Compact Utility Tractor purchase: Add a backhoe; Yes or No?
- Thread starter Ursa Major
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Ursa Major
Bronze Member
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- May 27, 2011
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- John Deere 2305
Thanks for all the terrific replies. I had been leaning towards a hoe to begin with. Now, after reading all those persuasive comments on the pro side, I confirmed with my dealer a 485 backhoe. I look forward to the machine and will post pics when delivered.
What a great forum. Keep up the good work.
What a great forum. Keep up the good work.
I bought my JD755 used with a hoe. I wasn't specifically looking for it, but it was a good bonus. I use it all the time. Once you have one, you will find many more uses that you could imagine. I will be making a thumb once I can get some free time.
The thought of selling it did cross my mind, but the convenience is worth more than what I could get for it. Some people will say they can get a backhoe or mini ex delivered for $X anytime they want. You will tend to have a bunch of jobs lined up and waiting to rent a hoe. I can be drinking coffee on my day off and decide to put on the hoe and get a job done. No phone calls and waiting for delivery or taking the trailer to the rental place. My time and less running around is worth it to me.
I stored it in the garage last winter, but it has been sitting outside since the spring. The paint is faded, so it has sat outside before.
I do have to take it off to cut the grass. I can get the backhoe off and the mower on in 20 to 30 minutes depending on how everything lines up.
The thought of selling it did cross my mind, but the convenience is worth more than what I could get for it. Some people will say they can get a backhoe or mini ex delivered for $X anytime they want. You will tend to have a bunch of jobs lined up and waiting to rent a hoe. I can be drinking coffee on my day off and decide to put on the hoe and get a job done. No phone calls and waiting for delivery or taking the trailer to the rental place. My time and less running around is worth it to me.
I stored it in the garage last winter, but it has been sitting outside since the spring. The paint is faded, so it has sat outside before.
I do have to take it off to cut the grass. I can get the backhoe off and the mower on in 20 to 30 minutes depending on how everything lines up.
BXinNH
Silver Member
I also probably don't use the BH on m tractor enough to really justify the price but it sure is great to have it when I want/need it. As others have mentioned get a thumb for it if you can, it will add a great deal of versatility to an already useful implement.
Matt.
Matt.
seymojo536
Silver Member
My wife and kids have this sixth sense when it comes to detecting money in my wallet.
I have learned that no matter how well I plan for a job involving rental equipment, they somehow take priority for their needs when all I want is to get that durn hole dug.
By investing in the equipment up front, I can do the job when I have the time and not have to wait until I have the cash.
Attachments are my savings account. Don't pay a great interest rate, but my principal is protected. Plus I can visit them anytime I want.
I have learned that no matter how well I plan for a job involving rental equipment, they somehow take priority for their needs when all I want is to get that durn hole dug.
By investing in the equipment up front, I can do the job when I have the time and not have to wait until I have the cash.
Attachments are my savings account. Don't pay a great interest rate, but my principal is protected. Plus I can visit them anytime I want.
boggen
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tractors are a multi purpose tool.
the only grip i have for a backhoe is the ford / new holland 555c TLB. it is a construction model tractor old but runs good. is that the backhoe does not come off, so i could run other 3pt hitch implements.
i don't have the cash for 2 good size tractors. so for me. it was put cash and some time into a old used TLB larger unit and get a lot of the big stuff done. then when majorty of the big stuff is done. sell the tractor off for most likely about same amount i paid. and then put cash into a CUT to Utitilty class tractor and a 3pt style / sub frame backhoe. smaller backhoe, but would allow me at that later date to run other 3pt implements.
the backhoe has paid for itself. granted on any new tractor and implements you can get a good price mark down if ya sell it later down road. but even after that. for me a backhoe would pay for itself.
city / town folks with say 5 acres of land. i would have hard time justifying to myself to say hey you need a backhoe. but when ya a DIY person. things come around that the FEL and backhoe just take care of like no other.
again tractor is a multi purpose tool. backhoe only extends that functionality even more.
the only grip i have for a backhoe is the ford / new holland 555c TLB. it is a construction model tractor old but runs good. is that the backhoe does not come off, so i could run other 3pt hitch implements.
i don't have the cash for 2 good size tractors. so for me. it was put cash and some time into a old used TLB larger unit and get a lot of the big stuff done. then when majorty of the big stuff is done. sell the tractor off for most likely about same amount i paid. and then put cash into a CUT to Utitilty class tractor and a 3pt style / sub frame backhoe. smaller backhoe, but would allow me at that later date to run other 3pt implements.
the backhoe has paid for itself. granted on any new tractor and implements you can get a good price mark down if ya sell it later down road. but even after that. for me a backhoe would pay for itself.
city / town folks with say 5 acres of land. i would have hard time justifying to myself to say hey you need a backhoe. but when ya a DIY person. things come around that the FEL and backhoe just take care of like no other.
again tractor is a multi purpose tool. backhoe only extends that functionality even more.
