Backhoe Need help choosing a backhoe

   / Need help choosing a backhoe #1  

sweetjeep

Bronze Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
85
Hey folks,

I need some help picking a backhoe. I have a Deere 4720 and at this point my choices are between (basically) 3 hoes, the Deere 448, a Woods and Bradco. I don't know which specific model numbers for the Woods or Bradco.

I have used quite a bit a brand new Woods BH80X on a New Holland TC40, and I have been utterly and completely UNimpressed. It's done the job, but been very weak. It's not terribly strong and doing certain tasks, like digging stumps (which I have a lot to dig) is a bit of a chore.

Can anyone shed some knowledge or opinions?

Also, is there any way to boost the power to the backhoe? I also have a 1948 (or so) Massey TO(something) with an integrated backhoe. It's only about a 25 hp tractor but the backhoe has MUCH MUCH more power than the newer Woods. Someone briefly explained that the pump on the old Massey is a crank driven pump (or something to this effect) and therefore it's is able to deliver more pressure than the cam (?) driven pumps on the new compacts. Anyone know that answer?
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #2  
It is really about force, not power.

If you expect a compact tractor hoe attachment to be anything
like an integrated hoe on a heavy industrial tractor, you will be
disappointed.

About the highest hydraulic pressure you will see on a compact
tractor hoe attachment is about 2500psi. Industrial machines can
be considerably higher. (Industrial tractor guys, chime in here.)
Take a look at the cyl diameters and the dipper stick ratios, too.

Many compact tractors only deliver 2000psi or so, so even if your
hoe relief is set higher, you are limited to 2000psi in those cases,
unless you get a PTO pump.

Finally, stump removal is prob the hardest thing to do with a hoe,
requiring the greatest forces.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #3  
Of those choices I would choose the Deere. curved boom, power beyond power, and the best attachment frame of all the units.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #4  
For that size tractor, shouldn't you be considering the Woods BH90x? Also consider the benefits of a thumb which can be factory ordered with or without hydraulics on the Woods.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #5  
I will agree any back hoe added on a tractor wont compare to a industrial bachoe. It is alot in how you run them and your needs . We have a bradco it seems to dig fine on a skid steer but they set it up with good hydraulics . I looked at the woods backhoes they seem like there built strong . I will agree the curved boom would be one to look at. And you got some more good advise get the strongest subframe you can get for any of the units. I would talk to the dealers and make shure it will fit your tractor and dont affect the warantee if you use a other brand. Someone here had a bh80x Woods and took it back and traded for a bh90x and said there was alot of difference between the two .
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe
  • Thread Starter
#6  
dfkrug said:
If you expect a compact tractor hoe attachment to be anything
like an integrated hoe on a heavy industrial tractor, you will be
disappointed.

About the highest hydraulic pressure you will see on a compact
tractor hoe attachment is about 2500psi. Industrial machines can
be considerably higher. (Industrial tractor guys, chime in here.)
Take a look at the cyl diameters and the dipper stick ratios, too.
Since you mentioned it.. what is the story in PTO driven hoe? I was told that they are the worst of all.

Or are you talking about running the hoe off a specifically seperate PTO driven pump? Honestly, something I had considered for running a log splitter too.

The old Massey is far from a construction grade machine. ;) It's a farm tractor with a permanant backhoe, but I do understand what you're getting at.

Fullpull/IslandTractor: I just generalized with the 80 as it's what I have access to and frankly, I ASSUMED the 90 was the same thing only with a 9' dig depth. But I'll take a specific look at the 2 and see what the differences are.

It's not the quality of the Woods that's a problem, it's the capability that I am not impressed with. Although it does have a mechanical thumb, and I can see where a hydro thumb would be very very beneficial.

Thanks for the help so far!
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #7  
I dont know how many gpm your tractor has but what i would do is call all three manufactures . Bradco gave me some advise a few times on getting the right unit for the application. Woods and John Deer would do the same. The 509 Bradco seems to have alot of power for digging . If your tractor can be hooked up with out a pto pump it will save you some money but if you need the pto pump get it setup right the first time. There are some other members with backhoes that can tell you more about it.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #8  
sweetjeep said:
Or are you talking about running the hoe off a specifically seperate PTO driven pump?


Yes, lots has been written on TBN on the subject of using a PTO pump
vs. the tractor's hyd system to power the hoe. Your tractor has plenty
of hyd flow to run one of these hoes, if you get a remote valve or
power beyond setup. You also have an oil cooler if you have HST on
your 4720.

All the brands you mentioned have subframes for their hoes and many
JD CUTs, so that is good.

Weight of the tractor is an issue. A backhoe attachment that easily
drags the tractor around will not be as capable as the same one on
a heavier machine.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #9  
The 90/9000 has 3" cylinders. Quit a bit more power. What size does the industrial unit have? Also, I seen alot of units with the relief set at 2000 vs the correct 2500psi.
 
   / Need help choosing a backhoe #10  
I have a JD 4510 with a 9' bradco, it seems to be a well built hoe. I picked it up on ebay for 2500.00 in good shape.
 
 
 
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