Buying Advice Backhoe on a SCUT - yea or nay?

[djefferis]

I was to the understanding ALL 1 and 2 series have aluminum rear ends. From a manufacturing standpoint, it just makes sense simplifying the materials used. I agree though, if the R is steel and the E is aluminum - then this is a deal breaker. Not that I feel the aluminum is THAT much worse, but the price/benefit would sway me. For that matter - do they make a 2 series E - I thought it was 2025R to start, then an upgrade in HP on the 2s. Not until you get to the 3 do they make the rear of steel. I do know their is a "slight" weight difference between a 1023 and 1025 of approx 100 pound.

Yes, position control on the 1025. Its worth something to me.

I am also starting to search for some recent/used or new old stock stuff..but likely just pure luck if I find anything reasonably priced.

The more I think about it - the rear PTO difference is pushing me to a 1025. 3 horse difference is relatively small - but I just question if I go with a 1023 if it will handle my old 5' brush hog. I think 18 horse is likely to be the minimum needed and do not really want to have to buy a newer 4 foot. Again, many will likely say even the 1025 is too small - might be, but seems to be more than a few users who do it successfully.

Also researched LS. There are 3 places within 100 miles who "sell" them - by sell I mean, order one, pay for it and they will order it. Stocking them is well over 250 mile drive. Bruno's carries them I see, and the free delivery and pricing makes it an attractive option - but still would be a worry come resale time. On paper it looks good - but without the ability to try before I buy - its a big negative.

Kubota I've covered, just not comfortable with the local dealers. Nothing against the brand - Used again is a possible, but alot is just blind luck finding good clean and REASONABLY PRICED used. I get clean used is scarce, but places expecting an equal price for a 5 year old machine as what dealers are offering new for are just nuts. I get you have 1 used and a potentially "unlimited" supply of new at your disposal, but 20-25% off is at least a realistic number in my opinion for that age.

 

[Diggin It]

I don't honestly know what my axle is and I'm not sure it's listed in any of the specs. Guess I could try the magnet test.

But that's why you get a manufacturer installed BH instead of a third party add-on one. I trust them to know what their machines can handle.

 

[Jchonline]

My official responsible answer: I would not get a backhoe unless you already have jobs lined up that will help recover the cost. They are about the most expensive attachment for a tractor and the decision to purchase one should be carefully weighed. Getting one because a water line 田ould break doesnt sound like a good reason to me. This is of course my opinion.

That said, if you have the money and can easily float the cost then go for it. They are still a bunch of fun to use. Just make sure your soil isnt too difficult to dig in. With a small backhoe and machine to use it the ground needs to be fairly manageable. A SCUT backhoe is for digging what you would have done with a hand shovel.

To answer your question on do I regret it...no as I am building a house and can use it to easily recover digging/trenching costs in the remote mountains of CO. I have jobs in front of me to justify it...water lines, sewer/septic and lines, electrical lines, gas lines and tank, maybe even foundation if I dont hit too much rock.

 

[Diggin It]

The more I think about it - the rear PTO difference is pushing me to a 1025. 3 horse difference is relatively small - but I just question if I go with a 1023 if it will handle my old 5' brush hog. I think 18 horse is likely to be the minimum needed and do not really want to have to buy a newer 4 foot. Again, many will likely say even the 1025 is too small - might be, but seems to be more than a few users who do it successfully.

Also researched LS. There are 3 places within 100 miles who "sell" them - by sell I mean, order one, pay for it and they will order it. Stocking them is well over 250 mile drive. Bruno's carries them I see, and the free delivery and pricing makes it an attractive option - but still would be a worry come resale time. On paper it looks good - but without the ability to try before I buy - its a big negative.

Mine shows a 17.2 HP rear PTO, but they offer a 60" rear mower. Can't say if that's a brush or finish mower.

One other thing to consider is if you want a mid mount mower. Some of these require removal of the backhoe AND the subframe to use an MMM. I can have both in place and functional. They also have the XJ 2025 H which has a little better capacity but cannot have the MMM with the BH subframe. It's also priced better than the JDs But if you don't have a place to go and kick the tires, that's a problem.

