:BACK HOE QUESTION

LBrown59 · Nov 21, 2004

Had any of you had any experience operating a back hoe before you got your tractor and hoe?

For you green horns like myself how long did it take you to get the hang of it?

Jimbrown · Nov 21, 2004

I had never sat on one until I got mine. There is nothing to it just keep the rpm down when you first start to keep the hoe where it moves slow untill you get used to the sticks You will pick it up real fast. It takes a few projects befor you really learn how to dig.

Cliff_Johns · Nov 21, 2004

( For you green horns like myself how long did it take you to get the hang of it? )

Depends on what you mean by "get the hang of it." I could pull out big roots and dig a hole pretty pretty after a half hour of playing around. Mostly, you just get faster at things like that with experience. Early on, you bang things around, and go the wrong way a lot.

But if I had to dig a flat bottomed trench without disturbing the soil at the bottom, I'm not sure I'd be capable of that without someone either showing me how it's done or describing how it's done in more detail. There are things the experts can do in a few minutes with a backhoe that I'm sure I can't do. Mostly situations where you can't fix it if you screw up (like not disturbing the ground, or carving arcs, or compacting backfill with the bucket).

Cliff

Henro · Nov 21, 2004

It takea a little while to get used to the backhoe movements, but it is not something that most people cannot learn.

Since each of us is different in our physical abilities, it is hard to take other's experiences and apply them to ourselves.

My guess would be if you buy a backhoe you will enjoy the learning process and not mind taking the time required to become proficient.

Sure beats a shovel...no matter how long it takes to get comfortable.

My advise would be not too worry too much. You WILL become a pretty good backhoe operator if you buy one and use it.

No question in my mind at all...they are such great tools that you really want to use them once you get started... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Chris527 · Nov 21, 2004

I purchased a Woods 7500 with my Tc 30 and after a few months of use I LOVE it. After a few boo boo's and some practice I really have the hang of it. At first I had problems with the controls, pulling when I should be pushing ,lowering when I should be raising,you get the Jist of it, after a few weeks of use it almost became natural and I dont even have to think about what lever does what. Most newbies with backhoes know what I mean. I did manage to stretch the swing lock hole a little forgetting the locking pin was in but other than that its been a great tool for my property and my neighbors property too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Chris

GerardC · Nov 22, 2004

(
I did manage to stretch the swing lock hole a little forgetting the locking pin was in but other than that.....

Chris )

What I did was attach a piece of string to the pin and then rest the other end on the controls. Never forgot to take the pins out yet. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Gerard

txdon · Nov 22, 2004

LBrown59, I had no experience before I got my backhoe. It took about 20 hours (of backhoe work) before it started working right. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anybody know of a computer game that has two joysticks that operate a backhoe. I need one to keep my skills up when my backhoe is off. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

LBrown59 · Nov 22, 2004

I did manage to dig out 6 to 8 two to four inch trees with the hoe on my BX 23.
I guess you could call that making progress.
But I'm still sorta jerky with it.

rdln · Nov 22, 2004

I worked for a plumber/GC for a little while and did some odds and ends with his JCB TLB with a cool side shift feature and then a JD 790 excavator for about 15min. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

But I would concur w/txdon and say that it took me 15-20 hours to become efficient with my little Woods BH.

JoshJ · Nov 22, 2004

( Anybody know of a computer game that has two joysticks that operate a backhoe. I need one to keep my skills up when my backhoe is off. )

Actually... yeah there is, for people like me who are the "I-wish-I-had-a-backhoe" type. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif check out
Howstuffworks backhoe info and simulator
they have a good write up on backhoes and a two-joystick simulator, though there are some problems with it.