Backhoe or not

[cat fever]

I think this is simple; if you are going to go hungry buying the backhoe don't do it.

If the money is really not a problem then take what Oldpilgrim said to heart.

I don't have one, but many, many times I wish I did have one.

 

[fried1765]

Most tractor mounted backhoes are underpowered, hard on the tractor frames, and fairly useless in terms of cost/benefit. Had one on my previous tractor, and was the only attachment I sold with it. Most people buying them have never used a real backhoe or excavator, so they don't realize what a piece of crap they have, thus continuing the sale of them.

Spend your money on buying an older, REAL machine, or on the rental of one....you'll be far better off.

"Spend your money on buying an older, REAL machine ...."
Best advice seen here on TBN in a LONG time.
I bought a 48HP 16 year old used (cemetery) TLB, with 1350 hrs., back in 1986.
I just refurbished it this past year.
A 10' hoe with amazing breakout power.
It is now 46 years old, looks like new, and works the same.
It is a small hoe (10'), but vastly superior to what I call..... play hoes.

 

[4570Man]

A real backhoe is leaps and bounds better than than a tractor mounted hoe, but a $5000 dollar one is going to be a worn out piece of crap that requires constant repairs. Not to mention they're not movable with the truck and trailers most people own.

 

[tomplum]

Even the backhoe on our little Ls saves a remarkable amount of work. I think that it would go without saying that full size backhoe would outperform one on the back of a small tractor, as dump truck would be lots more effective than a load handler on the back of my trailer. Who has the space, money or the desire to keep all this stuff running? I've looked at the used up excavators, cats and bob cats -thinking I could sell it when I was done with the big stuff. It is downright scary what is out there. Couple that with equipment that if one never worked with or saw the workings of, would know what is good and what is not to begin with.

 

[check]

Wow - for $3500, definitely get the backhoe. My ltlle Kubota BX25 came with a backhoe, and I would never have purchased it if the BH had not come with it. Just recently, I got a QA for it, and now I can use my ripper tooth to help dig stumps.

Just Google "what can I use a backhoe for", and you will see all the cool things that it can do for you.

I would not be without it. Just make sure it is the frame mounted version and not the three point hitch version.

 

[fried1765]

A real backhoe is leaps and bounds better than than a tractor mounted hoe, but a $5000 dollar one is going to be a worn out piece of crap that requires constant repairs. Not to mention they're not movable with the truck and trailers most people own.

A $5000 TLB would most likely be ready for the junk yard.
A mid sized used hoe is not necessarily "not movable with the truck and trailers most people own".
My 10' reach 48HP Ford TLB (very similar in size to the JD 110) fits on my 20' equipment trailer, with loaded weight of 12K, and I tow it with my 454 V-8, K2500, 4x4 Suburban.

 

[Turbys_1700]

"Spend your money on buying an older, REAL machine ...."
Best advice seen here on TBN in a LONG time.
I bought a 48HP 16 year old used (cemetery) TLB, with 1350 hrs., back in 1986.
I just refurbished it this past year.
A 10' hoe with amazing breakout power.
It is now 46 years old, looks like new, and works the same.

It is a small hoe (10'), but vastly superior to what I call..... play hoes.

I sold my dad's old International Harvester 3616 last year to my next door neighbor. It was made in 1967. It runs fine, has decent rubber, and has a 14' hoe on it. The total unit weighs a tick over 11K pounds. He bought it for 1/3 the price of an add on hoe. I went over to his house a couple weeks after purchase and he was digging out an old white oak stump. The hole was the size of a nice swimming pool. He was grinning from ear to ear. Got that stump out in several long evenings. Amazing what those old hoes will do.

If you want an add on tractor back hoe and can afford it get it. Nothing at all wrong with them. Dedicated backhoes are much stronger but not as nimble and may require more tinkering and maintenance. Good thread and discussion.

 

[WVH1977]

All good advice from everyone that has posted. There is so much knowledge and experience on this site. I have only been on here for a couple of weeks and already received excellent advice on buying and maintaining my tractor. Like I posted earlier, if you want that backhoe attachment and can afford it at a good price go for it. You will not regret it.

 

[DaveNJ]

I'm assuming its frame mounted like the one on my smaller XJ. Buy it when you buy the tractor as a combination. I doubt you'll regret it for that price- I don't.

 

[Sysop]

Ignore the idiots saying to compare it to industrial units. You aren't going to get an industrial unit at that price without some vast stroke of luck and at that price you can still do a lot of things. Don't let them kid you, there are things your small tractor can do that their big industrial units cannot. A small tractor fits more places, does less damage to surrounding soil, and does other things besides dig holes. They fit a need and suit it well.