For Those Without a BH, How Do you Do It?

[boggen]

sounds like you were in same situation i was, a year or 2 ago.

3pt hitch backhoe, or not. anywhere from 4k to 8k for it.

for me it came down to what needed to be done. this old farm is ran down. and needs a lot of prep work. (dirt work). along with putting in new water, electrical, gas, septic lines. including culverts, and tree removal.

to me it was worth getting an older TLB (tractor loader / backhoe) construction type, were seat just turns 180 to use the BH (backhoe). time it would take to switch seats via 3pt hitch BH. to feeling like an octopus to use FEL (front end loader), BH, left and right rear brakes (steering brakes), gas peddle or handle, to get unstuck ((way to many times)). along with the extra power and weight of an older used ford / new holland 555c loader backhoe. it was well worth it and has paid for itself.

BUT there is a con. right now the farm looks like a mud hole. but i am willing to accept this for right now. after a couple years of getting primary prep work done. i will end up selling / trading this older unit in. for a regular utility tractor. and at that time get loader attachments and 3pt hitch attachments / implements. and will most likely downsize in HP (horse power).

other words right now the TLB is prep, and the utility tractor will be for me a maintenance / upkeep tractor for the farm.

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renting.....

i do not have a big enough vehicle to handle towing a excavator. nor a trailer that could handle the weight. so that adds up to cost.

i would most likely end up taking a day off of work or 2, to run the rental machinery, so that is more cash out of pocket.

wasted half day to full day. going to and back from rental place. plus gas.

hope it does not rain while i am renting it.

get some seat time and get use to the machine. (takes some time)

it adds up quickly for rental. ya 1000 here and a 1000 there. for say a weekly rental. but if ya had it already vs renting. you might have saved a good day or more on some projects vs trying to use other less efficient methods. and you have it when ya need it. and work a fully weekend. vs messing around waiting for rental to show up or getting it.

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if ya need to do a lot of dirt moving. i find it is easier with the 555c TLB, to dig up areas with the backhoe bucket with teeth on it, and make one large pile of dirt. then use the FEL (generic bucket with no teeth on it) to run right into the softer pile of dirt. and move it were it needs to be. and then use the FEL to level things out with.

some times backhoe, is much easier to compact dirt. as you fill in areas. vs driving over the spot with front / rear tires of tractor. more so in tight spaces.

i do not have a "thumb" for the backhoe. but i sure can curl that BH bucket up around a tree, and move it to a trash pile or a pile were i can later chain saw it easier. vs cutting down in the woods.

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folks have used rock sleds. ((think of a metal hood off of a old truck or car, that ya attach some chains to. and toss rocks on it. to pull it around the yard)) then use ropes and like to put rocks manually were you want them. vs using a backhoe and thumb. or 4in1 bucket, or regular bucket with grapel attachment on it.

electric, gas, septic, water, telephone lines. it can be at times easier to get a ditch witch. ((looks like a huge chain saw)) for digging trenches for the pipe. and can make for a cleaner look vs dealing with a backhoe, but if you have a lot of rocks, a trencher can come to a hault.

folks have came up with ways to make pulling trees out easier http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/129506-tree-puller-hard-get-trees.html

tree stump grinders.

dulling chain saw blades. to get closer cut to ground.

multi ways of going about everything. what makes sense to you vs short and long term goals?

 

[tnjind]

Such tasks as boulder/stone removal, stump removing, etc.? I currently have a Kubota B20 and am looking to upgrade however a 40hp+ tractor with a BH is expensive so I was wondering whether I could survive without one. I do have a lot of stones on my property and I have a number of stumps I need to remove (4"-10" trees - elm, ash, birch). I am currently looking at a Kubota MX4700 or a Kioti DK45SE and would purchase a BB.

Other than renting a mini-ex, any other tips if I am sans BH?

Tks.

4-10 inch trees. Really? Axe, shovel. Tractor to clean up.

 

[Baby Grand]

For trenching: Middle buster, eye hoe & shovel.
For 4-10" trees: Either tnjind's method or subsoiler if I can get access from 3 sides.

 

[Kyle241]

4-10 inch trees. Really? Axe, shovel. Tractor to clean up.

That would not work around here. a 10" (diameter, not circumference) ash, hickory or elm with a lot of stones would take days to dig by hand and I would guarantee whoever did the job would not be moving very well after it. This area is famous for it's stones and my property has them sticking out of the ground everywhere so that is why a BH or a grapple is a must.

 

[Baby Grand]

Understood. I used to live (many years ago) on top of a terminal moraine, so I know what you're talking about. We left stumps to rot as we didn't have a tractor and keeping an axe sharp was enough work when we used it for felling, let alone putting it to roots.

 

[tnjind]

That would not work around here. a 10" (diameter, not circumference) ash, hickory or elm with a lot of stones would take days to dig by hand and I would guarantee whoever did the job would not be moving very well after it. This area is famous for it's stones and my property has them sticking out of the ground everywhere so that is why a BH or a grapple is a must.

Yeah, I see your point about the rocks, sucks to try to dig.

