Yes, first off I've seen the Woods loader and Backhoe in person right next to the Branson stuff. I grew up with very heavy equipment..quarry machines so I know what heavy duty is and the Woods is definitely more heavy duty than the Branson stuff. But, you do pay for it. I had told the Woods guys if the backhoe was 5K out the door they would probably double their sales. Like many others have said on here if you are really going to be using it then buy a real combination unit used and it will dig circles around the Branson setup. Whenever I have used any excavator from 10 ton to 60 ton the sole purpose was to dig up things nothing else could but if I have to constantly worry about "stressing the hoe" it's not worth $9K after all is said and done.
Branson Frame for front loader and hoe?
- Thread starter heron
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Lunk
Platinum Member
You are correct in that a dedicated backhoe would dig circles around most any Tractor mounted unit.
I think that most the folks on TBN that have them, use them for "personal" jobs. They dig a hole here and there, pop some stumps or rocks, etc.
For commercial work, you really do need a commercial unit.
Totally agree with you. I guess it boils down to just how much and how hard you will work it...for instance, I have a house that is just about to begin the build process. I have about 35 stumps 4-8" and then about 6 that are 24-30". I know it can be done with any backhoe but the time it takes and how hard it would be on a tractor mount is the question. Then, what if I want to dig some curtain drains but there is some rock...I don't mean ledge but some rocky soil...will the tractor get too beat up that it's not worth it...?
When that is all said and done I'll be planting trees and shrubs which I know will be gravy for even a 3pt 6' hoe but I guess if I have a hole burning in my pocket I may just go for it..
