Backhoe Backhoe Brands

[8561]

I have a Wallenstein 7' hoe which is made in Canada. It's a decent unit, although I really like the looks of the new Woods.

 

[3RRL]

I know one member here sells Prairie Dog Ditch Diggers. His user name is dfkrug
I almost got one of those except the dealer I bought from did not include it in his tractor package. I ended up getting an Italian beauty... a Nardi backhoe. It is quite something too.

 

[texbaylea]

Affordable is about 50-60 miles so sometime within the next two months I am going to go down and look at the LITW. If this thread is still going I will post my comments.

Vernon

 

[slaveToHorses]

I've got rear hydraulic remotes so I really don't need the extra pump and reservoir.

If there are two remotes then they are probably closed center. Make sure your remote is open center and full flow. But you probably already know all this...just in case...

 

[Nuru]

Thanks for all the replies. I wonder about making the mods to the subframe mount to fit my L4310? I'll be contacting the sellers of the LITW hoes and asking questions.
I've got rear hydraulic remotes so I really don't need the extra pump and reservoir.
I Googled Prarie Dog backhoes but did not find anything but a couple of references to them.
I used a 3pt hoe and it was too wiggly for me.
The last time I looked at hoes was a couple of years ago. I'll make all the calls to the local guys to get a reference and then expand to the LITW references.
Keep the replies coming. At this rate I just might get a hoe before year's end.
Thanks.

I took a look for Prairie Dob BHs and got this

RusticTractors.com - Tractors, Tractor Parts, Tractor Implements

Prairie Dog Digger Backhoe from RusticTractors.com - Grand Blanc Tractor Sales

Prairie Dog Digger Backhoe from RusticTractors.com - Grand Blanc Tractor Sales

Prairie Dog Digger Backhoe from RusticTractors.com - Grand Blanc Tractor Sales

 

[Captinjack]

I bought a Prarie Dog 7.5 and it overheats the hydraulic fluid within a couple hours of use. I bought the hoe with the tractor package and the dealer is no help whatsoever. Contacting Grand Blanc was ok. It's just that with the hoe being 265 miles away, troubleshooting over the phone and waiting a couple months till I get to try something hasn't been productive yet. They suggested that the fluid pressure was set too high, but I have no way of measuring that.

The hoe works ok, but given my choices, I now would have looked elsewhere for something a bit more rugged. Mine is a 3 point hitch model and no one makes a frame mount for my Kama 554 and I'm not the machinist that my hero 3RRL is so I just have to take it easy.

I just recently went to change the pto pump gearbox on the hoe and found out there was no fluid in it! Whether it leaked out or wasn't supplied from new is unknown to me, but I can't see how it leaked out with only about 10 hours of use.

I haven't used the hoe since filling the gearbox and wonder whether this could have been the cause of the hydraulic fluid overheating. I just hope that the pump isn't smoked with the lack of lubrication. Time will tell, but I suspect it's life has to be shortened.

It only takes about 10 minutes to hook-up if I have an assistant to help. The Kama 554 is pretty rugged and I don't think that I will have much danger of damaging the tractor if I don't get too abusive.

 

[rico304]

I read good things about Bradco backhoes. Not sure about prices though. If I remember correctly they were a little cheaper than the bigger names.
I'm sure someone here knows more about them than I do.

 

[hans2]

Very pleased with a Bradco 3375 on the back of a Kubota L3300, (modifed the 3 point to a 5 point)

 

[3RRL]

Hi All,
I've priced the big name backhoes that are available in my area. They are pricey to say the least. Are there other brands that usually sell for less? Perhaps the brands made in Korea or China?
It would go on a Kubota L4310 using subframe mount. Projects include removing stone rows and burying the rocks, cleaning up several springs that have popped up in the last few years and trencing for water and electrical.

Thanks in advance,
Rich

Rich,
I guess evaluating your use is #1 priority. You don't want to make a significant purchase only to find out it's not exactly what you thought. Then find what fits your pocket book. I had a 6-½' hoe at first and it was pretty small compared to the 7-½' hoe I have now. That doesn't sound like a lot but it makes a difference. It seemed I was constantly reposition with the smaller hoe, especially if digging deep trenches. The extra reach made a difference for me.

CaptainJack,
My hoe heats up somewhat too and I think it's from the hydraulics under pressure. Probably somewhat normal? I would fill that gear box right away, though. I used 85w140 in mine. If you're concerned about your 3pt mount, you can add 2 additional stabilizers pretty easily to the hoe, just like hans2 posted...a 5 point moint. Maybe yours already has them? If not, go here to see a description.
Additional Braces
Apparently, those extra braces can be had fairly inexpensive and they seem like a very good alternative (intermediate step) to the full subframe. I think there is another thread here that shows them also? Anybody know where that is?

 

[barticus73]

I just bought a Woods BH-70x (7 foot) back in September from my local dealer for $5700. This included the hoe, 16" bucket, subframe kit for my CC 7272, and a hose kit with fittings.