Backhoe Great Bend Backhoe Opinions & General 3pt Backhoe Questions

[SixSpeed5]

Hey Guys,

I've been in the market for a backhoe and I am looking for some opinions. Two general categories....

1.) I am considering a small (7ft dig or so) 3pt backhoe, as I see them for reasonable money on the used market. I have a Ford 340B tractor loader, which is a pretty stout machine, I'm not too worried about the tractor. Its just shy of 10,000lbs. I am assuming there would be no durability issues on the tractor side of things, someone can correct me if I am wrong. Not rocky soil, mostly clay and a bit of sand. Does anyone think I would regret this size backhoe? Mainly planning to use to repair irrigation (landscape nursery) and dig a few trenches here and there.

2.) I am looking at a Great Bend 652 backhoe, I found one for sale locally in great used condition. It is a 2006 model, hardly ever used & stored indoors. I can't find out much information on the company. I heard Bobcat bought them, but I don't know when? Were the older ones made in China? He said all the fittings are SAE. Any help would be much appreciated, I don't want to purchase something I would regret. Thanks!

 

[mguitas]

I have a Wallenstein hoe , but I have a subframe mount on it. Just be careful digging with the three point, could end up braking something. Just got done digging out a big stump with my 1423. Stump was 4 feet across.

 

[SixSpeed5]

I have a Wallenstein hoe , but I have a subframe mount on it. Just be careful digging with the three point, could end up braking something. Just got done digging out a big stump with my 1423. Stump was 4 feet across.View attachment 446834

I'm curious what typically fails when using a 3pt backhoe?

Looks like a new unit, I am sure nobody makes a sub frame for a 340B sadly. I could make one easy enough.

 

[SixSpeed5]

Anyone?

 

[RoyJackson]

Many CUTs don't have a separate frame...the transaxle, clutch and engine take the stresses. IIRC, the NH TC-30 tended to break at the clutch area. Deere compacts, especially those with aluminum transaxle castings, broke those castings.
The thing to avoid is lifting the tractor with the stabilizers...the rear wheels should be on the ground. Also, lifting the tractor with the 'hoe isn't recommended.

Now,all of what I wrote is based upon threads and posts on TBN over the years...no personal experience with the 3PH type of 'hoes. I have a backhoe, but it's not a 3PH type.

 

[jatt1]

I will put it this way. I now own 2 tractors. One has FEL and your bog standard 3pt link out the back. Daily driver in the yard and primarily used as a tow motor. Power steering's damned handy in tight spots.

The second has FEL and backhoe with subframe mount.

Looked around heaps and asked lots of "dumb" questions. Quickly became apparent that I was gunna break a 3pt hoe before long.

 

[Carl_NH]

The Ford 340 is a big tractor for the great bend 652 - its a small BH. Those older tractors have a lot of mass so I would not be concerned using the 3PT with that machine.

I had a Kubota 3PT BH on a Kubota L series 1982 vintage and it was not a smooth machine to operate due to all the linkage and top link movement. the difference between the dedicated TLB series machines is night and day.

Bottom line if you are just doing easy digging and trenching and not trying to break up rocks/hardpan soil it should be good.

 

[dfkrug]

Does the Ford 340B have a Category 2 3-point hitch? I provided a hoe to a guy with
a Cat 2 (Case 480LL) and he has done a lot of work with it. No tractor damage,
but he has broken some hoe pins, running too-high pressure.

 

[DK35vince]

Does the Ford 340B have a Category 2 3-point hitch? I provided a hoe to a guy with
a Cat 2 (Case 480LL) and he has done a lot of work with it. No tractor damage,
but he has broken some hoe pins, running too-high pressure.

Doesn't the backhoe have its own relieve valve set for its own max pressure ?
I know my backhoe does.

 

[jjlite]

I have a brush hog 765H 3pt on my 4035 has 8ft dig depth and it seems fine to me. Its slow and you don't want to horse the tractor around with it, Take it for what it is its a tractor for pulling not so much digging if your main use will be digging its not what you want for sure, but if you need a hole or trench once in a while then go for it. If you set the outriggers down and take the pressure and weight off the tractor it will dig just fine.