aloha
Silver Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2003
- Messages
- 215
- Location
- Hawaii - Big Island
- Tractor
- Kubota B7800 / Kubota RTV X900 / Scag Turf Tiger
I’m very close to making the commitment to a long term relationship, but I need advice. Either would probably make me happy. But is either really right for the long haul, or should I just pay by the hour as the need arises from time to time?
The tractor will be a Kubota B7800. Depending on which of 2 dealers gets my money, the backhoe will be either Woods 6500 or 7500 or Bradco 3265 or 3375. Unless, that is, I follow the advice of the sales guy who says it probably would be more cost effective to rent a backhoe when needed, but if I insist, he will sell me one. He may be right, but having it at home, ready for me every day of the week, sounds a lot more convenient.
The backhoe will dig footings for a garage/shop foundation, trench utilities, put in underground water tanks and septic system, plant trees. There are no current plans that will require digging deeper than about 6 feet. The soil should not present problems for any digging machine. I estimate about 3-4 weeks of backhoe work in the first year, then 3-4 days twice a year for grounds maintenance on 15 acres. If it isn’t getting much use after a couple years, I may then want to sell the backhoe.
The Bradco is being offered by this dealer only as a 3 PT hitch mount and with hydraulics off the tractor. The Woods can also be gotten as a 3 PT hitch mount and with hydraulics off the tractor, at a price nearly identical to the Bradco, or frame mounted at an additional cost of about $500, and with a PTO hydraulic pump at an additional cost of about $600.
With either brand, it adds about $500 to go from the 6.5 foot model to the 7.5 foot.
I know these are highly subjective, but my questions are:
-- Are there any strong reasons to choose one over the others between owning Bradco, owning Woods, or renting industrial grade equipment when needed?
-- Is it worth $500 for the extra foot of digging depth and marginally heftier construction and slightly greater digging force the 7.5 foot models offer?
-- Is it worth $500 to get a frame mounted backhoe, and would this present any issues regarding possible future resale?
-- Is it worth $600 for a PTO pump, and would this present any issues regarding possible future resale?
All comments will be appreciated.
And for bonus points, should the Bradco be the backhoe of choice simply because it would be orange?
The tractor will be a Kubota B7800. Depending on which of 2 dealers gets my money, the backhoe will be either Woods 6500 or 7500 or Bradco 3265 or 3375. Unless, that is, I follow the advice of the sales guy who says it probably would be more cost effective to rent a backhoe when needed, but if I insist, he will sell me one. He may be right, but having it at home, ready for me every day of the week, sounds a lot more convenient.
The backhoe will dig footings for a garage/shop foundation, trench utilities, put in underground water tanks and septic system, plant trees. There are no current plans that will require digging deeper than about 6 feet. The soil should not present problems for any digging machine. I estimate about 3-4 weeks of backhoe work in the first year, then 3-4 days twice a year for grounds maintenance on 15 acres. If it isn’t getting much use after a couple years, I may then want to sell the backhoe.
The Bradco is being offered by this dealer only as a 3 PT hitch mount and with hydraulics off the tractor. The Woods can also be gotten as a 3 PT hitch mount and with hydraulics off the tractor, at a price nearly identical to the Bradco, or frame mounted at an additional cost of about $500, and with a PTO hydraulic pump at an additional cost of about $600.
With either brand, it adds about $500 to go from the 6.5 foot model to the 7.5 foot.
I know these are highly subjective, but my questions are:
-- Are there any strong reasons to choose one over the others between owning Bradco, owning Woods, or renting industrial grade equipment when needed?
-- Is it worth $500 for the extra foot of digging depth and marginally heftier construction and slightly greater digging force the 7.5 foot models offer?
-- Is it worth $500 to get a frame mounted backhoe, and would this present any issues regarding possible future resale?
-- Is it worth $600 for a PTO pump, and would this present any issues regarding possible future resale?
All comments will be appreciated.
And for bonus points, should the Bradco be the backhoe of choice simply because it would be orange?