Price Check 48 vs. 47 backhoe...price vs. performance.

[adegiulio]

I'm starting to kick around the idea of getting a backhoe. I have a 4310 right now that I find very useful, but think that for the things I need to do around our 14 1/2 acres, an always available backhoe would be nice. What are the real differences between the 48 and 47? I don't think I am ever going to need to dig 8 feet down, so I'm not sure the added cost would be worth it. What should I expect to pay for both? Do people think that the 48 is worth it?

I plan on using it for planting trees and shrubs, removing small stumps, and some small drainage issues.. I was originally just going to get a PHD for digging holes for planting, but our soil is so rocky that it is impractical. My neighbor tried using a PHD on his property and quickly found out that a backhoe was the way to go.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any input..

Anthony

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I hace NEVER wished I had gotten the 48, my uses are much like yours.

I paid ~$5K for mine with the tractor. You need power beyond, and adding plumbing later always seems to cost a little more.

 

[adegiulio]

OK, one vote for the 47.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bebster]

Here's a vote for the 48. I considered both, and figured that the added capabilities of the 48 over the 47 were worth the extra $1000 or so. I'm sure I'd be fine with the 48, but the extra reach of the 48 is nice. I use it a lot to remove stumps, and find that even with its reach I sometimes have to move the tractor to get a better angle on the stump. If you can afford it, go for the 48. If you get the 47 you'll be satisfied too.

 

[Bob_S]

I also have the 47. Works well. Sometimes almost too well and the tractor gets tossed around quite a bit /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I always keep it on the tractor when not using my bush hog and I prefer the lighter weight , increased mobility and clearance.

 

[chevy]

I had a 48 BH on a 4400. With the heavy clay soil that we have the backhoe would really toss the tractor around. I think that the 4710/48BH that I now have is a much better match. With the type of work you are planning on doing the 47 should be fine.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

One way that the 48 makes sense, what if you end up trading up on the tractor? Unless I am mistaken, the 48 fits on up to the 4710, the 47 fits the mid-chassis only.

 

[SteveH_CT]

Here is another opinion - I've got the 4310 and the 48 BH. It is a powerful tool and will move the tractor fairly easily even though I'm locking the brake - dropping the front bucket and using the stabilizers. I've seen the same thing happen on my friend's Fermec though, which weighs about 18,000 lbs so I don't think it's a mismatch for the 4310. I can say without a doubt that the better I get at operating the BH, the more useful it becomes... learning curve and all. I've removed some very large stumps and rocks... and if the work you envision includes that type of stuff I would say go for it. If you only plan on doing light duty work, maybe the 47 is a better choice for you.

Funny how you never get a definite answer out of us - but the bottom line is for what you describe I doubt you'd need the model 48, but I think for the $1000 or so difference it may be worth it for projects you haven't thought of yet.

 

[newaukum]

I would recommend the 48. I dig quite a few ditches, and the extra reach keeps me from having to move the tractor as much. It also allows you to place the spoils farther away from the ditch. The only draw back of the 48 is the smallest bucket is 12". If you do much work with 4" tight lines, the 9" bucket would be better. Practice will all but eliminate "tossing" the machine around.

 

[jdmar]

I have the 47 (came with my 4300 that I got "used" with 100 hours). The guy I bought it from got the 47 because it can use the small 9" bucket and he did a lot of trenching and wanted to move less dirt for 4" drain pipes. I hate the 9" bucket since it does not empty as well as the rest of the larger buckets...ends up taking longer. I do love the 47 though. I have dug farely large holes with my larger bucket. I use it to lift stones for a barnstone wall. I tear out trees and brush. I wave to the kids (most important use!). I used it to tear the siding from an older barn. It has the strentgh to do anything...including lift the tractor.
The one advantage I can see for the 48 is in the reach. Less moving for trenching saves a lot of time...but more time on the tractor is not a bad thing either! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I am happy with the 47. $1000 seems like a lot of extra cash unless you really NEED the longer reach/depth of dig (I believe the 47 digs to 7'6") Good luck, both work hard and are not flimsy...either will serve you well forever.
Peter

 

[CVHoss]

Anthony,
Don't know if you made your decision yet, but in case you haven't, I'll give you my reasons for picking the 48 that is being mounted by my dealer as I write.

