We have a one acre mountain property with slope ranging from 0 to 25 degrees, very rocky, full of pinon/juniper. And a very steep driveway. We would like to be able to remove snow on the driveway in winter and dig swales and holes and accomplish other miscellaneous small property tasks that would require a front-end loader the rest of the year. We would also like to be able to dig swales and do some earth moving on a 1/2 acre property that's very flat and is loose dirt (and to which we'd have to transport the equipment). We are thinking about purchasing a bobcat s70 or 463 in order to get into tight spots. (Or a tractor like the Kubota BX25.) I'm wondering whether that equipment would be up to the task, however. And if it would tip over on the sloped areas. We rented a Kubota and found it to be a bit too long for some of the areas, but would probably work. Didn't even try to get it in amongst the trees in the most sloped area, however. Anyone have a similar use case that can provide advice?
Those machines are way to tippy and small for what you want to do. Remember that 18 degrees is a 3-1 slope and 25 degrees is close to 2.5-1. That's steep for any wheeled machine in a working condition. I know you say size is a factor, but you might look at a tracked unit that will give you more stability side-side and up and down.
Your post makes me think I might've miscalculated the slope. Either way, thanks for the advise!
Well here is how you can tell for sure what your slope is. Take a level, put one edge on the ground, hold the level level against a yard stick or other measuring device. If you have 12" of rise over 48" of run ( the length of the level ), you have a 4/1. Measure your steepest ground, and get back to us.
As it turns out: I actually measured in exactly that way and made correct calculations... Which is a bummer. Because I like the tracked units, but they seem a bit pricey. Even the cute little ones. Thanks for the advice and info!