Back hoe, 3ph, vs Subframe vs Frame mount

Doc_Bob · Mar 18, 2006

Please excuse me if this is not the place to ask. I would like to get a back hoe put on a used TC40D (see previous messages). Now, what kind of mount? Dealer says 3 ph is fine. Is it? Pros and cons to 3 ph vs sub frame vs frame? Most of my work will be FEl and BH. I have been told it can take 20 minutes to remove a BH from a sub frame mount. That would not be a problem. But, given my lack of hands on experience, I need to ask all of you with more knowledge.
Bob

henryjacobjosh · Mar 18, 2006

Hi,

I have had 2 tractors with backhoes. My last one was a 3PT mount and the current one has a sub frame. I will never go back to a 3PT hoe. The sub frame mount has much more rigidity and feels much more stable when I'm transporting or just using the tractor with the backhoe attachment on. The 3PT mount has allot of play and swing when driving the tractor or using the FEL.
I believe the sub frame is much easier on the tractor verses the 3PT also. Don't get me wrong the 3PT does the job and as long as you treat it like a compact tractor and not a piece of construction equipment it should give you years of service but if you abuse it I can see it giving you big problems. It can sometimes be a little agravating when attaching the hoe but once you do it a few times, it gets easier. The 3PT can be just as long to attach or disconnect the hoe.
Just my 2Cents.

Doc_Bob · Mar 18, 2006

Your comments are appreciated. Experience is what counts. Thanks for your feedback, very helpful. It makes sense that subframe mounted BH would have more "stability" than one on a 3PH.
Bob

PineRidge · Mar 19, 2006

Bob I go along with what Hank said. We also have the sub-frame mounted BH on our TC40D and it's very secure when attached to the tractor. I do think that you lose a little bit of ground clearance with the sub-frame mount vs. the 3-point mount but that has never been an issue for me (yet).

gordon21 · Mar 19, 2006

Does the entire sub frame come off when you remove the hoe or does part of it stay attached all the time? If part of the sub frame stays on, does it interfere with any 3PT quick hitch or attachments?

PineRidge · Mar 19, 2006

Lewis the frame stays attached to the BH and comes off. However there are a few attachments and pockets for the sub-frame that remain with the tractor at all times. The only issue that I am aware of is that you won't be able to use a mid mount mower if your tractor is set up for a sub-frame mounted BH. We use a RFM for mowing and like it better anyway, quicker on & off.

Ryno1 · Mar 19, 2006

SUbframe is the way to go. Mounting and dismounting is simple. Depending on the brand (I have a Brushhog backhoe) the lower arms of the 3ph are taken off to install the subframe (at least on my TC30), but that's less then 5 minutes to reinstall the arms. Four subframe mount hangers stay on the tractor, two front and two rear. The rear ones have to be removed to reinstall the 3ph arms (4 bolts each if I remember correctly). If you plan on using a belly mower, all the belly mower mounting and adjusting hardware has to be removed before installing the backhoe. Sometime soon I'll be dropping the belly mower to reinstall the backhoe. This will be my first time taking the belly mower off.

Doc_Bob · Mar 19, 2006

Thanks to everyone for your advice. As a newbie, this kind of help is priceless! Everyone is clear, articulate and easy to understand. WOW!!!! How would someone like me get answers to questions without the help of folks like you? I would have to rely on the dealer. The dealer may not be able to take the time to answer every question. I might make a poor buying decision. I know that I will make a much better decision as a result of all these answers. Knowledge is power!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

John_Mc · Mar 20, 2006

( Please excuse me if this is not the place to ask. I would like to get a back hoe put on a used TC40D (see previous messages). Now, what kind of mount? Dealer says 3 ph is fine. Is it? Pros and cons to 3 ph vs sub frame vs frame? )

Your dealer and New Holland seem to disagree. NH does not like to see 3 pt hitch mounted backhoes on their compact tractors. They STRONGLY recommend a subframe.

( I have been told it can take 20 minutes to remove a BH from a sub frame mount. That would not be a problem. But, given my lack of hands on experience, I need to ask all of you with more knowledge.)

It takes me about 5 or 10 minutes to remove the backhoe from my subframe mount. I use a PTO pump to power it. I'm betting removal would go faster if I was powering it from the tractor hydraulics.

BTW... others have mentioned that their subframe stays attached to the backhoe, and the whole thing comes off of their tractor. That is not the case with mine. I have a Woods 7500 backhoe with their "4 point" hitch" subframe. The backhoe pops on and off the hitch very easily. The subframe stays on the tractor. The subframe does not interfere with any of my 3 pt attatchments. I don't have a belly mower, but I've been told it will not interefere with that either. I do not have to remove my lower 3 pt hitch arms to install the backhoe, but I do need to disconnect the stabilizer bars.

This style of subframe does not lose as much ground clearance as other styles. I bough the backhoe used as a 3 pt hitch model, then had the 4 point subframe installed. Had to unbolt a couple of things from the backhoe and replace them with arts that connect to the four point hitch, but it was a simple operation. THe only ground clearance issue I've run into happened with both the subframe and the 3 pt hitch mounting methods: the backhoe hangs off the rear of the tractor fairly low. If you are not careful, it hits the ground as you drive through a ditch.

Check out the Woods 4 point BH mounts. They're a great system.

John Mc

kozak · Mar 20, 2006

John_Mc,

I was going to borrow a 3pt BH that does not have a sub-frame. Do you happen to know why NH strongly recommends the sub-frame ?? Is it a safety issue or a potential mechanical break-down issue, (or both) ??

Thanks,

Vic