I have that exact model from DR. It was a couple years old, but had never been used. The original owner purchased it, started it once, then got sick and passed away. The bucket had never seen dirt. His wife had been trying to sell it for 2 years when I came along. I'd been looking for a sub-frame unit for my GC2300 for a couple of years. I couldn't justify the price for a new one. The DR I picked up for less than 1/2 of a brand new one.
It's been worth EVERY dollar I paid for it.
I had to purchase a new seat and mount (someone stole them while it was chained to a tree outside the original owners home), and I purchased the bucket set for it (it comes with a 12' bucket, the kit has a 9" trenching bucket, a 16" bucket, and a ripper tooth). Because it had been sitting outside for long, I changed both the engine and hydraulic oils. And, because of the layer of sand on top of my hard pan, I added wheels to the front stabilizers to keep it from digging in while moving itself around. The thing has been dead on reliable. Plenty of power (it will drag my FJ Cruiser backwards if I try to take too big a bite). The only issue I've had with it was my own fault, I pinched a hose between the boom and the control tower. I had moved that hose to what I thought was a better position. :/ I also added a small hour meter for the engine.
Converting it from towable to digging mode take all of about 60 seconds. And honestly, it probably wouldn't take that much to convert the outriggers to hydraulic instead of manual.
Yes, it's slower than a 'real' backhoe. I average a 10' length of 6' deep trench an hour using the 9" bucket. But I'd bet $1000, that in my backyard, no one could hand dig that same amount, in that same hour. Actually, I'd bet you couldn't do 10' of 3' deep trench in an hour.... I have some extremely hard ground.
It does take some thought about how to position it for trenching... in my case, it nearly always has to have an anchor vehicle. So you have to plan for how to do corners or T's along the trench. But nothing that can't be overcome. You can set the outriggers to different heights on each side, but my ground is mostly flat. Not sure how effective they'd be on a side hill...
I've done about 900' of water line trench and about 100' of sewer and gas line trenches.
I lube all the pivots and pins before and after every use, and about every 4 hours during use. I have about 95 hours on the unit now, and I do seem to notice a little more wiggle in the swing, but all the rest of the pins seem to be doing well. When changing buckets, I notice very little wear on those pins. I don't remember the name of the grease I'm using, but I got it at a heavy duty supply place, and it is the same stuff they use on big mining equipment. Very extreme pressure stuff, so I'm sure that probably helping things.
I will say that if the unit ever does need repair, there's no rocket science involved. The hose I replaced for about $35 locally. The engine is a Subaru Robin, so just about any small engine shop should be able to fix it or supply parts. The cylinders are welded, but replacements could probably be source via Surplus Center for a reasonable price.
Everyone has opinions..... here's mine about the DR:
The GOOD:
Does the job.
So far it's been reliable.
Plenty of power.
Decent run time for fuel capacity (I usually run about 2/3 throttle)
Better than digging by hand.
Doesn't tie up my tractor while I'm trenching (unless the tractor is the anchor).
Adjustable swing speed (valve under floor plate)
Can be towed to job site. (I had to tow it about 75 miles when I bought it).
The BAD:
Slow. Time I got though.
Takes practice to make combo moves (swing and dipper at the same time for example...)
For me, needs an anchor most of the time.
One more engine to service.
Manual outriggers.
Had to modify the front stabilizers for my soil.
Towing limited to 45mph (but I ran about 55 when I got it, wheel bearings were barely warm when I got home)
It can puke hydraulic oil from the fill cap if you lift the end up too far (mine may be slightly over-filed...)
Limited access to the swing cylinders rear grease fitting (best to pull the floor plate)
Engine is fairly loud..... wear your ear protection!!
Is it the perfect solution? No, not for everyone. But for me, the price was right and it's there when I need it.
To anyone looking at one, I'd say this: Take a good look at your property, your intended uses, and how often you would be really using it. In some cases it might be better to rent a TLB, or to buy a sub-frame unit that fits your existing tractor. The DR (or similar) is always going to be a compromise..... but it still beats a shovel.
Here's a couple of pics of mine....
