Best DIY towable backhoe plans?

[REPO]

I finally recieved a response from CDP. Apparently he has no pictures or any other info on the PRO800 or the Extend-A-Hoe. Seems a bit odd. If you are selling an item, you should be able to describe it right?

How many people have bought the CDP plans? Is this guy legit?

[J_J]

REPO, I have purchased from him awhile back, and he had photos of all his products. The kits I purchased were all laser cut, with bushings, and all the small metal. parts. I only had to purchase the 3 x 3, 4 x 4 stock. I also purchased the grapple that fits on the boom. I agree with you about the PRO-800 kit, he should have photos of it, or go out and take some. I purchased the 3 pt kit, and adapted it to my Power-Trac, which you can see in the pictures.

[mrcaptainbob]

Here are some pics Dirt Digger info--- - a set on Flickr
of a tow behind I built using CadPlans. It's my version of their 628. It has served me very well for over ten years now. The only 'complaint' being ~ shoud've built the next one up for more power!~....

[wsurfer49]

I built my backhoe from ubuildit plans and have gotten lots of use out of it. Built it 7 years ago. The learning curve was kind of steep for me as I had not done a lot of welding. Turned out ok and have only had to redo a few welds. Used a harbor freight welder and could have used a little more amps.

I found the cad plans after I started on my backhoe and I would probably go for one of their plans. They offer more options. That said the ubuild is a great little machine!

[Groo]

Were I to do a tow-able, I'd definitely want it to be able to move some on its own power. When I use our 3 point backhoe, I am always digging a bit, then moving it a few feet then digging some more. A bigger unit will be able to reach more, but something is always going to be just out of reach. I imagine the tow-ables can move themselves a foot or two at a time, but that would get old quick on a larger project.

[JT42]

I built my backhoe from ubuildit plans and have gotten lots of use out of it. Built it 7 years ago. The learning curve was kind of steep for me as I had not done a lot of welding. Turned out ok and have only had to redo a few welds...That said the ubuild is a great little machine!

I'm currently working on the ubuiltitplans backhoe. Overall it's been going together well, although now I'm down to the last major sub-assembly and the dipper arm plates are giving me a lot of trouble. With any luck I'll have the machine completely done -- painted and assembled -- by the end of May. If I have to completely re-do the plates... well... it will be longer.