backhoe for utility tractors

[chuck172]

I'm curious if those who added on a backhoe attachment to their utility calls tractor are satisfied. Many I've seen look like very expensive toys.

 

[haroldy]

not so,, I have had a 3ph hoe for 25 years
wouldnt be without
doesnt replace real thing but very handy for smaller jobs
trenching ,small tree stumps ,any digging

 

[tman1020]

It is very handy if you have the need for one. I was able to get buy with out one for years. I would just use the front loader and not go as deep but that makes a much larger hole and takes longer.
They are very expensive and take up some space. however somethings you just can't do efficiently without one. Such as year round waterlines. I would say if you need one more than three times a year maybe consider it other than that I would probably just rent one or try to get by with the loader.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I bought my Kubota BX25D specifically for the backhoe/bucket combination for a particular set of jobs. I'm doing about 1000 feet of french drain and some grading, and re-routing my well line. While I have it, I"m going to do some other small jobs that wouldn't justify renting one, but since I have it here, I'll get them done.

So far, so good. It's not a 90 hp Case backhoe, but it's getting the job done with no problems.

 

[ArlyA]

Our organization will be getting a compact JD and a backhoe will be the 1st attachment we'll get for it. Seems JD backhoe users, at least the models I've investigated have been quite happy with them. Smaller in size but not a toy.

 

[LD1]

You have a ford 4500 TLB.

I think you would be disappointed.

I faced similar option....add a backhoe.....or for the same money, just buy an old farm hoe. Sure, it requires more maintenance and upkeep.....but SOOOO much more capable.

I find myself disappointed when operating dads 4500 after running my 5500 for awhile. I am always mis-judging reach, not having the power to get as aggressive as I do with my 5500, etc.

I couldnt imaging going to something that only had half the reach of a 4500. But I do alot of field tiling. Just last week I laid ~120' of 4" down about 30" deep. Dug it in ~45 min. Couldnt do that with a small one. I "think" it would seem all I'd be getting done would be re-positioning.

Dont get me wrong.....there are alot of places where a small hoe would be nice.....like fixing a simple blow out, or some delicate work around the house, digging and transplanting some small trees, etc. But I always come back to the cost vs capability. And $8-10k buys alot of capability in a 1970's era machine. And since you are already accustomed to one.....I just dont think you will like a small hoe on a small tractor.

 

[sea2summit]

I bought my Kubota BX25D specifically for the backhoe/bucket

Did that as well^

When I started looking bigger the first consideration was a BH, added a thumb this time as well. I wouldn't have a tractor without a BH...until I retire and get a lot of land then I'll need a big tractor dedicated to normal ground work

 

[check]

Did that as well^ When I started looking bigger the first consideration was a BH, added a thumb this time as well. I wouldn't have a tractor without a BH...until I retire and get a lot of land then I'll need a big tractor dedicated to normal ground work

Same here. I dug a 30 inch trench with it, about 70 feet long, and it took about 4 to 5 hours, but I took a couple breaks. The backhoe worked great, it's just that digging for that long gets boring! I would not have bought my BX25 back in 2008 if it did not come with a backhoe.

 

[LD1]

Same here. I dug a 30 inch trench with it, about 70 feet long, and it took about 4 to 5 hours, but I took a couple breaks. The backhoe worked great, it's just that digging for that long gets boring! I would not have bought my BX25 back in 2008 if it did not come with a backhoe.

Vs his 4500 that could do that trench 2' wide in under an hour.

That's why I think he will be disappointed with a small utility with an add-on hoe

 

[Omega Woods]

I have used my hoe for 30 of my tractor's 77 hours over the last 5 months. I have made big dirt piles, dug out stumps, backfilled and graded one side of my house, removed gravel from my creek and lots of other projects that I couldn't have done with my FEL. I still have a zillion jobs to do with it and don't regret paying an additional 6k for it when I got my Branson. My tractor wouldn't be half as useful to me without it.

I was concerned it would not be worth the investment but, thus far, it has been earning its keep.

 

[BufordBoone]

Were I to do it over again, I'd save the money and rent mini excavators when I needed to dig.

I have a BH 92 on a L5740. I find myself frequently being surprised at the lack of power.

I've gotten pretty good at changing it out but, still, I'm disappointed with the power, or lack of.

Perhaps I just don't understand?

 

[MF283]

I look at it this way, tractors were made for pulling & hoes were made for digging.

Ronnie

 

[tractchores]

I've been very satisfied with mine. It has easily paid for itself. It's not as nice or as powerful as a mini excavator, but gets the job done and is cheaper. Here's a project I did with mine a couple of years ago http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/291945-electrical-trenching.html

 

[4570Man]

I'm satisfied with mine. I wouldn't want to be without it. I agree a full size backhoe is WAY more capable, but is too heavy to haul behind a ton truck. I paid 4k for my backhoe. That won't buy much of a dedicated backhoe. In hindsight I should have bought a smaller dedicated backhoe like a JD 110 or Kubota L45 and skipped the tractor. I've dealt with an old backhoe the kind $10000 buys and my tractor backhoe could do almost anything faster. You had to spend the majority of the time and lots of money working on it.

 

[bdog]

What are your needs for a backhoe? I have a full size backhoe and rarely use the hoe. I use the loader on it far more often. When you need a backhoe you need one and not much else will suffice but the typical small acreage owner doesn't have a whole lot of need for one most of the time. The average person would be better off renting one, a mini ex or a trencher as needed I think unless you have unusual circumstances that dictate the need for one. When I finish my pond I will probably sell mine it just doesn't get used enough to justify having it. The last time I used the actual hoe was months ago burying a dead cow. The rest of the time I am just using the loader.

 

[chuck172]

I have deep feelings for my 4500, but it's just plain worn out. I'm afraid to use it at all anymore. It's loose as a goose, all the hoses are ready to blow. Very dangerous tires. I called Rosseel's in Mich. for a price on a Woods BH-90x with the subframe. They quoted me a price of aprox. 9k including shipping.
My main uses would be plucking rocks that keep sticking out, pulling out jap barberry, digging in a shale pit for driveway fill. I don't think I'll be doing any really big jobs with it. 9k is just an awful lot of $$$.

 

[4570Man]

9k would go a long way in repairing the 4500.

 

[tman1020]

I have between 6&7 grand in just my backhoe alone. In my opinion it is a lot of money for just one attachment. It does work well but it is limited on reach ( about 10 1/2 feet) and not bad on power. For 8 grand I could have bought a very nice used mini excavator that has more reach and more efficient. However for as often as I use it I didn't want to maintain another machine.
If I start using it more I will probably regret not going with the mini.

 

[chuck172]

9k would go a long way in repairing the 4500.

That's a definite option. Problem is it can easily become a money tree. It's 45 years old and can't get parts for it anymore. It takes two very short swing link chains that if your lucky to find them used, 450 per.
If the injector pump goes, I don't have the expertise, and were talking super big bucks. Tires are incredibly expensive. Every time a hose blows, it's an environmental mess. And I have ponds.
All the pins and bushings are loose as a goose, and very difficult to obtain and replace. I just don't know. It is powerful though, and the loader will lift over 2 tons.

 

[LD1]

Hoses are cheap to replace if you are proactive and can order online, vs waiting til one blows and have to get one made locally.

Pins/bushings......if you can find them they are crazy expensive. Which is why most people make their own. So if you have access to, or know someone with a lathe.....

The swing chain.....we have beem making our own repairs the few times dads broke. IIRC, standard 120 roller chain links are a perfect match. Just grind the roller chain links apart.