Buying Advice best tractor with available backhoe

MarkV · Oct 17, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
The JD110 is a dedicated construction grade TLB, the loader and backhoe are permanently mounted and it does not have a 3PH or PTO. Very nice, but not the Swiss Army knife a property owner is looking for.

Afraid you are wrong there. The 110 does have a PTO and the backhoe can be removed. It is also a discontinued model.

To the OP, if you feel that a backhoe will be a primary part of your use and as the title indicated you want the best, it is hard to beat the Kubota TLB's, B26, L39, L45. These would be in your stated hp range. These are a more commercial design with greater loader and backhoe capacities. The backhoes are operated from the drivers seat rather than a separate seat. Great tractors but you do pay a price.

MarkV

JerryK · Oct 17, 2011

The Bradco built hoe on the back of my Mahindra has pretty impressive digging forces, too. I think the reason the Workmaster backhoe arms are bent is because the hoe is mounted without much ground clearance. Looks like only about six inches or so....

two_bit_score · Oct 17, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
The JD110 is a dedicated construction grade TLB, the loader and backhoe are permanently mounted and it does not have a 3PH or PTO. Very nice, but not the Swiss Army knife a property owner is looking for.

Sorry, but you are mistaken about the backhoe being permanently attached. It comes off in about five minutes. They are routinely used on construction sites to do box blade work as much as regular tlb work. There is a thread on TBN of a guy using his for bailing hay. They are versatile. But may not be for everyone, like any other piece of equipment. They also do have a pto and 3 ph. You may want to go back and do some research before you make such absolute statements that are so astoundingly incorrect.

BethesdaEC · Oct 17, 2011

two_bit_score said:
Sorry, but you are mistaken about the backhoe being permanently attached. It comes off in about five minutes. They are routinely used on construction sites to do box blade work as much as regular tlb work. There is a thread on TBN of a guy using his for bailing hay. They are versatile. But may not be for everyone, like any other piece of equipment. They also do have a pto and 3 ph. You may want to go back and do some research before you make such absolute statements that are so astoundingly incorrect.

I stand corrected. Is the loader field removable?

MarkV · Oct 17, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
I stand corrected. Is the loader field removable?

No, the bucket is removable though.

That is one of the things with the JB 110 and the Kubota light commercial TLB's. They run an integrated frame from front to back as well as OSHA approved upper structure (FOPS) for commercial sites. So non removable loader. Adds to the cost but sure does offer a ridged, protected, TLB structure to a small tractor that can still meet PTO and 3pt hitch needs.

MarkV

two_bit_score · Oct 17, 2011

MarkV said:
No, the bucket is removable though.

That is one of the things with the JB 110 and the Kubota light commercial TLB's. They run an integrated frame from front to back as well as OSHA approved upper structure (FOPS) for commercial sites. So non removable loader. Adds to the cost but sure does offer a ridged, protected, TLB structure to a small tractor that can still meet PTO and 3pt hitch needs.

MarkV

And, both use skid steer attachments. Gives more options on front end attachments.

lstinthot · Oct 17, 2011

I will give a plug for the Bobcat CUT. I just bought the CT230. Its 30 HP with backhoe. I also bought the forks which are a great addition. The forks are able to pick up stumps I pull out with the backhoe. The bucket would just push the stumps around where the forks are able to get around and under them enough to move them.

The Bobcat is similar to the Kioti. Bobcat now makes their own loader is the major difference.

My TLB weighs around 5500#, so it is pretty heavy. I think the weights are as follows:
Tractor 3050#
loader 800#
backhoe 1050#
filled tires 700#

I have around 36 hours on the machine in 3 weeks and have been pretty happy with it.

Gittyup · Oct 17, 2011

MarV's suggested Kubota B-series and the JD110 are probably the "best". But, they will cost ya. I think JCB also has one similar to the JD110. Not sure if Case has one that small or not.

For thousands (... and thousands) less, the next "best" are usually the heaviest. Like Kioti, Branson, and Mahindra. Weight is king for backhoe work. I have a Kioti CK25 gear TLB. It weighs in around 5500 lbs with loaded tires. It's a beast of a digger for it's size. Same frame can be had with up to 35 or so HP (CK35). As with all models, bigger tractors increase capability and addss reach to the backhoe. Reach should not be undersestimated.

When choosing a tractor for mainly digging, weight and hydraulic flow are just as important as HP.

There are many older construction backhoes that are exceptionally capable too, if you wanted to go the more specialized route for similar money.