Backhoe vs Tractor with backhoe

[twowoode]

I have a Massey 1723 tlb and they also have the 25 hp version. The 3 point stays on with the backhoe just pull a couple pins and it folds up. Removal of the backhoe takes less than 5 minutes. The loader is also quick release although I have never had mine off. I have 16 acres and use it for snow removal, hauling materials around the property, digging water and electrical lines, and removing stumps. The plus is it was designed as a tlb so everything is frame mounted. Seeing how much force it puts out I would not recommend a 3 point hoe.

 

[30coupe]

I don’t know why you would need a mid-sized tractor for six acres. I have 36 acres and a Massey 1736 with FEL and a backhoe. I wouldn’t mind a little more horsepower, but not more size.

I use the FEL with either bucket or forks almost daily. I have a 6’ finish mower that sees use at least once a week all summer. I also have a 6’ brush mower that gets used 2-3 times a year.

I’ve dug countless stumps with the little backhoe, some up to 3’+ in diameter. It’s not fast, but it gets the job done. I’ve also dug in drain lines and culverts for myself and neighbors. It takes about ten minutes to install or remove the backhoe.

The negative side of this unit is that it’s not as substantial as some others. I’ve had to reinforce the subframe and replace the dipper pin, which is poorly designed, several times.

That said, it has been well worth the investment and a unit of similar size would be more than adequate for six acres. I’d probably lean towards Kubota if I had it to do over, but I think a compact tractor would be much handier than something larger. That’s my $.02 worth.

 

[Mart5130]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

Midsize tractor loader and rent a backhoe if you need one

 

[VeRV77]

I second those who have brought up the L47 (or even M62) for the most part, but understand a couple of drawbacks: Those machines will not have removable FELs, and factory cabs are not options as far as I know. In your shoes I'd be tempted to get something like a Yanmar YT349C with a backhoe (or something similar from Kubota), if staying warm in the snow is important. Otherwise I'd be really tempted by Kubota's dedicated construction TLBs. As long as you're good leaving the loader on and having an open (covered) station, the power of the implements will be better that most of what you'll get in a well equipped tractor. You can also remove the backhoe on Kubota's B26/L47/M62 and run PTO implements on 3-point hitches. Something you can't do with full-size dedicated construction machines from Deere or CAT. But if a cab and versatility is what you want, get a tractor. The answer, depending on your dealer locations, is probably YT349C though, or something like that.

 

[Dundertaker]

I will agree with this. If Money and Storage Space are no factor....by all means, get the backhoe attachment. Just know they're limited in use, especially on a compact tractor; they don't have the swing range, capacity/power of a dedicated machine, etc... I found a friend with a BX w/Backhoe and it was very very weak. I have a larger tractor, but agree with several posters here....rent when needed. With 6 acres? I can't imagine you'd use one after the initial jobs you plan on using it for are done.

My real-world decision and experience is that they aren't as useful or used as frequently as you'd think. I was not a "Money no object" guy, but I could have swung the extra cost. I'm glad I listened to my friends...the Brush Hog/Rotary, Landscape rake, and Box Blade are used, and outside of "playing," I really can't think of a chore I'd have used it. I do know (no quick attachment set up) that it's a chore to change out 3 points... though I've learned how to make it easier...and I don't think a Backhoe would have done anything but sit in a corner most of the time.

 

[kenbgbill]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

I have 5 heavily wooded acres. I have a Kubota BX 25D which has an integrated backhoe and a box blade. I installed a 750’ driveway through heavily rocky and slopes terrain. I’ve cleared a build site for a barn, and dug a 1000’ trench, 4’ deep for water and electric lines. The difference between the BX and others is connectivity. The BX frame has dedicated attachment points where others use a 3-point hitch. The backhoe becomes parts of the tractor. I have over 425 hours on it and it’s never let me down and had accomplished everything I’ve asked it to do. It might take a bit more time, but it’s a great machine and highly recommended.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

You really have to decide how often you're going to use those big pieces. Particularly the backhoe...and how effective it would be if mounted on a tractor. I'm a fan of stacking up a pile of work and then renting a tracked excavator. Chances are that for a grand you'd accomplish a LOT of work...and somebody else has to worry about it sitting around doing nothing the rest of the year.
A backhoe for my Kubota would run me about $6500, last I checked. I can rent a machine that does more, and does it faster, several times for that money.

 

[jmaurais]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

I have two LS tractors....the first is a XR4040H (40HP) with an OEM frame mounted backhoe, a front bucket, a rear box blade, a tiller, and a hard rake. That tractor is hydrostatic which is MUCH easier to operate.

Then I purchased an LS MT573 with a bucket, a root grapple, a land grander (fancy box blade), and a front mounted hyraulic auger by a company called Danuser. The root grapple and the auger are absolutely AWESOME. However, even though it's 75HP with a cab, the transmission is a shuttle shift. That thing has a learning curve but not impossible.

I cannot get myself to sell the XR4040H since it's so easy to use and I'd hate to lose my backhoe. As for snow removal, you'll need an angled blade similar to a pickup mounted blade. Using a bucket is slow going but it works.

Hope it helps....

John

 

[kyryder]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

TYM has backhoes for all sizes of their tractors and they come with the necessary subframe. It takes me 30 minutes to install or remove mine. Seen guys do it in 15 but I'm extra cautious. The backhoe gets less use than any of my other attachments but I don't regret having it (stays off until needed).
Unless you're going to be using backhoe every week I think you would want utility tractor, hydro drive, and the extra versatility of all those attachment options.
Since you're still deciding think about flail mower instead of bush hog. Another choice I don't regret. I do regret the $3000. stump grinder.

