3 point back hoes

[Anonymous Poster]

If the weight of the tractor was not on the outriggers, with the tires just touching for extra stabilization, and the loader edge jammed in the dirt to put the weight off the front tires you shouldn't even be running the hoe, especially on a 3 pt. That' s one way to tear the thing off of the back. In your quest for knowledge I'd keep traveling until I found a dealer that was familiar with hoe mounts and using a hoe, who will know what is what so you don't get to find out just how much damage you can do to the tractor with one.

One alternative, a lighter duty hoe on a big tractor. Some of those big tractors (like the M series Kubota) and the bigger NH and JD, with a lighter hoe may do what you want and the tractor won't even care it's there. Some of those 3 pts on the big units are huge. If the tractor manufacturer (not the dealer, the manufacturer) doesn't sell the hoe as a package with the tractor, watch out. You can have the RV syndrome, Ford blames the RV manufacturer, the RV manufacturer blames Ford and you are in the middle. The manufacturers would LOVE to make money selling you a tractor and a hoe. If they don't put the combo together there is a reason. I'd also humbly suggest getting a hold of Woods and Bradco directly and conferring on possibilities. That is if Woods is still in business, I emailed them about a month ago about a problem with an item, haven't heard a peep. Comforting...

 

[jgh]

2000-06-27

Thanks for the eval, Del. Since I did not actually dig or really push things, I suppose/hope the risk was minimal. I would not call the 5310 JD it was mounted on small by any means, but my new TN90F (arrived today, finally) is over 6000#, so it is around a half ton heavier.

I have had many conversations with Bradco and Woods people, even with the former Bradco rep who now sells Quicke loaders. Every time I talk to them, I learn something new.

All Bradco hoes now have swing speed control that smooths out the jerkiness I am told.

One thing the experience convinced me to do was to try to get a subframe-mounted backhoe for my TNF tractor. The Bradco dealer said he had a certified welder in his shop who would take a look at the tractor once the loader was on it, to see if he could adapt or build something. If he keeps an open mind so will I.

As they say, we will see. More thoughts/advice ALWAYS welcome, Del, Wen, Bird, Mark, all of you folks.

Jim

PS--I am going to write to Muhammad and ask if he can simply move this entire thread to Attachments, unless any of you have an objection. That way more will see it.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That jerkyness you experienced might just be new-operator syndrome. The controls on most backhoes can be used in a manner (feathered) so it operates as smooth as your arm, wrist and hand. Although I've had a Ford backhoe for 17 years the first day on my Kubota L35 put me back in the beginner's class as it operates so fast and the controls "feel" different. After an hour or two I got my groove back. When you're starting to learn to use it and have a pond or can dig a hole that the water table will fill with water it's good practice to get so you can "dig" the water out and dump it in a barrel or bucket.

It will help but it's all relative, whenever I'm around a true professional operator I feel just a skosh inadequate! I don'think my wife's ever understood my enjoyment of watching others work, she think it's because I like tractors, well I do but I compare it to watching a good guitar player, makes me think...time to quit my job and lock myself in my room for a year and try some things.

I can't remember are you buying a new tractor? A used one won't matter, but Kubota has their own backhoes and then "approves" other manufacturers mount kits and hoes. If you go with a homebuilt mount JD may baulk if you have ANY problem.

Until I saw what Kubota did with the hoe and loader frame on the L35 I wasn't too impressed with ANY of the backhoe frames. I had a fellow do a lot of work on my Ford 758 hoe's mount to make it and the loader and the tractor into one solid setup. Some individuals CAN make a great frame, but to start from scratch would be incredibly expensive unless they could find something already close to at least attaching to the tractor.

If you're getting a new tractor I'd think the possiblity of non covered damage would be a concern.

If I had room to be using something in a JD 5200 size and was going to get a used one, I'd probably jump to a Case 580, went to an auction last week, 4x4 Extendahoe 580L's went for $18,000. I always try to look at what small and large farmers have and most of them have a Case 580 or Ford 555 or JCB in addition to their "traditional" Ag tractors.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I see now you just bought a tractor, who makes that TN?

 

[jgh]

2000-06-27
[gotta turn in after this one]

I'm listening, Del, and your experience could take the place of my mistakes.

Since Saturday was my first time on a hoe, right, but the jerkiness I was referring to was more in the way it jerked the tractor so violently. I am not sure it was locked down the way you suggested so that may have been part of the problem.

My new tractor is a NH, not JD. I was just at the JD dealer looking at the Woods hoe, which just happened to be on a used JD 5310.

I don't believe NH actually sanctions attachments other than their own. Through my questions about loaders (did you see my Alo/Quicke thread?) I found that they seem to take a more hands-off attitude, but surely they would scream no warranty if an improperly installed backhoe popped the bell housing.

If you can talk my wife into allowing a yellow construction TLB on our property (current land is only 7.5 acres, but we are looking to move to more), I'd love it.

Fading into sleep, let's continue tomorrow.

j

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hey, NH has got some nice 4x4 construction tractors...can you say $70,000...

I know what you mean about the wife, although after we got a BX my wife has a completely different attitude towards tractors as she can now do some of the tasks I didn't get around to.

At a recent auction, when an operational 60,000lb excavator went for $8,500 I started getting the shakes, my daughter had to hold my auction book so I couldn't raise it.

Absolutely no justification, but I know I could have gotten $8500 worth of fun out of it convincing the neighbors I had bought it to get the other 5 acres ready for a county jail annex/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Is your tractor in the Ford Blue (er NH Blue) or in the yellow of the bigger NH's

 

[MChalkley]

Jim - The swing speed control is also very nice when you're working in tight places. Keeps you from doing things like putting the bucket in the living room, for instance.

Mark

 

[MarkV]

Jim-You may have a combination of things going on. As Del said, I found most of the jerkiness, using a hoe, smoothed out with experience. You may not have to lift the tires off the ground, but, if the wieght is not off them the tractor will jerk around more. My backhoe is frame mounted (B21) and I sure like it tucked in close to the tractor. Backhoes are major heavy to be hanging off the 3pt. There is a lot of power to jerk, slam and bang you around, until you get the touch.

 

[jgh]

2000-06-27

Hey, MarkV are you anywhere near the Smith House in Dalonega? Very similar operation to our restaurant.
j

 

[W5FL]

It should be moved to attachments. That is where I thought I was putting it. Issues on backhoes are complex and the mounting on so many different tractors keeps a common subframe from being used. I hope to mount a backhoe on my M6800SD, but that will take a little research also, so always interested in these types of threads even if it is for planning purposes.