 

[Diggin It]

Just make sure your soil isnt too difficult to dig in. With a small backhoe and machine to use it the ground needs to be fairly manageable. A SCUT backhoe is for digging what you would have done with a hand shovel.

It's all but impossible to even get a hand shovel into my red rock gravel and clay combination, even with the help of a pick axe. BH took several stumps out with little effort. Would have been even less trouble for an experienced operator, but I'm still learning.

 

[TheMadOne]

I may need to brush up on my JD info. I figured there was a 2E, since there's a 1E and 3E.

But if they're selling all aluminum rears in that size it helps explain the Kubota B series popularity. I'd magnet test the 1025r, since I can't find any info online about the housing.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

QUOTE...."Also researched LS. There are 3 places within 100 miles who "sell" them - by sell I mean, order one, pay for it and they will order it. Stocking them is well over 250 mile drive. Bruno's carries them I see, and the free delivery and pricing makes it an attractive option - but still would be a worry come resale time. On paper it looks good - but without the ability to try before I buy - its a big negative. ".......QUOTE

Another possibility to compare the LS tractors is if there is a New Holland dealer close by. The Workmaster 25s is the identical tractor to the MT125, the larger Workmaster 25 is the same as the LS xg3025. Maybe they have some in stock and at least you can see them in person.

 

[newbury]

So I知 looking at a few different models, Deere 1023 and Massey GC1720 are the front runners. Kubota just isn稚 as well supported locally so that痴 why they are in 3rd place right now.

My question is simple, is a backhoe worth the cost? Made it many years without one - but looks like it might be useful. Of course now is time to get one if purchasing with tractor as a package.

Can get a 1023 TLB for 18500 new, feels like a good deal to me. Upgrade to 1025 is 1500 more, just seems like a lot of creature comforts for 1500. Massey is a nice unit as well, but price wise in line with Deere. Should I spring for it - or is it going to be a paperweight sitting in the garage? Also, how hard are these to take off/put on

Worth the cost is extremely person/job dependent.
I blew about 7 or 8K on my Woods BH70-X (dealer installed on my B7610) in 2009 and probably have put less than 100 hours on it, including many hours "playing around". One of my prime reasons for buying it was that I had just finished getting my third back surgery and the doctor warned me of more.
My plans had been to use it in trail maintenance on my ~300 acres of Mississippi woodland. In 2009 my wife and I planned on retiring to the land by 2011.
In 2011 we bought another house and 74 acres in Mississippi, then planned on retiring to it by 2015. We are still moving, spending about 6 months a year in either place.
The Woods is still in Va. with my B7610. I still hope to get it down to Mississippi and use it as planned, or hook it up to my M4700.
The 4 or 5 times I've really needed the digging capacity so far (stump removal, trenching) I could of rented a mini-ex for about $2K total and a 2 hour trip each time. Down in Mississippi rental will entail a 4 hour trip per rental.

But then the cost and aggravation of one more back surgery would be pretty substantial.

 

[Diggin It]

Not to get into the whole cash vs. finance debate again, but look at it this way.

IF you're going to finance, the BH may add a few dollars a month to your payments. A rental has to be paid for in full at the time, plus a fair sized refundable deposit. For me, that was a no brainer.

If your paying cash for the purchase, you'll need to decide if you can handle the extra amount now vs. rentals later.

Since you said you don't have a rental place close, your decision should focus on whether you think you need the machine at all or not, then focus on funds.

 

[nrosario]

--Here we go with the Backhoe Buy vs Rent...again...

Well I own one, and I love it, is small, not much power, but it gets things done.
I also use the thing as an stress relieve...lol.

Couple of other brand/models for your consideration, used or new

Sub-Compact:

• LS MT125
• Massey Ferguson GC series
• Mahindra eMax

Small Compact:

• LS XJ2025
• Massey Ferguson 1526
• Branson 2510h
• Branson 2400h
• Mahindra Max
• Kioti CK2510

Take your time and enjoy trying every machine before making any decisions.