 

[Kubota Dragon]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

Hello. We have almost the same size residential property you are describing. I have a Kubota tractor with a loader and backhoe. The loader and backhoe are easy to take off and on so you can use a whole array of different equipment with your tractor. I recently wanted to see if using an excavator would make a difference to using my backhoe. What a waste of time that was. The backhoe on the tractor is a must IMO. Highly recommend that be part of your purchase and not some 3-point hitch attachment. Tied into the frame of the tractor is best and worth the money. I usually leave the BH on the tractor because I use it so much. I see a lot of squirrels, lol. I can be mowing the field and the next thing I am digging out a stump. Don't get scared off having to remove and attach the backhoe. A lot easier than one would expect and I always do it myself. I did make a cart with casters for myself to sit it on when on in use and to easily move around the shop. The first cart was out of wood and performed well for many years until I got the money to make it right (metal). She wouldn't buy me a welder for Christmas. LOL.

 

[Kubota Dragon]

TYM has backhoes for all sizes of their tractors and they come with the necessary subframe. It takes me 30 minutes to install or remove mine. Seen guys do it in 15 but I'm extra cautious. The backhoe gets less use than any of my other attachments but I don't regret having it (stays off until needed).
Unless you're going to be using backhoe every week I think you would want utility tractor, hydro drive, and the extra versatility of all those attachment options.
Since you're still deciding think about flail mower instead of bush hog. Another choice I don't regret. I do regret the $3000. stump grinder.

Ugh, you got one of those stump grinders as well. I want my money back as well. lol. I gave up on it and just dig out the stumps with my backhoe. I find it easier, faster, and more satisfying than that stupid grinder.

 

[smiley]

As others have said, depends on percentage of use of backhoe, I may find one task per yr to use my 580 case backhoe/loader, but usually have use for one the (3) tractors or loader once a week. Or as someone else suggested, if limited use for backhoe, buy one of the $3000 tow behinds or rent a hoe for really big jobs.
Smiley

 

[Dieselpete208]

What kind of soil do you have? I have had a used Kubota L45 since 2014 and here in Texas the clay soil gets so hard that about two foot down is about as far as the backhoe goes without watering the hole, rental dealer in town will not rent a backhoe during the dry summers. When I started on my six acres it was an open field gone wild. Counted 155 mesquite plants (tallest about five foot) big and small in one three acre plot. Had a Ford 8N use to mow with, tire repair man loved me. I wouldn't give up my Kubota, though it is best to find a repair shop near by, my closest is 30 miles away, costs $300 to round trip it to shop. I won't buy JD because the dealer tried to skin me on a used one, that and Kubota can take skid steer mounted attachments on front. Had a shop built had to get ten foot high door to clear back hoe (8ft 9in), that and I can't get in low stalls with canopy. As far as changing over to 3Point arms less than half hour. I have a box blade, disk harrow, landscape rake, shredder, blade, and cultipacker, and hay spear and pallet forks on front. Now all I need is a post hole digger and my toy collection will be complete.
With the backhoe on I can lift heavy objects in front without having to add weights.

 

[sallyb]

The way I read this the OP is trying to choose between a midsize TLB like a L47 and a tractor (like a 4701) that has both backhoe and loader attachments.
How about it OP?

I have a Davis 100A but it is too heavy for my 2910i Branson , and for several years I read forums, etc. to come up with plans to set it on a trailer like a car hauler, the little backhoe only digs about 6’ to 8’ but it beats digging by hand when you’re 72 years old. backhoe has its own pump to attach to pto, I will try to upload some pictures.

 

[sallyb]

More pictures of Davis 100a trencher/backhoe

 

[sallyb]

I am looking at putting this on trailer so that stabilizers are lowered to ground and attach trencher to trailer , and attached to tractor to stabilize trailer. All ideas welcome.

 

[Bushbunnie]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and

 

[Bushbunnie]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

I had a 22 acre campground, lots of roads, lots of forest and lots of snow. I had a Case 580 and that thing was worked, everything from pruning trees, picking up large deadfall, clearing snow of the roads and maintaining the gravel roads, digging trenches for utilities, putting up poles for street lighting, loading our gravel truck (5ton). It was 20 years old when we bought it and 26 years years after that it is still going.

 

[sallyb]

Oh I have loader with The Thumb by Green’s Machine, I. have moved a lot with this set up, it will pickup a single pice of tin. I am in process of making a landscape rake, I need a piece of 2” square tubing about 6’ long,to finish assembling .loading some pictures. I used 3”x4” and pretty thick angle Iron, 56” long -.21 -2 hole tines made with 5160 steel spaced 1” apart, bought 3 point tractor stabilizer/trailer hitch from eBay for $40, to put on bar , I bought tines for $ 2.50 each about 3 years ago, today they are $10.00 each. Will post pictures when complete. I hope it will function for what I need.Again all ideas welcome.

 

[kenmbz]

I have a little over 6 acres, 3/4 woods and tight spaces.

700' shared road and driveways to clear snow.
Lots of ash trees to move around from felling to firewood.

Backhoe gets used for stump pulling and planting trees.

Flail for the rough paths/trails in the woods.

I use a Lawn Tractor for mowing the grassy areas.

Lots of gravel and dirt moving for trenches (toothbar on FEL is quite useful as we have diabase here and rocks in some solid packed dirt.).

Use Backhoe with thumb to move logs and rip out brush, would be very nice to have a grapple, but no $ for that

It's light for pulling, but the BH is good ballast.

I need to get through a lot of tight spaces and trails, so smaller works for me.

Use forks too for moving rounds, trees to plant and the occasional pallet from deliveries.

It has limitations, so I just work around them, and it fits in a normal size garage.

If you don't have space limitations, then go up to a compact if you can afford it and rent a bigger machine when/if needed. Tractor more versatile until you need to clear land, the a dedicated BH or SKidsteer is quite useful.