Total noob here trying to understand my tractor

[rScotty]

Mid PTO doesn't really matter for this, guess I was just thinking about it. I guess what I really need to know is whether or not the backhoe uses the rear PTO and a hydraulic pump on it, or if it hooks into the tractors Hydraulics. If it hooks into the tractors Hydraulics I don't know where that goes. As far as use, it will just be for digging some foundations 12 in wide by 18 in deep, and some electrical trenching. We aren't talking heavy duty here.

Then it should work fine. Mine certainly did. I will guarantee you will find uses for it you never imagined. Hoes make excellent skyhooks and cranes.... Small hoes on small tractors just go slower. I know what I'm talking about here. Not only did I have a tiny hoe for years, but I also have a JD310SG - almost 20,000 lbs with a 90 hp turboed diesel and a big extendahoe. And yes, it's has rubber tires and is pretty capable. But it is also a a toy next to a real excavator.

Everyone much prefers the hoes that have a pump that slides onto the rear PTO shaft. But there are ways to hook into your tractor hydraulics if we need to do so, but without existing power outlets it might cost up to about $350 in hoses and valves. The PTO pump/separate reservoir is the better solution.
rScotty

 

[waygeekierthanu]

I'm sure there have been a lot of tractors damaged with 3pt hoes. But I did use mine for ten years or so without any problems. And then my buddy used it for another ten. And it wasn't new when I got it. That hoe sure was handy for a lot of chores. Mine was a smallish hoe - the model was the YBH600 made by Yanmar - and was designed for tractors in the 18 to 30 hp range.
I used it on our 16 and 30 hp compact tractors and also on our Ag tractor. We ended up using it mostly on our rather large and heavy Ag tractor - which is a JD530. Putting the hoe on the JD required $20 worth of adapter bushings to fit the 530's Category II 3pt hitch.

Surprised me how even that small hoe could bounce that heavy tractor around - but I doubt that the hoe could hurt the JD.

It did nearly hurt me though. I knew better, but one day I forgot to disconnect the automatic draft control on the tractor before using the 3pt backhoe. While I was digging around a stump the automatic draft control kicked in and I just barely bailed out sideways before the backhoe controls impaled me against the rear of the tractor. Felt real stupid. My local JD dealer has a warning poster right by the cash register commemorating a local who was killed in just that fashion. Draft control and 3 pt hoes are one dangerous combination. Been lots of accidents. But that doesn't mean not to use those hoes. Just be aware.
rScotty

Uh, what's draft control?

 

[waygeekierthanu]

Then it should work fine. Mine certainly did. I will guarantee you will find uses for it you never imagined. Hoes make excellent skyhooks and cranes.... Small hoes on small tractors just go slower. I know what I'm talking about here. Not only did I have a tiny hoe for years, but I also have a JD310SG - almost 20,000 lbs with a 90 hp turboed diesel and a big extendahoe. And yes, it's has rubber tires and is pretty capable. But it is also a a toy next to a real excavator.

Everyone much prefers the hoes that have a pump that slides onto the rear PTO shaft. But there are ways to hook into your tractor hydraulics if we need to do so, but without existing power outlets it might cost up to about $350 in hoses and valves. The PTO pump/separate reservoir is the better solution.
rScotty

I do have access to a much larger tractor if I ever needed real power, my grandfather has a monster of a tractor too, just too much for my daily needs. I am happy with slow.

 

[waygeekierthanu]

Okay then let me ask a different question, would I be better off just buying this?

9 HP Towable Backhoe

Immediate benefits are that I could use this to fill the bucket on the tractor and then bring the Dirt away whereas it is attached to the Tractor I had to pick up I'll just pick it up later

 

[waygeekierthanu]

Okay then let me ask a different question, would I be better off just buying this?

9 HP Towable Backhoe

Immediate benefits are that I could use this to fill the bucket on the tractor and then bring the Dirt away whereas it is attached to the Tractor I had to pick up I'll just pick it up later

For reference I can get that Harbor Freight thing with a year warranty shipped to my house for 3100

 

[texasranger556]

Okay then let me ask a different question, would I be better off just buying this?

9 HP Towable Backhoe

Immediate benefits are that I could use this to fill the bucket on the tractor and then bring the Dirt away whereas it is attached to the Tractor I had to pick up I'll just pick it up later

I've never used one of those but I'd imagine it would be useless unless hooked to a vehicle like in the picture. Otherwise it would constantly be pulling itself into whatever hole you're digging.

 

[waygeekierthanu]

I was thinking I would hook it up to the hitch on the tractor. And then the last option of course is just rent something. I'm a big fan of buying instead of renting but yeah... I get that a proper excavator would make all the jobs better I just don't have to deal with going and getting it and I'm afraid that eventually I will have used it enough that I could have just bought my own anyway. I just don't feel like any of the work that I'm trying to do is hard it's just a lot.

 

[texasranger556]

I hear you. I hate renting too. Only when I have no other choice.

If you're digging a trench across your yard then the tow behind might work ok for that. But if you're in close to something then I could see it being a pain maneuvering the tow behind into position. Plus you have another engine to maintain and make noise.

My 48 backhoe is frame mounted to my 4400, although it is the early design that doesn't go beyond the rear end housings. It too can break the tractor in half if you're not careful.

If you don't dig a lot of rocks and stumps then 3 point mount is probably fine. But if you're routinely bouncing yourself off the seat and making the whole tractor jump, things are likely to break.

 

[rScotty]

Okay then let me ask a different question, would I be better off just buying this?

9 HP Towable Backhoe

Immediate benefits are that I could use this to fill the bucket on the tractor and then bring the Dirt away whereas it is attached to the Tractor I had to pick up I'll just pick it up later

Well.....it depends.... A backhoe - even a small one - works far better if it is rigidly attached to as much weight as possible. Ours was twice the hoe when it was attached to the big ag tractor instead of the small compact tractor. And in use, you will find that you are constantly moving the hoe a few feet to continue working. Making those small adjustments is a a lot easier if the hoe is mounted on a tractor.

A small tractor loader bucket will only hold at most a few hoe bucket loads. I have found loading a loader from a hoe to be handy when digging in a lawn where I didn't want a pile of dirt. But that's not a common application.

I think you need to know more about the 3 pt hoe. Is it a homebuilt? That could be good or not so good. Our little YBH600 series hoe is a small hoe, but the engineering is remarkably good.
rScotty

 

[waygeekierthanu]

I get to go see it tomorrow, he isn't available today. I have texted a bunch of questions, but her hasn't responded. I will call him around 1pm local time if no responses.