Harbor Freight's little Towable Backhoe

[California]

Does anyone have experience with these?

HF's Towable Trencher

Is there a simpler alternative?

I need to replace buried water and electric lines all over this place which will require some careful digging in tight spots. And I am always planting new trees or removing stumps in the orchard. Plus I may eventually extend water lines hundreds of ft down into the orchard. I figure one of these would cost about what I would pay to rent a trencher and this would still have resale value.

It's small, but I'm not digging a basement, just replacing underground utilities etc where a 9 inch bucket would be about right. I think a boom-type machine is more versatile than a chain-type trencher which I would never have another use for.

I would like to hear comments from anyone who has actually bought one of these or a similar machine. What are the less expensive alternatives?

 

[Builder]

Does anyone have experience with these?

HF's Towable Trencher

Is there a simpler alternative?
I would like to hear comments from anyone who has actually bought one of these or a similar machine. What are the less expensive alternatives?

A shovel......

Not trying to be a wise guy, but I can't imagine being able to do much of anything with that because it's so light, it will just jerk & pull all over the place when you hit rock.

Rent yourself a nice TLB and let the rental place deal with the hassles of ownership. Plus you'll dig 3x faster with a B-21 or L-35, etc than that thing.

 

[California]

A shovel......

Not trying to be a wise guy, but I can't imagine being able to do much of anything with that because it's so light, it will just jerk & pull all over the place when you hit rock.

Luckily I don't have rocks and the soil digs easily. I probably should have mentioned that.

As for the shovel - Been There Done That. I dug some of these water lines for Dad nearly 50 years ago. At least I got paid for it that time. Now I'm ready to use a machine to replace those lines!

Here are a couple of pictures I've posted in the past showing digging with the loader bucket, to show how soft this ground is. The first photo is bone dry ground and was loosened with the box blade. The second dig was done entirely with the 5 ft toothless loader bucket when there was still some slight moisture in the soil.

- But I think you are telling me what I already suspected.

Has anyone had a good experience with these little HF toys?



http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...995-smoke-gets-your-eyes-513380-dscn5063r.jpg

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sive-tractor-ih-504-404944-dscn4408r640-2.jpg

 

[EddieWalker]

I find it very hard to believe you'll be happy with it, or that you'll be able dig very well with it. I also don't think you'll get a grand for it if you tried to sell it when you realize it's not what you were hoping for.

Just about every backhoe needs allot of weight to hold it in place when digging. It must have that weight in order to use the force of the hydralics to dig. If you're just digging in loose sand, then it might work fine, but if your digging undesterbed soil, it wont work.

For the $3,000 plus that it will cost you to buy it, I'd seriously consider renting the right tool for the job you need done and buying a good post hole digger.

Eddie

 

[Builder]

Luckily I don't have rocks and the soil digs easily. I probably should have mentioned that.

As for the shovel - Been There Done That. I dug some of these water lines for Dad nearly 50 years ago. At least I got paid for it that time. Now I'm ready to use a machine to replace those lines!

Here are a couple of pictures I've posted in the past showing digging with the loader bucket, to show how soft this ground is. The first photo is bone dry ground and was loosened with the box blade. The second dig was done entirely with the 5 ft toothless loader bucket when there was still some slight moisture in the soil.

- But I think you are telling me what I already suspected.

Has anyone had a good experience with these little HF toys?



http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...995-smoke-gets-your-eyes-513380-dscn5063r.jpg

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sive-tractor-ih-504-404944-dscn4408r640-2.jpg

Wait a minute....I have an idea, why don't you just buy a small add-on backhoe for your Yanmar? Might be able to get something used for a decent price.

 

[thatguy]

That trencher is just "heavenly"... Did you see how in the top picture it appears to just floating there in mid air?

Brian

 

[HighLoader]

I don't think you will be able to get much done with it. I have the smallest of Kubota excavators, the K008-3. I have dug about 950 feet of trenches with it and it does a great job. It is also great for digging holes for planting trees. It is a bit more expensive than the harbor frieght hoe but well worth it. Here are a few picture of trenches I have dug with it.

 

[California]

I have the smallest of Kubota excavators, the K008-3. [and some great photos.]

I WANT ONE!!! If I could justify the cost, that or the next larger one would be perfect for my application.

You guys are convincing me to think of a 3-point backhoe. I spent the evening looking on craigslist and Ebay. I didn't see a used backhoe attachment.

A few hours north of me Dave's Tractors (a well respected TBN poster) has a Kubota U10 baby excavator in nice shape (Link - ebay listing) but he wants $8,500 for it. I would buy it in a minute if I needed it to earn my living but my application, realistically, is more retired-hobby.

The lightest Koyker backhoe is about $4,500 to $5,000 and I think that one can hang from the 3-point arms without a subframe - with corresponding minimal performance. Their more serious one might cost $7,000 plus all the hassle of building a subframe and driving a pump. Jinma's backhoes look too heavy and I've read they need some tinkering to keep them running - plus that subframe and pump again.

Revising my question a little: Does anyone have experience with Koyker's KB60 or a similar under-$5,000 backhoe attachment?

 

[shvl73]

Tommy at Affordable has a backhoe that could probably be delivered for around that much $.
See AFFORDABLE TRACTORS

I've got the larger of the two and it is excellent.

 

[shvl73]

I'll attach a picture.

 

[Builder]

The 3pt hitch backhoes aren't that bad....back in the late 70's early 80's we had a small farm and we had a Kubota 245DT with a 3pt backhoe.

