Backhoe Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment

   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #1  

tdan300

Bronze Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2008
Messages
54
Location
Western Washington
Tractor
Kubota L5740
I just committed to purchasing a used Bradco 11MD2 backhoe. It was mounted on a Yanmar and was still being used to dig graves when the tractor threw a rod. It has onboard hydraulics with a PTO pump. All the pins are tight, all zirks are covered with older looking grease (so was not just greased to sell???). I will need to modify the frame mount to fit my Kubota, but not a big deal. The entire frame stays with the backhoe when you take it off, with the exception of a receiver up front for the tang, so should minimize subchassis obstructions when not using the hoe. It has an 11' reach and will dig a flat bottom ditch 8' deep according to Bradco.
We settled on $3500.00 for the unit. I did not figure that was a bad price. Only dissadvantace, it has a 36" bucket on it, but the seller will give me an 18" bucket to go with it. The bucket mounts will have to be bushed to fit, but again, does not appear to be a big deal.

Would like to have your thoughts.
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #2  
My experience with my used hoe is fairly positive. As long as the steel is in good shape, and it includes a subframe which fits and/or can be made to fit on your tractor, everything else that could go wrong is fairly easy and/or affordable to replace.

I would check for things like;

-non-factory welds where they don't belong
-damp seals and/or signs of leaks
-condition of the rods
-check filter and condition of fluid
-sludge and/or dirt build up in fluid tank
-smooth operation of all cylinders in all directions.

If they store the equipment outdoors I would expect to find some rust spots on the rods which will eventually lead to damage of the seals. My backhoe has a small leak from the seals while parked but once fired up, it's like the seals expand because I don't have any leakage during operation. If they store it indoors, asked to see where it's stored and if their is a stain on the floor ;)

I run my backhoe off the tractor remote hydraulics, mostly because my backhoe did not come w/ the pto pump or fluid tank or filter or plumbing... etc... I had priced out this setup it it came to close to $800 if I was gonna try and retrofit.

Dont underestimate the amount of time it may take to customize that subframe. I thought mine would be a quick job and it's taken a long time to track down all the right bits and pieces and people to weld them and cut them as I need!

Good luck, post some pics!
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment
  • Thread Starter
#3  
zOlt3c, all excellent points! :)

I looked this unit over and I cannot find any indication of any non-factory welds or any indication of loose pins, etc. This gentleman has extensive experience as a diesel mechanic, having worked for the same company I retired from. He went out on his own several years back and has been making living at it since then. He buys "dead" tractors, small cats, forklifts, etc, and rebuilds them. He does all of the work himself in his shop. I had the opportunity to "inspect" his work while I talked with him for a couple of hours. For example, he designed, fabricated, and installed a hydraulic powered roll-back bed for the truck he hauls equipment on. I looked it over, and his work is 1st class. :D

On the back hoe - it was stored inside until he bought the tractor from the cemetary last month. They purchased a nice case from him, that he had rebuilt the tranny in. The cylinder rods on this unit are clean with no sign of pitting or rust. The pins all appear to be tight and well lubricated. The hoses show some age, but he will be replacing them prior to my purchase of the unit. He has agreed to do the work to modify the front frame mount to fit my tractor. No money will exchange hands until I am satisfied with the mounting of the unit to my tractor and have had a chance to exercise it for a final check of operations. I will work with him in his shop getting the mods done, so will have intimate knowledge of the processes used. He also has an 18" bucket there that we will modify to it will fit the pins in the Bradco unit, giving me both the 36" bucket and an 18" bucket. The only real issue I can see with the backhoe is that it is black, not orange, so it will not match my Kubota. :(

I downloaded the manual for the unit from the Bradco web site, so I have the complete parts liste, etc for the unit.

I know that you are always taking a chance on a piece of used equipment, but after spending a couple of hours talking with him, I believe he is honest. I even called and talked with his old boss when he worked for the same company I did. He said he really hated to loose this dude, his work was excellent, his work ethics and craftsmanship also excellent.

I really appreciate your input and will definately take it into consideration as I finalize the transaction. Thank you!
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #4  
While it's in the shop being fitted, why not add a quart of Kubota orange to the material list? Otherwise, sounds like a decent deal for you.
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #5  
Considering he is replacing the lines, thowing in a second bucket and customizing the sub-frame for you, this sounds like an excellent deal. I'm sure it will be a handful of hours of labor to accomplish these tasks (sounds like a day or two honestly), which makes the $3500 price even better.

It's hard to find a good used hoe these days. Lots of hoes get abused ... Remember to treat your hoe well.
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #6  
I will work with him in his shop getting the mods done....

....reminds me of the sign I once saw in a mechanics shop:

> $50/hr if I work on your car
> $60/hr if you watch
> $70/hr if you worked on it first

Anyway, your guy sounds like a very good resource. I have had many
new hoe attachments, but only one used one. I have had almost no luck
with the used ones as they tend to sit outside and are otherwise neglected.
The one used one I bought had more than 2300 hr on the TLB, and it was
in nice shape. It was professionally owned and well maintained.
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment
  • Thread Starter
#7  
While it's in the shop being fitted, why not add a quart of Kubota orange to the material list? Otherwise, sounds like a decent deal for you.

That's a good idea, but I think I will wait until I get it home for the winter and paint it in my spare time. We are planning on starting early this Friday with the mods and if possble, I would like to get it done in one day. I see they have part numbers in the manual for the decals, if I could new decals, that would make the painting a lot easier.
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #8  
ive been looking for a decent one for over a year now.

finnally had one come up last weekend that i called on right away. left a message they never called me back

2 days later when i got around to calling again... they had sold it :mad:

i guess ill just keep looking :cool:
 
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Finally got the used backhoe on the tractor and home. Picture is a little fuzzy as it was getting dark and camera kept aperature open longer than I was prepared for.

He built custom mounts for the existing sub frame - excellent job! The large pads on the stabilizers were to minimize damage using it in the cemetary - left them - figured they won't hurt.

Was to late to do anything but dry run it in the driveway - will exercise it more tomorrow.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3030 [1600x1200].JPG
    IMG_3030 [1600x1200].JPG
    269.5 KB · Views: 1,961
   / Taking a chance on a used backhoe attachment #10  
Finally got the used backhoe on the tractor and home.


Congrats! All you need now is a few cans of Kubota orange ;)

Would love to see some pictures of the subframe fabrication.

Your flat bed is just barely long enough there... I hope your bucket doesn't drop while in transport!


Thanks,
 
 
 
Top