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S55 Backhoe or OC4 Loader?

D

d13series1

Member
I've got about 5 acres of former field that has been let go for 15 years. A wild mix of trees, heavy on
maples, and brush has overtaken it. Access to my other field is thru this one. I have started brush
hogging some paths but there are a couple areas that I just can't get thru. I'd like to clear paths wide
enough for my truck. I also need to do some light drainage grading, occasionally move some of my heavier
parts around, etc. I already have a couple of tractors (case 430 and smaller) but nothing capable of
convincing a 4" tree to leave my clay soil.

Two options available fairly locally, a nice looking OC4 track loader, no PTO, 3 point or winch, and a
Super 55 with a loader and backhoe, no PTO, unsure about 3 point, no power steering.

Crawler is cheaper but would have to hire it transported (would crush my 7000# trailer) so in the end the
cost would be similar.

Which would you choose?
 
This probably isn't the answer you expected, but I would get a couple of quotes from someone who has the equipment, probably be cheaper than buying 60 year old equipment and trying to keep it running.

Rich
 
Probably true. But given my fondness for owning and running old equipment and 'doing it myself', the personal satisfaction element comes into play. Just know the Case isn't capable.
 

An OC4 doesn't weigh that much unless someone has added to it. I'm thinking around two tons? How much would the loader add?
 
Do these 4 inch have shallow or deep roots? what model backhoe and loader? A backhoe & loaderis handy on the farm. Is this OC 4 a 3 cylinder or a 4 cylinder and is a diesel or gas?
 
According to the information I've been able to dig up, an OC4 with loader and counterweight comes in around
8800#.

Trees are mostly sugar maples, 1-4" in diameters, a couple scrub apples etc. Good Great Lakes basin clay,
slippery when wet and need a pickaxe when dry. They are rooted decently in the old bean field. I've plowed
up some on the fringe with my Case 430 and Oliver plow and the roots of over 1" will stop my case with its
turf tires cold.
 
Early model OC4, 3 cyl diesel.

Unsure of the backhoe model, from the photos (I've been a little busy and it gets dark early), looks to be the light duty one, 7' max depth.

I looked at a 3 point hoe form my Case but $$ and looked like a good way to bust up a machine.
 

Sounds like the OC4 may be the way to go. I'm not keen on backhoes mounted on little tractors unless they were designed for the backhoe (like a Kubota). Rent a larger trailer? Local tow company with a rollback who would do a quick haul?
 
I have hauled and owned a OC-3 which is a bit smaller and had no trouble hauling it on my car type trailer. I also have an 8N ford with loader and Scout backhoe on it and it is all I can do to get it on my trailer but I have done so in the past. Each one has it good and bad points to removing tree etc. I also at one time a IH TD6 and have used it to take out a stump so large that when I was done I parked behind that stump and all you could see was the exhaust pipe tip
 
Another option might be to rent a machine for the clearing work. I would look for a newer and heavier backhoe than the one you are considering if you decide to go with a backhoe. A crawler loader should work well for taking out smaller trees. When it is wet you might be able to push them over roots and all by pushing higher up on the tree. This can also be done with a decent backhoe. You can use a frost tooth on the backhoe to dig around the base of the tree and break the roots to make them tip over easier.
 
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