CT230 backhoe?

[IslandTractor]

I am looking at an additional 9" bucket to go along with the 18" that comes standard on it. I think the 9" would come in handy for trenches to run drain pipe or wires or stuff like that. What are your thoughts?

I am also trying to decide if I would use the additional hydraulic thumb. It seems like a nice to have but is it $980worth of nice to have? For those of you that have them, do you use them much? What do you use them for?

If you have sandy or very dry soil a 9" bucket could be useful. If you have clay or wet soil it will likely be clogged with dirt and not empty easily so keep that in mind. You can do trenching etc with the 18" too so it is a pretty expensive add on.

I have the Woods mechanical thumb. I find it moderately useful. It would be very useful if I did not also own a 4n1 and grapple. I tend to just turn the tractor around and grab the stump or rock with the grapple/4n1 as I will need to get the object into the FEL sometime anyway if I am carting it away. I use my mechanical thumb about 5% of the time. Nice to have but not a great bang for the buck.

If I were building a rock wall I would imagine the hydraulic thumb would be real handy but I don't do that professionally so it is hard to justify the limited time savings over a mechanical thumb. You should also be aware that it is really not such a big deal to convert the mechanical thumb to hydraulic. The only part that would be difficult without getting expensive parts from Woods is the foot pedal control. If you can tolerate standard valve controls to operate the thumb then a conversion shouldn't cost more than $300-400 for a hydraulic cylinder, hoses and a simple valve.

 

[NOTV8]

I am also trying to decide if I would use the additional hydraulic thumb. It seems like a nice to have but is it $980worth of nice to have? For those of you that have them, do you use them much? What do you use them for?

I don't have one but I saw landscaper used it to pick up rocks that is too big for the bucket while digging and logs too when they were working on my yard... Also used to pick up plants by the root balls then set it to the hole. I wish I can afford one :drool:

 

[Gittyup]

The thumb is pricey, but get it now if you want it. I agree that the 9" might clog on you pretty easily. I suggest going with a 12". I've dug a lot of trenches with my 18" bucket. But many times I wished I had a narrower bucket to keep the trench small, like when the trench had to be filled with 2" of sand to meet code. That's a lot more sand.

I'd like a 3PH pto trencher that works like a ditch witch. I've been looking for a used one, but they are rare. The few I have seen are hydraulic for skidloaders. Still hard to justify when you already have a backhoe.

 

[galaxie428]

The thumb is pricey, but get it now if you want it. I agree that the 9" might clog on you pretty easily. I suggest going with a 12".

$980 does seem a little pricey but that is installed and like you said if I think I might use it then I should probably get it now as I doubt I would get it later.

My soil is pretty sandy and the 9" bucket was quoted to me for $350 so I didn't think that was too bad. But would I really use it that much?

I have the Woods mechanical thumb. I find it moderately useful. It would be very useful if I did not also own a 4n1 and grapple.

A grapple would be nice. I would eventually like to get one myself.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

/laugh

I can see some people here are H. Rider Haggard fans.

 

[nickel plate]

I think I just about have the wife convinced to buy one even thought she still doesn't think we need one. But, she has agreed there will be no divorce over it if I do.

I am looking at an additional 9" bucket to go along with the 18" that comes standard on it. I think the 9" would come in handy for trenches to run drain pipe or wires or stuff like that. What are your thoughts?

I am also trying to decide if I would use the additional hydraulic thumb. It seems like a nice to have but is it $980worth of nice to have? For those of you that have them, do you use them much? What do you use them for?

Did you typo "hydraulic" thumb when you meant "mechanical" thumb? I bought my Woods BH90-X a year ago with a hyd thumb and they at that time didn't offer a hyd thumb on a BH80-X, just a mechanical thumb-koodoos if Woods has since designed a hyd thumb for the BH80-X.

 

[galaxie428]

Did you typo "hydraulic" thumb when you meant "mechanical" thumb? I bought my Woods BH90-X a year ago with a hyd thumb and they at that time didn't offer a hyd thumb on a BH80-X, just a mechanical thumb-koodoos if Woods has since designed a hyd thumb for the BH80-X.

No, I meant hydraulic. It must be an option now, it did say just added.

 

[nickel plate]

No, I meant hydraulic. It must be an option now, it did say just added.

Only out of curiosity I emailed Woods last week and got the answer today-they do now offer a hydraulic thumb for the BH80-X and a kit to convert if you already have the mechanical thumb to hydraulic. ENJOY!

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Victor mentions being able to drag his tractor around with his backhoe. This is a capability that many people don't realize is important. Depending on your use environment, you may occasionally (or frequently?) bury your tractor; especially in soft sand, mud, or swampy ground. Knowing how to use the backhoe to walk yourself out of the hole can save you a very expensive wrecker tow, or possible damage to your tractor.

 

[Gittyup]

Maybe it's just me and I don't know how to do it, but I've had no success trying to walk my tractor. Of course, my bucket is always on the ground (usually with the toothbar biting into the ground) and the park brake is set hard. I also have filled rear tires. I've tried from the backhoe set to push the tractor forward (with loader raised) with the backhoe and don't have a great deal of success. I've always had the park brake set and it in 4WD. Haven't tried it from 2WD. Maybe that makes a difference. I can pick up the rear end and swing it sideways, but I haven't been able to push it, nor pull it for that matter. Is the 4WD with the brake set stopping me?