Backhoe Backhoe learning curve

   / Backhoe learning curve #11  
Boondox
I rented the L48 for a weekend. You'll pick up the operation quickly and probably be looking for other projects/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Wish I had enough work here to consider owning one.
regards
Mutt
 
   / Backhoe learning curve #12  
Pete, a couple of years back I rented a Bobcat with a hoe attachment. I used it to dig a foundation (crawl space) for a den addition we put on our house. I'd never operated one but got the hang pretty quickly and was it ever fun /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Yes, you can pay someone else to do it, or rent a ditchwitch but I doubt you'd ever regret getting your own hoe. I'm looking forward to the day myself.

One tip someone told me that proved invaluable for a newbie... if you're digging near something you value (like my existing house), extend the hoe all the way out and creep up to the object until the teeth just clear. Dig to your hearts content and you'll never hit your prized object. Once I got the hang of it, I was moving in closer but I never did hit it /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

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   / Backhoe learning curve #13  
Robert,
You can use the bucket to move the tractor instead of getting off all the time.

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   / Backhoe learning curve #14  
BoonDox,

When I got my JD 4700 and JD 48 backhoe last year I had exactly ZERO exeperience with a backhoe. I sat on the couch reading the manual for the three or four days before the tractor was delivered. I would read the part about the controls, close my eyes and move my hands when I said right, left, back, forward, etc. The wife thought I was nuts but I was able to get on the backhoe and work somewhat intelligently. I certainly was not the smoothest operator but I got the job done. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As Rob said just stay away from anything valuable! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif The two joystick controls on the JD are very easy to learn. Start out at low engine RPM so the hoe movement wont be as abrupt and take your time. It aint rocket science. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

There is a book on operating backhoes that I found six months or more after getting the tractor. It talks about moving the tractor around with the backhoe and other techniques. Have to be carefull but my backhoe can easily move the back end of the tractor around so I can do some setups without leaving the backhoe seat.

If you can justify spending the dollars I would not worry about learning to use the backhoe. Its just takes a few hours to be somewhat productive. You won't be smooth and feathering the controls but you can dig holes.... [smiles]

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty
 
   / Backhoe learning curve #16  
Vermonster,

I was afraid someone would ask about the book! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I can't remember the name at all. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I'll see if I can find the book tonight. Normally I can put my hand on most of my books but the house is busting at the seams and some books had to be packed up and stored. I THINK I know where this one is hiding... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I KNOW I have this book, Amazon.com tells me so, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif "Excavation and Grading Handbook" which you can see at
http:// [url]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0934041296/104-6531222-5787968 [/url] I don't know if this is the book I'm refering. I have bought a few books at Amazon about roads/farms/tractors and such that were a complete waste of time and money but I think this was a good one. It certainly was not bad but it was over kill for what I needed driveway wise.

My search of Amazon to try to find the book I'm thinking turned up this, "Backhoe Loader Handbook :
Advanced Techniques for ..." Looks very interesting but I don't think I have this one.... I need to buy some
other books so it looks like I'll be ordering this one as well.... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
http:// [url]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0924659726/ref=pd_sim_books/104-6531222-5787968 [/url]

I'll check tonight.....
Later....
Dan McCarty
 
   / Backhoe learning curve #17  
Just rented a ditchwitch for $130. Dug a 20" deep X 4" wide trench 106 feet long in 1 hour. Was real easy. Never used one before but learned on the job in 5 minutes. Did not hit any problems like big rocks.
But 250 yds is quite a way for such a small machine.
 
   / Backhoe learning curve #18  
You can but it is a pain in the neck, backhoes were designed for small jobs and they work well for them but for ditching and excavator is the correct tool. Your other problem pushing forward is your machine has a tendency to turn.

<font color=blue>Robert Turk Jr.</font color=blue>
<font color=blue>Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms</font color=blue>
<font color=blue>Silver Creek, NY</font color=blue>
 
   / Backhoe learning curve #20  
Pete, as far as the roots are concerned, it'll depend on how big a ditch witch you rent. My brother rented one and I don't remember a model number, but it was one of the models you ride on instead of walk behind, and we laid water and electric lines right through the woods. It had no problem going through 2" to 3" roots. As for rocks . . . well, we don't have any.

Bird
 
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