Backhoe attachment comparison

[RPW]

I am looking for a unbiased comparison of 3pt or subframe mounted backhoes. I've looked at the various posts here but would like some updated information. So far I've looked at Woods, WoodMaxx and Liberty. I'd like to see some personal opinions for the models purchased. Other brands would be good to know. Not concerned whether new or used market. Most likely I'll be purchasing new but will be looking at used also. Main uses will be general digging (stock tank comes to mind), trenching, Some stump/tree removal (most of property is cleared already), digging up rocks of various sizes but none so far larger than 3ft. x 6ft. x 2ft. mostly smaller.

Currently I have what I call a baby hoe primarily bought for trenching but it really doesn't have the power to perform well.

The basic specs are 8+ ft. digging depth. In a pinch 7ft. will work.
Bucket size recommended (I will be adding a 9in for trenching work).
3pt. or subframe mount. I know the difference so this will be if a subframe is available for my tractor.
PTO pump or attach to tractor hydraulics.
Prices noted either online or through local dealers. If local dealers do they ship to Texas and shipping costs (if known).

I currently have a JD 5103 ~50HP. ~45 at the PTO.

Thanks.

 

[jajiu]

I have a Kubota L3560 HSTC and also looking for a backhoe. I have looked at subframe and 3-pt and most everyone says subframe is the way to go, but I am also looking at FHM (FH-BH7) from BETSTCO.com from Oregon with free shipping on ebay. It will be interesting to see the responses you get and I'll pay close attention to what is said and weigh out my options.

 

[RPW]

Add that dealer to my list. Comparing their BMH8 to the others is pretty close. Most values are only about 50lbs give or take. Pricing is good.

 

[Sun Treader]

I started a thread a week or so ago describing my experiences with a WoodMaxx WM-8600 backhoe. Very positive is the short version. If my Case IH did have a subframe or OEM backhoe available it wouldn't be available anymore or frightfully expensive. I'm perfectly comfortable with the 3-point setup. No argument that a subframe would be better, but not cost effective for most of us without an original subframe and matching backhoe available. As far as the actual work goes, I don't think a subframe backhoe would dig any better than a 3-point model.

My 'big' bucket is 16" and in our heavy clay soils that feels about right. I added a 9" bucket for trenching and it does a great job. I also have a ripper tooth for pulling stumps and its very effective, with the ripper I can really grab a stump and pull it out. With a bucket you're having to actually dig the whole thing out. I have the hydraulic thumb as well and that's a worthwhile option to have.

I had wanted to run from the tractor hydraulics but the WoodMaxx has a PTO pump and its own hydraulics and now that I have that system I'm sold that is a better way to go.

I shopped around as much as possible and the WoodMaxx was the best value for me. I don't think I found a larger hoe anywhere, there were a few that were maybe a few hundred less expensive, but I didn't have any faith that the importers actually knew the product or could provide service, WoodMaxx really knows their product and support has been great.

Of course if you know what you're doing you can fabricate anything but there aren't really any aftermarket subframe options as far as I can tell, you'd be tied to whatever Deere hoe was made for your machine. I'm sure it would be an excellent implement, but I suspect the cost would be twice what a similar aftermarket attachment would be. Just a guess.

David

 

[newbury]

<snip>
The basic specs are 8+ ft. digging depth. In a pinch 7ft. will work.
Bucket size recommended (I will be adding a 9in for trenching work).
3pt. or subframe mount. I know the difference so this will be if a subframe is available for my tractor.
PTO pump or attach to tractor hydraulics.
Prices noted either online or through local dealers. If local dealers do they ship to Texas and shipping costs (if known).

I currently have a JD 5103 ~50HP. ~45 at the PTO.

Thanks.

I've a Woods BH70-X, bought for my B7610. While I was looking for a method to use it on my M4700 I was in discussions with technical people at Woods. Their thought was that as you get to larger tractors the subframe was not needed, just an "enhanced" 3pt, with a heavy duty top link.

.

As far as a source I'd suggest you look at Rosseel's.

