Thinking about a Caddigger?

[jimgerken]

Is anyone out there thinking about building a Caddigger backhoe for their compact tractor? I am thinking about it, since I have seen a couple of great-looking completed ones on JD 4100 tractors, over on the Yahoo homebuilt tractor club. I already realize JD does not sell a hoe for the 4100 and may not endorse such a plan, but I don't think that would stop me from building and carefully using one. I was wondering if anyone would like to "partner" on a set of plans, should I decide to go for a model 708. See Cadplans.com for details. Thanks...

 

[DK35vince]

I have not seen the caddigger 708 on a 4100.be careful it is not to big for that size machine.a few years ago i built a 710 cad digger,which is a 708 or 728 combination.it can be run on the gas motor like the 728 or i can separate it and run on the 3 point like the 708.I used on the 3 point of my JD 850 and i have to use all 6 front 45LB weights or the front wheels never touch the ground.Needless to say this makes steering rather difficult.

 

[MossRoad]

Could you use one of the tow behind models rather than a 3pt hitch model and use the hydraulics from your tractor to power it?

 

[jrlichina]

I have built the model 508 for my old simplicity (now used on my BX) and it works fine, the one you should build is the 608 which is slightly larger.

 

[John_Mc]

Jim -

Check out this guy's web page for documentation of his construction of a CadDigger BH model 708: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/brutusbackhoe/>http://www.geocities.com/brutusbackhoe/</A>

Some interesting photos and comments

John_Mc

 

[pcmem]

jrlichina,

Would you recommend the 508 for the BX or the 608 as well?

Thanks for the advise,
Michael

 

[jrlichina]

I would go with the 608 for the BX. The only difference between them is the 508 is CAT 0 and digs 4 1/2 ft. while the 608 is CAT I and digs 5 ft. I built the 508 because I used it on my simplicity that had the CAT 0 hitch before I bought the BX. The MetKit kit is really nice, well burned pieces and goes together very quickly. I'd recommend buying the entire kit(metal&hydraulics) just so you don't have to chase around for the other components.