Backhoe Backhoe & Loader for JD 850

[heiss1228]

I am looking for advice on a good backhoe and loader for a JD 850. We have an old 850 that's in great shape in the family and I am trying to find the most economical way to get this setup. I realize this will be a bit on the smaller side, but it should be large enough for most jobs I plan on doing.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is not going to be cheap. Look at $4000 for the loader and $4500 for the BH. I like the Taylor Way BH for your size tractor. Do a search and you will find lots of info on them. Koyker makes a good loader with a nice valve and a kit to fit your machine.

You may save a few bucks here and there but you will be buying something with non standard valves, hoses, ect.

Chris

 

[GPintheMitten]

FWIW, if you like to / can fabricate, you could build a loader and backhoe.

P.F. Engineering has plans for a small loader and small backhoe. I bought his loader plans and am going to build it. I haven't decided whether to build a backhoe or not. You can scale it up a bit for your tractor. I figure the loader will be about half or less the cost to buy one. But I got the time to play around with it.

 

[kebo]

Another poster was asking about adding a FEL to a JD 750 on the JD forum and so I'll mention the same thing I cautioned him about. If your 850 has power steering, then you are in good shape with adding a loader. If it doesn't have power steering, then consider this....

When you add the FEL (about 400-600 lbs of iron and cylinders) and then have a full bucket load of material adding about 700-800lbs (or possibly more), then you have added probably around 1200lbs minimum of deadweight to the front end. Without power steering, you may have a difficult time turning the steering wheel!

If you plan on doing a lot of back and forth loader work involving a lot of turning without the PS, you may tire quickly of using the FEL. JD may offer a PS kit for the 850, but you won't like the price!

 

[dirt ditch]

Look for a JD #8 backhoe along with a factory loader. Sorry I don't remember the model number for that, but there are aftermarket loaders that will fit it. Earlier this year one of our local business had a contractor build them a new store at a different location. All they used to do the dirt work and dig the trench for the foundation was a 850 JD with #8 JD backhoe, JD loader, and a box blade . It was impressive to see everything that 850 was capable of doing.

 

[kennyd]

I am looking for advice on a good backhoe and loader for a JD 850. We have an old 850 that's in great shape in the family and I am trying to find the most economical way to get this setup. I realize this will be a bit on the smaller side, but it should be large enough for most jobs I plan on doing.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to TBN

Does your machine have the joystick to operate a loader? If not then you definitely want a aftermarket unit that includes it.

But like DiamondPilot wrote, this is not going to be cheap, and probably not cost-effective either.

What attachments does the tractor have now?

 

[heiss1228]

Thanks for all the advice. This is such an informative forum.

I am preparing to build in the same neighborhood as my father-in-law. I've been using his 850 to clear the land and now I am needing a few more attachments.
Currently we have an auger, bush hog, tiller and rear blade.
This machine does have the controls for a loader, but it has never had one attached.
As for fabricating my own equipment - I really like the idea, but until I get my barn built I don't have a good place to do the work. Though I am getting spooled up to build the barn as we speak. I'm figuring a 39x60 will provide a little space for random projects and hope to have it completed sometime in early spring.