Backhoe vs Tractor with backhoe

[Rookkee22]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

 

[Chewwy]

IMO, Midsize tractor with backhoe and loader plus some other stuff.

 

[Notforhire]

IMHO if you intend on doing work involving actual digging, not just moving piles of mulch/loam etc. you are better off with a backhoe. The loader and the backhoe are much stronger/faster/better than on a ag tractor with the same attachments.

You need to decide if the additional cost is worthwhile.
My TLB comes with a few downsides if you are farming. You can't remove the loader, the ground clearance is less and it's a lot heavier because of it's huge subframe, etc.
I've been happy with my decision, but much has to do with the type of jobs I have to do.

You could rent a L47 so you can experience the difference.

 

[2manyrocks]

I suppose removing and reinstalling a backhoe attachment from a tractor could be a chore, and I suppose many prefer just to leave them on all the time if they can.

 

[Texasmark]

My first question is percentage of usage. The answer with the highest percentage would be my choice. Both answers have problematic differences whereby either the choice can't do the work desired, or the choice has things that interfere with the intended task.

Once the choice is made, I would be looking for an inexpensive solution to the down side of my choice to go with my choice.

I have 6 tractors, 2 with FELs (one 25 hp handyman around the farm and a 65 for the big jobs), primarily haying, and one pull behind small 4 stroke engine operated backhoe from Harbor Freight for about $3k that I bought to install a waterline to my house. The backhoe just sits....in the barn out of the weather, fuel tank empty ready to work when needed. The tractors aren't burdened with a backhoe hanging off the rear.

 

[2manyrocks]

My first question is percentage of usage. The answer with the highest percentage would be my choice. Both answers have problematic differences whereby either the choice can't do the work desired, or the choice has things that interfere with the intended task.

Once the choice is made, I would be looking for an inexpensive solution to the down side of my choice to go with my choice.

I have 6 tractors, 2 with FELs (one 25 hp handyman around the farm and a 65 for the big jobs), primarily haying, and one pull behind small 4 stroke engine operated backhoe from Harbor Freight for about $3k that I bought to install a waterline to my house. The backhoe just sits....in the barn out of the weather, fuel tank empty ready to work when needed. The tractors aren't burdened with a backhoe hanging off the rear.

I've thought about the HF backhoe at times. How do you get it where you need it to work and then reposition it as you are digging with it?

 

[rScotty]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

You might want to consider the TLB alternative to a Tractor. They are similar. Kubota makes Tractors and TLBs both, but since most or all the other manufacturing brands only make tractors, you may have missed Kubota's dual purpose TLBs. There are a lot of both Tractors and TLB owners active on this Forum. A favorite is the 25 hp B25 TLB. Kubota has made that basic model for decades. No fancy emissions hardware at 25 hp. You can work it at full chat, or just run at idle rpm all day. An old style diesel engine.

Compact and utility tractors are built lighter and are less expensive than similar size TLBs.
So if you are going to use yours for lawn mowing plus some garden tillage and rural chores then ignore the TLB idea and go straight for the tractor. Use the money saved for more attachments.
But of your work is more woodland, dirt moving, construction, or landscaping - take a look at TLBs.

Tractors come with a 3pt hitch as normal equipment. From there you add common tractor options like a medium duty front end loader and/or backhoe. You can buy all these from the dealer or just buy the tractor and get the FEL and BH later as aftermarket kits from a variety of places.
Normally mounting the backhoe attachment requires taking off the 3pt hitch. A tractor may also need a permanent subframe added to handle the extra stress. .

TLBs from Kubota come in only 3 sizes: 25, 45. and 62 HP sizes. On a TLB, the front end loader and backhoe are standard dealer equipment and more rigidly mounted. A major difference is that on a TLB, the 3pt hitch is the optional accessory - so on a TLB you swap the other way around, taking off the backhoe in order to mount the 3pt hitch. The TLB is sturdy enough not to need a subframe for the hoe.

Swapping the 3pt hitch and backhoe on either type machine is about the same amount of work either way - whether doing it on a Tractor or TLB.

