Has anyone here bought/used a compact tractor in the process of their build?

 

I've been thinking that a compact tractor with a front-loader and backhoe would be useful. Lugging materials around, moving pallets, some minor groundworks, maybe breaking up concrete... On that note, Spons reckons we'd expect to pay £5k to get someone to break up the concrete floor of our barn. Add in a few more jobs of similar size, and then it'd be more financial sense to spend low-five-figures on a tractor to do it which can later be sold on.

Am I totally mad, or have other people thought about this? The bit where I know I'm mad is that I'd like an electric one, but I can't see that being financially viable!

3 tonne excavator and a dumper, or the tractor to move the spool, they are pretty useless with the backhoe on them, handy if it has pallet forks. 
or get pallet forks for the excavator, or buy a telehandler as well. 

I don't see the point.  I tend to get an excavator with a decent operator.  5 tonne does most stuff.  Dumper can be driven by you.

I’d a farmer friend that would bring his full size tractor With forks 

While it could move a pack of blocks I’d to split them on to two pallets to lift them on the scaffolding 

Pretty unstable A mini one would struggle 

Ive got both. For what you describe, get a digger. No question. Tractor is just too compromised for this, and hugely compromised working in tight spots.

 

Ive got a 2.7 ton Kubota. Wouldnt be without it.

11 hours ago, Drellingore said:

£5k to get someone to break up the concrete floor of our barn

Why do you need to break it up?

We are keeping ours. Pir on top then screed. £25k saved and a hard surface throughout.

 

What we have broken out was crushed to hardcore, which a 5T digger couldn't do.

We have a small farm and I have done major renovations on site. We have a compact-ish tractor which was handy for doing forklift work but clumsy. We now have a dedicated pivot steer loader which is massively better for doing forklift type work due to the control which is in part due to the hydrostatic drive. I've never been tempted to get a backhoe as again manoeuvrability is all for this sort of work. When I need a digger I hire one and did so with a pecker to break up the concrete in a barn we converted. Other times when doing groundworks I think having a good driver in their own JCB  leaving you free to move and direct is better value as you get so much more done in a day. 

Compact tractor is a great “toy” but no substitute for a digger. As above, forks on a compact tractor are hard work and nothing like a forklift, but easier than carrying stuff around by hand. Hire what you need and keep the toys for after your build.

 

On 26/03/2025 at 07:44, saveasteading said:

Why do you need to break it up?

 

Dunno, other than the structural engineer and the architects say so. It's not very thick (I've gotten through it with a pickaxe, for example). It's in the category of things that I'd like to be consulted on and informed about, but not responsible or accountable for deciding