Backhoe vs Tractor with backhoe

[sallyb]

I would like a skid steer, I’m of opinion it would be very helpful, it has all attachments.

 

[gcrabb]

I sold my 3-point Backhoe with PTO Pump that was on a John Deere 4720 and went to a chinese mini backhoe, so far I like that.

 

[DieselBound]

I've got 40 acres. LOTs of trees. Lots of woody debris. Here and there I need to remove stumps and dig ditches*. I do NOT have a backhoe or an TLB. While I _could_ have used one I found it far more efficient and economical to rent excavators.

* I've pondered backhoes for ditch maintenance but I really only have a need every other year. At this point it's cheaper to rent for this than buy a backhoe attachment.

My hoe area is fenced, roughly the size of what the OP has stated he has to work with. I cannot imagine a TLB or even a mid-size tractor with a backhoe attachment being used in an area this small. Have a neighbor with a small Kubota and backhoe and I never see him really using the backhoe (though it stays attached to the tractor).

You get the tools for the kinds of regular work your do, frequency and job/completion times are key. One will almost always run into a situation (except those that do the same thing day in and day out- more business operations) where one's tools can't quite do the job. This is when you RENT what will do the job. One risks breaking one's tools when running them at the tool's limits; and we often push hard when trying to get something done and then... snap! I've busted a few things that ended up costing me more than what it would have cost to rent a piece of equipment. Having equipment always right there entices one to just "see" if you can do something.

If one is under time constraints then renting can often be far more effective. You get a tool that's more tailored to the job: performs and operates better and is all-around faster. One can also just buy an over-kill tool, get the work done and then sell it. One can also rent something just to see if it might be something worth owning.

As time goes by one finds one's needs changing. Make the best decision for the immediate future and go with it knowing to be on the ready to change as conditions/requirements change.

 

[pughde]

I started with a BX2360, then sold it and bought an L4701 with a backhoe, loader bucket, and grapple. As I aged it became difficult to swap the backhoe for a 3-point attachment. I ended up buying a 2360 which I use for 3-point and loader bucket activities. I have a lot of trees and ended up using the 4701 with backhoe and Grapple full-time. I used the 23 for the loader bucket and 3-point attachments.

 

[Whawkins]

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 5.5 acres, long drive, mature trees and occasional snow removal. I went with the JD 2038r TLB. The 2038r has great ground clearance even with the backhoe frame. Backhoe is short on power, but my soil is dense clay which is tough for any small equipment to dig in. loader is very easily removable, and the tractor has plenty of power for tilling, mowing, box blade leveling the driveway. I also got pallet forks - they are incredible for lots of uses. I have a spray tank, and seed/fertilizer spreader as well, so can do just about anything on the property. The advantages of a good sized compact tractor is the ability to do any ag work you need done as well as limited backhoe work.

If the 2038r is not big enough, the 3046r is a serious workhorse with also a good amount of ground clearance below the backhoe frame. I used a 3046r on 120 acres for several years and anything short of doing ag work over a lot of acres, it was excellent (but much more $$ than the 2038r)

 

[Jackson53]

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?

If you are going to do a lot of excavating then you should by an excavator. Tractors are designed for pulling and excavators are designed for digging. A backhoe on a tractor causes a lot of wear and tear on both the tractor and the backhoe. A tractor with a front end loader fitted with 4-in-1 bucket providing 4 implements in one: conventional bucket scoop; grab for carrying; and blade and back blade for leveling is the way to go.

 

[NewHampJim]

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?

Well I have 57 acres and a 650' driveway, bought a Mahindra 2638 2 yrs ago as my mid-size TBL..I tend to use the backhoe quite a bit and it acts as a beautiful counterweight to the FEL when I use it..That's the route I would do.. you can get a smaller tractor like a Mahindra 1626 with a backhoe or a similar size Kubota or whatever brand of your choice and should be fine..

 

[7010P]

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?

Midsized tractor at best and rent a backhoe/mini-excavator when needed.

 

[TomGTaylor]

I have the same type of property and size. My Kubota BX25 with a FEL and front load 50" snowblower and rear backhoe does all the work required. 6 acres, 550' driveway, 3.5 acres grass and 2.5 acres hard bush. Hasn't failed me yet in the last 15 years

 

[nknelsen]

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?

The question is only answered when you decide what you want to do with this equipment. Do you want a pto rototiller? Or anything that runs on a 3 point hitch? The backhoe is great for excavation, but how much are you really going to use it?

If I was going to go with a backhoe, I'd make sure it had aux Hydraulics up front and a quick attach bobcat style on the front so you could have a bucket, forks, grapple and maybe a hydraulic powered post hole Auger.

But for me, a tractor is the better, most versatile piece for me to sink my money into and I rent a mini excavator every few years when needed. A proper excavator will run circles around a backhoe or a tractor mounted backhoe. It's smaller and easier to operate around the house or barn and you can cast the dirt behind you making tight work spaces much easier.

At least that's the way it is for me.