There are other differences too, but those are some of the basics.
rScotty

 

[masseyrider]

Unless you are going to use the backhoe all the time get the tractor with a FEL. There's always something for a FEL to do.
When you need a backhoe once in a while rent one for the day.
I also have just over 6 acres and a dedicated backhoe would just take up barn space and cost too much.

 

[Notforhire]

A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

The way I read this the OP is trying to choose between a midsize TLB like a L47 and a tractor (like a 4701) that has both backhoe and loader attachments.
How about it OP?

 

[Paystar]

You might want to consider the TLB alternative to a Tractor. They are similar. Kubota makes Tractors and TLBs both, but since most or all the other manufacturing brands only make tractors, you may have missed Kubota's dual purpose TLBs. There are a lot of both Tractors and TLB owners active on this Forum. A favorite is the 25 hp B25 TLB. Kubota has made that basic model for decades. No fancy emissions hardware at 25 hp. You can work it at full chat, or just run at idle rpm all day. An old style diesel engine.

Compact and utility tractors are built lighter and are less expensive than similar size TLBs.
So if you are going to use yours for lawn mowing plus some garden tillage and rural chores then ignore the TLB idea and go straight for the tractor. Use the money saved for more attachments.
But of your work is more woodland, dirt moving, construction, or landscaping - take a look at TLBs.

Tractors come with a 3pt hitch as normal equipment. From there you add common tractor options like a medium duty front end loader and/or backhoe. You can buy all these from the dealer or just buy the tractor and get the FEL and BH later as aftermarket kits from a variety of places.
Normally mounting the backhoe attachment requires taking off the 3pt hitch. A tractor may also need a permanent subframe added to handle the extra stress. .

TLBs from Kubota come in only 3 sizes: 25, 45. and 62 HP sizes. On a TLB, the front end loader and backhoe are standard dealer equipment and more rigidly mounted. A major difference is that on a TLB, the 3pt hitch is the optional accessory - so on a TLB you swap the other way around, taking off the backhoe in order to mount the 3pt hitch. The TLB is sturdy enough not to need a subframe for the hoe.

Swapping the 3pt hitch and backhoe on either type machine is about the same amount of work either way - whether doing it on a Tractor or TLB.

There are other differences too, but those are some of the basics.
rScotty

I looked at the Kubota dedicated TLB's a couple years ago. Problem is, here in Canada, the price they want for them I can buy an almost new full size construction backhoe that has a cab and air conditioning

 

[QRTRHRS]

I suppose removing and reinstalling a backhoe attachment from a tractor could be a chore, and I suppose many prefer just to leave them on all the time if they can.

I had a compact 36HP PTO Massey with a Woods backhoe. I would back up to the hoe, slip the hydraulic pump onto the PTO then back into the hoe adjusting it to line up then slip the pins in to hold it. I had the optional subframe which permanently mounted to the hoe. The subframe came with plates to replace the stock plates that bolt under the rear axle. The subframe slipped into those plates then two pins under the front end loader supports held the hoe in place. Took all of five minutes to hook up.

The hoe would only dig to about six feet but I moved alot of dirt with it. If I was to ever have a set up like that again, I would want a larger tractor and a hoe able to dig deeper.

FWIW, I would never depend on the 3PT to support a backhoe. I saw a similar setup with the rear axle housing split wide open.

 

[hodge]

I've got $7000 (previous owner replaced almost all of the hoses, so it could be argued that there's less money in it), in a John Deere 310 backhoe. It has 3300 hours (low for a full size backhoe), and it runs great. Don't discount the option of buying a full size backhoe, because it can be the best value going.

 

[Hay Dude]

I looked at the Kubota dedicated TLB's a couple years ago. Problem is, here in Canada, the price they want for them I can buy an almost new full size construction backhoe that has a cab and air conditioning

Always seems that way.
I get a chuckle when I see what they want for smaller equipment. They want outrageous money for it because it‘s Small?
IMO, one of the best deals out there is a used Case, New Holland, etc. backhoe. For about $25,000 you can have a solid used backhoe with a cab that can do almost any task except crop farming, for less than a small mostly chinese built sub compact.
You can start a business with a backhoe and maintain your large property, too.