I have cut/dug a few trees that size, wasn't to bad but no large rocks, and easy digging soil.

 

[Bdavis]

I think you can get by without a backhoe but I couldn't make it without my Front end loader. I don't have that many stumps and have been able to work around it with a variety of methods. (I don't really have a way to transport or rent a back hoe)

I bought a Paumco quick spade combo about a year ago and have been very pleased. I mainly have used it for trenching but I did remove one pretty good stump with it. It takes a little time to learn how to operate it but I can sure dig a 2 foot deep trench pretty quickly now. Hey for only a little over $300 it has been a good investment.

 

[Scrambler82]

I know this is “How do you get along w/o a BH” and I have already commented earlier in the post but earlier this week I dug a run-off trench about 18” deep and 26 feet along the side of my house, and am working on a leaching field, not sure how big.
Then there will be an overflow trench after that from the field.
I would not have done it without the BH, I can’t image not having it.
When I first looked at smaller Tractors I wondered if a BH would be big enough to get anything done, well it IS and I am GLAD I did get it.

So to answer the OP question, "Those Without a BH, How Do you Do It ?”

I wouldn’t do it, the BH is the best tool I have ever purchased.

 

[Kyle241]

Scrambler82, I agree a BH is a great attachment to have as one can do so much with it. I am planning to purchase one with my new tractor...just got to make the decision on which tractor!

 

[sdmayhew]

For most things on my familys 66 acres we can get away with our two 30hp tractors. For big stuff it is best to go rent a big backhoe. Once you use something like a 310SE to dig trees you will never want to do it any other way.

The best thing that I bought was 6,000lb heavy duty pallet forks with Quick Attach when I got my tractor. This lets me swap from 6' foot wide bucket to pallet forks in less than 3 minutes.

For trees under 12" diameter my l3130 with Quick Attach pallet forks, filled tires and 500lb of counter weight will push over trees roots and all.

I have even pushed over bigger ones once they rot a little bit. see attached pictures =)_
with the Pallet forks I have not been real successful at popping roots. Might have to try the tree spade.

What I have done to pull small brush is to put a pallet grabber hooked to my pallet forks at the Quick Attach mount, grab the small tree or brush and then leverage up with the forks in the ground. Works good on most small trees under 2"

I will move rocks up to 1000 lbs with my pallet forks - just set forks in close.

I have also dug irrigation trenches with my bucket. I just make a bigger trench, lay pipe and then back fill.

I must say that I have been looking at the single shank sub soiler for running irrigation lines.

Most of my stumps are Oak trees that are 12-48" in diameter. For these I either rent a backhoe or have a dozer come out. We have also had a D8 low boy come out when we cleared 15 acres of tree's.

 

[Ferrit]

I have just recently purchased an offshore backhoe unit.
It was slightly used and it came cheap 2500.00
It's a 3 point and it digs very very well.
It goes nicely on my B7100 HST in under 5 minutes
My land is all pit run and that's next to impossible to dig in with a
shovel.
I Have already dug a few stumps. es it takes awhile and yes it
leaves a hole. But it does take it out and its quite
satisfying to tackle one and remove it.

 

[Scrambler82]

Scrambler82, I agree a BH is a great attachment to have as one can do so much with it. I am planning to purchase one with my new tractor...just got to make the decision on which tractor!

Hey Kyle241,
I am new to tractors and looked with an open mind, no preset ideas of orange vs green; I tried three, the orange, the green and the red.

I then found Kioti, nice enough and I would probably have one but too much for my pocket (two years laid off).
While checking on the Kioti, in NH, I spotted a nice little tractor, yellow and black. A lot better size for my area but would it do it, I did not know and actually had no idea on a lot of things.
The engine was Yanmar, i have heard they were good, then I looked at what they added to the tractor the others didn稚 have, in the size range, and the settled it.
I bit the bullet and bought the CCY 2450 and never have looked back. this thing has done everything I have asked of it and I am only running at 2200 rpms, it will go up to over 3K and the digging and moving of dirt should get easier.
I am happy with my CCY 2450 TLB Tractor (a SCUT) and the dealer I user Emerich of NY, and not only would buy another CCY but it will be from them.

I was not sure about a new brand of tractor but as I said they offered what I considered good options.

Good Luck on your hunt.

Oh ya, IMHO… one more thing and not sure if it good or bad, to me good… the BH is setup on the frame not hung out over the back side as with Orn and Grn. Again I am not sure if this is good or bad but it seems the 2450 was designed with the BH in mind; on the others it looks like the BH was an after thought.

 

[KubotaBall]

Hi Guys:

I came across this little bucket attachment - a QuickSpade. Quick Spade Combo - Paumco; Quick Spade, Grader Kit, Bucket Grapple - Tools for Outdoor Recreation, Farming, Landscaping
PS - I don't work for them or have any relationship at all.

I finally ordered one and it does some jobs really well. Attached off the bucket lip & secured with a heavy nylon strap, it's perfect for rolling large diameter cut up logs onto, and it works under stones/boulders too, as long as they're not too heavy for my Kubota B7800.

