Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe)

[Captinjack]

Unless you are digging in sand, that hoe won't suit anyone. It's too weak and it is not anchored to a tractor for stability. I think you would feel like you just blew $3K. It will still be a PITA so send the thing back.

Just my 2 pennies.

 

[buppy69]

I have been buying HF tools for 24 years. The only bad thing I ever got was a set of drill bits that weren't straight. I have the 16.8 volt cordless drill (29.95) that after 6 years the battery charger quit charging. I had to buy the 18v drill to replace it. I took the charger out and have been using it to charge the 16.8v batteries. Still using the old drill. I haven't even taken the new drill out of the case. As for the blue drills mentioned, they are Drill Master. Not a Harbor Freight product. I wouldn't buy any of their electrical saws because they are too light, but their hand tools have a lifetime warranty. That's as good as Craftsman, Snap On or Mac. And by the way, I do use them commercially.

Eugene

 

[buppy69]

I forgot to add that the blue cordless drill was selling for $9.99. I bought those for my grandkids to play with. How can you expect anything to work for that price?

Eugene

 

[MiserableOldFart]

The old ditchwitch idea might make some sense (if this is the kind of machine I am picturing, the trenchers that look like overinflated chain saws..) I've seen that a lot of the irrigation companies in CT that used to use them have switched to a machine that drags the pipe underground and has some kind of vibrating or oscillating blade ahead of it. The old trenchers are obsolete for them, and probably a lot of other people in that kind of business. Might be inexpensive to buy.

 

[roxynoodle]

I have a HF 1/2" drill that I love. It is the only drill I have tried that can put screws into my 150 year old house made of native oak. I borrowed the neighbor's expensive Makita hammer drill and it couldn't do it with or without the hammer feature. Got the HF for $20 and if I only ever use it on my house that is fine with me. If it breaks I will buy another.

As for the backhoe/trencher, I was interested in it too but I think others are right, that it won't have the necessary strength not connected to a tractor. Course it would be nice to hear from someone who actually owns it whether or not it can do the work.

 

[dfkrug]

As for the backhoe/trencher, I was interested in it too but I think others are right, that it won't have the necessary strength not connected to a tractor. Course it would be nice to hear from someone who actually owns it whether or not it can do the work.

I built the CADDigger 728 11 y ago. It is larger than the Trencherman,
but it works the same way. Mine weighed less than 1000 lb and yes,
the hydraulics could overpower it, but it was still quite useful. Once a
hole is started, the dipper and bucket could pinch against the back
edge of the hole and be quite effective. Starting a hole on hard ground
tended to just lift the machine. I did some things I could never do
with a tractor, like pull it up a 50% slope to dig a bench for my
5000 gal concrete water tank. (I also bought a chainsaw-powered
winch from HF at that time to help pull it up. It worked fine.)

I had about $3000 in my CADDigger, and I sold it a few years ago on Ebay
for $3000.

 

[schmism]

The old ditchwitch idea might make some sense (if this is the kind of machine I am picturing, the trenchers that look like overinflated chain saws..) .

this one is slightly larger than the 2310 but you get the idea.

vibatory plow is the other kind you see, which the larger ones can pull upward of 2" + pipe through the ground

 

[earthsmeller]

I Origionally became interested in this sight because of the Harbor Freiight Backhoe, there is a new alternative for the property owner that needs to dig a trench or a pond or anything you could imagine. checkout:

the greens machines-towable backhoe-home

 

[dal929]

I've bought the remington electric pole saw, 7'' polisher/sander, the 2 stroke cut off saw, the 3-1/2 cubic ft cement mixer a doly and the tamper. I always buy the 2yr in store replacement and have managed to buy everything with %15 discount coupons. The tools have already paid themselves off had I just given the work I've done with them to someone else. With in the next 2 yrs I plan to drive these tools right into the ground, get a free new one and then sell that one when I'm done.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think some of the issues with this backhoe would be --1) as already touched upon, the design of these type machines is that they aren't as convenient as a conventional backhoe since you're dependent on moving them with the bucket; 2) digging in hard ground may be difficult because of the comparative light weight; 3) what is the strength of the steel used in this machine? 4) are these standard cylinders that you can get parts for or are there odd sizes and odd O rings that can't be found on this planet?