Backhoe investment on New Holland Workmaster 55

[mljenkins]

We moved in the last year and I have a need for a backhoe on our new property to take care of some projects. I have been kicking around the idea of getting a 3-point backhoe or subframe mounted backhoe for my WM55, or if I should just trade it in on a new package (which would allow me to finance the backhoe). I bought the tractor with the intention of being able to bale hay on our last property but that won't be happening where I am now. So I thought about downsizing 10-20 HP and getting something with a backhoe and getting a loader grapple for debris cleanup. About the only thing the tractor size comes in handy for now is the lift capacity as I routinely lift pallets weighing a ton to move various things around the farm.

Does anyone use a backhoe on their WM55 for smaller projects like installing water lines, conduit, etc., digging drainage ditches, and small dirt moving projects? Or is the tractor just overkill for tasks like that? I am afraid by the time I add a backhoe the tractor is going to be so large I can't get around things to get work done.

Any thoughts? Anyone use a backhoe on a WM55 and happy with it?

Thanks!

Matt

 

[fried1765]

We moved in the last year and I have a need for a backhoe on our new property to take care of some projects. I have been kicking around the idea of getting a 3-point backhoe or subframe mounted backhoe for my WM55, or if I should just trade it in on a new package (which would allow me to finance the backhoe). I bought the tractor with the intention of being able to bale hay on our last property but that won't be happening where I am now. So I thought about downsizing 10-20 HP and getting something with a backhoe and getting a loader grapple for debris cleanup. About the only thing the tractor size comes in handy for now is the lift capacity as I routinely lift pallets weighing a ton to move various things around the farm.

Does anyone use a backhoe on their WM55 for smaller projects like installing water lines, conduit, etc., digging drainage ditches, and small dirt moving projects? Or is the tractor just overkill for tasks like that? I am afraid by the time I add a backhoe the tractor is going to be so large I can't get around things to get work done.

Any thoughts? Anyone use a backhoe on a WM55 and happy with it?

Thanks!

Matt

MANY years ago I was looking for a setup similar to what you seem to want.
I went to a Ford dealer (closest tractor dealer), and asked about buying a used tractor and an aftermarket hoe.
His (owner) advice was to give him some time, and he would find me something I would like.
He very specifically advised that I should NOT buy an aftermarket hoe, and not a 3pt.
I did not want a big brute machine, (there were plenty of used large/heavy TLB's available) but I did want one capable of likely future needs.
It took about 18 months, but he found a 48HP Ford 3400 TLB with a 10' FORD frame mounted, quick disconnect hoe.
It was a trade in from a cemetery.
Buying that was the smartest move I ever made! It is a toy for me, but I have saved myself beaucoup $ by having it always available.
I have forks, bucket, and hoe. Just had a mechanical thumb custom made for the hoe.
I have now owned the tractor for 30 years, and I bought it when it was already 16 years old.
It still has only 1850 hours, but this year went completely through it, and gave it a CAT color repaint as well.

My suggestion would be to see if you can find a used low hour machine.
Absent that; You should probably buy a new machine with a FACTORY mounted hoe (subframe mount, but quick disconnect)
Whatever you choose: Get the beefiest hoe possible! "Breakout" force is what it is all about!
No matter how beefy the hoe, there will be many times when you will wish it were stronger.
If you get the right one FIRST, you will never need to upgrade!

 

[mljenkins]

My suggestion would be to see if you can find a used low hour machine.
Absent that; You should probably buy a new machine with a FACTORY mounted hoe (frame mount, but quick disconnect)
Whatever you choose: Get the beefiest hoe possible! "Breakout" force is what it is all about!
No matter how beefy the hoe, there will be many times when you will wish it were stronger.
If you get the right one FIRST, you will never want to sell it for anything else!

Thanks for your input. I wouldn't mind a used machine as long as I could get financing, so I figured I would start visiting dealers after the first of the year and see what was available and who I thought would best service me.

