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

[LRover]

Yes, I would buy one again as long as it had a good subframe mount where the 3pt arms didn't have to come off and it was to be mounted on a open station tractor where I could reach the loader control without getting off the BH seat. That allows me to move the machine with the hoe without getting off. This is how my Woods BH works on my MF.

 

[fried1765]

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.

Yup...your mini-ex absolutely will "DIG".......but that is ALL it can do!
I use my FEL loader to move the excavated dirt away, and being a TLB, the loader is attached to the same machine as the BH. I can dig, load with bucket, lift and carry pallets, grapple piles of brush, and travel at up to 15 mph, all with only one machine.
I have no plans to dig 5000 ft. trenches, or install deep municipal sewer lines.
If I needed to ONLY DIG, I very likely WOULD buy an excavator.

 

[natedog75]

Excavator digs really well
Wheel loader moves material well.
Dump truck moves large amounts of material very well.

Backhoe does both of these at a marginal rate.

If you can only afford one get the backhoe.

If you want serious production get the best machine for each job.

Most of these arguments people make don’t apply to other people’s circumstances. Most home owners who don’t work to make money with their machines don’t understand why I would use an excavator instead of a backhoe and I don’t expect them too. That’s why the do whatever they do to make a living and I do what I do. People don’t pay me to do their taxes they pay me to build whatever it is they want.

Rant over.

To the op. If you plan to use it for work that is not time crucial and you are patient you should be fine with a subframe mounted backhoe. If you want more power a TLB would work better as a multipurpose machine. If want the best digging machine then get an excavator.

You can find older mini x machines around the same price of a new subframe mounted backhoe if you shop around. I would only suggest this if you are a wrench turner though. Same thing with an older TLB. Hoses are gonna pop, cylinders will need repacking. It’s the way of life with older equipment.

 

[natedog75]

One drawback that some people list as a pro is that the hoe is attached to the same machine. For me I usually have a friend or family member or co worker who can run a second piece of equipment and be doing something to supplement my excavator (move dirt, grade, etc.). This can’t be done if you only have one machine. One job at a time which is slow not to mention the swapping of implements.

 

[Hay Dude]

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

Honestly its like Ford v. Chevy! Why do some people get so defensive or feel the need to justify their purchase so much? Clearly neither machine is inferior.

 

[natedog75]

Honestly its like Ford v. Chevy! Why do some people get so defensive or feel the need to justify their purchase so much? Clearly neither machine is inferior.

Chevy is better because I own 3 of them.

Insert endless Ford and Dodge jokes.

Rant over.

Man this is fun.

P.S. it’s your money do what you want with it not what a bunch of us guys on the internet say. For all you know all of these pics are fake and we are all living in our parents basements. LOL

 

[fried1765]

Chevy is better because I own 3 of them.

Insert endless Ford and Dodge jokes.

Rant over.

Man this is fun.

P.S. it’s your money do what you want with it not what a bunch of us guys on the internet say. For all you know all of these pics are fake and we are all living in our parents basements. LOL

Couldn't do it!
My parents would each be 117 if they were still here.
Plus......we didn't have a basement!

 

[ovrszd]

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.

You can load your ex and haul it 2 miles and unload it faster than your tractor will get there in high gear???? Prove it.

 

[ovrszd]

Chevy is better because I own 3 of them.

Insert endless Ford and Dodge jokes.

Rant over.

Man this is fun.

P.S. it痴 your money do what you want with it not what a bunch of us guys on the internet say. For all you know all of these pics are fake and we are all living in our parents basements. LOL

When you say "rant over" after two short sentences you kinda lose the readers attention.

I've never quite understood "rant over". It's probably me.

 

[Hay Dude]

You can load your ex and haul it 2 miles and unload it faster than your tractor will get there in high gear???? Prove it.

What is this? Elementary school? My dad can beat up your dad?
So what?