Back hoe

[Ivan49]

Has anyone ever used a backhoe mounted on a trailer. I have a small JD backhoe and I don't use it much. I am thinking about putting it on a trailer and using it behind the tractor

 

[stingray1]

Why? just remove it from the tractor,put it in the shed. If you need it put it back on and use it.

 

[ovrszd]

Although it might be a bit expensive to convert, I understand the desire. Much easier than hitching/unhitching the hoe for a 5 minute task.

Friend of mine in Finland uses a purchased trailer mounted hoe. He tackles some incredible jobs with it. Here's a link to his Utube videos.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmKUdp2xX8LNOaRZbLxTYg

 

[hosspuller]

Depending on the size of the backhoe obviously...The trailer (unless it's weighted ) will not have enough weight to be the fulcrum for the backhoe's lever. The trailer will be swung and lifted each time you engage the ground with the bucket. You could anchor the trailer with driven ground ties but that negates easy transport. Three point backhoes have the same drawback. The backhoe places a great deal of force on the 3 point arms.... usually bending or breaking them... Hence the requirement for a subframe mount to use the tractors weight. The trailered backhoe will be what's known as a towable...Better than a shovel, but not by much. :laughing:

 

[ovrszd]

I agree they have limits. Spend a few minutes watching MetsaMan's videos. The design of the anchor pads offsets a lot of the problems you mentioned.

 

[Shaneard]

When I envision a backhoe on a trailer a mechanical bull comes to mind with you operating the controls instead of someone else.

 

[stingray1]

When I envision a backhoe on a trailer a mechanical bull comes to mind with you operating the controls instead of someone else.

Same here,seems like a lot of trouble/dangerous for something that's not used much.

 

[ovrszd]

Did you guys peruse MetsaMan's videos?

 

[DK35vince]

I agree they have limits. Spend a few minutes watching MetsaMan's videos. The design of the anchor pads offsets a lot of the problems you mentioned.

I built a CAD plans towable backhoe years ago that worked surprisingly well.
It didn't have a lot of weight for digging, but the anchor pads were made to dig 6" into the ground to keep it in place and it worked well.

 

[ovrszd]

I built a CAD plans towable backhoe years ago that worked surprisingly well.
It didn't have a lot of weight for digging, but the anchor pads were made to dig 6" into the ground to keep it in place and it worked well.

Yep.

My concerns about converting a 3pt hoe to towable would be a power source?? My last concern would be designing it to be stable. After all, a small 3pt backhoe is anything but stable.