It's made of heavy-duty plate and I'm afraid I'll bend my bucket before the spade.

Still, my Kubota really isn't heavy or strong enough to "pop out" anything more than smallish tree stumps (5" dia.) - it's a lot more work on larger stumps - having to dig around them and cut roots - driving around them from all sides (which isn't always possible in the woods). I not sure I'd even bother trying to use it on a 2' stump.

Digging holes & trenches works pretty well too.

It's a handy, poorboy's backhoe, but no replacement for the real thing, if you need one.

Best of luck.

 

[patrick_g]

I have a Harbor Freight trencher which is essentially a small stand alone backhoe. It is its own trailer and can be pulled to where it is needed by even a small compact pickup or towed by my CUT Kubota (39 HP at PTO)

Once at the work site you can unhitch it and let it navigate independently or if you don't need super maneuverability yo can leave it hooked to the tow vehicle. I prefer to disconnect and be free of the tow vehicle. It has its own gas engine which is easy to start. and is as comfortable to ride as most implements.

It has a 13 inch wide toothed bucket but I think I could make a narrower one if I need it. Except for not being attached to the back of a tractor it is for most practical purposes, a backhoe.

I have used mine considerably and it just works fine. It is pretty low tech so anything on it should be easy to fix or replace with readily available parts not necessarily from the manufacturer.


Description of Greyhound 65162 Towable "ride-on" trencher.

This trenching machine's dependable 9 HP industrial engine powers the hefty hydraulic pump that lets you dig down to an 8 ft. depth with the included 3-tooth trencher bucket while you sit comfortably on the padded seat. A hitch coupler is included for hooking up the trencher to your pickup truck.

Boom travel: 60 degrees left and right
Digging width: 13"
Maximum digging reach: 8 ft.
Large 12" DOT certified wheels, 780 lb. weight capacity each
2.7 GPM hydraulic pump
2" ball-type hitch coupler included
Overweight Item subject to $89.95 additional Freight Charge
Replacement 3-tooth trencher bucket sold separately.

Engine: 9 HP, direct drive, recoil start
Ripping force: 4400 lbs.
Overall towing dimensions: 144" L x 67" W x 66" H
Shipping Weight: 1281.00 lbs.


Seems like a lot of digger for the $. I like mine a lot.

Pat

 

[crazyal]

I've a small BH/B7610 combo. My eventual purpose, if I ever get retired and moved, was to use it to learn and also build narrow trails on my land. I've about 300+ acres in Ms of timberland, and 75 in Vt.
But until then I play with it on my little suburban lot in Va. I've attempted to dig out 4 stumps in Va. The first one I documented here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/147380-my-first-stump.html

The next two were relatively small 8" pines, came out like greased lightning.

The last was a 30" plus maple with main lateral roots up to 12", I dug a 4' deep hole around it and it had big roots going down deep into heavy clay. It won.

Then to make matters worse, after I filled it in, thought I packed it down, and left it to sit for 2 months it bit me again. As I went to level the area around it I started sinking in, when I went to get out the front tire was about hub deep and came up against one of the 12" roots and I almost buried the little tractor. Now if I had had the BH on I could of lifted my self out maybe

I think the object is to dig out the stump not plant the tractor next to it. :laughing:

 

[newbury]

I think the object is to dig out the stump not plant the tractor next to it. :laughing:

I resemble that remark!!!

Actually my favorite method of stump removal involves diesel and fertilizer. But it's frowned upon in many places, particularly those bordering military installations in the Washington DC area.

 

[grsthegreat]

I resemble that remark!!!

Actually my favorite method of stump removal involves diesel and fertilizer. But it's frowned upon in many places, particularly those bordering military installations in the Washington DC area.

ya, gone are the days when you could buy ditching dynamite at the BigR stores.

 

[Redbug]

Hi Kyle,

I would recommend a stump bucket, first.
Stump Bucket | Gator Attachments

 

[sal64]

Such tasks as boulder/stone removal, stump removing, etc.? I currently have a Kubota B20 and am looking to upgrade however a 40hp+ tractor with a BH is expensive so I was wondering whether I could survive without one. I do have a lot of stones on my property and I have a number of stumps I need to remove (4"-10" trees - elm, ash, birch). I am currently looking at a Kubota MX4700 or a Kioti DK45SE and would purchase a BB.

Other than renting a mini-ex, any other tips if I am sans BH?

Tks.

if your not going to turn the ground just cut the stumps close to the ground as possible, that is what i do then i mow over them.i do have a backhoe for my jd990 to hard to put on for little jobs easyer to cut them flush.in my oppinion backhoe not worth the money i payed 8500. used it 6 times.

 

[IslandTractor]

For 4 inch stumps either a toothbar, forks or even a subsoiler would do the trick with either the MX or DK.

For 10 inch stumps that were cut low eough that you could drive over the stump with the tractor , you could certainly rip the roots with a combinatiion of subsoiler and either a toothbar or forks on a strong loader to dig out the stump.

A stump bucket or grapple would obviously work too although with the bigger stumps you'd probably need some help from the subsoiler.