 

[jajiu]

Thanks for the great info David. As I told RPW, I'm leaning towards the FHM from BETSTCO. It comes with a PTO pump, which like you, I have been leaning in favor of. The only thing that has been bothering me is 3-pt vs subframe. Most are heavily in favor of subframe, which I understand is better, but as you say very cost prohibitive. I'm sure if 3-pt set ups were that bad, no one would buy them, and I have read a lot of good about them, and being a home owner, not a contractor and the backhoe would not be in daily use, I am really leaning that way.
George

 

[Foodplot]

I have a JD 5220, a similarly sized tractor. I found an orphan matching JD backhoe on a dealer's lot, got a great deal on it. It works fine using the tractor's hydraulics. HOWEVER, even though it's quick-attach to a permanently mounted subframe, it's a sufficient hassle to take it on and off and replace the 3-point parts on the tractor that I use a second tractor for just about everything else. If I were doing it again, I'd look for a reasonably priced dedicated TLB. With the tractor, you spend a lot of time switching seats, and the seat on the backhoe was made for leprechauns.

 

[Sun Treader]

Yep, I'd echo what others have said. A subframe would be great but really expensive and for the personal use I have, the 3-point is fine.

I took a look at the Betstco, the machine *looks* like a good one, but support is really important and I just get a bad vibe from them, they look to me like a straight importer. I could be wrong, I haven't dealt with them, maybe someone who has could let us know how that went? I think the Betstco unit uses a PTO shaft to turn a fixed pump? That would be more a hassle than the pump that mounts right to the PTO on the tractor and just has hoses between the two.

The Woods units look excellent, maybe the best aftermarket backhoes. I'm a pretty low intensity user but am always time limited in when I can work on the farm so having that good support has been great and I just didn't want to spend too much, its all about value for what you need. If its serious digging for one project then rent a mini excavator, if its tons of trenching, rent a trencher, if its general farm and construction use like it sounds like you're intending then I think you're on the right track. Just be prepared to hop on and off constantly to reposition, that's the biggest pain.

The WoodMaxx I have has an integral heavy duty top link, you absolutely shouldn't run a 3-point backhoe with a standard top link, they should have one integral to the attachment. Its important to get everything back there really dialed in and bar tight and absolutely not try to adjust the 3-point lift once installed.

After a couple of tries attaching and removing the 3-point backhoe it is about as easy as any other attachment. I don't have any of the quick attach systems, too many varied implements. So, I'm not quick attaching anything, but the hoe isn't any worse than the others. Easier in some ways since I can attach the PTO pump and use the hoe's hydraulics to move it around and into position once I'm backed in. My suspicion is its easier to attach and remove than a subframe backhoe.

Let us know what you end up with and share some photos!

David

 

[City Farmer]

I had the Woods 7500 attachment. It's a 1000x better than a shovel and it will dig up the rocks, stumps and whatever else you want but it's slow going. From the sounds of what your wanting to do and the $$$$ your going to spend, you'll "probably" be very disappointed trying to move those rocks around. Like some of the other guys have said, get yourself a dedicated TLB and don't look back. I sold the attachment and picked up a Ford 4400 TLB 2250hrs for $6k. It needed about $600 and some wrenching to get it right but you can't even compare it to a BH attachment. It snaps trees in half and pulls the stump out in one shot.

 

[RPW]

Thanks for the replies so far. Interesting comment about the integral toplink or for the Woods the Safety link. I does make me feel a bit better about a 3pt mount. As far as a dedicated TLB around here they're scarce on the used market and the last one I saw sold at action was a Deere and it went for about $17k and it was an older one. Most things at this auction went fairly inexpense most likely because of the weather. Although I don't have a problem wrenching equipment I'm on a deadline to get some trenching in. If I need to I could rent but I'm also using this oportunity to get another toy errrrr tool As far as capability I agree that a dedicated TLB is hands down the best option but it's not going to be often that I'd need to grub a rock that large and time isn't critical for those projects and they're few and far between. I also might be exagerating a bit on the size. It just seems like I'm hitting some very large rocks doing my fences etc.