Can a BX23 really dig?

[HomeBrew2]

In summer, my area's ground can only be penetrated with a breaker bar. A shovel, usually only a balling spade, is only used to collect tailings from the bar. Under the surface may be rocks rom 2" to 24". Also I have many rock outcroppings that I removed during the winter when soil was easily workable. Last week, I had the BH on for planting a bush. Before I removed it, I thought I'd try pickin' more outcrops. I was amazed!!! It took a little wiggling with the bucket teeth to break the surface but it did in very short order. The rocks seem to be set into the soil like concrete so some extra digging and wiggling was necessary to pluck them out ... sometimes actually making full circles with the bucket/stick control while constantly moving the boom up and down slightly to take advantage of minor cracks and gaps in the soil as work progressed. I never expected the little BX to do so much of that kind of work this time of year.
Cheers!

 

[nasdaqsam]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It took a little digging and wiggling.........so some extra digging and wiggling)</font>Isn't that a dance step or something? I hope no one could see you! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[nasdaqsam]

Jim,

Is that a custom bucket or purchased bucket?

I would like to find one. It would be perfect for my needs. I love using a ditch bucket for smoothing things out.

Thanks

 

[Keybal]

RayCo:

I'm a few miles away from you in Media, Delaware County. I, like Junkman, have a BX22. Your welcome to come over and play if you would like. PM me if you want.

 

[SCB]

Nasdaqsam,
Stef had the bucket custom made by a local shop where he lives. tried to buy it but Jim beat me to the punch. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I really think there would be a market for it though.

As to the original post, I was amazed with the backhoe once I got mine. It will dig very well.

 

[nasdaqsam]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nasdaqsam,
Stef had the bucket custom made by a local shop where he lives. tried to buy it but Jim beat me to the punch. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I really think there would be a market for it though.)</font>Especially if anybody has actually had a chance to use a ditch bucket. For some kinds of work it can not be beat.

My friend owns a rather large excavation company and most of the time he will final grade an entire lot on his way out with his ditch bucket rather than bring a dozer in. To be honest I'd rather he did them all with the bucket. Much better job.

 

[RayCo]

Uh, SCB, that BX really removed the stump on the BX Trophy page?!! (Link)

I'm way beyond impressed.

 

[escavader]

I have had rocks on the surface i couldnt even push with the front loader,but i could lift up one corner with the hoe and push it along.Ibought my 23 last winter,i loved the power it had and ability pushing back these high snowbankings here in MAINE.Ithought the hoe would be the weak link[i couldnt try til spring],boy was i ever wrong.its its strongest asset.Every one just thinks its a neat looking little toy,until they see it work,then they are all begging for me to do this and do that.SO far this year ive been hired out for a 400 ft drainage ditch[then filled with stone, a150 ft waterline job,,at least 25 pull stump jobs[of course any over 10 inchs i leave alone unless they are mine.Speaking of which,i had a3 ft pine stump i pulled it took 4 hours after i got it out with the hoe,the root ball was so big,i couldnt lift it,or drag it with the tracter,i had ta wash it with the pressure washer to get the dirt off it to lighten it up.yes i got it out exclusivley with the hoe.
One important thing to know,that my dealer told me,its not so much the power of the hoe,its the weight of the tractor.You see i was thinking on a b series with a woods hoe.It had alittle more digging force,but what good does it do if it lifts the tractor off the ground.for 4000 bucks i made the right choice.Ican take this off and on in under 5 minutes,it has no complicated sub frame,this hoe was made exclusively for this tractor,and vise versa.The woods would go 7 ft this only goes 6 -i dont need any thing7.Like previous stated,you have to move alot.Just reach around lift your fel,lift up the stabilizers a little,push the throttle easy then set down and start diggin.
If you have never run a big hoe before you will absolutely love this rig.if youhave,you might not
ALAN

 

[kenneyz]

I have a bx2200,w/ the front blade,kubota snowblower and a few other goodies..I love it. My brother just bought a bx23....can it dig? WHAT....oh my gosh can it. We live in northeast PA...rocks from all over the world are born in my yard.( we're down on the creek flat...all gravel) Forget a shovel...we use the 3pt phd to plant trees around here, not because we want to..we have to. I dug an 85' trench about 30" deep in about 2hrs the first time I used it and I had never run a backhoe before. Now...I'll pick your teeth with that thing, I can make it do anything. Needless to say.."I" don't think you'll be sorry, you'll find more and more uses for it all the time.

 

[SCB]

Rayco,
Yes, The bx did dig that stump out. But, it couldn't get it out of the hole. I split it in three to remove it from the hole. It took a considerable amount of time. Most stumps up to 18 inch diameter are less than an hour to remove, but when you get to that size (4 1/2 foot) it takes alot longer. it just depends on how much time you have.