List of Things To Do With A Small Backhoe

[savaytse66]

I'm in the market for a tractor, and I'm trying to justify the purchase of a small backhoe. I'm currently looking very hard at a Kubota BX25. I know there are some projects I can tackle right away with it, but as my lovely wife has so nicely pointed out, I'm not sure that long-term, the BH will get as much use as I think. So what I'd like to do is compile a list of things I can do with my own backhoe.

Now I've heard, and I completely understand, the argument that it's often cheaper to just rent a backhoe when I need it and avoid the upfront cost and maintenance of my own machine. But convenience means an awful lot to me, and with two small children, renting a backhoe and maximizing my use of it during the time I have it isn't necessarily feasible.

So anyway, here's my list of things to do with my backhoe off the top of my head:

1. Terrace my corner vegetable garden that currently grows on a slope
2. Dig a 75' long trench for a new sewer pipe (within the next two years)
3. Yank out and possibly re-locate a couple small trees
4. Re-work a few flower beds that were originally built half-a$$ed
5. "Till" the vegetable gardens every year (note that I do not have enough garden area to justify an actual tiller)
6. POSSIBLY grade and excavate for the foundation of my new garage addition. It's approximately 30' x 30' and would involve grading down about 24" and then trenching down another 12 - 16".
7. Tear down a small railroad tie retaining wall
8. Build and maintain a small compost area (though I can probably do this with just a loader)

So that's my list. I've often heard that there are many things to do with a backhoe that I wouldn't immediately think of, so I'm curious what all of you would recommend adding to the list. I realize that not everything will necessarily apply to my situation (1 acre of property, no room for a pond), but maybe some of your ideas will help justify my purchase. Even though I really want the BX25, if I cannot justify the BH, I'll probably scale down to a smaller model.

Looking forward to your ideas!

 

[Mousefield]

Given the list you have provided and the smallish size of your property I think renting would be cheaper. It is nice to have one and I have gotten lots of use out of my Kioti CK35 with Woods 7 ft backhoe, have 14 acres and lots of uses for it.

 

[SARG]

Notice his picture with the mechanical thumb ....... with that you'll never have to drag brush again.

Grab it ..... pick it up ..... take it where you want it and drop it off.

Certainly has made my life easier.

 

[20 20]

What if you bought it with the intension of selling it, when your stuff is done? You probably could get a good $$$ for resale and won't be losing as much as renting? keep the tractor and sell the BH when ready.

 

[OlderToday]

What if you bought it with the intension of selling it, when your stuff is done? You probably could get a good $$$ for resale and won't be losing as much as renting? keep the tractor and sell the BH when ready.

Ummm....that may not work. I bought a BX24 three years ago with the same intent and I'm not sure I'm ready to part with it now that all the BH work is done. I just know something happen where I'd like to have the BH. I know it would happen, I just know it would.

 

[SARG]

Yup... I spent about $5500. for the BH6000 coupled to a NH T1030 ..... and I wouldn't sell it back for the same money I paid.

Once you have it you don't want to be without one.

 

[Thomas]

Than there projects which will pop out of the blue plus Mrs. list.

If funds aren't problem I say go for it,and when its time to trade good chance of more bang for the buck.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

1. Yank out and possibly re-locate a couple small trees

You can certainly dig holes for new trees, however, in my limited experience a small BH does not work very well to remove trees for replanting. For me, anyway, it is almost impossible to scoop the tree and root system in one bucket pass, without mangling the tree or the root system. That said you can probably dig out some fairly substantial stumps.

If you are looking at BX25 type of thing just tell DW it comes as a package and don't attempt to provide any cost on the BH as a separate option.

Chances are , if you have a small acreage, the cost of a BH will be very difficult to justify unless you have specific projects and even then doubtfull. Simple test is - Do you want one - can you afford one. If the answer is two yes`s then buy it.

 

[Egon]

Bring it over to my place. I'll line you up with a years worth of work at a time!:thumbsup:

 

[hitekcountry]

Simple test is - Do you want one - can you afford one. If the answer is two yes`s then buy it.

