Backhoe 448 Backhoe Bucket Size

[DayDreamer]

I dug out some technical info that I had when I was researching what to buy. Turns out there are two types available for the 448. One called "bucket" and the other "heavy-duty bucket". The heavy-duty bucket is used with the 49 backhoe. Here are the differences:

"Bucket"
24", BM19570, 2.53 cu. ft. SAE cap., 3.48 cu. ft. Heaped cap., 117 lb.

36", BM19571, 3.92 cu. ft. SAE cap., 5.50 cu. ft. Heaped cap., 154 lb.

"Heavy-Duty Bucket"
24", LVB25175, 2.42 cu. ft. SAE cap., 3.71 cu. ft. Heaped cap., 146 lb.

36", LVB25176, 3.77 cu. ft. SAE cap., 5.76 cu. ft. Heaped cap., 195 lb.

40", LVB25177, 4.19 cu. ft. SAE cap., 6.41 cu. ft. Heaped cap., 207 lb.

It looks like a 40" bucket is another option to consider.

 

[swines]

Swines, thanks for discribing your project. I'd say that was a pretty ambitious job to ask of a tractor. I'm not saying it can't be done. I think if I were taking on your project I might go with a track skid steer. It can do all the cutting and filling you need plus do a great finish job on the 4:1 slopes. The track skid steer will do everything you need cut,fill,grade, carry rolls of fabric and place your rip rap. It will even dig out those Yuccas you want to move. I think the going will be too slow with the tractor-hoe. The track skid steer will run circles around the tractor on your project. The only thing you won't be able to do is run your electric conduit. You may want to consider renting a machine to do the work.

Sincerely, Dirt

At that point, I'd rather contract with a local excavation company as there are no rental places within a 100 mile radius - but, I'd rather take my time and not tear the place up, as revegetation takes years in the desert. You just can't get things to grow easily (other than weeds) and the land currently has gramma grass - if you tear that off, erosion will start wherever there's no grass.

I may have made it sound harder than I think it is. I've allocated 10 days to do the work with one other person helping. I think we can have the banks knocked down and shaped in about 3-4 days (I've contoured drainage ditches at my current place using only the front bucket and rear blade, so I have an idea of the amount of work to move dirt). The remainder of the time would be placing the rocks. I have an S.Houle B5 rock bucket for the tractor that should aid in speeding up the work by carrying more of a load - hopefully the backhoe + loaded tires will provide enough counterbalance.

 

[dirtworksequip]

swines, I knew that there would be no way to convince you to do it with anything other than your tractor. I would say that the track skid steer would cut your estimated time in at least half maybe more. Plus do it safer, by being able to travel on the slopes easier and safer. The track skid steer will not tear up anymore than your tractor. I would say maybe less because it will be able to work in the designated work area without traveling outside as much as the tractor would to pick up the rip rap. Again just my thoughts and have at it with your tractor! I'm sure you will be able to accomplish the work that you are trying to get done. It just might take a little longer. Good luck and work safely.

Sincerely, Dirt

Oh, I forgot to mention...............you can dig a very big hole with a track skid steer!

 

[swines]

dirtworksequip]swines, I knew that there would be no way to convince you to do it with anything other than your tractor. I would say that the track skid steer would cut your estimated time in at least half maybe more. Plus do it safer, by being able to travel on the slopes easier and safer. The track skid steer will not tear up anymore than your tractor. I would say maybe less because it will be able to work in the designated work area without traveling outside as much as the tractor would to pick up the rip rap. Again just my thoughts and have at it with your tractor! I'm sure you will be able to accomplish the work that you are trying to get done. It just might take a little longer. Good luck and work safely.

Sincerely, Dirt

Oh, I forgot to mention...............you can dig a very big hole with a track skid steer!

It has nothing to do with being "right." Or, convincing me that your way is better - I'm sure it is. But, the fact is, I own the tractor and not a skid steer. I don't mind spending extra time - a day at the ranch is far better than a day at work dealing with a federal government program. Kind of like a a bad day of fishing ...

 

[dirtworksequip]

Swines, I know what you are saying about excaping from work. Thats why I have dug such a big hole on my place. That was were I would go to get away from it all after work. Good luck on your arroyo project. I'm sure you will enjoy almost every minute of it. Take some pics so you can post them here, I'm sure everyone here would enjoy seeing what you have accomplished. If you think you need that 3 foot bucket..........go for it. There are lessons to be learned in life in every step we take. I might even learn something from your experience.

Sincere regards, Dirt

 

[IslandManMitch]

A quick answer to your question. Go with the more versatile 24" bucket. Much easier to handle without a certain amount of learn time for the larger bucket.

 

[michiglenn]

24" has worked well for me. It can remove a lot of dirt fast, and when trenching I can get in the trench to make connections to tile. It seems to be a good compromise. I would recommend it for almost any job or situation.