Fun with a Kubota B26...

[ApS]

After 60+ years of Nature's moving our driveway down the hill to the lake, I decided to reform both the upper entry and the lower parking area. Two "catch basins" (top and bottom) were necessary to decelerate rain run-off from uphill.

Asking at Bradley's Hardware, they suggested the use of their rental Kubota B26 "tractor". I'd have to pay for transporting the Kubota B26, and pay for the diesel fuel used. The greatest hazard being this tractor overturning on slopes. (There are no level areas in this driveway area).

Receiving a one-minute course on operation, and further intimidated by the warning labels posted hither and yon on the Kubota, I spent one half-day "terra-forming" the hillside anyway.



Operating the Kubota was mostly intuitive, but it has a few limitations; for example, the Kubota can't provide an angle for the front blade. That one limitation couldn't result in a perfect "safe-dig" into the hillside here.

(BTW, the fuel gauge never moved from "full").

For only $250, the job got mostly done.

I'm happy, got my money's-worth, and would rent it again.

.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by ApS

After 60+ years of Nature's moving our driveway down the hill to the lake, I decided to reform both the upper entry and the lower parking area. Two "catch basins" (top and bottom) were necessary to decelerate rain run-off from uphill.

Asking at Bradley's Hardware, they suggested the use of their rental Kubota B26 "tractor". I'd have to pay for transporting the Kubota B26, and pay for the diesel fuel used. The greatest hazard being this tractor overturning on slopes. (There are no level areas in this driveway area).

Receiving a one-minute course on operation, and further intimidated by the warning labels posted hither and yon on the Kubota, I spent one half-day "terra-forming" the hillside anyway.



Operating the Kubota was mostly intuitive, but it has a few limitations; for example, the Kubota can't provide an angle for the front blade. That one limitation couldn't result in a perfect "safe-dig" into the hillside here.

(BTW, the fuel gauge never moved from "full").

For only $250, the job got mostly done.

I'm happy, got my money's-worth, and would rent it again.

.

Great tractors! I have a BX25d and it is a work horse and a back saver!
Having a "tilt" feature on the FEL bucket would be frosting on the cake!

[8gv]

I could never rent one of those.

The temptation to tip over cars with it could not be suppressed

[Top-Water]

Originally Posted by 8gv

I could never rent one of those.

The temptation to tip over cars with it could not be suppressed

Thanks for the original post too.

My son (23) would love one of these too, and has absolutely positively no need to own one. He just wants move stuff for the sake of moving it.

Every time we go past a dealership he (kiddingly) mentions he wants to get one.

[Dad sold the C * C]

Originally Posted by 8gv

I could never rent one of those.

The temptation to tip over cars with it could not be suppressed

I got to do that working construction after high school. I was using a backhoe around the yard and someone wanted the starter out of an old caddy the guys said "go flip that over"... I was on my way

[DougNH]

I have a BX23, about 10 years old. I love to dig with it and it goes thru any snow (blower attachment and 4WD) you put in its path. Why push the snow when you can blow into your neighbor's yard

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by ApS

For only $250, the job got mostly done..

Did the $250 include transportation from Bradley's to your site?

[noreast]

My neighbor bought one last year and hasn't gotten off it yet! He has holes all over his yard for no apparent reason. Some of the "projects" he uses it for could be accomplished by a 4yr old and beach shovel, But he enjoys it. I also enjoy it for the annual 10yds of mulch and edging, so overall I'd say great purchase.

[ursa minor]

Originally Posted by noreast

My neighbor bought one last year and hasn't gotten off it yet! He has holes all over his yard for no apparent reason. Some of the "projects" he uses it for could be accomplished by a 4yr old and beach shovel, But he enjoys it. I also enjoy it for the annual 10yds of mulch and edging, so overall I'd say great purchase.

Lol, we're all little boys at heart. I would resemble the above description if I had one for sure.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

Did the $250 include transportation from Bradley's to your site?

• Yes: there's also a deposit of $200 to be added to the initial order. Early in this season, I was put on a waiting list that was less than a week long. YMMD.

• Was that your Hobie-16 catamaran in the "dead-zone", bumping the swim-float off Keewaydin Point yesterday?

Originally Posted by ursa minor

Lol, we're all little boys at heart. I would resemble the above description if I had one for sure.

There's a hook for a chain on top of the blade. I looked around for a car—anything to turn over (or drag), but couldn't see anything tempting.

Omitted was that the tractor displayed one other deficit: it couldn't crack the "hard-pan" dirt we'd driven over for six decades. I tried every angle of the blade—even getting the front wheels off the ground—but couldn't make any headway.

I think I needed a digging bar to bury a couple of cherry-bombs!

.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by ApS

• Was that your Hobie-16 catamaran in the "dead-zone", bumping the swim-float off Keewaydin Point yesterday?

.

Not mine, but I plan to launch my Prindle 16 from the Libby ramp tomorrow. With luck I'll get a chance to use my trapeze.