3pt backhoe cat 1 recommendations for mahindra 25 emax hst

[Tifford]

I have a mahindra emax 25hst. 25 horsepower and about 20 hp at the pto.

Is there a backhoe out there that can be mounted to a 3 pt hitch (category 1) that can dig down to around 7feet or close to it?

I know the 3pt mount places more stresses on the tractor than a frame mount but I'd really like the 3pt for ease of taking it on/off.

I'm not looking for heavy duty, although it would be nice, I'm just an average homeowner. Thanks in advance.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Aside from the mounting method, I think you'll find that the tractor is too light to do any meaningful digging with. Except maybe in sand.

That statement is based on using a BX25D to clean out irrigation ditches, digging a cat grave in topsoil, and some other light tasks.

It's not lacking in power, but the tires aren't filled, and I doubt it would make much difference. At this point it has nearly 200 hours on it in just over 10 years, and that's largely because it takes forever to do any digging with it.

It'd be far fewer hours if I wasn't so stubborn and keep pecking at the holes instead of going back and taking one of the larger backhoes.

 

[Tifford]

Aside from the mounting method, I think you'll find that the tractor is too light to do any meaningful digging with. Except maybe in sand.

That statement is based on using a BX25D to clean out irrigation ditches, digging a cat grave in topsoil, and some other light tasks.

It's not lacking in power, but the tires aren't filled, and I doubt it would make much difference. At this point it has nearly 200 hours on it in just over 10 years, and that's largely because it takes forever to do any digging with it.

It'd be far fewer hours if I wasn't so stubborn and keep pecking at the holes instead of going back and taking one of the larger backhoes.

For a second there I thought you were talking about my tractor: tires are not filled, 212 hours (being serviced right now) and 11 years old. I'd like to go with the biggest backhoe that the tractor can handle but no bigger.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I bought a decent size 3-point mounted backhoe for my M6040.

Went out and dug a test hole, which it did just fine, but the more I looked at everything that could go wrong the less I liked it. Sold it to a neighbor....who promptly broke it. Not completely the backhoe's fault, but still.

I'd say that if you only need to do a little digging here and there, rent a backhoe (and I hate renting, but would still recommend it over putting one on a mini tractor).

If you need to use it frequently, I'd say buy a larger tractor with a backhoe.

 

[jfsawatzky]

check if mahindra offers a backhoe and if so how does it attach? It will probably cost more than a third party bh but if the subframe is a 4pt mount you will be ahead IMO. kubota and nh subframes have 2 pts on each side...4 pt total. The kubota is easy to mount / dismount in 5 or 10 minutes when you know what you’re doing

 

[Tifford]

Thanks everyone

 

[rScotty]

I have a mahindra emax 25hst. 25 horsepower and about 20 hp at the pto.

Is there a backhoe out there that can be mounted to a 3 pt hitch (category 1) that can dig down to around 7feet or close to it?

I know the 3pt mount places more stresses on the tractor than a frame mount but I'd really like the 3pt for ease of taking it on/off.

I'm not looking for heavy duty, although it would be nice, I'm just an average homeowner. Thanks in advance.

Sure there are. The old 3pt backhoes are not as well known these days....and they are not as good, safe, or powerful as the frame-mounted ones - but in the 1980s they used to be real common and are still available used.

I don't know if new ones are sold now, but the older 3pt hoes still exist and can do a lot of work. The 3pt hoes were stronger than the tractors they were mounted on, so you have to be careful not to break the 3pt attachment points, lift arms, or the frame of the tractor ....or yourself.... because even the little 3pt hoes can throw a small tractor around.

PLEASE DO NOT USE A 3PT HOE IF YOUR TRACTOR HAS AUTOMATIC DRAFT CONTROL ON THE 3PT TOP LINK. THE COMBINATION IS JUST WAY TOO DANGEROUS.
But most small tractors do not have that ADC feature. Automatic Draft Control is usually found in Ag tractors 30/40 hp and up. It's handy for plowing.

We had one of those little 3pt hoes on a little Yanmar tractor smaller than your Mahindra - and did all our barnyard digging for 20 years with it. The whole rig would fit into small areas where nothing else would. Not real fast, and limited to about a six foot depth and reach. But the small bucket gave it impressive power even in rocky, root-filled dirt. I don't recall power ever being a problem.
I figure it worked at about the same rate as a couple of strong guys with shovels, pics, and prybars who worked hard & never get tired....

I recommend that you get one that has the PTO-powered self contained pump and reservoir instead of using the tractor hydraulics. Several reasons for that , which we can go into if you are interested.

I've got some old info on several models - here's a typical example of what you are looking for. Has self-contained pump. Price for a decent used small 3pt backhoe seems to be in the 900/1100 dollar range here.
rScotty

 

[tacticalturnip]

You'd be best off finding a compatible Mahindra backhoe if you can, as a 3 point backhoe places a lot of stress on the tractor, and an eMax isn't something that will take that well.

I'm all for using the tools at your disposal, just be sure to do it safely.

 

[kneedeep]

Mahindra makes a hoe and subframe for subcompact tractors.
I put a new Mahindra by Bradco on my 3510 compact.
Best $10K spent on equipment.

 

[Tifford]

I decided to go with renting an excavator $250 a day for 2 days......$500 total.
My tractor is very important to me. Almost like a life line and the more I thought about it, the more I don't want to stress it. I talked to the guy who serviced my tractor and 1. He didn't recommend a 3pt for my tractor because as he put it, it isn't particularly strong in the back end of the tractor.
2. They do make a special frame mounted 3pt backhoe but that was 9k. I can get a mini excavator with change left over for that price.
3. Excavator is just a little to pricy for the size I want. A 1 ton I could afford but I feel the money could go to a better place AND although Im not knocking the small 1 ton, I feel I'd be wanting more for certain projects. A 2 or 3 ton and I'd have to produce a first born and include my right arm if I wanted to buy one.
Renting. I'll be renting a Kubota kx71 which is 6,300 pounds roughly, a thumb, 12 inch bucket (got the smaller size, he offered a 24" but I went with the 12) for a good two day rental price.

I was going to rent for 1 day (8 hours on the engine and 24 hours use) but I think I'd be pushing it. If I had 10 years of experience running one and everything went smoothly I could do it in 8 but it's going to be nice having that extra day to take the pressure off this inexperienced operator.

So on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week I'll be a busy fellow.

Thanks guys for the reply. I promised myself I could get a inexpensive attachment for my tractor once I get this digging project done.