Adding a Backhoe to a compact tractor

[Roger66]

I already have a back hoe that was intended for a skid steer. It has a bobcat quick attach mount, but also two connecting arms to lock it into the machine. It's mounted to my log splitter and functions well, however this machine is large and cumbersome. I don't use the back hoe often and most of the time I'll use it on the splitter, but in case I need to use it on my tractor for maneuverability or the splitter is offline. Do you think it would be safe to mount this back hoe to my 3 point hitch? I could add a quick attach plate to the 3 point. I could also mount it to the quick attach on my FEL, but I'm not thinking that the FEL is beefy enough for this load. My tractor is a Mahindra 1526. What do you think? Remember this is for occasional use, but I do live in New England so there are rocks everywhere! there is no such thing as an easy to dig hole here.

Yes, I did say log splitter, you need to see the videos below to understand.

First test of the back hoe, just figuring out what the levers do.
Backhoe attachment - YouTube

Shows the splitter driving
Homemade Self-Propelled Log Splitter - YouTube


The splitter splitting
Home made log splitter with 6 way head - YouTube

Thanks!

 

[woody]

no comment on the Backhoe but I like that splitter

 

[RoyJackson]

My guess is your tractor is too light for that backhoe. The other thing to consider is hydraulic flow...does your tractor have adequate GPM for a 'hoe?

 

[nybirdman]

I would think adding it to the 3 point with a S.S.plate would be a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Roger66]

This hoe is about the same size as the Mahindra one is. The difference of course is that the Mahindra one has significant extra bracing to the tractor. As for flow, again the size is about the same as the stock one would be, so the flow should be adequate, but even if the flow is low it just means slow inefficient operation. The same pressure will be achieved just slower. Even if it's slow and inefficient, I'm not stating an excavation company here, just digging the occasional drainage trench on my sprawling 1.5 acre property. Yes that's 1.5 not 15. I think the Mahindra hoe was like an extra 7K if I remember correctly. Hard to justify since I already have one on my splitter.

My concern of course is damaging the 3 point on the tractor when I hit the first rock. I understand that there are many 3 point mounted back hoe's out there, so it's not like i'm the first one to try this.

 

[Grandad4]

Watched the Ytube video, and while the splitter power unit clearly has ample hydraulic capacity to run that backhoe, I honestly don't think it's safe for use even on the splitter unit as shown. There is just way too much bending and flexing going on when you operate the controls. First, there appear to be two top mounting points that would have been attached somehow to whatever previous vehicle it was on that are now simply hanging out in the air. Those probably gave the original setup a much more rigid and secure connection that it now lacks. Also, there does not seem to be much lateral stability, since instead of the usual wide-spaced outriggers, this backhoe has a pair of very narrowly centered ones about as wide as the narrow axle on that power unit (or the rear end of your Mahindra).

I'm sure you could rig up a way to hang that thing off the 3 point of your tractor, but it's already bending and flexing enough that it won't need some rock to put it out of action. Eventually just its ordinary operation is going to cause some kind of structural failure. I can't tell you what to do of course, but considering that you or someone you know will be sitting on it if something happens, I would only hope you see fit to come up with a more secure mounting setup.

 

[Roger66]

Watched the Ytube video, and while the splitter power unit clearly has ample hydraulic capacity to run that backhoe, I honestly don't think it's safe for use even on the splitter unit as shown. There is just way too much bending and flexing going on when you operate the controls. First, there appear to be two top mounting points that would have been attached somehow to whatever previous vehicle it was on that are now simply hanging out in the air. Those probably gave the original setup a much more rigid and secure connection that it now lacks. Also, there does not seem to be much lateral stability, since instead of the usual wide-spaced outriggers, this backhoe has a pair of very narrowly centered ones about as wide as the narrow axle on that power unit (or the rear end of your Mahindra).

I'm sure you could rig up a way to hang that thing off the 3 point of your tractor, but it's already bending and flexing enough that it won't need some rock to put it out of action. Eventually just its ordinary operation is going to cause some kind of structural failure. I can't tell you what to do of course, but considering that you or someone you know will be sitting on it if something happens, I would only hope you see fit to come up with a more secure mounting setup.

Grandad4 you are right. I did dig a hole with the unit mounted as shown,lots of rocks really pushed it . I did get the job done, but I bent the top link. I have since fabbed a anchor point for those two top mounting points. Now It's plenty strong on the splitter. Not sure If I can figure a way to add those mounting points to the tractor.

 

[Grandad4]

Good to hear that you beefed it up. It looks like you have some good knowledge and metal fabbing skills... so you're probably someone who could get this done. That is a nice backhoe, with good structure and decent sized cylinders, so it should be pretty capable if you can give it a good platform to work from.

