go with the MX. Both machines are capable, but the MX would be a little faster with larger implements. I have an MX 5800. Every time I get on it, I'm glad I went with it over an L4701.

 

[Dalroo]

An L for 11 acres, but MX for 411.

 

[Grandad4]

The trees, stumps, rocks and clearing work, plus your other property point toward going larger, so the MX would get my vote.

You'll definitely want the backhoe - or something with similar capabilities - for that kind of work. Lots of folks favor renting an excavator or full size TLB for such work since the larger equipment can get more done in a short time. At my place, our work has been done in bits and pieces when there was time, so having my own backhoe has been very handy. Everyone's situation is unique, of course.

The hoe is pricey and its weight makes transporting your rig a bit more of a challenge. That MX5200 + loader + backhoe is going to weigh in somewhere near 8,000 lbs, so you'll need the right setup to haul it. These may have been part of why the salesman was telling you "whoa" on the backhoe.

The other thing is I know many places in Texas have some pretty tough ground for digging, between the rocks, caliche, and other nasty things. If you're expecting those kind of challenges where you'll be digging, you may be better served by the larger equipment.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what Grandad4 said. When we started out on our farms/homes, we used a BH enough to justify the cost, but no longer need one more than every couple of years or so and just rent an excavator when needed, save up jobs and knock them out in a couple of days, different situations, different needs.

An MX is really just an older design GL rather than an M sized frame, so size really isn't an issue.

 

[Scoot]

Thanks guys!

Keep em coming.

 

[TripleR]

It is pretty much universally accepted that a tractor shrinks shortly after delivery.

 

[skeets]

Ya know boats do the same thing!

 

[virginiavenom]

trucks/boats/tractors/stereo systems/TVs/and bank accounts.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

I have an L on 5 acres. 95% of the time its plenty. But, given the chance and on bigger property, I would have bought a bigger machine.

I would probably "whoa" on the "hoe."

Reasoning: That thing is not only pricey, it weighs nearly what the tractor weighs, and that weight raises your CG a lot. It limits where you can store your machine due to height and it means $15k for a heavy-duty trailer to haul it. For that amount of dinero, if you have anyone close with a back hoe for day or two jobs, hire it done. Or rent it.

I put a well in. The main line was on the driveway and I had to find it. I rented a mini-excavator and dug an enormous hole in less than the 4-hour rental. I think it cost me $180 for the day. A grand would rent it five days. I like that just for not having to store the beast. AND, in the rough Southwestern soils, I like putting the stress on somebody else's machine. I had a septic contractor show up to find a tank and his excavator had 1/2" play in all the joints. I asked how old it was and he said "Seven."

Nobody likes toys more than me. A backhoe is a tremendously useful item. But, if you aren't using them all the time, the hoses weather and age. The cylinders don't like sitting in the WX. The hoe dorks up your 3pt access and is not an easy thing to remove. I bet you'd use your 3pt more often.

Put your spendola on the bigger machine with a few implements. Remember the old saying: If it flies, floats or digs, RENT IT.

Have fun!

Ray

 

[Pburchett]

You had better get the MX5200. If you drive them both you will want the 5200. I had the same deli a as you and after a test drive I found the 5200 a better choice.

 

[Greenhead]

I have a L4400 and a MX5100. The MX is more tractor all the way around. Weight, HP, size and it just runs better. Everything seems more refined. Both are good, but the MX5100 is better of the two. Load up the rears and add appropriate ballast to the rear end. The MX 4800 or 5200 would be fine. The only difference is the 5200 has a turbo hence a couple more HP. If you did a lot of brush hogging or live in higher altitudes the turbo would be good. I would get the Hydro/HST.