Backhoe Backhoe Basics

[rockyridgefarm]

What should I be considering about a backhoe?

I am considering one for use at my property. I have countless projects, water lines, electric runs, footers, drainage, trespassers (uh - forget that one...)

I have some pretty crazy terrain

I would think that renting would usually be fine, but I live pretty far from nowhere, I am not comfortable with the liability, and I don't drive, so transport is always a hassle.

Is an OEM unit a whole lot better than a job shop model? I know that any must have a subframe mount.

I am not going to use this for commercial work, is a smaller unit a big problem? Most of my digging would be 2' deep trenches... I may want to excavate for a swimming pool, once....

Or should I forget a tractor mount one and go for a cad digger style?

 

[Rick Jay]

Mike,

How big is your current tractor? H.P. and weight. Have you checked to see what's available from the mfg. of your tractor?

What about offerings from Woods, Great Bend, etc.?

I believe most tractor backhoes require a loader on the tractor for ballast. Some also require it for mounting. Do you have a loader already?

I have a 7 1/2 foot Woods backhoe on my Kubota B2910 with a sub-frame mount. With the loader, tractor, operator and backhoe, the combined weight is about 4,000 lbs. Still, the backhoe can easily toss the tractor around if I'm not careful.

I don't see how those "free standing" tow-along backhoes can be too useful in anything other than soft soil or sand. The forces these things generate are tremendous and gravity (weight) is about the only thing we've got to keep ourselves planted. Of course, anything is usually better than a shovel.

I would recommend the largest sub-frame mount hoe your tractor manufacturer recommends. For my B2910, 7 1/2 feet was it. I'm glad I didn't go smaller. Usually, I find myself desiring more reach. I've heard of one company that makes a backhoe with the "extend-a-hoe" feature. Not sure who that is or how much, but I would find that handy. I don't know how much of a premium I'd pay for it though.

As far as your projects...2' trenches should be no problem. Footers...much deeper than 4' and you'll be doing a lot of set-up. (My backhoe only has a 2' flat bottom at 7 1/2 foot depth.)


If you try to excavate for a swimming pool (assuming in-ground pool) you will only try it once! A C.U.T. backhoe isn't the right tool for this job. Perhaps using a loader you might try it, but even that will still take a while. Get a pro in there with a large excavator...they'll be done in less than a day. Of course, if you've got lots of time on your hands and a place to put the dirt....

Tell us more about your tractor, we'll help out as much as possible.

~Rick

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Thanks,, this will be for a new tractor - probably a Deere 4310 or 4410

 

[Rick Jay]

I'm not too familiar with Deere stuff, but I have heard that some of the backhoes are about as easily to mount and dismount as it gets. If you'll be dropping the hoe frequently, this could be a big plus.

Hopefully some of the Deere experts will chime in to help. From what I've heard, I'd have no reservation about getting a Deere hoe, unless finances just wouldn't allow it.

It takes me anywhere from 10-15 minutes to put-on or take-off my sub-frame Woods hoe. If I did it more often, I'm sure I could shave a few minutes off that. For safety sake, I don't try to rush, and I usualy lose a few minutes fetching a tool or the 3 pt. hitch components.

I usually keep my hoe on all spring, summer and fall. I take it off, at most, maybe 4 or 5 times a year.

~Rick

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

I have a Kubota 3PH backhoe, also 7.5 foot digging capacity.

After using it, I found I was really glad I got the bigger of the two backhoe options. Not because I need to dig that deep, but because of the extra reach the larger hoe gave me.

This extra reach has be a real help, not only when digging shallow trenches, but also when tapering banks...near my pond.

I would rather have a subframe mounted backhoe, because they just seem better. But I can live with the 3ph design, since that is what the manufacturer has provided for its own tractor.

I do like the longer reach of a bigger unit though...and I would put that on my list of wants if I were looking for a backhoe now [or in the future...].

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Rocky,
For the 4310, and 4410, your options are the 47 backhoe and 48 backhoe. 48 has more power and digging depth.

Good link for more information.
48 Backhoe

John

 

[Rch]

As Henro said the extra reach is handy, especially if you dig a big or deep hole in order to get the dirt far enough away so it is not falling back in or to reach up and over a dump trailer. I have a backhoe that only goes 6' deep and I'd have to stop digging a 5' trench where all the dirt had to go to one side and pull the pile of dirt away from the trench. Also, several times I've wanted to reach past firm footing such as a ditch or creek and been unable to. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[MJB]

I have the 48 hoe for my 4300 and am very much biased in its favor. The backhoe setup on the Deeres is one of the main reasons I bought the 4300 instead of some other color. I can connect or disconnect the hoe from the tractor in less that 5 minutes without getting off the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif The size of the 48 hoe is a pretty good match for the size and weight of the mid-frame JDs. As some of the others have said, the extra reach of a bigger hoe is very handy. I regularly use every inch of the reach on the 48 hoe and frequently wish it could reach even further. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Of the 165 hrs I have on my 4300 nearly half has been using the hoe. With all the seat time a casual observer might even get the impression that I know what I am doing now. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[WCarlson]

I have a JD 4200 with the 47 BH. Works like a charm and goes on and off in about 5 minutes...After you remove the 3 pt hitch, weight box, and quick attachment equipment. You need a "clean frame" to start attaching the back hoe.

Bill

 

[rockyridgefarm]

The replies are a world of help Thanks! Does anyone know if there are any universities that recognize time on TBN as credit toward their advanced degree programs? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( After you remove the 3 pt hitch)</font> /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif What exactly are you removing?