I'd be concerned that any tractor mounting arrangement using the 3 point mounting points would be overmatched by the capability of that backhoe, and I'd encourage you to look into building a proper subframe to secure it to your Mahindra. I seem to recall that Mahindra has (or did have), an outfit called Bradco building their backhoes... a top quality supplier for sure. If you could eyeball how the Mahindra/Bradco backhoe mounting frame was setup on a tractor like yours, it might give you a frame of reference to go by for mounting points, strength/thickness of steel, etc.

 

[DieselBound]

How many ditches do you think you're going to dig on 1.5 acres?

I've got 40 acres and I rent excavators to do ditching (and digging out of stumps). I'm no pro with one, though I'm not exactly shabby either; I could probably dig any/all ditches on your 1.5 acres in about four hours time. Rentals aren't all that expensive. A backhoe cannot compare to an excavator for digging: IF you're needing to move excavated material THEN a loader starts to even out things.

 

[fried1765]

How many ditches do you think you're going to dig on 1.5 acres?

I've got 40 acres and I rent excavators to do ditching (and digging out of stumps). I'm no pro with one, though I'm not exactly shabby either; I could probably dig any/all ditches on your 1.5 acres in about four hours time. Rentals aren't all that expensive. A backhoe cannot compare to an excavator for digging: IF you're needing to move excavated material THEN a loader starts to even out things.

I bought my 1970 model 1350 hour Ford 3400 TLB (a cemetery machine, with 10' hoe and sub-frame) thirty one years ago.
Last year (1850 hrs) I did a complete refurbishment. Looks like new! Always stored inside! Paid $10,000. Possibly worth more than that now.
As you can understand from the low hours, whenever I do use the machine, it is often only for only an hour or so. I have a 12 acre property, in an area where EVERYTHING is VERY expensive!
Conceivably, I might have needed to rent the machine 500 separate times over the past 30 years.
Renting would be VERY inconvenient for me, and VERY costly.
I absolutely love having my little 44HP TLB always readily available.
I don't use just the hoe. I use the loader for the bucket, and for the forks.
I am too old to pick up heavy stuff. I use pallets for everything I think I may need to move again.
At 77 years old, I am likely not that far from the grave, but I want to take my Ford 3400 TLB with me ...... to dig the hole!

 

[ovrszd]

Regardless what that hoe is on, I don't like the outriggers at all.

Try filling the bucket, then swing to the left or right and extend the boom with that bucket full of material. Or try digging and filling the bucket in that position.

A backhoe of this size puts a tremendous amount of stress on whatever it's attached to. I'm guessing this hoe will drag the splitter around with no hesitation. Will probably do the same to your tractor. Make sure you have some means of locking the wheel brakes on the tractor with it in 4wd. Don't depend on a "park" transmission lock to hold the tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought my 1350 hour Ford 3400 TLB (10' hoe) thirty one years ago ( a cemetery machine )
Last year (1850 hrs) I did a complete refurbishment. Looks like new now! Always stored inside!
As you may understand from the low hours, whenever I do use the machine, it is often only for only an hour or so. I have a 12 acre property, in an area where EVERYTHING is VERY expensive!
Conceivably, I might have needed to rent the machine 500 separate times over the past 30 years.
Renting would be VERY inconvenient for me, and VERY costly.
I absolutely love having my little 44HP TLB always readily available.
I don't use just the hoe. I use the loader for the bucket, and for the forks.
I am too old to pick up heavy stuff. I use pallets for everything I think I may need to move again.

My Son and I are discussing going in together on a hoe. Expecting to spend $6-10K. Expecting to use it on average 20hrs a year. Also expecting, like you, to have it for decades. Renting doesn't fit our mold either.

Looking at a JD 310 now that's owned by a local farmer. He might use it 2hrs a year. I told him the other day if he sold it to us he could borrow it anytime he needs to. He's a young farmer trying to get started. I expect, with consideration, he will realize he can better use that money in farm equipment.

 

[fried1765]

My Son and I are discussing going in together on a hoe. Expecting to spend $6-10K. Expecting to use it on average 20hrs a year. Also expecting, like you, to have it for decades. Renting doesn't fit our mold either.

Looking at a JD 310 now that's owned by a local farmer. He might use it 2hrs a year. I told him the other day if he sold it to us he could borrow it anytime he needs to. He's a young farmer trying to get started. I expect, with consideration, he will realize he can better use that money in farm equipment.

That would appear to be an excellent arrangement for all!
Let us know when/if you are able to get it.
Once it is yours, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

 

[ovrszd]

That would appear to be an excellent arrangement for all!
Let us know when/if you are able to get it.
Once it is yours, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

Certainly will. I stopped by and looked at it today. It's in very good condition. No sign of abuse as in the front bucket is straight, no backhoe boom damage evident. I'm hoping we can make a deal on this old hoe. It's exactly what we need. No cab, no extendable boom, no 4wd. Just a simple machine. Fits us exactly.