I bought an L35 new and I only had two acres. My needs list was probably rather pathetic. The thing was I wanted it, and I could easily afford it, so I bought it. What I soon discovered was that it enabled me do things that I would have never ever considered doing without the backhoe. That tractor has more than paid for itself and was one of the best purchases I've ever made. YMMV

I find it interesting that a person can go out and buy a $20K motorcycle and think nothing of it but will agonize over spending the same amount on a tractor which is so much more useful.

 

[radioman]

Well- I have BX24 on 2 acres split in 1 acres lots. house is on one and across street is the other. The BH was very useful, and there is really no maintaince involved. Just retract the rods, coat the remaining chrome rods with jelly, grease all joints and call it good. I am still finding uses for the BH, even for things I never thought of. Its sooo easy to hook up and take off, I see it as a investment for years to come. IF I ever get into a situation where I need a bigger BH, I'd just rent a big one and get most of work done what I can in one day and return it. If there is something I forgot or need to dig more, I still have my BH. No extra day fees to worry about.

Terrancing would be accomplished the best with a backhoe if you have one and it certainly would take time to do. Where are you located ? perhaps a local TBN'er would like to come out and lend hand with thier BH and all you need is a simple BX with FEL.

 

[AchingBack]

I use my back hoe to scratch my dinosaur's back, and my giraffes neck. What I'd like to do someday is add a grapple to it. In the meantime, my first real project is a 100' x 3' trench for my underground utilitites. After that, I may start digging up some of the larger boulders around the property. I live on abandoned gravel pit property, and have a lot of future rock wall material for sale.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I find it interesting that a person can go out and buy a $20K motorcycle and think nothing of it but will agonize over spending the same amount on a tractor which is so much more useful.

If they didn't make a lot of noise - sales would go down by 95%. Just like little kids that put cardboard with a clothes pin to flap on the spokes of their bike and make a noise.

Same little kid inside - just older and more money - screaming - look at me.

 

[bxkubota]

I am all for the purchase of a BX25. I own less than half an acre and have several pool and retaining walls projects lined up. If you have the funds available it is an investment that will last a long time with a terrific resale value.

 

[tawilson]

I don't know if you do firewood, but I welded a grab hook on my bh bucket and sometimes dangle a set of skidding tongs from it to pick up logs for bucking up.

 

[DavidVT]

I vote with: if you want it and can afford it, then buy it. I bought an old beater and after replacing a hose it has served me well. Any projects I absolutely had to have? Nope, not a one. But maybe this summer....

A note about 'two small children':

Make sure you can properly secure this attachment. I have no children and had my BH stored in the field with no concerns about safety. While I was traveling, my wife hired two teenagers to move some wood for her. One played with the levers on the 'stored' backhoe, only to discover the hard way that it had the ability to move. No one was hurt but it really woke me up to the need to be wary about large stored hydraulic equipment and insuring all the stored energy is released.

 

[Abe460]

My MF 471 came with one and it wasn't really needed, but couldn't pass up the deal. When it's running (story for another day) i use the backhoe quite a bit.

I have 22 acres I live on and 40 in another area. The backhoe has been great for putting in culverts and getting fill dirt by digging/expanding the edges of the ponds. I've dug up some trees, but the backhoe isn't strong enough to cut much root. I've dug some trenches and having to move so often is really a pain. Still much less expensive than renting, but then again I already had it. To me the biggest downfall is reattaching it...removal isn't the most fun either...now that I think about it, storage is an issue.

I think the best use I've found though is while I'm moving round bales. The backhoe bucket works great as a trash can.

 

[savageactor7]

'm in the market for a tractor, and I'm trying to justify the purchase of a small backhoe.

Save your money and you'll be glad you did.

 

[LBrown59]

Ummm....that may not work. I bought a BX24 three years ago with the same intent and I'm not sure I'm ready to part with it now that all the BH work is done. I just know something happen where I'd like to have the BH. I know it would happen, I just know it would.

Sure it would/ That's why you have it.

 

[20 20]

I believe it's easier to justify having a BH then not having one. It also funny how all of a sudden you'll have new friends.