1. Price -- The 47 has a msrp of $6519.00 with a 9" bucket. The 48 (with mounting brackets for a 4310) has a msrp of $7282.00 with a 12" bucket. That's a price difference of only $763.00. If you were comparing items where one cost $1000.00 and the other was $1763.00, the price increase would be dramatic. But, unless you're pushing your budget to the max with the cost of the 47, an additional $763.00 on a $6519.00 item does not seem like too much excess.

2. Digging depth is one foot more on the 48. While you may not be able to visualize a point where you would need to dig a 8'6" deep trench, remember that digging depth carries over to other areas such as reach, loading height, etc.

3. Loading height is one foot more on the 48. If you ever have to load out the material you are digging into the bed of a truck or trailer, this one additional foot can be a great advantage.

4. Dipstick digger force is 430 lbs more on the 48. While there may be times that this higher force is advantageous, I actually gave it little thought on my 4400 as there is a point where the downward force of the dipstick will just lift the tractor off the ground.

5. Bucket digging force (sometimes seen as bucket curl force) is 890 lbs more for the 48 over the 47. This number is significant if removing stumps is of importance to you. It was a high priority to me, so this played a major part in my decision.

6. Finally, what really made the decision for me was the ability to carry the 48 to a larger size tractor. If I ever trade up in tractors, it will be to the 4600/4700 size frame. With the 48 hoe, I can have my hoe moved to the larger tractor. With a 47, I'd have to buy a new hoe again.

Best of luck with whichever one you decide on as I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely.

Hoss

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Great Points Hoss! Hope you enjoy it!!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Really good post Hoss, very informative.
Thanks,
kyle

 

[adegiulio]

**** it Hoss, I was all ready to get the 47, now I have to think about the 48 again... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You make some excellent point, and I am seriously going to consider the 48 again. Thanks for the input. I'll let you all know what I get once its one my tractor....

Anthony

 

[rockyridgefarm]

hey, adegiulio, You want me to run oner the border and whup him for ya?

I am busy that weekend!!!

Lessee, Big Guy, Likes to play with guns, gotta 48 backhoe...

Yessir! Hoss Whatever you say!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[CVHoss]

And the best part about the 48 hoe!!! I got mine today!!! Tractor's been in the shop since last Friday to get it mounted. Turned out one set of brackets didn't make it, so they ordered a new set. Then, the first ones came in on Tuesday, but they had already started working on another job so mine had to set for a day. But, I got home with it around 1:00 this afternoon, and have been going after those stumps and roots that had been laughing at me. Rippin' 'em out with a vengence. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

One thing I did mess up on again was the bucket. I ordered mine with the 18" bucket, which seems to be about the ideal compromise between material moved and surface disruption. But, what I didn't notice was that there is also a 18" heavy duty bucket available. It doesn't show up on the Deere product configurator under buckets, but shows up under attachements for field conversion. Would have only cost $65.00 more that the standard 18" bucket.

Again, I know you'll have a blast with whichever one you decide to buy.

Hoss

 

[MikeIIA]

An AWESOME post CVHoss...
Enjoyed reading it.
Well thought out and informative!!!!!
Mike

 

[JerryG]

Very good summation about a small perceived difference that is quite substantially.

 

[Bob_S]

The process I went through in selecting my BH was pretty much the same....47, 48, 48, 47, 48, 47 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. For my tractor and needs, a 47.5 would have been the best solution. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[adegiulio]

Well, Hoss pretty much sold me on the 48, but yesterday I was at my Deere dealership and decided to really look at both hoes and decide that way. I am going with the 48. The 47 just looks too small to really be much help, where the 48 looks just right. Adding all the facts together, the 780 dollar difference really makes sense in favor of the 48. I'll be ordering it tomorrow, I just hope the one I saw on the lot yesterday wasnt sold yet!!