cadplans

[cj7]

Has anyone ever built a 3pt. backhoe using Cadplans? I am thinking about one to use on my L2500.

[powermaxpaul]

I designed and built this backhoe for my 20 HP Simplicity Powermax 4041. Dont know too much about the L2500, but if it's at least a 1400# tractor w/o attachments it might work for you. At that minimum wt. I'd recommend a loader for counter balance as well.

Paul

[ClayG]

Anyone comtemplating building a CadPlans backhoe might want toread Jim Steeby's experience at http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/ca...caddigger.html

His cost to build a Model 821 4 years ago was $3,800. You can buy the low end 3ph backhoes alrady built for not much more than that.

ClayG

[daveMT]

We are building a Caddigger 608 backhoe for a BX2200. The plans were $120 and the full metal kit will cost $1538 plus $300 for shipping. I estimate another $100 for supplies. You can also get hydraulic stabilizers, a "super boom" and a thumb for $750 from MedKit. This brings the total to $2058 or $2808.

Al's Small Backhoe in Vermont also sells the very same backhoe for $2700 plus shipping, or the kit for $1990 with the plans, plus shipping. None of his backhoes have cleared reserve either.

I know there are other backhoes that fit a Cat I hitch, but they would exceed the 3 Pt weight limit of the BX. That is why I'm going with the Caddigger. If you know of other, options, please let us know. Thanks for the help.

[HD58835]

Just completed a CADDigger 708, mounted on a Kubota B2910. Total cost $1500. I bought the steel locally and the hydraulics from Metkit. It works great!

[Bud]

HD58835
Nice looking backhoe. If you can, put in a couple more pictures. I was thinking about a backhoe for my B2400, but I think the 708 would be a bit heavy. If I go for it I guess I would have to go with the 608.
Did you cut the plates yourself, or did you have them cut in a shop? Tell us a little more about building it.
Bud

[DUMBDOG]

Just ordered the plans for the 821, thought about putting it on the tractor, but after seeing some of the posts regarding possible damage to the tractor went the self contained route as i could not go to the large digger due to the size of my tractor.

[HD58835]

Bud,
Thanks for the complement! I had as much fun building it as I do "playing" with it. I torch cut and ground the plates. The rest is cut using a metal band saw. Large holes were cut using metal cutting hole saws such as those made by Makita. 1" and smaller were done with drill bits. All were done using a drill press. Welding was done with an old Miller Thunderbolt stick welder, E6011 and E7018 rod. I made the mistake of spot welding the cutting edge and teeth to the bucket and the first time I used it to dig out a stump, I left the cutting edge and the teeth in the ground. I then welded them back on solid with E7018 rod. The bucket was kind of a challenge to build. Using the sides of the bucket as guides, tacked the bottom to both sides, then welded on a loop to each end and hooked in a cable type come along and started pulling the bottom around the sides and tacking it as I went. I will post some more pictures later.

[dourobob]

My buddy and I are in the process of building an 821. We have no deadline and he is patiently teaching me about working in his shop - (when I went to high school my choices for shop were typing or Latin [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img] so this is a great learning experience for me).

I am interested in your comment about using a metal cutting hole saw -
what thickness of steel did you cut?
was it for those 1.5 and 2.5 inch holes in the quater inch and half inch thick steel?
did you find a particular brand worked best?

Thanks.

Bob

[motelman]

It would be great if you could post some progress pictures as you build the BH.