Backhoe BH help needed! 2008 3520 OS--New Member!

[GRNTexan]

Hello All! After months of enjoying all the forum has to offer I finally joined in on the fun. I'm currently in Iraq where I have been contracting for the last 6 years, so getting a morning or two down at the JD dealer drinking coffee and staying up to speed with all things "tractor" hasn't been an option. I could really use some input from all you guys....

I have a 2008 JD 3520 E-Hydro OS with a CX300 FEL and an assortment of 3 point goodies. Right now I am in the market for a backhoe and I have located a nice very lightly used 447. The JD website lists the 375 or 485 to be used on the 3520 but I have seen many others using the 447/448. It is my understanding that the hoes are almost identical with the 447/448 being predecessor to the 375/385. I have the OS model so I was opting for the 447 as it sits closer to the rear of the tractor (no extra space needed for a cab). I have to say that in my search for one of these hoes I have found myself salivating :licking: over the 110TLB and considering a trade in/up....but the reality of the months in the doghouse that would surely follow have kept me at the salivating only stage... You have to love the "Creep to position" and the SS adapting FEL with additional hydraulics...not to mention the 310 inspired hoe...:thumbsup:!!!

What I wanted to ask was if anyone could share their experience with one of these hoes? I am worried about dropping several thousand $$'s for something that would end up not being good for much more than "scratching" around the backyard. I use my CUT for everything on my 3 acre tract short of finish mowing (I got a ZTrak 820A 48" for that!). I just built a new home and shop and I have plenty of trenching, tree/shrub planting, flower beds, garden construction, drainage cuts to make, etc.....and maybe even some light stuff around my pond project. (I use a local rental company for heavier jobs ---dozers etc.) There is a wide range of soil conditions for such a small tract as well. From caliche at the hill top to a sediment and root filled creek bottom....there seems to be a bit of everything. I don't have delusional expectations of digging basements in solid granite or anything...but I would like to hear first hand opinions from users on the hoes capabilities and value. Any input you guys could lend about the best model for my rig and experience you've had with your hoes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for all the useful and entertaining info in all your threads here----best forum I have seen by far! I'm not sure if I attached my photo correctly but I included a shot of my "baby" as well...Great Day to you all!

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

The 447 would be a good match for your machine-no question. Search in the JD forums and you will find many satisfied users.

 

[inmaestro]

Buy it! You won't regret it. I have used my 447 (on my 3120) to demo a house and its foundation, remove 10+ large trees stumps, and a dozen other projects. It is well made, very powerful for its size, and hooks up reasonably fast to your tractor (taking off the 3 pt hitch being the biggest effort.)

Short of a dedicated TLB, you won't find a better digging tool for the occasional excavation job. Good luck!

 

[GRNTexan]

Buy it! You won't regret it. I have used my 447 (on my 3120) to demo a house and its foundation, remove 10+ large trees stumps, and a dozen other projects. It is well made, very powerful for its size, and hooks up reasonably fast to your tractor (taking off the 3 pt hitch being the biggest effort.)

Short of a dedicated TLB, you won't find a better digging tool for the occasional excavation job. Good luck!

Thanks Inmaestro! I was hoping for feedback just like this.....I really do want/need a BH and I loved the JD listed highlights for the models they have (especially the framed connecting support system). I just wasn't sure what a small unit like this was capable of in a real working scenerio. All the videos and pics I could find on the net tend to show someone digging in what amounted to a pile of sand or freshly tilled garden soil from the looks of it.

So when switching from a 3 point setup you have to remove the lower arms only...right?...Then the hoe slides into the attached subframe brakets and a quick hyd hose hookup puts you in business---right?

Thanks Again!

 

[Cocre]

I have a 447 on my 3320 with a 24" bucket. The hoe works just fine and is more than adequate for most tasks. I have thought about cutting the bucket down a few inches in width but I have a mixture of soils on my property, and in the sand it can move dirt plenty fast so I guess I will just leave it as is.

Just take your time and you can move mountains.

 

[Barely Smokin']

GRN,

For what you're after, I think you'll be quite pleased with the 447. This is a well-worn cliche around here but, as they saying goes, the littler tools will get the job done, they just take longer.

