And then...

[Eugen]

There was no plan to buy this, but it showed up at a good price and it got the stamp of approval. After a sketchy 4 hours drive with the titanic strapped to the back of the truck, thank God I arrived safely home.

A 2014 Kubota B26 is now making friends with the 644 and the trencher.

[MattA]

Looks nice

[RoamingGnome]

Congratulations on your newest acquisition... that looks great!

I am envious as always, I often wonder if my time and money would have been better spent holding out for one older Kubota TLB like your B26 Instead of having a collection of "antique" Case tractors - but then I would have fewer grey hairs and far less stories to tell of adventures working with equipment almost as old as I am...

[Spike188]

@Eugen Does this mean you are digging in for the long term?

[DavidBarkey]

@Eugen . Nice looking unit . Are you planning a career change . A Pimp maybe . You do have quite the collect of Hoes now .

No dought the only Hoes your is ok with .

[JSinMO]

WOW @Eugen that’s great! I’m look at a shop full of tractors around here and I’m still jealous! Good looking machine. I’d like to see more pictures of it when you can! Now I know why you were asking about my recent experience on a Kubota!
I think this proves the magnet in you truck that drags things home is bigger that mine!

I don’t mean to be a downer but I thought I should point out one thing that made my heart jump a bit. That tractor with bucket and backhoe weights just over 4000 pounds. I’m guessing, but, judging by the tire on you trailer, the axle is probably rated for under 3000 pounds meaning you were way overloaded. Really should be a dual axel trailer for something like this. Might be worth taking a glance under the trailer just to make sure nothing bent.

Believe me I’ve done things that were way more sketchy than that and got away with it… most of the time! I hope you don’t mind me pointing that out, thought maybe it might save one of us from a bad trip down the road.

I’m really looking forward to some video of this machine and your impressions of it!

Well done!

[Eugen]

@RoamingGnome Your Case 430 is bigger than this and could dig more and faster. Our plans are to build something there, where we'll move. After a lot of pondering I had to accept that the trencher and D100 backhoe plus the Case 644 loader are not very suitable to tackle a foundation and full septic system. With the Case 680E it would be a breeze to do all that but it doesn't fit in a shipping container to take it overseas sniff sniff .

Obviously there's a lot of pressure to sell the equipment that this machine replaces, but will keep the 444 with a full set of attachments, of course. So, yes, the 644, trencher, D100 backhoe, 680... all will go on the market.

@JSinMO good eye, indeed, that's what I meant in my first post and I put the picture up on the trailer on purpose for shock value. The trailer in fact does have a 6000 lbs axle, but 3500 lbs hubs and wheels, and the tractor does weigh 4000 lbs. I figured with the back of the tractor as close to the truck as possible, there would be weight shared with it on the trailer tongue, as I could see the rear of the truck pretty low. I went slowly, and stopped often to check for the hubs getting hot (they did when I brought home the trencher), but they stayed cool. I knew it's risky, and went slow, almost no traffic as I drove back in the evening, and the road was paved nicely, as I did check on the way there. At least that's what I was telling myself to not freak out completely. And I prayed hard on the way home! Still, as you said, I need to check this trailer now.

Jeff, I will post some video running it, but I can tell you that my first impression is a big WOW. The usability is just beyond my expectations or anything I tried before. Smooth engine, no exhaust smell, smooth movement on the loader and backhoe, but it seems really strong. This model apparently is way overbuilt, on purpose. The thickness and heft of the main parts is impressive. It digs, it pushes hard, has 3 ranges of speed, plus 4x4, rear diff lock, and power steering. Like Dave said, am I changing careers? Definitely this is not a tractor for a lowly hobbyist like me, but I think it'll come in handy if I can take it with me overseas.

And it's @FUTZ 's fault really, he told me he has a B26.

[Eugen]

@Eugen Does this mean you are digging in for the long term?

I don't know what you mean Eugene, but if it was up to me, I'd keep this machine forever.

[Spike188]

@Eugen I was hoping you were thinking of expediting a build at your current location. Putting it in a shipping container means otherwise.

[Chad]

Wow, very nice Eugen!

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