Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe)

   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #31  
I've had this trencher for about 3 yrs now. The only problem I've had has been with bucket,James

First, I'd like to THANK James for his comment. First one that actually addressed the question of whether the HF Backhoe is worthy of a purchase. The rest of the tyrade was people praising or complaining about other non-related HF products.

That said - I too have had mixed luck with Harbor Freight, which is why I went looking for a review on this one. Mostly - their steel sucks, which I've seen is the case with almost any chinese steel. I don't think they've quite figured out metalurgy yet. I often said that if the Chinese made their battleships out of the same steel they make their tools, I could sink the entire chinese fleet with one American made ball peen hammer. There is also a "precision" problem in some of their products. If you know how to properly handle tools, you can overcome that with proper care, but when a pot-metal C clamp breaks in half or twists, there's not much you can do about bad steel.

That said, I just bought a 10+ acre plot and need to put in some septic, widen out a pond, etc. Looking at renting vs buying, at $5K or $10K+ I'd rent every time. But to buy a backhoe for $3K... that I could use repeatedly and even rent out in a pinch - might just do the trick.

If all I'll be doing with it is digging up one bucket of dirt at a time - the hydraulics SHOULD be enough to do the trick, and if not, I can always replace a ram with a better one. B&R Motors aren't that expensive. There is always Motion Industries or Grainger for other stuff. So the only thing I feer is breaking the steel parts. If they hold out, then the rest is common sense, and not trying to use a 5 gallon hat to hold 10 gallons of water. I am comforted by the fact they sent you a new bucket, and that the hydraulics held out.

That said, I'm now leaning toward buying one. Here goes - I'll try to keep you updated on the outcome.
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #32  
No problem, hydraulics are a little slow but work pretty good. If you have anymore questions just ask.

James
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #33  
James - So your last post at the 3 year mark was in 2008. Do you still have it and use it after 5 years more?
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #34  
I recently bought one of these and it works fine for my needs. I routinely need a light weight digger and I have equipment that can truly place the thing almost anywhere. If I need a faster, track-based and heavier excavator...I know where to rent one.

Does anyone know the working pressure (psi) of the hydraulics on the HF Trencher? For flow, the spool valve is rated at 10.6gpm and the pump at 2.7 gpm. I'm considering repowering this with another hydraulic pump I already have...and want to make to make sure that the two systems are compatible. The other pump operates at 2500psi, 8gpm. Thanks.
 
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   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #35  
Yeah still have it, don't use it as much except to clean ditches and around the pond. Pins and bushing are getting worn so that's my next project.

James
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #36  
I own a Harbor Freight Trencher and love it. HF did replace the first one I purchased but the second one has worked great since I got it in Novemebr, 2014.
However, one of the hydraulic cylinders has started slipping and will not hold the boom up. It still works when I pull the lever and dig and lift but whenever I let go of the lever controlling it, the rod in this cylinder slips out and the bucket drops.
Is this a bad cylinder or something else?
Does anyone own a H F trencher and has had this problem?
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #37  
It still works when I pull the lever and dig and lift but whenever I let go of the
lever controlling it, the rod in this cylinder slips out and the bucket drops.


How fast does the boom drop? If you can see it move, that's too fast. Usually a valve problem.
Dirt in the valve or bad assembly/manufacturing.

Since the boom dropping is extending the cylinder, it is possible that the nut has come off
the piston or the piston seal is bad and air is entering the gland seal. If it is dropping fast
enough to see, you may be able to hear the air enter there as the boom drops with the motor off.
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #38  
Thanks. The bucket was dropping slowly but now it drops quickly. If it is a valve and not a faulty cylinder, how do I fix it? Is it a connector or in the master cylinder?
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #39  
If it is a valve and not a faulty cylinder, how do I fix it? Is it a connector
or in the master cylinder?

There is no "master cylinder" on these things....I do not know what you mean.

The valve is the likely culprit and it can be disassembled and cleaned/inspected.
My experience with Chinese machinery is that tho the materials are OK, often
the assembly and QA are not. Taking new Chinese equipment apart and re-assembling
is often needed. I did once fix a large 5" Chinese hyd cyl that had a twisted gland
seal O-ring and the nut holding the piston to the rod was loose.

You also have THREE cyls on your boom: one for the boom itself, one for the
dipper stick, and one for the bkt.
 
   / Harbor Freight (HF) Trencher(Backhoe) #40  
I own a Harbor Freight Trencher and love it. HF did replace the first one I purchased but the second one has worked great since I got it in Novemebr, 2014.
However, one of the hydraulic cylinders has started slipping and will not hold the boom up. It still works when I pull the lever and dig and lift but whenever I let go of the lever controlling it, the rod in this cylinder slips out and the bucket drops.
Is this a bad cylinder or something else?
Does anyone own a H F trencher and has had this problem?

Would you buy it again? What do you use it for? Were you able to fix it?
 
 
 
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