Buy a backhoe attachment, or get a contractor in?

[check]

There have been two debates here on TBN. The first is about a three point hitch mounted backhoes, and most of the comments are very negative about the idea, and I agree. But, if you can fabricate some sort of frame mounted set up, you are good to go.

The second debate that we have seen is whether or not to get a backhoe at all as an attachment to your tractor. I like that idea myself, and in fact my 2009 Kubota BX 25 came with a backhoe that is frame mounted and very sturdy.

But, I have not used my backhoe for everything. One time I had to dig a 5 foot deep ditch about 100 feet long for the waterline from my well to the cottage. The soil was Rocky and Sandy, with some rocks as big as basketballs. There was no way I was going to dig that with my little backhoe, even though it digs as deep as 6 feet. So, I hired a full-sized backhoe to do the job. It only cost me about 250 bucks, and was well worth it.

 

[Pete O]

Good point about a pro using a small excavator. At least have the work you need done quoted so you have a feel for the true cost of having the job done.

A backhoe will not be as efficient as an excavator. If time is important to you, that can sway your decision.

I use a local guy with a back hoe for the small jobs I have had done. I have spent less than $500 of backhoe work in the last 6 years.

You will be surprised at the amount of ditches an excavator can dig in one day. You can save money by doing the clean up work yourself.

I'll get some quotes and see how things stack up.

 

[Pete O]

There have been two debates here on TBN. The first is about a three point hitch mounted backhoes, and most of the comments are very negative about the idea, and I agree. But, if you can fabricate some sort of frame mounted set up, you are good to go.

The second debate that we have seen is whether or not to get a backhoe at all as an attachment to your tractor. I like that idea myself, and in fact my 2009 Kubota BX 25 came with a backhoe that is frame mounted and very sturdy.

But, I have not used my backhoe for everything. One time I had to dig a 5 foot deep ditch about 100 feet long for the waterline from my well to the cottage. The soil was Rocky and Sandy, with some rocks as big as basketballs. There was no way I was going to dig that with my little backhoe, even though it digs as deep as 6 feet. So, I hired a full-sized backhoe to do the job. It only cost me about 250 bucks, and was well worth it.

Hiring a full-size machine is not something that had occurred to me, there are a lot of lightweight machines for hire at around $350 per day, I'll look into availability of bigger gear for hire.

 

[Diggin It]

The towables are lightweight. More intended for the homeowner in my view. But if you're only scraping the surface a few inches for drainage, they might work out. I've seen posts about people digging foundations in softer soil with little trouble, but I've also seen people complain about bending parts of the frame or supports. I wouldn't try to dig a large-ish stump in my clay/gravel/rocky soil with one, but I have done that with my SCUT 4 point frame mounted BH.

For your drainage work, maybe even renting a small dozer would be an option if you have anything like that available. Pushing/scraping dirt would probably be faster than digging.

 

[5030]

In my personal opinion owning a tractor mounted backhoe is a total waste of money. I guess if you have the liquid income to blow on one all well and good. I too had one and sold it and never looked back. It is much cheaper to rent a trencher and lay waterline our buried cable or whatever. less disruptive and 20 times faster. I can rent a self propelled trencher capable of trenching to 5 feet for 150 bucks a day, delivered and picked up, all I do is supply the fuel for it.

Last time I rented one, I laid 300 feet of waterline trench in 3 hours, try that with a mounted backhoe, or any backhoe for that matter, not gonna happen and very little disruption. Laid in the waterline, backfilled with a shovel, tamped it down with my feet, sprinkled on some grass seed and called it good. No dirt piles, no large cost of a machine and no storing it. It came and went and done.

I have much better things to spend money on other than a basically useless implement.

Ws talking to my dealer about just that the other day and he told me he sells a lot of backhoe's with new Kubota's and after a while they come back because the owners realize they are basically a high buck useless implement. he has a bunch of used ones in the lot out front,. Takes them on consignment because no one wants them if they have any sense.

Renting a machine or trenchers is a whole lot cheaper plus you don't have to maintain it because it's not yours.

With me, never again. Got rid of the one I had, I was lucky and found a sucker.

My 2 cents.

 

[Egon]

If you go with a backhoe make a proper mount for it, not the three point hitch.

Learning is learning. Faster for some slower for others. With an undefined list of jobs an on-site backhoe is there when you need it.

 

[Richard]

Call me biased (I own an industrial backhoe) but I'd rather have that than one mounted to a tractor.

I've rented a Kubota L-35 and now, my next door neighbor has a brand new John Deere tractor with loader & backhoe on it. I've not yet used it but can tell by the shear size difference it's more of a large garden tractor (it's 40 hp give/take)

I'm guessing his will dig 8-9 feet deep? Mine will dig 15 1/2 feet deep.

More important to me is mine will REACH out near 20 feet (I forget) and I suppose his will reach out about half that.

My backhoe is ugly....but, turn the key and the engine purrs like a fine swiss watch.

If you have the means, owning one would save you some headache's in the future. If this is just a single project, then I'd rent.


If you own one, you will find MANY new uses for it.... I've used mine (backhoe bucket) as a pinching table to hold a log while I cut slices off of it, used it to transplant my wife's day-lily flowers, used it to bury her little gold fish, couple dogs, push fallen trees out of the road at 5:30 A.M. after an evening storm when the county hasn't yet had time to clear the roads....

 

[grsthegreat]

I have run many of backhoes over the years, and i truly hated the 2 wheel drive versions. I personally feel a 4x4 is a minimum requirement. Ive had to pull myself out of too many sketchy places. After using the 4x4 versions, id never go back. I would never use a unit that wasn't subframe mounted at minimum. Look around for a used mini excavator if you really want an easy to use machine to keep. I was thinking that if i had a project to do that would take several years to complete id buy a good used mini excavator then sell it when job was completed.

 

[Industrial Toys]

On account of all the stones around here, I elect to bring in the big iron. Excellent value for the money. And there is always enough left to do with my smaller equipment.

I own a hoe and like having it, but no, I don't use it as much as I thought I might. If it was a 3ph rather than permanantly mounted, I'm guessing I would hardly use it, as with other attachments that have to be dug out and mounted, then put away again. The job has to warrant the bother.

 

[grsthegreat]

On account of all the stones around here, I elect to bring in the big iron. Excellent value for the money. And there is always enough left to do with my smaller equipment.

I own a hoe and like having it, but no, I don't use it as much as I thought I might. If it was a 3ph rather than permanantly mounted, I'm guessing I would hardly use it, as with other attachments that have to be dug out and mounted, then put away again. The job has to warrant the bother.

I thought the same thing yesterday. I went to walk the dog, and sat and stared at pile of firewood rounds I have set by my shop. After the walk I was preparing g to split the rounds. I went to tractor and saw my splitter standing off to the side and the chipper installed on the tractor. I sat and starred at chipper for about a minute thinking..... hmm I need to remove chipper and install splitter.

Then I proceeded to chase lounge chair on covered porch and pulled out the iPad and played solitaire while throwing the ball for the dog. When I woke up later, I went in and had lunch. Not sure why that pile of rounds is still there.