 

[DieselBound]

I bought my 1970 model 1350 hour Ford 3400 TLB (a cemetery machine, with 10' hoe and sub-frame) thirty one years ago.
Last year (1850 hrs) I did a complete refurbishment. Looks like new! Always stored inside! Paid $10,000. Possibly worth more than that now.
As you can understand from the low hours, whenever I do use the machine, it is often only for only an hour or so. I have a 12 acre property, in an area where EVERYTHING is VERY expensive!
Conceivably, I might have needed to rent the machine 500 separate times over the past 30 years.
Renting would be VERY inconvenient for me, and VERY costly.
I absolutely love having my little 44HP TLB always readily available.
I don't use just the hoe. I use the loader for the bucket, and for the forks.
I am too old to pick up heavy stuff. I use pallets for everything I think I may need to move again.
At 77 years old, I am likely not that far from the grave, but I want to take my Ford 3400 TLB with me ...... to dig the hole!

Your TLB is a different animal. It's engineered as a package. Nice units, for sure! I contemplated getting one.

The OP is in a different position. The question would be whether the work to attach a non-CUT backhoe would be worth it. How much total work is expected to be accomplished? 1 1/2 acres isn't that large of an area. If that backhoe was sold how much would it fetch? How many equipment hours (using a superior tool) would that money buy?

Convenience has its price. The trick is to understand one's requirements and pocketbook.

If a person doesn't care all that much about money and they like the novelty of having a piece of equipment (and, perhaps isn't very good about planning), and just would like to "play," then that's a different story.

As my equipment rental guy says, know what things you need to do before renting: he shakes his head when he says that because many people don't!- he knows that I always have clear plans. I chart out all my projects: even down to the detail of what order based on travel distances. When I have enough to justify renting I rent. With 40 acres I can find many things to put equipment to work on. With the "right" tool I can get a LOT of work done, so the expense is worth it (my time is valuable- I'm not retired). My primary equipment need, however, is a tractor (for all the reasons your TLB is valuable to you, less the backhoe that is); had I bought a backhoe (which wouldn't have been able to dig out most of the stumps I have dug up [some larger than a pickup truck]) I wouldn't have had the money to buy a new (and much needed bigger) tractor.

Sometimes just because someone CAN do something that don't mean that they SHOULD.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

See how hard it is to take off the skidsteer quick attach and make up a 4 point mount for the tractor, have a Bradco 408 backhoe that was originally on a skidsteer and was changed over to a Kubota Grand L series and everything just bolted together.

David

 

[4get gto]

At 77 years old, I am likely not that far from the grave, but I want to take my Ford 3400 TLB with me ...... to dig the hole!

Your humor put a smile on my face. Fix up a hoe to dig your own grave! A true perfectionist. :drink:

 

[fried1765]

Your humor put a smile on my face. Fix up a hoe to dig your own grave! A true perfectionist. :drink:

I see that you are in NE, Pa.
I bought a 1989 model 4x4 Ford 1920 FEL in Ottsville, (NE, Pa.) 3 years ago, 1056 hours.
A sweet little 32HP Shibaura diesel powered tractor.
Had it trucked to my place on Cape Cod.
It looked decent when I bought it,..... but now I have it looking/operating like new.

 

[Sebculb]

Hello,

If itｴs only for occasional lightweight work, go ahead and adapt the backhoe to your three point hitch however you can. Be gentle and careful with it, though. I broke a 24hp Kubota b7610 in half with a backhoe that was designed for it. Of course, I was abusing it. But it can happen to you! Hope it doesnｴt, but keep it in mind.

I put the back feet down and it closed the gaping crack in the center frame. Welded it up and sold it cheap(er) to a friend that knew about it. Used the cash to buy an old deere 310d construction backhoe. That thingｴs awesome! but now Iｴve got to pay a lot to fix it up cuz itｴs been abused too. But if you want to do a lot of digging consider changing out machines

Good luck!

 

[newbury]

Grandad4 you are right. I did dig a hole with the unit mounted as shown,lots of rocks really pushed it . I did get the job done, but I bent the top link. I have since fabbed a anchor point for those two top mounting points. Now It's plenty strong on the splitter. Not sure If I can figure a way to add those mounting points to the tractor.

Take a look at what Woods sells for their "3point saf-t-lock" kit

Hello,

If itｴs only for occasional lightweight work, go ahead and adapt the backhoe to your three point hitch however you can. Be gentle and careful with it, though. I broke a 24hp Kubota b7610 in half with a backhoe that was designed for it. Of course, I was abusing it. But it can happen to you! Hope it doesnｴt, but keep it in mind.

I put the back feet down and it closed the gaping crack in the center frame. Welded it up and sold it cheap(er) to a friend that knew about it. Used the cash to buy an old deere 310d construction backhoe. That thingｴs awesome! but now Iｴve got to pay a lot to fix it up cuz itｴs been abused too. But if you want to do a lot of digging consider changing out machines

Good luck!

Could you expand on this tale? I've a B7610 w/ a Woods BH70X w/ subframe.