You wouldn't believe some of the stuff we did with that thing. Way more than what you're proposing. Plus, if you have soft soil, it should be easy digging.

That Yanmar is just beggin for a hoe.

 

[hbaird]

I looked hard at the HF backhoe last year and decided to make a MetKit 708 Cadddigger with high performance cylinders instead. Health issues have delayed construction until cooler weather this fall. I suspect most problems with 3pt backhoes are off axis work at far reach. I will have no time pressure and can move my tractor as needed to keep the hoe force working against the pads. If I break it I all ready bought it and Tommy can sell me some new tractor parts.
Harold

 

[California]

The 3pt hitch backhoes aren't that bad....back in the late 70's early 80's we had a small farm and we had a Kubota 245DT with a 3pt backhoe.

You wouldn't believe some of the stuff we did with that thing. Way more than what you're proposing. Plus, if you have soft soil, it should be easy digging.

That Yanmar is just beggin for a hoe.

I may have located a Kubota K-650 backhoe. Is that what you had?

I started a thread on that subject over in Kubota Buying forum to see if someone can describe that model, since a search here and on Google returns nothing.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

You should be able to get a Woods BH6000 with a 3pt kit for under $5000. Use it, and then sell it on ebay when your done.

 

[geobar]

For all the work and applications that you have, I would strongly recommend forgetting the towable unit. It and you will get worn out very fast. Try sticking with eBay for a while for something that you can really use. Do an advanced search for a backhoe within 200 miles with email notification for new items. Last year, I bought a meticulously maintained Case 580CK for $6000. It needed absolutely nothing, came with three sizes rear buckets, all manuals, and a bunch of spare parts. It runs like a charm and the only money put into it over the last year has been fuel, grease and an oil change. Maybe I was just lucky.

 

[California]

Ok, I appreciate everyone's advice. Several of you persuaded me the HF unit is an ineffective toy, and to look for a real backhoe.

I found one! It's a Kubota 3-point backhoe, sized for the model Kubota (L225) that is a near-twin to my Yanmar in size, hp, and age. That's a 4x8 trailer in my photo for a size comparison.

It's in excellent condition since the original owner was a farmer who only used it occasionally. I don't see any wear at all in the pins.

The Kubota dealer says these were supplied by a US manufacturer, so I would like to identify the real manufacturer if possible. Does anyone recognise my photos?

I'll continue posting in this thread for a bit, while I am asking dumb beginner questions then start a new backhoe thread over in the Yanmar forum (my TBN home).

Thank you to all of you. There is tremendous breadth and depth of expertise here and I appreciate your sharing.

 

[shvl73]

I think you'll be really glad you went for the real thing. It looks to be in real good shape.
Enjoy it!

 

[Builder]

Ok, I appreciate everyone's advice. Several of you persuaded me the HF unit is an ineffective toy, and to look for a real backhoe.

I found one! It's a Kubota 3-point backhoe, sized for the model Kubota (L225) that is a near-twin to my Yanmar in size, hp, and age. That's a 4x8 trailer in my photo for a size comparison.

It's in excellent condition since the original owner was a farmer who only used it occasionally. I don't see any wear at all in the pins.

The Kubota dealer says these were supplied by a US manufacturer, so I would like to identify the real manufacturer if possible. Does anyone recognise my photos?

I'll continue posting in this thread for a bit, while I am asking dumb beginner questions then start a new backhoe thread over in the Yanmar forum (my TBN home).

Thank you to all of you. There is tremendous breadth and depth of expertise here and I appreciate your sharing.

You kicked-butt my man! that's an excellent 3pt backhoe you wont be disappointed!

That backhoe brings back memories....we widened streams, dug-up stumps dug miles of footings, trenches, etc.

Great job, that will cick the crap out of the HF towable backhoe.

Anytime you need me to spend more of your money, just let me know

 

[OleBill]

I purchased a towable"Trencher" from Harbor Freight 2 yrs ago at first it did great I was digging in pretty hard ground at times The unit started to come a part I mean i replaced every cylinder,hoses,main bucket boom "it broke in half", both front support brackets,engine,tires Its not bad if you want to buy 2 the warranty is very bad I first ordered parts from Harbor Freight but was sent a hydralic pump -for a cylinder an engine for a main bucket boom so I will use mine for flowers and roses or so and rent one to dig big holes

 

[liljoes]

I purchased a towable"Trencher" from Harbor Freight 2 yrs ago at first it did great I was digging in pretty hard ground at times The unit started to come a part I mean i replaced every cylinder,hoses,main bucket boom "it broke in half", both front support brackets,engine,tires Its not bad if you want to buy 2 the warranty is very bad I first ordered parts from Harbor Freight but was sent a hydralic pump -for a cylinder an engine for a main bucket boom so I will use mine for flowers and roses or so and rent one to dig big holes

i have the harbor freight back hoe. when it works it works good. but the center seal on all the cylinders leak over time. ive had the rod nuts back off several times.broke the cylinder ends off twice. replaced the controle lever pack twice. put two pumps on it. riped the bucket apart twice. for the money i have had alot of fun with it. i have worked it pretty hard. if you can't work on them then leave them alone. if i had to pay to get mine fixed i could have bought a comercial duty one. the bucket just ripped off again so im going to try a dr 9 in bucket. the cylinders.....well i will probablyfind another source for then also since ive had trouble with each and every one.