Backhoes

[hosspuller]

I bought a used Deere 310C. It has been a learning experience well worth the $13,000 I paid. The machine is much more capable lifting, reaching and digging than my tractorr.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I bought a used Deere 310C. It has been a learning experience well worth the $13,000 I paid. The machine is much more capable lifting, reaching and digging than my tractorr.

Our 1983 JD 310B was my first operating of a FEL or hoe and for sure it was a learning experience. It is a keeper too or one similar to it. Awesome for clearing ground. Just added the thumb below and like it.


8"x32" Mechanical Thumb for Mini Excavator Backhoe USA | eBay

 

[newbury]

One other thing I don't see mentioned is speed.
As I mentioned one of the things I want to do is trail maintenance, on trails that are narrow on purpose to discourage trucks. Thus no trailers going down them.
I don't know the top speed of all the min-ex's but I'm sure it's a lot slower than my 10mph kubota.

 

[swick1]

I guess it depends on the type of trail, but a 2 speed excavator moves faster than you can walk. I'd rather have a mini ex for trail grooming in west Virginia... Midwest or south, not so much.

Also a mini ex will get the job done faster if the trail is fairly rutted, so the speed issue becomes a wash.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Nothing is better than a special purpose machine for a specific task. Nothing is worse than a special purpose machine for any and all tasks.:thumbsup:

 

[swick1]

Agreed.

 

[schmism]

Took me about 3 years of steady looking on Craigslist to find my woods Ground breaker for $3K.

a small 3pt hoe on a large class 1 3pt shouldnt be an issue. if your putting a hoe thats sized for the machine its supposed to go on, a subframe is the way to go.