To 3PT or to subframe, just the facts.

skipro3 · Jul 23, 2008

Well, I've been reading which is the "better" way to attach a backhoe to a tractor; 3PT hitch or subframe. And to tell you the truth, I am reading between the lines a result that I find surprising. On the surface, the subframe seems to win hands down. But, then I really started to look at both who was posting that preference and who actually owned one or the other as well as who has experience with both. My results came up with the following;

1. Most people posting that the subframe is the better don't own a backhoe.

2. Of the people who do own a subframe mounted backhoe, most, if not all, have never owned a 3PT mounted backhoe.

3. People who own 3PT mounted backhoes speak well of them.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that the 3PT mounted backhoe is as good as the subframe mounted backhoe. In fact, I can see benefits. The most being ground clearance. The subframe mounted backhoes are very close to the ground.

So, I want to throw it out there; What type of mount do you prefer and what do you base it on? Experiance? Know someone who's got one or the other? What ever...

I got the 3PT mounted backhoe simply because that's what the dealer had in stock at the time. I suppose I could have waited for a subframed unit, but I'm sure it would have cost more.

I've also heard the 3PT units are more prone to damage. I would like to also hear from anyone with any first hand experiance with damage of either type of mount.

Thanks!

shvl73 · Jul 23, 2008

I have no damage experience but, I do own a 3pt hoe that I adapted to a subframe. I've used it both ways. I can feel the difference in how solid it is, as I use it.

Inspector507 · Jul 23, 2008

I have never owned either one. But I've looked at both. It just seems to me that a sub-frame "may" be better, but like I said, I've never owned either one. I'm kinda leery of the castings holding up for a 3PT. Even a sub-frame is going to mount to casted parts, but with a few more points of attachment meaning less stress at each one. I almost bought a 3PT Kelley B15 but the money was a little too high for me at the time. Not that is was overpriced, I just didn't have it to spare. Now...............I still know where it's at and I may consider it in the future.

Charlesaf3 · Jul 23, 2008

subframe clearly is better. Backhoe puts a LOT of stress on a little cut, and the 3 point is not a good way to carry it.

Kind of QED - look at how the manufacturers do it.

Speaking as someone who had a bh80x behind a b3030 on hills and in the woods, ground clearance is not an issue

backdoor · Jul 23, 2008

I have a 3PT MF backhoe that I use on a Ford 2810 once in a while. I've stretched all the way out with it to dig, and I've dug down as deep as it will dig. I've slid dirt piles sideways to make more room or to fill in my ditch sometimes, and I haven't had any problems with it. Mine mounts to the tractor with the 2 lift arms, and the top pin fits into the top link hole on the tractor. I don't know if all of them are like this or not. It has a PTO pump for hydraulics. I can hook it up in 10 minutes or so, unhook in less time. If I bought another one it would be a 3PT hitch also. I've never used a subframe mount.

TerryJ · Jul 23, 2008

I have owned both and the sub-frame mount is definately better in my opinion mainly because of the rock solid stability. Again, this is just my opinion.

slewisma · Jul 23, 2008

backdoor said:
I have a 3PT MF backhoe that I use on a Ford 2810 once in a while. I've stretched all the way out with it to dig, and I've dug down as deep as it will dig. I've slid dirt piles sideways to make more room or to fill in my ditch sometimes, and I haven't had any problems with it. Mine mounts to the tractor with the 2 lift arms, and the top pin fits into the top link hole on the tractor. I don't know if all of them are like this or not. It has a PTO pump for hydraulics. I can hook it up in 10 minutes or so, unhook in less time. If I bought another one it would be a 3PT hitch also. I've never used a subframe mount.

I wouldn't use mount / dismount time as the tie breaker. I can have the sub-frame mounted BH on my BX24 on or off in about 2 minutes.

I've only experienced the sub-frame mount but with some of the rocks I've dug out and moved around I'd be pretty nervous about bending or breaking something if mine was 3 pt mounted.

john_bud · Jul 23, 2008

As far as I know, there are no major manufacturors of SCUT's, CUT's, or UT's that will warrant the tractor structurally if a 3pt mounted back hoe has been used.

(Own 2 subframe mounted hoes)

hbaird · Jul 23, 2008

I have got about 10 hours use on a 3pt mounted backhoe on my Jinma 200LE. I got the steel today to hard mount the backhoe to the tractor. The only problem I have seen, in use, has been trying to dig deep in clay. The bucket tends to slide over more than dig in since the 3pt does not have down force. The other problem for me is trying to mount the backhoe. Lining up on the lift arm receivers and the top link pin is a real challenge for me. The lift arms flop side to side as I backup and makes it a moving target. I am going to a hard mount to the back axle. There are, all ready, bars connecting the back axle to the FEL mount. I have found that people use the backhoe to pick up the back end of the tractor and move it side to side. This puts a lot of stress on the tractor if there is no subframe support. I also found fast transport across rough ground will stress the tractor, probably enough stress over time to damage the tractor with no sub frame. I believe I could use the backhoe for ever, 3pt mounted, without breakage. The convenience of hard mount and the toplink will be worth the effort and the $100 it will cost to hard mount. I don't believe the tractor will be hurt if the rear wheels don't move while you dig.
hbaird

Cyberroc · Jul 23, 2008

The first thing I will tell you about your 3pt mounted backhoe... Enjoy it; as it is what you have.

Back in the landscaping days we used both types on almost exact machines, when heavy work was needed or we would be traveling any distance (like to the back of a 100 acre property ) with the BH and Tractor, we always took the subframe BH. It was not hard to see why when you lift the front of the tractor off the ground digging or when transporting long distances over uneven ground, even the subframe would carry over movement to the tractor, the 3pt would 'shake the s...; out of it, as I believe my coworkers called it.

So when it was time recently to buy my own, I did not even question it, subframe mounted was the only way to go. While I can believe there are pros and cons to both, removal and ground clearance are not an issue on mine. I removed it for the first time this past weekend thinking it would be at least an hour job, 10 minutes later I was putting on the rake. As for clearance, it might be a few inches at most below the axle, so I have yet to see any difference.

The one area I would give the 3pt BH an advantage would be with the storage footprint as you wont have to store the extra 4 feet or so of frame. Although the BH its self is no small item to begin with.

Since you already have it, why worry what other people think?

Now, go run off and start another post and call it 'I have a backhoe and you dont'