Backhoe Backhoe Owners Question??

DK45C_Dave · Aug 14, 2004

I'm still deciding on a backhoe to buy. Of all the specifications on a backhoe, which do you most often wish you had more of...reach?...digging depth?...loading height?...digging force?...or even less of something? I am asking because I can go bigger than I had planned but do not want to if there is no advantage. Thanks for your comments.
David

Henro · Aug 14, 2004

Myself, I have wished for more reach. More reach also equates to more digging depth.

More digging depth is useful, because it leads to a longer piece of flat-bottom trench before the tractor needs moved. Less moves per length of ditch means the job gets done faster and easier.

More power is always desired when digging out stumps. I wish for more power when digging out stumps most of the time.

Larger bucket too. I have 10" and 16" buckets. Sometimes when cleaning up a ditch from the side I wish I had a 24" bucket. I want to think I could have gotten any available size bucket included with my backhoe when I bought it. Perhaps I should have choose the 24", and bought the two others, as the 24" is so expensive I will never own one now... (actually each size is relatively expensive I suppose)

Loading height has never been an issue for me as I don't load with it. But just like digging depth, more height also comes with more reach.

My backhoe is a 3PH type, which works fine for me, but I would much rather have a 4-point subframe style if the tractor manufacturer made one for my model (which they do not). I wanted to keep the tractor/loader/backhoe all from the same name...for better or worse... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

OkieG · Aug 14, 2004

My backhoe work/experience is limited. It mainly involves digging up stumps. For that kind of work, extra power and reach are worth considering.

With a CUT sized BH you will always find jobs you can't do. So, there is almost always an advantage to "bigger" and "more powerful". The jobs you can't do will shrink a little bit.

You've got a good sized tractor. If you can afford it, I'd get a good sized BH to go with it. Rarely are folks disappointed with more performance.

OkieG

cowboydoc · Aug 14, 2004

If I had to pick I would say that digging force would be the most important. When you get into hard ground or digging concrete, stumps, etc. it doesn't matter what else you have if you can't dig quickly. All of the other factors are very important too. I would definitely go with the biggest backhoe that you can get for your tractor. The one thing I've never even thought of or that has been as issue is loading height. You can lower the backhoe to a lower height than your rops so I don't think that is any kind of an issue.

sweettractors · Aug 14, 2004

I agree with Henro, More power and reach are important. I own a Newer 20HP Kioti TLB and a Older Case 580 B Commercial type backhoe. I just finished diggging the basement for my sons new home with the Case 580 B and the smaller CUT backhoe will not be used much on the project until we start landscaping and doing tight/close work--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New D&G Model Italian Backhoe Rated 40-60 HP with 3 point $4500*

Bob_Skurka · Aug 14, 2004

There is a Great Bend in the yard that is used with the B2910. I think it is worthless. Not that there is anything wrong with Great Bend, or even the model (can't remember the designation and haven't had enough coffee to go out an look). It does what it is designed to do, it digs. No problem with that. But I've found the concept of a TLB to be simply lacking in too many ways, too slow, too small, too inadequate for too many tasks. If you've been reading the forums then you know about the track hoe I rented and the job I got done in a matter of a few hours that would have probably taken 3 weekends with the TLB combo. The rental was about $230 from Saturday noon to Monday morning. I could rent that unit several dozen times and still have money left over instead of wasting the money on a backhoe.

BUT, the problem I see with virtually all tractor mounted hoes is they are really too small to do any real work, combined with the fact that the tractor has to be moved so often when doing any medium to large project that you are constantly moving the whole machine, so attempting any "real" work and you spend more time in the tractor seat moving the whole unit than you really should be. The whole process is a huge waste of time. I'm not talking about popping a stump or digging a hole for a new tree for the wife; I'm talking about doing real work like a foundation, a retaining wall, septic work, or similar type projects.

So if you are going to get a backhoe, buy the biggest honking unit that will fit on the tractor, get the extended reach option, or just RENT a real hoe when you want to do real work.

Bear in mind, some folks have rocks and stumps that need moving, a hoe will do those tasks with great ease. I don't think those folks wasted their money, and I do think that many people find ways to justify spending the money on a hoe and end up happy; I'm not one of those people.

LarryRB · Aug 14, 2004

I have a Bradco 11 ft hoe on a 40 HP Mahindra. I specifically picked this hoe for several reasons.. The most important part of a hoe is the bucket force, followed by dipper force, then reach and useability.. The hoe has 5600 something pounds of bucket force. With the 12" bucket and side cutters, it snaps most tree roots in a single move of the lever.. I also use on occasion my 24" bucket. This is for basic jobs, no roots or rocks to contend with.. Around here, to do a perc test for septics, we have to dig two holes minimum of ten feet deep.. So, the 11 ft'r is a requirement.. I can push spoil pile almost 14 ft when I have to.. I know Kubot'as L 48 has 5000 bucket force and Woods makes a 1050 hoe with 5600 or so. I know of no other add on hoe that comes close to these numbers..

cowboydoc · Aug 14, 2004

<font color="red">the problem I see with virtually all tractor mounted hoes is they are really too small to do any real work, combined with the fact that the tractor has to be moved so often when doing any medium to large project that you are constantly moving the whole machine, so attempting any "real" work and you spend more time in the tractor seat moving the whole unit than you really should be. The whole process is a huge waste of time. </font>

I've done numerous "real" projects with my backhoe. I can dig pretty close to as fast as our Case backhoe when we're talking about trenching. We just put in 3000' of waterline for our rotational grazing. I started at one end with the 4600 and my brother started at the other end with the Case. When we met in the middle he had done about 100 more feet than me. Yea he did more but not by much. I've put in two septic systems with the 4600 no problem and numerous other "real" projects. I'm pretty sure most guys that have one would say the same things.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 14, 2004

Doc, you are one of the exceptions who has bigger sized equipment. And those larger sized units will do real work. But I think I implied that in my post. I know I said if you buy one, buy big. I would say that my statements apply to any backhoe for any tractor up to 35hp, and probably up to 40. Over 40, the backhoes actually will do what I would consider to be "real" work.