Ford tractor
Platinum Member
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- 975
Asking a bunch of tractor guys if you should get a backhoe is like asking a boozer at the bar if he wants a free drink!:laughing:
By the way, you definitely need to get the backhoe!
I didn't see in the other replies if they said it or not, but also get the tires filled with fluid and wheel weights. That will add stability and greatly increase digging force. You can only dig down with the same force as the machine weighs, at some point pushing down will raise the tractor rather than dig.
By the way, you definitely need to get the backhoe!
I didn't see in the other replies if they said it or not, but also get the tires filled with fluid and wheel weights. That will add stability and greatly increase digging force. You can only dig down with the same force as the machine weighs, at some point pushing down will raise the tractor rather than dig.
Want a drink?Asking a bunch of tractor guys if you should get a backhoe is like asking a boozer at the bar if he wants a free drink!:laughing:
By the way, you definitely need to get the backhoe!
I didn't see in the other replies if they said it or not, but also get the tires filled with fluid and wheel weights. That will add stability and greatly increase digging force. You can only dig down with the same force as the machine weighs, at some point pushing down will raise the tractor rather than dig.
Also good point about tractor weight. Never thought of that, like HELLO, Earth to Gizmo2......!
....and another YES vote.
I thought it over for a LONG time when I bought mine, but have never regretted it. I can now easily handle logs-- as was already posted, it works great with a thumb to hold logs up in the air for cutting. And, yes, you'll find other uses for it that you hadn't even considered. It's also the strongest part of my SCUT- amazing what it will lift.
I thought it over for a LONG time when I bought mine, but have never regretted it. I can now easily handle logs-- as was already posted, it works great with a thumb to hold logs up in the air for cutting. And, yes, you'll find other uses for it that you hadn't even considered. It's also the strongest part of my SCUT- amazing what it will lift.
chuckd1277
Bronze Member
Definitely get the backhoe...and swing by my house with it, I've got some work for it. I regret not getting mine with a backhoe. Congrats on the upgrade!
gilraine
Bronze Member
IMO it depends on what you want to do... building and creating, IMO a backhoe is essential.. If the heavy property work is done and you are maintaining it, the hoe is far less essential....I picked up a used (40 year old) commercial backhoe loader for dirt cheap, otherwise the tractor I buy would have a hoe on it...
the fat kid
Bronze Member
Wow I was leaning against it till I read this thread!!! That sucks now I gotta get a BH!
Don87
Elite Member
If you can afford it............get the BH.
The first time you have a sewage, drainage, water line problem..........on a saturday afternoon at 2 pm.................you''ll pay us for the advice.
Make checks payable to:...................
not2old
Veteran Member
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- 2010 Massey GC2610TLB
I'm much braver moving snow knowing I can get "unstuck" easily. I won't clear snow without it on.
adjusterr
Silver Member
GO FOR THE HOE! I have a Kubota L2500 that I bought without the hoe. I was lucky enough to find a Woods Groundbreaker with practically no use. Half of my ground is wooded so I find plenty of use for the hoe. Used it to dig a wet weather spring and regularly grade and level my .2 mile gravel lane. This past week, dug a water line trench for a neighbor who will now help me cut my firewood. If you get a hoe, be sure to check out The Bro-Tek Thumb, Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons, it's a thumb made in Canada and works like a charm. I have used mine for over a year and wouldn't be without it. Good luck with your new toy.
There ya go! Like I said, I don't use it for many jobs but when I do, it's a lot. I could never understand why some like the FEL tooth bar...then it occurred to me, No BH = FEL Tooth Bar.
Oldchuck
Bronze Member
There are a couple of things I don't like about the backhoe (Woods BH80 on a Kubota L4400). I can't just slap it on and pull it off like other tools. 3PH must be removed and then a very careful, time consuming alignment to get the thing on the frame mount. I have several other tools I use on the 3PH, box blade, logging winch, chipper, snowblower, and because it is such a pain to change the rigs around I try to do as much BH work as possible all at once. And then, when I get doing it I all too often find that I simply don't have enough power or reach with my little BH80. Can be very frustrating. I do get some work out of it but I would do much better with a bigger dedicated BH/loader machine. Different story if you leave the hoe on all the time and only do small chores with it.
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