Backhoe Are small backhoes worth the $??

[Ken45101]

I am thinking of buying a small TLB something like a B20 or B21 (used) and was wondering if anyone can tell me how hard it is to remove the backhoe from these tractors. There is also a Kioti ck35 and a Cub Cadet 7300 for sale with a backhoe attachment. Since we are talking about value, can someone give me an idea on which of these would be the best value. They are all priced around $12,000. My uses would be digging out small/medium sized rocks, digging draining ditches and using it to maintain the edges of my ponds.

I have a B21. According to the manual, removal is fairly simple. Of course, it helps to have a flat concrete surface, something that I do not have. I would think that when reattaching it, having everything aligned on a flat surface would make it even easier.

I've had the B21 for 8 or 9 years and I have never taken the bh off although I'm thinking about it.

IMO, the B21 will hold it's resale value better than the Kioti or CC if you ever want to sell it.

I'm not sure what you mean by "maintaining the edge of your ponds" but be aware that all small backhoes have limited horizontal reach. You don't want to get too close to the edge

Ken

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

It is very handy to have a small BH available when needed. No need to list all the possibilities.

As for those who think "justification" is necessary - here is my take. Either one has the money to purchase for cash or can afford the payments. If so, reasons to buy are easy to determine. If no money and not able to make payments - no BH.

I purchased a brand new JD / TLB in 2008 and sold in 2011 for 88% of what I paid. Figure the BH cost me approx $650 for three years or less than $225 per year. Justification? Depreciation? That's good enough for me.

All the guys that want to rent - how many rentals for $225?

 

[LT1Pat]

I bought a backhoe because they're fun to play with! I find the arguments about rental vs buying to be pretty flawed because if you buy a piece of equipment used they don't tend to lose value very much (sometimes none at all if bought and sold in the right seasons). I would never rent an excavator to do the things I do with my backhoe so they would just never get done.

 

[cowpatty]

I have a b21 and it is very easy to remove the hoe. Not to mention the b21/b26 plays way above it's weight class. My only problem is the ole "ball and chain" won't let me out enough to play with it!

 

[Gary Fowler]

Cowpatty/Ken: about how much weight will the B21 hoe lift. I have lots of rocks to dig out. Some are less than 100 lbs but some are larger. You cant really tell the size of them when you start digging.
Also how much reach / digging depth do they have.

 

[Eyeshade]

Is it worth it? Yes, yes, and yes.

 

[tractchores]

I've got a bh on my b2920. I use it quite a bit. I used to rent an excavator, but this is much easier because i can pop it on in 2 minutes, use it, take it off and go back to my 3pt in 5 mins and continue. Some jobs need 15 minutes of bh time, but can't be done without it. Renting would have been a huge pain for those jobs. Not to mention the tractor goes olaces the mini excavator could bever dream of. My main jobs are digging and cleaning drainage, removing rocks, building walls and stump removal. I would also recommend a bh dolly, i built one and it akes attaching or removing the bh a 2 minute job with no effort.

 

[Ken45101]

Cowpatty/Ken: about how much weight will the B21 hoe lift. I have lots of rocks to dig out. Some are less than 100 lbs but some are larger. You cant really tell the size of them when you start digging.
Also how much reach / digging depth do they have.

The hoe is rated (depending on depth and angle) for lifting 650-700+ pounds. Digging depth is just over 80 inches. For big rocks sometimes you just drag them out and slide them around. I even have to do that with my 8000# mini excavator. There will always be bigger rocks than you can handle. Even the big boys have to use explosives to bring some of them down to size. :laughing:

Ken

 

[FritzII]

No & Yes. I had a Kubota BX23 and sold it to get a bigger tractor with more bells and whistles. I still have a good amount of things I want to do with the "new" BH. Last Friday I removed 5 stumps with it. I have a buddy that rents Gehl equipment and would drop the stuff at my house when I needed it. It was a great deal, but not convenient. I like to use the equipment when I feel like it and not have to plan ahead for it. I walk out to the garage jump on the tractor and can run it all day and night or for 15 minutes. I think I will always have a BH in my arsenal. I can't live without it now. I say, if you want it and can afford it, buy it !!!! I figure that if I was paying the normal rate for BH rentals, I'd be around $5000.00 right now.

 

[PatasColo]

I am thinking of buying a small TLB something like a B20 or B21 (used) and was wondering if anyone can tell me how hard it is to remove the backhoe from these tractors. There is also a Kioti ck35 and a Cub Cadet 7300 for sale with a backhoe attachment. Since we are talking about value, can someone give me an idea on which of these would be the best value. They are all priced around $12,000...

Gary, I don't know anything about the CubCadet, but that CK35 is a much bigger animal. If it is in reasonable shape and not totally overloaded with hours or abuse, that $12,000 sounds like an absolute steal to me! (As long as it meets your needs and is not too big for your uses.) Do your own research; I know that small tractors and backhoes in my area (front range, Colorado) tend to command such top dollar that it often makes more sense to buy new here. Not the same in all areas of the country.
-Mitch