Buying Advice Buying backhoe with the tractor upfront.

[fried1765]

I didn't get a BH with mine although I wanted too. I think in 5 years I only needed it once, however, once you have something like that you find uses you didn't know would help. I was always of the thought( if you can afford it) of having a separate machine for the BH, maybe find and old used one for 5-10K with a buckek on front. That way it would also be a bigger heavier unit for doing bigger jobs. I always thought the BH for a 50hp tractor was too small anyway. Just my opinion. no experience with one. My main use would be to dig out stumps.

The BH on my 48HP Kubota L48 TLB is very strong!
Not as strong as a mini-ex might be, but a TLB is much a more versatile machine than a mini-ex.

 

[4570Man]

The BH on my 48HP Kubota L48 TLB is very strong!
Not as strong as a mini-ex might be, but a TLB is much a more versatile machine than a mini-ex.

A kubota real TLB is a lot stronger than its tractor cousins. And a full size backhoe is a lot stronger than the Kubota ones. Like 3x as strong.

 

[kpsp50]

I've owned both orange and green I now have a Branson very satisfied with it check out keno tractor I have nothing to do with them but bought mine from Keno tractor and a price was unbeatable even with delivery charge I have no use for backhoe I had one on the orange one used it one time parked it and had to sell it separate from the tractor now if I need a backhoe I go rent it and take it back if it breaks down that's not my problem much cheaper that way with a bigger hoe then you would get with a small Sub compact good luck

 

[51allis]

I can only give my experience with this. Bought a 2014 LS xr4046 with the loader and never gave second thought for a backhoe as at the time of purchase they were offering the backhoe on it for an extra 4100. Fast forward to this year....now building a retirement home and used the loader extensively for excavating the "Frost proof shallow foundation" a.k.a insulated floating slab. So I didn't need the backhoe for that but with owning 20A farm land that needs constant care...plus needing to dig for well water line and septic system I sure wish I would have gotten the backhoe. I contacted my LS dealer and they couldn't even get the subframe so that I could mount any backhoe make on the tractor, let alone the whole complete package of LS subframe and backhoe....for all the time it would take to custom make just the subframe and the locate a backhoe to mount...I decided to just look for an old TLB that I could eek some life out of to finish my projects. After I got the TLB (John Deere 410, a REAL backhoe), an ad pops up in FB marketplace with a seller having the complete LS backhoe and subframe to fit my tractor, did I have regrets? NOPE because the seller wanted $6700 and would not budge, I paid 10k for the low hour JD 410 and now I have construction tractor I can beat to crap while keeping my LS for farm work etc. My thoughts on it....if at all possible, at least try to get the backhoe subframe even if you think you might not need a backhoe....with the subframe you could at least modify a different brand backhoe to put on the back. Happy Tractoring..

 

[panamaguy]

Backhoe is not a need for me, but would be a nice to have. I’m sure I’ll regret not getting it if I skip it.

If you put a thumb on the hoe it makes it 1000 times more useful. Can not imagine having a hoe without a thumb

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

The size of the Branson will limit the size and utility of the BH, but if price is not a particular problem and depending on your real or intended use it is always handy to have a BH on hand rather than having to rent. I bought my JD 3320 with BH for a particular job at the time, but have found it nice to have available when needed. The need / use for a BH will depend on what else you have available that could do the job and possibly your age & physical capabilities.

I have used the BH to dig up or create flower beds, dig graves for deceased pets, dig holes to plant trees, trenching jobs, digging out small tree stumps, excavation near foundation, digging a burn pit. For a younger person a shovel would probably have done the job, but my age / back are long past shovel work.

The utility value of your BH will be a function of "reach" = how often you may have to reposition the tractor. "Dig Depth" is also a function of reach = how deep a hole can you dig. The hydraulic power of the tractor is a significant factor. Digging sand or loose gravel is one thing, but even small tree roots can be very formidable and may require significant power to break or cut through.

 

[51allis]

Also noticed you are undecided as to what make/brand....please take your time to look them over very very carefully to compare the options on the tractors. My LS loader stick is cable operated (the loader valve is located almost under the tractor floor)...and I use the loader constantly and it has worn out already along with the loader valve not being able to hold in raised position for bucket curl etc. only 557 hrs on my LS. Read where Kubota has the loader valve connected to the loader stick (no cables) and this is a nice selling point. Not sure I would consider an LS again as my dealer only cares about sales, when you need warranty service he doesn't care to answer but will if you contact corporate. I would consider Kioti but no dealers anywhere near me for hours....Branson dealer was 2 hours from me, not bad...but he was pushy, the Mahindra dealer was no thanks...I just didnt click with him and his price and in the end I got the LS cheaper than the Branson/Mahindra, but don't always let the price be your decision making. Ask in advance if the dealer you are negotiating with can get the backhoe subframe on its own etc.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

It's a matter of upfront cost, use and preference. That said, I don't know anyone who regrets having bought one.

 

[Williy]

The best way to find the tractor that you want is to
test drive all the tractors you might be interested in
you can see and feel all the controls and find out if
they are easy to use/operate and not hard to get to.
Nothing better than having a hands on experience!
Here's something that most people don't do is
pray and ask the LORD for guidance the one who
knows more than anyone what you really need!

willy

 

[fried1765]

The BH on my 48HP Kubota L48 TLB is very strong!

To the OP

Make a list of the jobs only a BH will do for your needs.

I have a local guy that charges $100/hr and he does twice the work I could do with a BH. Makes more sense for me to hire the work out.

There is no outright correct answer...it depends on your needs.

I earn 8% on investments. So instead of investing $6000 on a BH, I can get about 5 hr of BH work done a year free. With no wear on tear on my equipment. It works for me, but I have only had the guy here twice in 9 years. YMMV

Obviously, some folks here use their BH a lot and it works for them.

What do you need doing?

How much will that "local guy" charge for the 20 minute job of lowering a heavy pump into a pit?
If you call him at noon on Monday, will he be there at 1:00?
How much will it cost to place 7 railroad ties (with thumb) when it cools off Friday evening ...let's say 6:00 - 8:00PM?