Backhoe Need opinions on adding 3-point hitch backhoe

[jhous]

I know this subject has been kicked around until the horse is dead.......and I have read all I can find. I would very much like the opinions of the 'wiser heads' on this forum. I've got the J2020H and I want a backhoe on it. Factory LS hoe was quoted as $6900. There are several aftermarket brands that come in at around $4000. The backhoe will not get heavy use..... a little ditch work, stump removal, and what ever my wife dreams up. Will my tractor stand up to a 3-point hitch mount backhoe? I like the looks of the WoodMax 6'. It weighs 995 lbs.
All opinions will be appreciated. I would love to hear from anyone with experience on the subject.

Thanks.
J.

 

[TomSeller]

If you take it easy on the bacihoe you may very well be fine. If you are are aggressive with the backhoe you could have have troubles and crack your tractor. So it depends.

 

[jhous]

If you take it easy on the bacihoe you may very well be fine. If you are are aggressive with the backhoe you could have have troubles and crack your tractor. So it depends.

thanks for the reply tom. That actually brings up a good question (for me at least). To me, with a piece of equipment like this, "...take it easy..." means backing off if something bogs down and try a slightly different approach. Am I wrong in that? Having worked quiet a bit with my brothers very large New Holland, I know anything can be bogged down. So I figure the only way to know if you are biting off more than you can deal with is to try it and be ready to 'back off'. Am I wrong in assuming that this type equipment has a large enough safety margin to accept "bogging down" as a fairly normal occurrence without breaking (again, assuming you don't just keep repeatedly doing it over and over again.).

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have no experience with 3 ph backhoes but i have run mini excavators a lot and I think that it has to do more with the operator and how smooth he is. Some people who dig a lot are still jerky and the machine is always jumping around more than is needed. I believe that if a person is smooth and not jerky he can work the hoe to its limit, (dig a stump and have the relief valves kick in as you try to find where you can dig,) and do no damage to the machine. On the other hand the jerking that is often done when the bucket is in the air can over time cause cracks and failure to the equipment. I believe this applies to any equipment, from trucks and cars to shop equipment. Ed

 

[BoneheadNW]

I have a 3pt BH on my Kubota B7610 (a 4672A to be specific) and have never had a problem. I recently removed the BH and re-installed it and I hope my luck continues. As for "taking it easy" on the BH, I don't really know what that means. Since this has been my only tractor for the last 8 or 9 years, I don't abuse it, but I certainly don't treat it with kid gloves either. I would be happy to answer any specific questions that you have.
Bonehead

 

[Mad Mac]

We just bought a new Mahindra 5555 and the dealer sells Ansung backhoes. It has to be 3-point hitch mounted and they have three models. My goal would be to claw out Yaupon and other undesirable brush and trees in the woods, then grapple them to a burn pile. Any suggestions?

 

[jhous]

I have a 3pt BH on my Kubota B7610 (a 4672A to be specific) and have never had a problem. I recently removed the BH and re-installed it and I hope my luck continues. As for "taking it easy" on the BH, I don't really know what that means. Since this has been my only tractor for the last 8 or 9 years, I don't abuse it, but I certainly don't treat it with kid gloves either. I would be happy to answer any specific questions that you have.
Bonehead

Thanks, man.
This is exactly what I was looking for......someone with actual experience with a compact tractor and a 3-point backhoe. Do you have any idea what your backhoe weighs?

 

[brown40]

A good 3pt or subframe mounted BH will be able to lever up the front of your tractor, shift it to either side, and push and pull your machine towards and away from your work.
Digging rocks and stumps you'll be into relief settings all the time--taking the BH to its maximum exerted force repeatedly, in a variety of vectors.
I worry about the subframe mount causing damage when I'm locked into a root, because before the relief is met, the tractors moving. They are great tools for digging.
If you break off one piece of your swiss army knife, you still have the other bits useable--not so with a tractor. If you break the 3pt off the cast frame, you lose the whole shebang. The 3pt is what makes a tractor what it is.
I was in the same position and wanted to go cheaper, but didn't want to risk losing the whole thing to dig holes. The subframe is a better way to go, takes the 3pt right out of the equation in most cases, and spreads the forces across the machine frame, in a variety of directions.
Scan through the history here and you'll see casting after casting sheared off by a BH on the 3pt--some scary and interesting pics to help decide which is preferential. Most recent was a Kioti post that thankfully didn't get into the reservoir, but has certainly weakened the whole back of the machine.
Don't mean to discourage your 3pt interest--best thing about TBN is being able to learn from others experience, mistakes and troubles before getting into your own. Good luck with the purchase.

 

[DaveNJ]

I recently purchased an LS XJ2025 (the successor to your model) with loader and backhoe. I've also often rented, for both personal and business use, small backhoes- BX or B Kubotas. The best use for a hoe with a small tractor like this is low impact trenching and ditch digging as well as loosening up materials prior to scooping them up with the loader. They are fantastic at doing these jobs without tearing up the rest of the landscape. You can dig up a stump or two if you have a lot of patience (a WHOLE lot of patience).
The stress of backhoe work bounces, jerks and moves small machines constantly. All of them I've used were frame mounted. The LS is a 4 point frame mount and has worked really good for me so far. If you intend heavy use, like stumping, I would avoid 3pt mounts.
BTW, after removing a few stumps in the past, I've found that cutting them flush with the ground and ignoring them is the best policy.

 

[jhous]

A good 3pt or subframe mounted BH will be able to lever up the front of your tractor, shift it to either side, and push and pull your machine towards and away from your work.
Digging rocks and stumps you'll be into relief settings all the time--taking the BH to its maximum exerted force repeatedly, in a variety of vectors.
I worry about the subframe mount causing damage when I'm locked into a root, because before the relief is met, the tractors moving. They are great tools for digging.
If you break off one piece of your swiss army knife, you still have the other bits useable--not so with a tractor. If you break the 3pt off the cast frame, you lose the whole shebang. The 3pt is what makes a tractor what it is.
I was in the same position and wanted to go cheaper, but didn't want to risk losing the whole thing to dig holes. The subframe is a better way to go, takes the 3pt right out of the equation in most cases, and spreads the forces across the machine frame, in a variety of directions.
Scan through the history here and you'll see casting after casting sheared off by a BH on the 3pt--some scary and interesting pics to help decide which is preferential. Most recent was a Kioti post that thankfully didn't get into the reservoir, but has certainly weakened the whole back of the machine.
Don't mean to discourage your 3pt interest--best thing about TBN is being able to learn from others experience, mistakes and troubles before getting into your own. Good luck with the purchase.

..............................................................
Thank you very much. Very good detailed information. Love your point about the Swiss Army knife; really brings home the point.
I am definitely leaning towards the dealer solution (theirs will be a subframe). Of course I am assuming they can get me one. My tractor is a 2011.

I also completely agree about the forum. I rode motorcycles for 25 years and the biker forum I was a member of was worth it's weight in gold ........not to mention a bunch of crazy guys that were absolutely hilarious at times.