Backhoe Backhoe use question....

[adegiulio]

This may seem like a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway. I am thinking about getting a backhoe for our JD4310. We have a ton of landscaping and cleanup work to do on our land. One thing we need to do is plant about 200 small trees along our property line. Can one of us sit in the "driver's seat" while the other sits in the backhoe operators seat and does all the digging. When all the digging is done in that area, lift the stabilizers, move, then start digging again, all without anyone getting out of their seat? Seems like if just one person does it all, there is a lot of time wasted Getting up, moving to the back, getting settled, doing the digging, getting up again, going up front, buckling in.....and so on...Just seems easier and much quicker to have two people doing it...

Is there some sort of interlock switch that prevents the tractor from moving with someone sitting in the backhoe operators seat? Is there something else I should be considering with this arrangement?

Thanks for the help!

 

[KiotiJohn]

As long as you follow common sense safety, I see no reason you can't do as you ask. It's not a stupid question and I'll bet others would like to know as well. Remember that when you are using the BH, you put the front loader down and take pressure off the front end of the tractor, extend the stabilizers to lift the rear end and there can be some shaking/movement so the driver should be belted in just in case and the ROPS up. I can't answer about any safety switches, but I don't think it's likely that they have any. John

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Hey, have you been spying on us? That's what we do, one up front, one i the back, works GREAT!!! It is usually a teenager up front, they love the chance to learn...

I also hve used the back set as a training station, I sit there with a new operator up front...

Aldo, you can reach almost all the front controls from the back, and all the hoes from the front, It is really nice. You CANNOT drive the tractor without sitting on the front seat, so a sevonf operator is needed.

When we have only one, we actually run over the tire to get from back to front. The wheels are set at the widest...

 

[Lazy]

Hi
You say the tractor operator should have the seatbelt on and the ROPS up, what about the hoe operator should he have a seatbelt on also?

charlie

 

[OkieG]

Good question. And probably the BH operator should have a seatbelt too, but I don't think many (if any) BHs come with them. My JD 8A backhoe attachment does not.

OkieG

 

[AndyMA]

It used to be my kids in the open 2120 moving it while I did the digging. Now depending on the weather my kids either dig or if it's hot sit in the ac cab with the stereo on. No body wears seat belts unless we'e on bad terrain. Now the problem is getting my kids to move the tractor by knocking on the cab while the stereo is blaring. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( No body wears seat belts unless we'e on bad terrain. )</font> Andy, I'm a little surprised at this. I've seen backhoes catch hold of something and cause the tractor to really bounce which could send someone in the driver's seat flying. I'll stick to the belts, regardless of terrain. I don't know of any BHs that have seat belts either, but I think being further back on the tractor in the driver's seat would be a more vulnerable position in the case of which I'm speaking. John

 

[Ricky_TX]

For planting 200 trees, I would suggest using a post hole digger rather than a backhoe. The PHD would be quicker, neater, and whole lot less expensive.
Just my 0.02

 

[bebster]

Only thing I've found is that if the front seat is all the way back, it will bump into the BH seat. But this shouldn't be a problem for what you are trying to do (you don't need that much legroom in the front).

 

[adegiulio]

Thanks everyone for your responses!