SCUT's with backhoes

[blacktruck]

While I appreciate all the replies, none of them answer my question. Of course I understand that a BH of that size is gong to have a fairly limited ability compared to a full sized unit, or even a small excavator. I also understand that this size tractor is more intended for hobbyists or home owners. But why does someone who needs that small of a tractor also need a backhoe, where the person who needs or wants a larger tractor, into the CUT range, not need a backhoe as much? I doubt your average CUT buyer also buys a dedicated backhoe, or excavator. Maybe once you get into a full sized or Utility tractor you more likely have multiple pieces of equipment and that equipment becomes more specialized but at that point you are more than likely also using that equipment as a source of income either directly ( landscaping, site work, etc.) or indirectly ( farming etc)

How much backhoe work does your average homeowner do?

My wife and I own 2 properties. Our primary residence which is about an acre in the Suburbs, and 4 acres of rural property with a Barn and a small apartment we use for weekends etc. It has a small orchard, and a fairly large creek running through it and I have no use for a backhoe. Unless I am missing out on the utility of one. I can see and have used a front loader for multiple things over the years and I am always amazed at the new things people come up with to use them, but a backhoe seems to me to be much more limited to digging, and some lifting chores.

What am I missing about so many SCUT's being sold with a BH?

Here are my thoughts on your question sir.
I can only base this from my own experiences so that is my perspective. I was raised around farm equipment and spent many years operating everything on the farm. My life took me away from the farm many years ago and I worked in several places in the US and around the world and did okay. I bought mine because I own several acres of ground most of which is rented out but I keep a few acres for me and have two houses on this property. I have only used my BH infrequently. I have used it to dig some water and electrical lines in. I have moved some concrete and dug some footings. I could have easily rented something to use for these tasks but I prefer to work on my schedule. The sum total of this is that I wanted one and could afford it. Probably not as many younger folks are in that position. I do work with mine but could also get the same work accomplished by hiring the jobs to be done or renting equipment. One of the guys responded by calling them the Swiss Army knives if the tractor world. If you are going to use it commercially, you might want to get a small track hoe or some other piece of equipment but for around the smaller homestead, there is probably not a better piece of equipment.

 

[Diggin It]

A BH on a SCUT is a glorified hand shovel.

As a counterpoint, check out the Youtube channel ...

It's a cool looking toy that's small enough to fit in a single car garage. They rarely get used enough to lose paint on the bucket. And they are too small and light to do any real work.

Basically SCUTS are powered wheel barrows with a powered hand shovel on the back.

Disagree. And I don't need to refer to a Veedeeot, nor will it fit in a standard garage.

My farmer neighbors with their BIG JDs and Cases sure appreciate that I have one too.

 

[snymat68]

It's the same reason why people buy huge 4WD SUV's and 4 door pickup trucks with a 4 foot bed. Then they drive the big gas guzzler around the suburbs, 98% of the time with no load or cargo and 1 person in the vehicle.

They want to feel like they have something special for those "just in case" moments where they can drive to the garden centre and pick up a bag of peat moss or chauffeur 40 screaming kids in the back seats to soccer practice. Or back into peoples cars in shopping mall parking lots with their rusty ball hitches hanging out 3 feet past the bumper because it's too rusty to take out of the receiver hitch.



It's a cool looking toy that's small enough to fit in a single car garage. They rarely get used enough to lose paint on the bucket. And they are too small and light to do any real work. Then people write in to the forums complaining how they can't get their 1,500lb machine to lift 4,000lbs and asking how to bump up the hydraulic circuit pressures to increase lift capacity.

Basically SCUTS are powered wheel barrows with a powered hand shovel on the back.

Tell us how you really feel.

 

[Mosby2015]

My intention for this thread was not to put down or ridicule anyone. It was simply a question based on my own observation that the dealers, at least those local to me, seem to stock most of their SCUT units with BH's installed and rarely if ever are their stock unit CUT's or utility tractors stocked with BH's.

I have no doubt there are plenty of SCUT BH owners who have done major projects with their tractors.

Maybe in other parts of the country tractor dealers stock their lot differently than they do where I live, Suburban Maryland, and Rural Virginia.

 

[GeneV]

My intention for this thread was not to put down or ridicule anyone...

No worries Mosby, threads here sometimes take on a life of their own.

 

[GeneV]

It's the same reason why people buy huge 4WD SUV's and 4 door pickup trucks with a 4 foot bed. Then they drive the big gas guzzler around the suburbs, 98% of the time with no load or cargo and 1 person in the vehicle.

They want to feel like they have something special for those "just in case" moments where they can drive to the garden centre and pick up a bag of peat moss or chauffeur 40 screaming kids in the back seats to soccer practice. Or back into peoples cars in shopping mall parking lots with their rusty ball hitches hanging out 3 feet past the bumper because it's too rusty to take out of the receiver hitch.



It's a cool looking toy that's small enough to fit in a single car garage. They rarely get used enough to lose paint on the bucket. And they are too small and light to do any real work. Then people write in to the forums complaining how they can't get their 1,500lb machine to lift 4,000lbs and asking how to bump up the hydraulic circuit pressures to increase lift capacity.

Basically SCUTS are powered wheel barrows with a powered hand shovel on the back.

