BX25 digging in rocky soil?

[ddb123]

Here in SW Missouri we have some very rocky soil. Can anyone with experience with a BX or similar tractor share their thoughts on digging in rocky soil using either the backhoe or loader?

 

[Concordriver]

If the rocks are less than 2.5-3.5 feet in diameter, the BX backhoe will have no problems pulling them out of the ground. Larger rocks can still be moved. But, more effort is involved. The loader is not the implement to use to dig out buried rocks.

 

[AStanton]

Unless you are in ledge or trying to move boulders, you'll have no problems. You have to use your head and maybe a good chain to haul any stone out of the hole you can't get the bucket around. I'm in an area called Rockville, and the BX-25 had no trouble digging this 180ft trench for me.

 

[HeLa]

if you're moving a lot of bigger rocks, a backhoe thumb can come in handy.

 

[ddb123]

Thanks, guys! I have been jonesing for a BX-25 for a long time, but not sure if I would be happy with its digging ability. My local rental shops only have B21s.

 

[lowellw2]

If you have a large Home Depot nearby that has a rental dept. I have noticed they often have a BX25.

 

[jaotguy]

for the larger stones . ... dig beside and shift them into the new pocket , rather than try to lift them out ....

in hard / rocky soil , dig straight down as deep as you can ... then use the curl on the bucket in the bottom of the trench to loosen up the soil above / towards you ( selective controlled cave in )... then dig out the loosened soil .....

don't try to dig in and pull out big chunks ... the hydraulics are way stronger and you'll end up pulling the machine all over the place.

 

[CalG]

Unless you are in ledge or trying to move boulders, you'll have no problems. You have to use your head and maybe a good chain to haul any stone out of the hole you can't get the bucket around. I'm in an area called Rockville, and the BX-25 had no trouble digging this 180ft trench for me.

Hmm
I don't see a single stone in that picture,
Maybe some gravel, but no real stone ;-)

 

[CalG]

for the larger stones . ... dig beside and shift them into the new pocket , rather than try to lift them out ....

in hard / rocky soil , dig straight down as deep as you can ... then use the curl on the bucket in the bottom of the trench to loosen up the soil above / towards you ( selective controlled cave in )... then dig out the loosened soil .....

don't try to dig in and pull out big chunks ... the hydraulics are way stronger and you'll end up pulling the machine all over the place.

Are you saying bury them instead of digging them out? Stones are my best crop, new ones pop up every spring ;-)

 

[dragoneggs]

I have the BX25D with a 12in bucket and mechanical thumb. Digs great... I have rocky soil with boulders up to about 2ft diameter. BH does great. Best thing I did though is add a Piranha Tooth Bar for the FEL bucket, then you can dig with the front end too! Without the PTB the lip on the FEL bucket is useless IMO. With teeth, it digs!