Backhoe Backhoes--who has one? Would you buy again?

[fried1765]

The soil type makes a big difference. How long did it take to do the whole job. Around here in the mostly rock soil it would take a tractor backhoe 15 minutes per stump to get one out. My full size 310 was the minimum size machine I’d consider practical for clearing land and even then for doing 5 acres I’d want a full size trackhoe.

Pure sand for me, ocasionally some very shallow locust roots....like a sand pit.... forever deep.
Caving is the biggest issue.
My L48 TLB with 24" bucket, will dig a HUGE hole in 10 minutes.

 

[Hay Dude]

Had Case 580 Super M+.
Sold it In 2012 because construction economy collapsed in 2009 and stayed down for years.
Wished I could have kept it, but I sold it to buy more improved farming equipment.

 

[TnAndy]

How many yards does that mini-ex bucket hold when you need to load, or spread material?
A mini-ex is great for digging, but it is a one trick pony!

Holds about none......just like the bucket on your backhoe unit. I use my tractor FEL loader for those tasks. But my "one trick pony" will dig circles around your backhoe unit while you spend time getting off and on to move it 5' at a time. And my 36" bucket will dig a "hole and a half" in the time it takes your 24" bucket.

 

[ovrszd]

I think we need a show of hands, who read the OP's first post?

I think the chances of him buying a whole new machine to get a hoe is pretty small. But maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Diggin It]

I think we need a show of hands, who read the OP's first post?

Aye!!

 

[Jstpssng]

I had a CadPlan backhoe on my first tractor; it rode on the three point hitch and I had to learn to dig with it instead of just lifting the unit into the air. I dug a lot of stumps with it from 3 -12 inches in diameter. It took more time than a big machine but I didn't have the money it would have taken to hire the work done.
As I was looking for a newer tractor my father passed away and I inherited his 750 Woods. I have done a lot of work with that, including some holes/trenches which I probably shouldn't have dug. I don't have a subframe (yet), so need to be careful, but I run at an idle and don't get too carried away.

To answer the OP's question; in the last 18 years my BH is probably 3rd on my list of most used implements. First by far is my logging winch, second is the rototiller. It takes about 15 minutes to put it on or take it off, but that should improve when I pour a slab this summer. With only 33 hp my tractor is smaller than he asked about; but I still do a lot of work with it.

 

[paulfun9]

Holds about none......just like the bucket on your backhoe unit. I use my tractor FEL loader for those tasks. But my "one trick pony" will dig circles around your backhoe unit while you spend time getting off and on to move it 5' at a time. And my 36" bucket will dig a "hole and a half" in the time it takes your 24" bucket.

You will still be on your way out to the dig site not even having started the job and I will be out, done, back and eating breakfast unless we are digging out a foundation for a house!
Fact is a dedicated excavator is overkill for most who are not in it for hire.

 

[TnAndy]

You will still be on your way out to the dig site not even having started the job and I will be out, done, back and eating breakfast unless we are digging out a foundation for a house!
Fact is a dedicated excavator is overkill for most who are not in it for hire.

Well, most of my digging is close here on the farm, but if I needed to move a couple miles, I have a trailer that will go a lot faster than my tractor in high gear. I got a really good deal on this mid 90's model IHI.....not much more than the cost of a high end tractor backhoe unit with far more capability.

 

[Hay Dude]

No doubt a min ex has taken a big chunk out of the backhoe market, especially in warmer climates where snow removal keeps a backhoe more viable.
I like the way a backhoe can push a pile of dirt or debris like a large tractor and scoop materials by the 1-1.5yd bucket quickly. Backhoe also faster around a large worksite, where trees need felling, stone & dirt needs moved, but the mini ex shines in the woods, in mud and bad terrain with tracks or where pure digging is the task.
Although the dispute of backhoe mini ex will never be settled, its a job site to job site, task to task decision. If it’s a TLB to mini ex decision, it’s more a property requirements decision. If the operator has small farm, probably TBL. If operator has a chunk of woods, maybe a mini ex better.
Some are fortunate enough to have both.
If I were an excavator, I’d want a big skid steer and a mid size excavator. My single axle dump would pull both at same time.
It is fun watching guys fight like wet hens over which one is better:laughing:

 

[TnAndy]

It is fun watching guys fight like wet hens over which one is better:laughing:

That's all I'm here for....my value as entertainment