When I was researching tractors, I watched a bunch of youtube vids of scut loaders and tlb's...comparing models, watching reviews, what people were using them for, etc. I have to admit, some of those tractor owners, omg, why do you have this?!! I don't wanna belittle anybody, but there's some guys on youtube doing literally nothing with their tractors other than polishing them and collecting implements for them. Quick attach plow with hydro angle to plow a tiny driveway. Really?!! Tiller and plow and grapple and this and that, and...his property is a postage stamp in a cookie cutter burb. I mean, no offense, but that's straight up midlife crisis stuff right there. Not that there's anything wrong with that, do yo thing, pimp! I don't judge honest, if it makes you happy, whatever.

Me personally, I was looking for a 4wd tractor with loader for my hilly 2.6 acres because using a wheelbarrow was getting old and I ain't getting any younger. I found a good deal on one that came with the backhoe, so I was like what the heck...even if I park the hoe in the shed most of the year, occasional use justifies an extra $2K over the span of how long I'll have this tractor. I could tell you, I've only had this thing a couple months and that loader AND backhoe has seen some action and saved me a metric shyte-ton of time over doing it by hand. To call these merely over-glorified wheel barrows and hand shovels is like calling full-size loaders and excavators over-glorified scut tlb's.

In conclusion, yes, some people purchase these little beasts for the cool factor. Others use the **** outta them.

 

[blacktruck]

When I was researching tractors, I watched a bunch of youtube vids of scut loaders and tlb's...comparing models, watching reviews, what people were using them for, etc. I have to admit, some of those tractor owners, omg, why do you have this?!! I don't wanna belittle anybody, but there's some guys on youtube doing literally nothing with their tractors other than polishing them and collecting implements for them. Quick attach plow with hydro angle to plow a tiny driveway. Really?!! Tiller and plow and grapple and this and that, and...his property is a postage stamp in a cookie cutter burb. I mean, no offense, but that's straight up midlife crisis stuff right there. Not that there's anything wrong with that, do yo thing, pimp! I don't judge honest, if it makes you happy, whatever.

Me personally, I was looking for a 4wd tractor with loader for my hilly 2.6 acres because using a wheelbarrow was getting old and I ain't getting any younger. I found a good deal on one that came with the backhoe, so I was like what the heck...even if I park the hoe in the shed most of the year, occasional use justifies an extra $2K over the span of how long I'll have this tractor. I could tell you, I've only had this thing a couple months and that loader AND backhoe has seen some action and saved me a metric shyte-ton of time over doing it by hand. To call these merely over-glorified wheel barrows and hand shovels is like calling full-size loaders and excavators over-glorified scut tlb's.

In conclusion, yes, some people purchase these little beasts for the cool factor. Others use the **** outta them.

Interesting stuff. Now that I am shopping again for one, I also was checking out the videos being posted and noticed the same thing. There are a few guys that have no purpose of having the tractors other than finding tasks they can make a video about. Whuda ever thunk that making a video about the things we do could have cash value? Random thought here but the comedy skit done a few years ago by Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy comes to mind. The one where they are discussing their decks. Same principle still applies in many aspects of real life to some people. Substitute tractor and backhoe for decks and you get the idea.

I use my backhoe on occasion, not regularly but it is there for me when needed. I probably could not make an argument for having it based on actual dollars but after ten years with one, I would not trade for a tractor without one. If the question were why does the dealers seem to have so many in stock, that is based on the demographics of the area. If the dealer has them, it is driven by a market analysis that says to get some in stock. The actual use of the hoe is of no concern to the dealer. They want to sell what we will buy and for many it is a tractor with loader and a backhoe.

 

[Diggin It]

When I was researching tractors, I watched a bunch of youtube vids of scut loaders and tlb's...comparing models, watching reviews, what people were using them for, etc. I have to admit, some of those tractor owners, omg, why do you have this?!! I don't wanna belittle anybody, but there's some guys on youtube doing literally nothing with their tractors other than polishing them and collecting implements for them.

Interesting stuff. Now that I am shopping again for one, I also was checking out the videos being posted and noticed the same thing. There are a few guys that have no purpose of having the tractors other than finding tasks they can make a video about. Whuda ever thunk that making a video about the things we do could have cash value?

One of the main reasons I avoid them. I have no interest in adding to their clickbanks.

Another is that I just don't trust the site integrity, period.

 

[Code54]

Basically SCUTS are powered wheel barrows with a powered hand shovel on the back.

Have to disagree. I have a Kubota mini ex and a BX25 (comes with the backhoe). I did a job recently at some townhomes and took the BX25. It was slower than the mini digging 3 foot deep trenches BUT did ZERO damage to the lawns I crossed and gave me the front loader so move material. Perfect tool for the job. I sometime use the BX around our house so I don't damage the lawn, can drive on cement without leaving "tracks", or can sneak it into a flower garden without damage. Is the mini a way better digger - sure it is but there are times where a small tractor is the perfect tool for the job.

 

[Oldoak]

I was thinking of gettin a backhoe for my CUT after I had it for a few years, even had dealer order, but then I discovered for just a little more I could buy a 2 year old mini-excavator with more capability and versatility.

It pays to investigate before jumping in. You certainly could do a lot more with an excavator than with a backhoe mounted on a CUT. But keep in mind. Now you have a second machine to maintain and the time and expense that goes with it.

I would say you got a good deal, a two year old mini excavator for just a little more than the prices of a new backhoe for your CUT.