Kubota U55 vs KX57 (and KX80) for Forestry

[volmistral]

Hello, I am looking at a lightly used KX057-5 for forestry work on my timber property.

Would use to feed a Bandit 18” chipper, run a 48” Eterra brush cutter, and for pushing dirt here and there and moving logs.

A really good deal on a used U55 has come up nearby and I am wondering if the tight tail-swing and less counterweight is a bad call for this work?

Thanks

 

[volmistral]

(Also is it worth considering a used KX80?)

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

We have 57s at work with the cab , they're a tremendous step above the 40s we have.
They are still not a huge ex I'm not sure if feeding an 18" capacity chipper all day would be great ? They handle 16' 18" pine logs okay ? But you better have that blade planted!
Lots of guys are better operators than me though ,so take that with a grain of salt.
The 57 has been fantastic for sewer drain field jobs though, not too wide for most spots and plenty of digging power , definitely a good side job for that.