Backhoe 3 Point Backhoe Safety Issues?

[The Griff]

Today I bought my first tractor - a used New Holland 1920 with loader and 3 point back hoe. Being a complete novice, I had no idea that a 3 point back hoe was not a good thing until I just happened upon reading it on the internet just now. So now of course I'm kicking myself but what's done is done. What did really concern me, however, was hearing about people being seriously injured using them. Is this a real concern or is it something that can be avoided?

Also, I hear they are not for heavy use, but I really have no idea what constitutes heavy use. Where I live we have sandy loam soil and some clay, and no rocks at all. I am planning to dig a lot of 2 to 3 foot deep trenches. Is this considered heavy use? I'm not ready to get seriously injured over some trench digging but at the same time I really can't return it and I'd hate to turn around and sell it just to buy another. Please advise

 

[The Griff]

Actually I probably spoke too soon because honestly I have no idea if it's 3 point or not. The tractor hasn't been delivered yet and I just assumed the worst after reading the warnings online. Can anyone tell from the picture attached if it's 3 point or not? Please bear in mind that until a few hours ago, I didn't know there was more than one way to mount a back hoe, so excuse my newbiness

 

[Arc weld]

Looks like it has it's own sub frame mounted to the tractor.:thumbsup: It will dig your trenches no problem. When people talk about heavy use, what they mean is that it is a farm duty backhoe and not a heavy duty industrial backhoe. Don't push it too hard and let the hyd's do the work and it will give you many hours of dependable service. It's not designed to go flat out for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don't skimp on greasing all the pivot points. It looks like a very handy unit to have. Read the manual on it and start off slow. It will take some practice to get used to.

 

[PHPaul]

I have a Woods BH650 three point backhoe that I use on a John Deere 750. I've had it for more than 20 years and used it pretty darn hard.

I have NEVER had a safety issue with it. While it's true it IS harder on the tractor than a subframe mounted hoe, I think most of the dire warnings you read are hype by people that have never actually used one. It's the old "my second cousin's best friend's great-uncle knew a guy once..."

The very first thing I did was take my toplink mounting bracket off the tractor and have some hardened bushings turned and installed in it to prevent excessive wear. Other than that, the only thing outside of ordinary maintenance I've had to do is replace the transmission-to-differential bolts and gasket due to stretching. And that was after many years of abuse from digging up stumps and big rocks.

 

[LD1]

Yep, looks like a sub-frame to me. The 3PH arm appears to be doing nothing.

Some shallow trenches in sandy soil I wouldnt consider heavy use.

Digging out stumps, digging basements in rocky soil, demolition, etc is what I consider heavy use.

 

[ishiboo]

What are the safety issues you heard? I've seen a ton of posts in response to cracking 3-point parts/axle/transmission case itself, but never a personal safety hazard.

 

[FredH]

Sub Frame . Look in front of the rear tire and you can see the " Frame " of the B.H. Coming forward were it attaches to / pins to posts that come down were the F.E.L. also attaches to tractor . Those " Posts " can also be seen coming down from FEL. .

Not sure what size / model BH it is , I have a 757C on my TC 30 , But if you ever need to take it off , I can walk you through it . Takes me maybe 5 minutes to put it on or take it off . Pretty easy , just need to follow a routine to aid the process .

Fred H.

 

[jaotguy]

some people consider walking across the street as a hazzard ... others race around tracks at over 200MPH and consider it normal .....

get some training on the machine on its proper use and maintenance ... then enjoy your new toy ....

 

[The Griff]

Thanks everyone for confirming. I'm excited to hear its sub frame if for nothing else I assume it helps the resale value in the future.

On a side note, can you guys tell me if $10,750 is a good deal for the tractor? It has 850 hours and I brought out a tractor mechanic to check it out on the lot and he said aside from a couple of valves leaking its in tip top shape. He couldn't give me an opinion on value through. Again it's a New Holland 1920 32 horsepower. Thanks!

 

[George2615]

Thanks everyone for confirming. I'm excited to hear its sub frame if for nothing else I assume it helps the resale value in the future.

On a side note, can you guys tell me if $10,750 is a good deal for the tractor? It has 850 hours and I brought out a tractor mechanic to check it out on the lot and he said aside from a couple of valves leaking its in tip top shape. He couldn't give me an opinion on value through. Again it's a New Holland 1920 32 horsepower. Thanks!

I think that's a great price for a used 32 HP NH with BH. You would not find that in my area for that price.
NH info from Tractordata.com shows the factory BH would be a model 758B, loader is 7108. Built from 1987-2000. Ser. #s are listed if OP wants to know exact year.

 

[newbury]

Thanks everyone for confirming. I'm excited to hear its sub frame if for nothing else I assume it helps the resale value in the future.

On a side note, can you guys tell me if $10,750 is a good deal for the tractor? It has 850 hours and I brought out a tractor mechanic to check it out on the lot and he said aside from a couple of valves leaking its in tip top shape. He couldn't give me an opinion on value through. Again it's a New Holland 1920 32 horsepower. Thanks!

No it's obvious you were taken, there looks like dirt on the tires!
I'll be glad to take it off your hands

Looking at tractordata.com there is one for sale for $9.5K W/O LOADER W/O FEL w/ a lot more hours. If anything when you work the BH a bit take heed it doesn't get to hot.

NICE setup.

/edit - you might need a cap on your muffler to prevent rain etc. from rusting it out.

 

[George2615]

Actually, I agree with Newbury that you got taken. Why didn't I think of that. I'll give you what you paid for it if you'll ship it up to me.
Be sure to post some pics when it arrives.

 

[Soundguy]

machiens with 3pt HOE CAN be usefull.

subbrace it if it does not have a sub frame.

I picked up a woods 6500 hoe at auction and mated it to an old 1955 ford 850, welded up a small sub frame to help with loads, especially at toplink.

http://photos.yesterdaystractors.com/gallery/uptest/a39495.jpg

 

[OldMcDonald]

What did really concern me, however, was hearing about people being seriously injured using them. Is this a real concern or is it something that can be avoided?

Despite other posters ignoring this, t absolutely most defintitely is a concern. People have been killed using these backhoes. They are not, in themselves. inherently dangerous, but deaths have occurred due to the backhoe crushing the operator between the boom and roll bar of the tractor.

It appears to be manufacturer's mounted, but before you sit on the seat, check the maximum movement in every direction whilst standing alongside the machine, and see how much clearance there is for your body - particularly your chest and head. If there are any doubts return it to the dealer and ask them to rectify the problem, although I do not expect there to be one.

You will have a lot of fun using it.

 

[Soundguy]

beats a shovel!

 

[Notforhire]

I had a 1920. They are great tractors! Best of luck with yours.

Bill

 

[jaotguy]

Proper training in backhoe usage AND safety .....

things are dangerous only when used incorrectly by inexperienced people.

yes, sure beats a shovel any day

 

[The Griff]

/edit - you might need a cap on your muffler to prevent rain etc. from rusting it out.

Can you tell me where I should look to find a cap that would fit my particular tractor? Or are they one size fits all?

 

[/pine]

beats a shovel!

ditto times 10 with an exponent of 10∞

 

[George2615]

Can you tell me where I should look to find a cap that would fit my particular tractor? Or are they one size fits all?

Your local Tractor Supply store has them. It's called a rain cap for exhaust pipe Some call it an exhaust flapper cap. Just measure the dia. of your exhaust pipe. The cap slips on over the pipe and clamps on. Costs about $10.