A back hoe for the front?

[Sackett2]

Saw this attachment on a craigslist post (from a commercial advertiser) thought it was neat...

 

[IslandTractor]

Ask the guys in the PowerTrac group about front mounted "backhoe" arms. They do dig but you don't have much depth and you need to move the tractor constantly to dump the spoils. As an occasional tool they would be useful I'd imagine. You might also check out the QuickSpade which attachs to a set of securely mounted forks and digs like a shovel rather than like a backhoe.

Paumco Products Quick Spade — Model# 1100-Quick Spade | Skid-Steers + Attachments | Northern Tool + Equipment

The QuickSpade has some of the same disadvantages (moving to dump spoils and limited depth) but it only costs $150 and attaches in a few minutes to a set of forks. I wouldn't use it without a solid set of forks though.

 

[dangerdoc]

Saw this attachment on a craigslist post (from a commercial advertiser) thought it was neat...

A front hoe can be usefull on a skidsteer. You can see what you are doing and pivot to dump the dirt.

It would be useless on my tractor, I couldn't see where I was digging and would have to scoop, back up, turn, pull forward, dump, back up, turn, pull forward, repeat, for every scoop of dirt. I can feel the frustration building just thinking of it.

 

[20 20]

I'd have to way cost and advantage{or disadvantage} of something like this. The price may not be worth what it is actually capable of doing.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd have to way cost and advantage{or disadvantage} of something like this. The price may not be worth what it is actually capable of doing.

I like my QuickSpade. The price is right and it takes a whole lot less time a d hassle to hookup than my BH for small jobs.

 

[Sackett2]

A quick spade is on my "to get list"
Could see how the hoe would be difficult to see.
Thought it looked interesting tho...

 

[Ductape]

Ask the guys in the PowerTrac group about front mounted "backhoe" arms. They do dig but you don't have much depth and you need to move the tractor constantly to dump the spoils. As an occasional tool they would be useful I'd imagine.

Got to agree. When I first started seeing these on the market , I recall a youtube video of one in action. The ruts left by the skidsteer constantly turning left and right to dump the spoils were about 10% the depth of the hole dug with the bucket. It would leave you making a mess surrounding anywhere you used it.

 

[20 20]

I like my QuickSpade. The price is right and it takes a whole lot less time a d hassle to hookup than my BH for small jobs.

I can understand the quickspade, infact I noticed NT sells them, saw it in catalog last night, seems handy for smaller jobs. I was commenting more on the skidsteer front hoe.

 

[IslandTractor]

I can understand the quickspade, infact I noticed NT sells them, saw it in catalog last night, seems handy for smaller jobs. I was commenting more on the skidsteer front hoe.

As an aside, you need to consider that the QuickSpade comes in two versions. One works only with forks and that is what I have. The other version, more bucks, works with either forks or attaches right to a bucket. The point I wanted to make is that the QuickSpade attached to a bucket really only digs about 18 inches deep so it might be useful for shallow trenches or digging up a garden plot but it isn't going to dig 4feet deep unless you have or acquire forks. That might be obvious but it should be noted that the QuickSpade makes a lot of sense only for folks who have a stout set of forks already. I've never used bucket forks and maybe those would be OK but I'd be a little concerned about the lever forces that could be generated digging and what that might do to a unreinforced bucket. I use standard QA frame mounted forks.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I jumped into the skidsteer ownership for a short period. Bought a front backhoe. Sold the skid steer and kept the backhoe. Now have it for use on my B2650 Kubota. Some warnings. See here on my tractor. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/370690-b2350-front-back-hoe.html

 

[Catman8]

As an aside, you need to consider that the QuickSpade comes in two versions. One works only with forks and that is what I have. The other version, more bucks, works with either forks or attaches right to a bucket. The point I wanted to make is that the QuickSpade attached to a bucket really only digs about 18 inches deep so it might be useful for shallow trenches or digging up a garden plot but it isn't going to dig 4feet deep unless you have or acquire forks. That might be obvious but it should be noted that the QuickSpade makes a lot of sense only for folks who have a stout set of forks already. I've never used bucket forks and maybe those would be OK but I'd be a little concerned about the lever forces that could be generated digging and what that might do to a unreinforced bucket. I use standard QA frame mounted forks.

I know that forks and the mounting plate were designed for lifting not prying, is there a chance of bending the forks or the fork/mounting plate useing it as a pry tool for digging, I'm going to be buying forks and like that setup but don't want to ruin my forks.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've never owned or used a set of clamp on tubing based forks so I don't know how much bending they can take before they "break". I use my quickspade with a set of SSQA pallet forks built for skidsteers. Rating is for something around or north of 4000lbs and they are 48" long. I have used them to pry out stumps with my Kioti DK40se and often end up lifting the front of the tractor. No issue with the forks.

 

[4570Man]

I've seen skid steer backhoes that pivot like a real backhoe. As for the quickspade I'd be a lot more worried about bending the loader. Forks are highly unlikely to bend.

 

[roadhunter]

I've seen skid steer backhoes that pivot like a real backhoe. As for the quickspade I'd be a lot more worried about bending the loader. Forks are highly unlikely to bend.

Oh forks will bend in the right situations. LOL.

 

[4570Man]

Not if they were of proper capacity to begin with. The tractor loader is still the weak link.

 

[IslandTractor]

Not if they were of proper capacity to begin with. The tractor loader is still the weak link.

Hard to imagine how either the SSQA forks or loader arms could bend with a static load. Loader arms can lift the tractor and forks are rated for about tractor weight. Off center dynamic loads are an issue but mostly for the loader arms.

 

[Fallon]

I have a bucket spade for my forks (from Northern Tool). It works ok. I can dig a hole to plant our anuall 6' live Christmas tree in 10-15 minutes with it.

Popped one fork off the frame back dragging a trench I was clearing out to reburry some drain pipe. Forks were straight down putting massive force on stuff. Just glad the frame tweaked slightly rather than curl cylinders. Half hour of heat & hammering fixed the bottom of the frame the fork bent when it popped off.