If I were you, I'd make a master plan of what you wanted to do around your property in general and then figure out what jobs were better served by a larger machine. Then, I'd go rent an excavator or TLB for a weekend and knock those out. Not only is it quicker, but how much fun is that?

Then, by definition, most everything leftover will be well-within the grasp of your 447 BH and you'll have plenty of time to do it. After all, you can always rent that TLB again!

I think you'll be very pleased with that units ability to trench, remove rocks, bust roots, etc.

 

[AKfish]

Welcome to TBN! Hope this note finds you healthy and secure in Iraq..!

My last tractor had an 8ft hoe - JD 8A. Great piece of equipment and I used it to the max! After 2 years I fabbed a mechanical thumb for it and used it for another couple of years before I upgraded to a JD 110 with hyd thumb.

As other's have noted, the 447 is well suited for the 3520. And, from your comments, you know your way around heavy equipment and have rented in the past.

From my experience, having a thumb is nearly a deal maker/breaker. And, the extra foot of digging depth with the 448 (as well the added ground reach) is a strong consideration, too.

That said, if the price is good and the attachment is in great condition -- having a backhoe -- is a huge benefit (and fun) to the capability of your tractor.

AKfish

 

[GRNTexan]

Thanks again everyone! It has been pretty quiet here lately AK...no incoming for some time...thanks for your concern...R&R is coming in April!!!
I'm glad to have a place where I can get so much input. The past few days I have scoured the net searching for a deal and getting info on all my options. The deal on the 447 seems to have slipped away as the seller hasn't responded with the shipping info as he had assured me he would despite a request or two more for a reply. After learning more about my options and seeing how rare it is to find one of these hoes used at a decent price, especially anywhere near my home address to save shipping cost, I am leaning towards a new purchase of a 485....atleast I think I am. My dealer is located in Waco, Tx....in the past 2 years I have purchased over $30K worth of equipment from them and I'm hoping to get a break on price. Maybe I'm crazy for considering spending so much for one of these new but I have always been leary of used equipment. The 447 I was after looked to be in great shape/low hours and the fella wanted $4600 for it. For that kind of savings I would jump on the deal...but I wasn't sure I'd get the frame adaptor assembly sent...and the shipping would be about $600-$800 more....by the time you figured in parts and shipping I was back in the $6K + area. For a couple thousand more I could be assured I had a new (I'm assuming warranted to some degree) up-to-date, perfectly matched heavier 485 backhoe. I looked at the price of the 485 in addition to what I could expect for trade in on my 3520 as a down payment on a 110 TLB...but I would still have a sizeable difference to pay and I think my 3520 is all I really need (with a backhoe). I only have a bit over 100 hours on mine as is...still has the new tractor smell..!!
Do any of you have a 485 already? What are your thoughts? I have had a very hard time finding specs on these hoes. The John Deere sites I check only give the selling points of the hoes which are basically the same listings for both the 375 and 485. I am only assuming that the difference is between a 7' and 8' setup ...am I wrong? I am interested in a thumb attachement as well...especially after reading more about them and hearing AK's opinion of them. I'm not sure if the JD models accomodate a hydraulic version with just the power beyond couplers. Maybe you would need the addition selector switch and coupler kit such as used for the TNT on this model to power the thumb...?? I'm sure I could get by with a manual locked thumb but if I have this thing in the shop already...I'd consider all my options. Any and all opinions are wanted....and again thanks all for or your help!

 

[bw_wis]

When I was researching. I looked the 447 and 448. Besides extra reach, if I remember correct, the 448 had more power. I was mostly looking at its craning abilities. The 448s have 200lb.ish more craning power.

 

[GRNTexan]

When I was researching. I looked the 447 and 448. Besides extra reach, if I remember correct, the 448 had more power. I was mostly looking at its craning abilities. The 448s have 200lb.ish more craning power.

THX BW....Could you give me any sites to research?? As I was saying, I am having trouble finding actual spec sheets for any of these hoes. I usually end up with brochure-marketing type info with no real numbers to crunch.

I'm interested in comparison on all the models 447/448--375/485....if i had to buy new I figured I would shoot for the heaviest duty hoe I could afford...I'm not sure what performance benefit there may be between the 448 and the newer 485. These spec sheets would make all the difference.