I've read a little on the breakout force, and understand what it means, but don't have a concept of what numbers to look for. I assume there are probably some threads on here talking about it so I'll have to do a little reading before starting to visit dealers. My uses are burying conduit/water lines 2-3' deep, installing french drains, some minor landscaping, and possibly stump removal for smaller trees if feasible.

My plan would be to keep it for the life of the farm (hopefully for the life of me, this last move has been a nightmare). I hate to part with my WM55 as it has been an excellent tractor with plenty of power for what I use it for. However, when I figure up how much it is costing me to keep hiring jobs out over the next 5 years adding a backhoe would more than pay for itself. I had the opportunity to use a family member's small Kubota tractor with a backhoe on my last farm and in the day I had it I got jobs done in minutes that I had put off for years due to not having the right equipment.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks for your input. I wouldn't mind a used machine as long as I could get financing, so I figured I would start visiting dealers after the first of the year and see what was available and who I thought would best service me.

I've read a little on the breakout force, and understand what it means, but don't have a concept of what numbers to look for. I assume there are probably some threads on here talking about it so I'll have to do a little reading before starting to visit dealers. My uses are burying conduit/water lines 2-3' deep, installing french drains, some minor landscaping, and possibly stump removal for smaller trees if feasible.

My plan would be to keep it for the life of the farm (hopefully for the life of me, this last move has been a nightmare). I hate to part with my WM55 as it has been an excellent tractor with plenty of power for what I use it for. However, when I figure up how much it is costing me to keep hiring jobs out over the next 5 years adding a backhoe would more than pay for itself. I had the opportunity to use a family member's small Kubota tractor with a backhoe on my last farm and in the day I had it I got jobs done in minutes that I had put off for years due to not having the right equipment.

I bought my then 16 year old TLB when I was 46.
I am now 76!
I planned then, to keep it until I croaked.
I am continuing with my plan!

 

[Code54]

With breakout force basically the more the better. Of course the more breakout force, the larger the machine!
If you have less breakout force use a smaller bucket so you have more "power" in a concentrated area. I have 12" bucket on my mini Ex for stumps and HARD ground. Normally use a 24" for just digging and if I have softer ground I have a 36" bucket. The power difference is noticeable when digging with a 36" bucket vs a 12"

 

[bspeedy]

How about a mini excavator? I just bought a Kubota U25. It sips fuel, runs quietly and will out-dig a tractor mounted hoe by a mile. Just cleared a bunch of trails, cleaned out some ditches, handled some firewood... Only downside is travel speed, but that is not a big deal. Worst thing about a tractor mounted hoe is getting on and off to move the machine when ditching or making trails or something. That, and the limited swing and reach. Plus mounting and dis-mounting the hoe on the tractor.

You would probably have 10-12 grand or more in a tractor mounted backhoe. Add a few thousand to that number and you can get a mini ex. Can you tell that I love my new toy???

 

[Code54]

A mini Ex is darn nice to have around. I use my backhoe some but use the Mini Ex 10 to 1. I have had larger backhoes and while they have great power the limited swing gets old. The transport speed is a big advantage if you need that however.
I find I use the mini Ex for all kind of jobs from removing an old deck, to setting 16' 6x6's, cleaning ditches, building rock walls, moving large bushes for the wife, to digging out a new rifle range. We now have a little BX25 and from time to time I still use the hoe on it - it is super light weight and does not tear up the yard, has a nice small bucket to dig narrow ditches and handy in small spaces.
The big draw back to a Mini Ex is it is slow to transport and a little expensive to buy. The good thing is older ones are sometime reasonable and often you can get a nice chuck of your investment back if you decide to sell it later on.
Good luck!

 

[meanstreak]

I bought my then 16 year old TLB when I was 46.
I am now 76!
I planned then, to keep it until I croaked.
I am continuing with my plan!

If you don't have anyone in mind, please put in your will that you wish to give it to me! Lol
Because I'll never be able to afford one now days.