Backhoe

[vic654]

I am looking to get a backhoe for my 3720 cab.I have been looking at the jd 375 and the woods bh80-x.I am looking for some thoughts on these or any other brand i should be looking at.

I am also wondering what people thought about the three point hitch or the 4 point subframe units which would be better for my tractor.The woods has the option of having its own pump dont know if i need that or if tractor fluid capacity is enough without it.

 

[wallace]

Wood lists a hydraulic hose kit for it, unless you are running the backhoe all day long your tractor hydraulics will handle it no problem.
I would never hang a 3 point on a tractor if there is a sub frame available.
Most all manufactures will void the warranty if there is a 3 pt backhoe hung on their machine.
Besides in my opinion Woods has one of the best mounting systems out there.
Don't know what you are getting for prices on the Deere hoes but I can sell you a new Woods JD green 80X with 4 point mount, hydraulic hose kit, and 18" bucket for $6,895.00

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The way the deere hoe's fit and attach to the tractor is way better than any other manufacture. That said the woods has a real nice thumb option and I believe it specs out a little better than the deere. It also has a speed control valve which is a really nice feature when working in close to delicate objects. I ended up buy a 448 but really had looked close on the woods unit. I doubt you'll be disappointed either way.

Matt

 

[wallace]

The way the deere hoe's fit and attach to the tractor is way better than any other manufacture. That said the woods has a real nice thumb option and I believe it specs out a little better than the deere. It also has a speed control valve which is a really nice feature when working in close to delicate objects. I ended up buy a 448 but really had looked close on the woods unit. I doubt you'll be disappointed either way.

Matt

Can you leave your 3 pt arms on with the Deere's backhoe?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

...I can sell you a new Woods JD green 80X with 4 point mount, hydraulic hose kit, and 18" bucket for $6,895.00

Thats a Good price...
My question is why a hoe? IMO it used to be backhoes were the way to go when they were cheaper then excavators, but now that you can easily find nice gently used hoes that will dig 3x deeper, faster & better then any 3pt Backhoe for 10k I fail to see why anybody would want a 3pt Backhoe. One of them deals where I think the MFG's have priced themselves out of the market.

When I first got my 3520 Cab, I shopped around a bit...just to get an idea..window shopping more then anything at the time, but when the time DOES come, its gonna be a Mini-Ex for sure
Thats just my thought, I have a very understanding wife

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

before i would ever spend the money on a BH of any brand, especially new, i'd make FOR SURE that it can do two motions at once.......

and, i wouldn't go for anything than a frame mount......they are heavy and hard on your tractor unless they are rigid....

i just live with mine, because it came with the tractor....and it does a good job, especially for a home owner....

 

[AKfish]

Thats a Good price...
My question is why a hoe? IMO it used to be backhoes were the way to go when they were cheaper then excavators, but now that you can easily find nice gently used hoes that will dig 3x deeper, faster & better then any 3pt Backhoe for 10k I fail to see why anybody would want a 3pt Backhoe. One of them deals where I think the MFG's have priced themselves out of the market.

Definitely a good point! The main consideration that I would have with this decision is: do I want another machine that I'm gonna have to feed and buy clothes for??

Owning a backhoe attachment is alot less maintenance overhead than owning another machine. And the part's/repairs for a excavator (mini or otherwise) is in another dimension from a CUT.

AKfish

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

No Rick the arms need to come off. That's what takes the most time. But the rockshaft mounting system is really nice. The Woods is a really nice unit but sticks out farther than the deere. The deere hoe's really become a solid part of the machine.

Matt

 

[docjupa24]

i see that you have a cab, i think some of the JD hoes won't work with a cab tractor, i could be wrong but when i was checking for 3520 i believe i read this, someone please correct me if im wrong

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Definitely a good point! The main consideration that I would have with this decision is: do I want another machine that I'm gonna have to feed and buy clothes for??

True, BUT....You have the convenience of having your tractor available to do things like backfill & finish work...its not exactly a 1 minute job to change from the Hoe to a Box Blade, York Rake, etc.. Plus you can use the tractor to haul supplies, etc.. Of course if you have kids (Free labor) it puts you at 2 machines running and projects will go quick!

Owning a backhoe attachment is alot less maintenance overhead than owning another machine. And the part's/repairs for a excavator (mini or otherwise) is in another dimension from a CUT.

True in the grand scale of things, but the cost of oil changes on another machine to me for the increased capacity & usefulness of the mini-ex makes it a wash either way for me. To me its really about the money vs. what your getting... The Tractor hoe would be more attractive to me if I could get one for 5k tops...Thats a dream at best...

I think that might depend on the brand etc... One of my Dad's friends bought an Komatsu Mini-Ex...imported from the Japan/China/Wherever over there...its not gray market because he gets all parts for it at the Komatsu dealer and the parts are relatively the same as what we pay for JD Parts, or any other OEM branded parts....

From what I can tell, once the Mini-Ex units get to the 10k range they need to be beat to heck and have a bazillion hours before they go much lower. 10-14k gets you a Major Brand refurbished, imported, ready to work machine. Use it for your major projects, 2-3 years later, sell it for a few bucks less.
Hoe's on the tractor seem to sell with the tractor when the tractor hits the road, so you end up giving it away...