Best CUT FEL Hoe combo?

jwcinpk · Mar 19, 2004

We are considering the startup of a small excavating buisiness to do things in places the big backhoes can't get, e.g. graveyards. It seems everyone here is using the deeres. Do they have an advantage in the backhoe dept.? I'm looking at the 35-40 hp range. I have a Mahindra 6000 now and would go with the backhoe on it, but it's just too big to get in some of the places I want to get. My question is does one brand or combination stand out above the rest? I was thinking Mahindra 4110, JD 4310, stuff this size with gear tranny loader and hoe with a top $ of $30,000. Share your experience with me.

lamarbur · Mar 19, 2004

I have Bradco 511 hoe on a 4110 Mahindra. It wouldn't phase me one bit to use it in a cemetery, behind a small house, manuever between close houses or other. I do have the optional PTO pump and tank kit. I had the hoe before this option was available and can tell you outright, you need the PTO pump kit option to correctly run a 511 hoe. ( the 4110 only has 7.4 GPM main pump) and the 511 needs 11 GPM minimum.

Bob_Skurka · Mar 19, 2004

Silly question, but did you consider one of the small dedicated track hoes? They will get into places that no TLB will get into.

jwcinpk · Mar 19, 2004

I want a CUT FEL Hoe combo. That way I can take off the hoe and use it to help in the hay feilds and I can pull it with my ton truck.

SteveH_CT · Mar 19, 2004

I wouldn't go so far to say that they are the "best" - I'd get a lot of opposing arguments - but I can say without hesitation that the Deere 4310 and 48 BH is a very productive combo - and it is very easy to put on and off. Good Luck looking and possibly buying - BTW - your $30,000 budget will get you something larger if that is your desire - My 4310 combo with the FEL and BH with a few other lessor options was around $25 and change.

mahlers · Mar 19, 2004

I ended up getting a TN70S with a Bradco 611, and it is a great compromize between size and power. It seems a bit big, but the maneuverability is so good that it can get in to some very tight spots. When I was in my search phase, I looked at just about everything out there, and was initially very interested in the Kubota L35 and L48. They really are GREAT machines, and I'd highly recommend that you check them out closely. If you're going to be using the rig for commercial purposes, I think those might be the way to go - they're so well designed and ergonomically friendly that you could work them all day without a sweat. Specifically, the ability to rotate the seat around to switch between loader and backhoe operation is key - and the fact that your throttle control goes with you when you rotate the seat will save you some time and hassle.

DavesTractor · Mar 19, 2004

The Bradco 509 and 511 backhoes are truly awesome. The quick attach that Mahindra uses for these is very nice. You don't have to remove the three-point arms, they just tuck out of the way. I favor a 509 on a 4110 Mahindra, and R4 tires. I haven't looked at the heavier Kubota and Deere backhoes to see how they compare to the Mahindra (Bradco).

I have about 10 Bradco hoes on my lot, but even so I will echo an earlier poster by saying that I really like the mini-excavators. They do not serve a dual purpose, but for digging you can't beat them. I have a Yanmar B7 right now that is at the top edge (over?) of a mini at 17,500 lbs. I look for things to dig just for the pleasure of running it. Heck, I'll dig a hole and fill it back in! For most of us though, we need mutli-purpose. I sell 10 TLB CUTS to every one mini-excavator.

mahlers · Mar 19, 2004

I agree about the awsomeness of the Bradco backhoe. You just can't beat it for power and finesse. The quality is top-notch, too - definitely worth the extra bucks over other offerings.

johnsonauto · Mar 19, 2004

I think you cant go wrong with the Mahindra 4110 with either the 509 or 511 mahindra/bradco hoe. We have a customer with a 4110 w/ 511 digging graves and loves it, he is running of the tractor hydraulics . Also i know Larry will tell you if you add the 14 gal/min pump kit its quit impresive. It will speed things up quit a bit, just depends how fast you want to go. As far as the Deeres go, the ones i have seen, you have to take the 3 pt arms etc. off, there maybe some you don't, i'm not shure. But on the Mahindra 3pt all stays there. To take off the hoe, 2 pins and the hoses and the hoe is off and ready to hook up something on the 3 pt.
www.NewEnglandTractor.com

rockyridgefarm · Mar 19, 2004

I cannot believe how awesome the mounting of the hoe is on my Deere. I can hook it up in 5 minutes, and man is it solid. Removing the 3 point arms is no big deal, I'd rather do that than lose the close coupling. (I'm NOT argueing with Dave about the Mahindras, I haven't seen them)