Tired of Digging

[Weaselfoot]

I own a cottage on 2 wooded acres and I'm tired of digging. I'm here to learn about which equipment to buy, expenses and operation of a BH. Sounds like it might be worthwhile to take some formal lessons. I don't want a repeat of my ATV experience. I had a flat tire the first day (ran over the four inch spike of a cut, woody stem). I've run two ATV's over 5K miles without a repeat. I don't want some freak accident to happen with my BH. Are they still primitive in their controls, in that that you could break something if you operate the controls in such a way that mechanical forces conflict? By joining here, I hope to learn all about it. Notice my equipment: the Hoping2016 is a like a child's imaginary friend. Talk soon, Weaselfoot in Ontario, Canada.

 

[jeff9366]

Industrial tires (R4s) are almost impervious to flats the first 25 years they are mounted on a tractor. Industrial tires cost more than ag tires (R1s) because R4s are bigger and generally have twice as many fabric layers.

You have not told us WHAT you dig. Possibly another attachment will do the job for $5,000 less. The expense in a Backhoe is buying one and then NOT using it regularly. (It is hard for me to imagine getting $5,000 use on two acres.)

A contemporary backhoe is not difficult to operate, especially if you have had some prior experience operating tractors.

The Kubota BX25D-1 is pretty much the gold standard in small tractor-loader-backhoe combinations. $20,000/USD + Taxes.

LINK: Kubota Tractor Corporation - BX70 Series

 

[jeff9366]

Notice my equipment: the Hoping2016 is a like a child's imaginary friend.

Pretty literal folks here. Few are going to 'get it'.

 

[Tompet]

I own a cottage on 2 wooded acres and I'm tired of digging. I'm here to learn about which equipment to buy, expenses and operation of a BH. Sounds like it might be worthwhile to take some formal lessons. I don't want a repeat of my ATV experience. I had a flat tire the first day (ran over the four inch spike of a cut, woody stem). I've run two ATV's over 5K miles without a repeat. I don't want some freak accident to happen with my BH. Are they still primitive in their controls, in that that you could break something if you operate the controls in such a way that mechanical forces conflict? By joining here, I hope to learn all about it. Notice my equipment: the Hoping2016 is a like a child's imaginary friend. Talk soon, Weaselfoot in Ontario, Canada.

The controls are not primitive and with some practice, dealer input, reading the manual and basic coordination you will be fine. You will enjoy having a BH and I would suggest a quick attach FEL bucket and set of forks for your chores.

The cost of a BH is brought up often vs frequency of use etc. People spend thousands on a boat that sits, a motorcycle occasionally ridden or a restored classic car that sits year round, all great to enjoy. To me, a BH expedites projects when and where I want to do them, saves the back and is a purchase I enjoy. No excuse needed to own one and seems the perfect counter to a FEL.

About 12 years ago I first saw a BX23 and thought that would be a nice tool. A year or so later I tore a ligament in my hip/butt which after experiencing a couple torn acl's etc. was way, way beyond that in the pain factor. Well, about a year after that I was digging in the woods with a shovel and wheel barrow and tweaked it a little bit. Put the shovel away, told my mom I would take her for a ride and drove out to a Massey dealer and bought a MF2310 I had been doing a little prior research. I was very happy with it, so much so traded up since then.

My dad was a human power shovel who grew up on a farm and sometimes when I am using the tractor I think of the smile and chuckle he would have watching a little backhoe go to work.

I could have bought a new motorcycle and no one would have said much of anything, but a tractor with a BH...always brought a comment, until..."could you come over and dig..." Lol.

Enjoy your research and future tractor purchase.

 

[Weaselfoot]

Thank you for your welcoming comments which have been thought-provoking and helpful. I especially appreciate the comments related to justification and ease of use. My land, without road access, is the toughest digging you will ever find due to thin soil, rocks and tree roots. By 2016 I should have road access to the rear of my lot and I will have to build a spur to my property. I have many other uses though, even clearing snow on the road. Due to the conditions, many would suggest a powerful machine. This viewpoint is tempered by the fact that unlike a contractor under time restraints/profit considerations, I could finesse my way around problem jobs (burying a rock by digging beside it etc.) and therefore do fine with a smaller machine. So I will have to scan the forums and consult about the power that I might need. I am imagining that if I was digging a trench and I encountered a root about as thick as one's wrist, then would the BX25D snap that root? Thank you for your comments on the controls. I am proficient with tools like a chain saw but my learning curve with my little drone has been steep, to the point of wondering whether the little beast will ever enjoy a flight which ends peacefully due to loss of battery power! I am enthused and once again, thanks for the welcome! W/F

 

[Gary Fowler]

I doubt a BX machine would break a limb that size depending on the species. Thorn trees have about the toughest limbs to cut.
I have a B26TLB and I don't think I would want anything smaller. It is very easy to get into tight spaces but it is a little tippy feeling on steep slopes. I have used it on side slopes that are so steep that I have to lower the outrigger all the way just to level up the machine and it works fine, just go slow when travelling. I have an 8" and 12" bucket for mine and in hard soil the 12" will lift the 4000# machine before it bites in so it takes some working with it to dig in rocky or hard dry clay.
They are a bit expensive new (Kubota build your own is about $35,000 new but they can be had used for half that price. I got a deal on mine, 3 years old with only 60 hours for $20K and it was like new in every way except the 50 Hour service had been done so that is about $250 savings in labor, oil and filters.
I only have 11 acres but in 3 years I have it up to almost 400 hours just digging and FEL use. I don't use it for anything else as I have another tractor for everything else.

 

[jeff9366]

You may want to consider a Three Point Hitch mounted Subsoiler on a 'B' series machine combined with a Piranha Tooth Bar on your bucket, in lieu of a Backhoe. (BX series tractors are not powerful enough to pull a Subsoiler through the ground you have described.)

 

[Weaselfoot]

Based on your answers to the theoretical "root-in-the-trench" question, I need at least a B Series TLB. My main task will be using the BH to excavate material and scoop it for dumping elsewhere. A lawn mower type machine isn't going to work. So I will continue browsing the forum and learning as I go. At the same time though I will be watching the used market and learning about values. Thanks for your advice - this is an advanced forum compared to the usual "hot-rodding" forums so common on the net.

 

[dave1949]

For roots a ripper (giant tooth) is a good way to make the most of a backhoe's power. Google backhoe ripper tooth for pics and various styles. It concentrates all of the machine's power in a small area. A regular bucket spreads that force out over many more square inches of area.

Welcome to TBN!