Email is down at work, so here goes
Backhoe's used to be the ultimate "multitasking" machine. Only problem was they couldn't run attachments, were large and heavy, difficult to manuever, and not very good at cutting dirt. They could do all dirt related tasks inefficiently. Pros have migrated towards skidsteers and mini-ex's, and homeowners have migrated towards 4x4 compact tractors with FEL and BH. There's good reason for both, and again, all are a compromise.
In concept they are very neat and seem to check a lot of boxes. In execution, it will probably be able to most everything, and not really be good at anything.
You are absolutely correct about making a killing if one of the "big names" came out with something like this. And actually Case kinda has (DL550B, except its not really available, it's been a SEMA queen for several years), but it going to be in that $100k price range, so not at a mass market price point. And it weighs 18k pounds, so not small enough for the average homeowner or landscaping crew. The dozer blade and C-frame alone weigh 2300lbs.
I had a Komatsu D21 9k pound dozer for about 10 years, bought a tracked skid steer, then bought a 6 way dozer blade for the skidsteer, then sold the small dozer. The skidsteer with a dozer blade is nowhere near as good for cutting dirt, pushing trees, and other "real" dozer tasks, but it makes up for it in speed, manueverability, ease of use, and the ability to swap attachments that work well. I can pull one machine to a job site and mow down brush for a trail, take 1 minute to slap the dozer blade on and knock out the stumps and level the ground and shape the crown and ditches to make that trail into a roadbed, then 2 minutes later I'm switched over and running a bucket and scooping and spreading gravel for a driveway, then stick a harley rake on there and go down the sides to prep for grass. A forestry mulcher would be better for reducing material mass, a dozer would be better for grading the roadbed, a dumptruck would be better for spreading gravel, and a tractor might be better for smoothing gravel. But I can have a pile of gravel pre delivered and then do all of this with one machine and not have to make several trips or try to time anything with weather or other people. It's a little different for a home use machine because transport isn't involved, but it all comes down to maximum flexibility.
There's a reason the depreciation is so much. Go find a low hour name brand machine of any type, and let me know what the depreciation is. Even high hour stuff is 50% of new price. That's not to say deals can't be found, but there's a reason the market allows the prices to be so high. They are made for day in, day out durability. That doesn't mean things never break, but it does mean that you can get parts and get back to work, and that stupid stuff doesn't break all the time because of poor design.
This is very true, and if you're not willing or able to work on things yourself, you need to buy new stuff with a warranty, and if you can't transport it, you better get it from a company that has a service fleet that will come to you.
I imagine it could be plenty fast if you could handle the rough ride. The shorter the length of track on ground, the more of a bucking ride you will get, and these little dozers have a very short track length. Looks to be around 4-5 feet. Also, if its an area that you care at all what it looks like, the tracks are going to destroy the turf. Even rubber tracked machines are hard on grass and field, and a steel tracked machine is going to be even worse.
I'd say more like 40+hp industrial grade machine, but yes, a "big" 4x4 tractor with 3pt is a hell of a handy machine.
Now you're getting a little carried away
They are all 20+ years old, so good luck finding one that is not worn out. Even if you could find one, they are probably $10-15k for worn out junk, or $20k for a decent one with the way prices are these days.
For grading/finish/backhoe/auger, a skidsteer or mini-x is your best bet, depending on if you need more wide grading or trench digging. I've done a ton of wide finish work with the fixed blade on the front of my mini-x. Its not as good as the skidsteer, and not as fast, but because the blade is low and inline with the tracks, it pushes like a champ and can leave a really nice finish too. I think you are asking too much to get a machine that can do all those things and ALSO bushhog. You'd be miles ahead in my opinion to have a cheap old 2wd 30-35hp tractor to bushhog, and a dirtwork machine for everything else. If you only want 1 machine and it has to bushhog, a tractor is your only sensible option if you ask me.
I get it. You want one. But there's a lot you couldn't do with a Nortrac. Like drive down the road and help your neighbor, or turn without tearing up grass, or pickup anything with forks. Everything is a compromise for any of these machines, so its important to quantify what is highest on your priority list.
If I were in your shoes I'd try to find a 40-50hp industrial grade 4x4 tractor with FEL. They cost about the same as a homeowner grade compact tractor if you don't care what color it is. Rent a mini-x or call
@braxton357 when you need to do backhoe work.
The off brand mini dozer is too much of a compromise, but if you're set on getting a dozer, at least get a Mitsubishi BD2 or Komatsu D20 or D21. My Komatsu D21 was from the 70s, about 4 generations old, and I had no issue getting parts from the Komatsu dealer. I also almost never had to get any. In 10+ years of ownership, I replaced the usual filters, the batteries, a couple hydraulic hoses, 1 track tensioner seal, and 1 starter. Everything just worked and kept on working, even at 4k hours as a Japanese grey market dozer that was probably repainted and got a new hour meter when imported.
