New R28 Montana with Back hoe

[alltoys]

Bought it about 3 weeks ago. I was thinking either a tractor or Skid Steer. Glad I got this unit instead. Although for moving dirt and such a Skid Steer is much faster only not as versatile as the tractor.

I have a good deal of Corral Fencing to remove weathered planking and posts. Most of all mountains of Manure. Previous owner was lazy to say the least. Just piled it up in the Corrals instead of spreading it over the land. I counted all the planking to day to replace all of it would cost well over $200,000. If anyone wants free weathered planking let me know.

Back hoe is a 3pt hitch type I know they say watch out for mounting points breaking. One thing I see on this hoe that is different than other types is how it mounts to the tractor. The upper link is very sturdy when outriggers are up 3pt arms can maybe move a 1/2 inch. Once the locking pins are in there is very little movement at all. Outriggers down I can lift the rear end off the ground easily front too with the bucket. Very stable traveling or digging. Only thing I find different is the controls are backwards compared to real Hoes. I have operated Case Rubber tired hoes and Link Belt track hoes. The controls on my Montana are backwards compared to them. I will soon make a fixed tooth for a grapple on the Hoe, I do have lots rocks on my property which the previous owner seemed to have liked to collect too. Hoe will work out great removing them.

Things I like about my Montana is the quick change bucket just like that of the Skid Steers for a variety of front end attachments. A third hydraulic on the front end to run post hole augers or what ever. 4x4 and a second hydraulic on the rear for post pounders or what ever. Oh yes it is easy on fuel as well I am impressed.

Only thing I am not crazy about is the tight area around the seat but at least all controls are easily accessed.

[JackMentink]

What kind of Backhoe did you get for it? Was it one of the Montana ones (Amerquip) or did you buy a different brand. What size is it? I have a 3644 and wanted to see how yours did with a backhoe.

[rcowan]

Congrats on the R28.
Let us know how the 3pt hoe works out. I would like one but can't quite convince the CFO

[JDeerekid]

How is your third hydraulic hooked up for the front? Do you have pictures. I wanted that hooked up when I bought the tractor but didn't do it. eventually want to get a grapple.

[alltoys]

Originally Posted by JackMentink

What kind of Backhoe did you get for it? Was it one of the Montana ones (Amerquip) or did you buy a different brand. What size is it? I have a 3644 and wanted to see how yours did with a backhoe.

I have the Montana brand MBH76 hoe a full 8ft depth to the end of the bucket. So far it works very good. I would have liked to have a 10ft depth but the sales guy told me it would have been to much for the tractor. I made a thumb for it and it helps immensely for moving rocks and other stuff that weighs to much to handle. 28hp handles it fine. I find I have to run the motor around 1500 to 1800 rpm to keep the jurkyness out of the controls. One thing about this hoe for tractors that I like that the others don't have is a very heavy top link. When the down riggers are out there is no movement in the hoe connected to the tractor, one solid unit. Your 3644 would handle this attachment very well since yours is a larger tractor you could get the longer hoe and couple extra feet is always a help.

[alltoys]

Originally Posted by JDeerekid

How is your third hydraulic hooked up for the front? Do you have pictures. I wanted that hooked up when I bought the tractor but didn't do it. eventually want to get a grapple.

Will have to research on how to include pictures on this site. The 3rd hydraulic is controlled by electric button on the FEL control. Hit the button then operate the mounted equipment. I wanted this specially to run a front mounted post hole auger so I can put down force on the attachment. With the quick change front end I love it for putting on different stuff without having to mess around with pins and lining it all up like that of the 3pt hitch. It was a $300 option when I bought the tractor a good investment I thought.

[alltoys]

Originally Posted by rcowan

Congrats on the R28.
Let us know how the 3pt hoe works out. I would like one but can't quite convince the CFO

So far I like it can't imagine doing without it. The problems I do have with it and this goes for other tractor mounted hoes as well. I can't operate more than 2 directions at once. For instance left hand operates boom left and right, boom up and down. Right hand boom out and in, bucket curl in and curl out.

I would like to run the boom to the left or right then out, down and bucket curl in at the same time. It will only do 2 functions at one time one with the left hand the second with the right hand. Although once you understand how it works then you adjust yourself accordingly. I have operated rubber tired hoes and track hoes and I could do multi functions all at once to make things faster. I find it has more than enough power to dig what ever you need. So far I have used to dig a trench and move large rocks from my property. I made a stone boat and use the thumb on the hoe to move 1000 lb rocks onto it without any problem.

One more thing I am not keen about but it works. For the hydraulic control that feeds fluid to the hoe attachment it has to be held with zip tie to keep it open. I would prefer a lock of some sort. Move it to the open then put it into a notch of some sort to keep the flow of hydraulics moving. Oh well it works and I am not going to do without the hoe a definite plus.

[JDeerekid]

Originally Posted by alltoys

Will have to research on how to include pictures on this site. The 3rd hydraulic is controlled by electric button on the FEL control. Hit the button then operate the mounted equipment. I wanted this specially to run a front mounted post hole auger so I can put down force on the attachment. With the quick change front end I love it for putting on different stuff without having to mess around with pins and lining it all up like that of the 3pt hitch. It was a $300 option when I bought the tractor a good investment I thought.

Does the $300 consist of everything including the electric in the button and hoses to the front. If it only cost that I would have gotten it a long time ago. My dealer scared me becuase he told me it would cost alot and just to run hoses from the back of the tractor to the front. I would rather have the buttons on the loader control instead of reaching for another handle everytime you use it. Please post pictures as I would like to see what it consists of. Do you also have a part number?

Have you used the front posthole digger yet or is it just an option in the future. Just wonder if the hydraulics are sufficient.

Thanks

[alltoys]

Yes the price it included all hoses and all. I believe the third hydraulic is operated by one of the hoses on the FEL. I have taken a few pics will try to include them into this post.

[alltoys]

Here is the splitter for the third hydraulic in the front of the FEL.