Comparison 2wd vs 4wd Backhoe

[Grandad4]

If I knew my place had bad areas that needed to be traversed, I'd be looking for every advantage possible. The first time my 18,000 lb, 2wd machine got planted in the mud at the bottom of a hill, I'd be kicking myself for pinching too many pennies. Sure, the BH can drag you out of a hole, maybe making an even bigger mess along the way, but traction on both ends can keep you moving so that's not necessary. Of course, the cabs on a couple of those other machines would get my attention also, but that's just me.

When buying used, it usually comes down to figuring out which machine is most likely to be reliable, but if you will be headed out into the boonies with the thing, at some point you'll probably conclude the extra money for 4wd would have been well spent.

 

[D7E]

So would you justify spending $11500 on

1993 DEERE 310D Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

Or the cheapest 4wd in my area at $12500 on

1983 CASE 580SE Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

I just see a lot of money in the 4wd. No doubt that I will use it a ton and will LOVE it but were talking thousands more for a comparable to what I was looking at.

Here's some 4x4's under $15000 in my area,

FORD 555D Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

JCB 215 Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

CASE 580K Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

1985 CASE 580SE Machines - Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

I also used this to compare the 310D. I usually do this to see how good of a deal it is but never had it come back as the lone ranger. Put in less than this hours, newer than this, for less than this etc. and this is what is left. And its for the entire world, not just my area. So I know I'd be getting a good deal. They actually have a 91 310D on the same lot with more hours and worse condition for the same price.

Loader Backhoes, Used Loader Backhoes, Loader Backhoes For Sale At MachineryTrader.com - Page 1

I love the price and it would be in my yard if it weren't for 4x4. What do you think?

On face value the JCB without a doubt. I dont know how available new roofs are this side of the pond though !

 

[jenkinsph]

If I knew my place had bad areas that needed to be traversed, I'd be looking for every advantage possible. The first time my 18,000 lb, 2wd machine got planted in the mud at the bottom of a hill, I'd be kicking myself for pinching too many pennies. Sure, the BH can drag you out of a hole, maybe making an even bigger mess along the way, but traction on both ends can keep you moving so that's not necessary. Of course, the cabs on a couple of those other machines would get my attention also, but that's just me.

When buying used, it usually comes down to figuring out which machine is most likely to be reliable, but if you will be headed out into the boonies with the thing, at some point you'll probably conclude the extra money for 4wd would have been well spent.

Pretty much nailed it.:thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

Around here it's hilly and when the dirt gets wet it can get pretty slimy. In a full size machine you are not going to take it places where a CUT would go, it's just too large and too heavy. Most of your weight is on the rear wheels (if not behind them) and the rear diff lock is helpful. Often times my front tires aren't touching the ground with enough force to steer or help pull.

Places I find 4wd is really needed is, like others have said, for fel work. To be more specific, when pushing into a pile of hard packed dirt and once the bucket is full of dirt 4wd is real helpful when backing up.

I ended up buying a dozer simply because the BH just couldn't drive to them. 4wd wasn't a game changer. I ended up pulling my 580k where I needed it with the dozer. Other options are to put a chain around a tree and using the BH to pull itself to where it's needed (slow).

If you've dug a couple of trenches with the rear tires you can use the BH to lift the rear tires off of the ground and swing them to solid ground. Or you can curl the front bucked all the way down, plant it into the ground, and then uncurl it to push yourself backwards.

Prices look like they've gone up since I got my 580k 8 years ago.

 

[Martian]

Around here it's hilly and when the dirt gets wet it can get pretty slimy. In a full size machine you are not going to take it places where a CUT would go, it's just too large and too heavy. Most of your weight is on the rear wheels (if not behind them) and the rear diff lock is helpful. Often times my front tires aren't touching the ground with enough force to steer or help pull.

Places I find 4wd is really needed is, like others have said, for fel work. To be more specific, when pushing into a pile of hard packed dirt and once the bucket is full of dirt 4wd is real helpful when backing up.

I ended up buying a dozer simply because the BH just couldn't drive to them. 4wd wasn't a game changer. I ended up pulling my 580k where I needed it with the dozer. Other options are to put a chain around a tree and using the BH to pull itself to where it's needed (slow).

If you've dug a couple of trenches with the rear tires you can use the BH to lift the rear tires off of the ground and swing them to solid ground. Or you can curl the front bucked all the way down, plant it into the ground, and then uncurl it to push yourself backwards.

Prices look like they've gone up since I got my 580k 8 years ago.

The only real wet area of my property is about a 300' marsh land between the road and the lake, most of my property is on the other side of the road though. I've already planned on bringing in about 20-30 yards of gravel next year to really build it up nice and have a culvert under it so we have no problems. My concern would not be as much getting stuck as trying to scoop and really tearing stuff up to the 4x4. I know it can be easily fixed. For the condition this 310D is in and for the price of a comparable condition 4x4 all have cabs and extendahoes as well and that boosts the price up way more. For the same condition I'm looking at about 20,000 about 2x what I would pay for the 310D. I can't rap my head around spending 2x what I need just for 4x4 too 2x4. Sure all those extra things are nice but for what I need I don't NEED them. If it were maybe 3 grand more for a cab similar condition etc. But they either need work have way more hours, are way older, etc. and the only functionality more I'd be getting for 10,000 more is 4x4. Don't really plan to use it to plow in the winter so I don't need a cab.