Not suggesting everyone should run out and buy a backhoe, but the prices for smaller, newer equipment have gone into the “luxury life” category along with large boats and exotic cars.

 

[pokey1416]

I have the tractor with a BH and once the BH is mounted in June - it stays on until October. I don’t have a brush hog so I finish my drive grading and spring tilling then install BH. In the fall I finish digging projects, do fall grading and tilling then set up for snow plowing. I’m fortunate I can pick my jobs so mostly it’s based around how my tractor is set up.

Taking BH on and off is easy. Putting the 3PH and then QH is kind of a PITA for this old body. BH sits in garage so it’s an easy hook/unhook. Also, in IMO the BH was the best attachment I bought.

 

[Notforhire]

I thought about a Deere 310 instead of buy ing my L47.

I didn't see anything decent in the $25 range but I think $35 would have covered it.
OK so now I've got a TLB. Now I need a 45hp, 4 wd tractor to do what the TLB can't, like mowing etc.

I decided that it was best to let a $10k backhoe attachment sit most of the time rather than let the 310 take up storage space.
(It would be even more space than a backhoe attachment.)

If I constantly needed a full size TLB, things would be different. Another problem with the full size is that I have no way to transport it.

So right or wrong I spent about $50k for a brand new machine that can do 90% of what I need.
I maintain one tractor and store one tractor.

BTW I used to have a Ford 655e back in the 90's and it was a much better TLB than the L47 as far a digging and moving material goes. ( it had a 1 yard bucket.)

 

[Hay Dude]

I thought about a Deere 310 instead of buy ing my L47.

I didn't see anything decent in the $25 range but I think $35 would have covered it.
OK so now I've got a TLB. Now I need a 45hp, 4 wd tractor to do what the TLB can't, like mowing etc.

I decided that it was best to let a $10k backhoe attachment sit most of the time rather than let the 310 take up storage space.
(It would be even more space than a backhoe attachment.)

If I constantly needed a full size TLB, things would be different. Another problem with the full size is that I have no way to transport it.

So right or wrong I spent about $50k for a brand new machine that can do 90% of what I need.
I maintain one tractor and store one tractor.

BTW I used to have a Ford 655e back in the 90's and it was a much better TLB than the L47 as far a digging and moving material goes. ( it had a 1 yard bucket.)

Well, you can just drive them down the road if all your projects are local.
I did that, then I bought a dump truck & trailer.

 

[Notforhire]

Well, you can just drive them down the road if all your projects are local.
I did that, then I bought a dump truck & trailer.

Frankly I do run on the road between properties.
What I was thinking of at the time, was if for some reason it broke down and wasn't drivable. It's 25-50 miles to a dealer depending on brand.

No matter. That was only one of the many reasons I didn't need a full size machine. Don't forget, I already had owned a 655 years back.
It's kinda like why I don't own a school bus for my daily transportation.

If I was doing excavation work as a regularly business I'm sure I would feel differently.

 

[rScotty]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

It also depends on what your property is like and whether you already have a house and barn or are planning on doing some building. Also on your plans for the trees.

The used construction TLBs like the Deere 310 are at a sweet spot on the market right now. If you are willing to take your time and research local schools, parks, city maintenance shops and such I'll bet you can pick up a good used TLB for way less than a compact tractor. Those old 310s are comfortable, durable, parts are fair, and the yellow Deere mechanics and dealers are pros.

We have a long driveway in the mountains and use our old 310 to plow snow. No special attachments necessary....just lower the bucket so it skims the ground and drive forward. Not much stops it.

About the only thing it won't do is till the garden - but it will even do that where the hoe bucket can reach.
Maybe someday a clever guy will make a tilling attachment for a backhoe bucket.

For 6 acres of suburban lawn the 310 would be out of place, but for a few acres of more rugged rural woodland it would be a reasonable choice.

rScotty

 

[MaxLee]

I suppose removing and reinstalling a backhoe attachment from a tractor could be a chore, and I suppose many prefer just to leave them on all the time if they can.

takes 5 mins to remove and install back hoe on compact tractor.

 

[MaxLee]

If ya loaded with cash buy both, if not , get the tractor with BH and add attacments. Back hoe alone is not versatile enough for your intented use