Has anyone seen a backhoe like this before?

[4570Man]

A guy that I used to work with text me wanting to sell this for cheap. At first I thought the boom would be good to go on my buddies trencher and the hydraulics would be good for another project. Maybe converting my dump trailer. But when I actually looked at it it’s not the cobbled up homemade project I thought. It’s a manufactured piece by Kelly manufacturing in Ohio. It’s kinda cute. I hate to cut it up, I haven’t decided what’s going to happen to it yet.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Looks a lot like a stripped parks trailbuilder.
This is the only image I have from an old craigslist posting. They were specially made for the state parks.

 

[Tinhack]

My screen shows two totally different machines. I guess I better get a new display or something.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

My screen shows two totally different machines. I guess I better get a new display or something.

Apperently there were a few different versions made by different companies. There is a historical website about them but I cant find it off hand.

Never said it was exactly the same machine.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here's the RonCo version; DR Towable Backhoe. It's considerably lighter duty than what the OP shows. My neighbor has one of these, and for their purposes it works out well.
It seems like if it's in good condition, the price is right and the owner just wants to get rid of it, you can buy it then decide what to do with it.

 

[4570Man]

Here's the RonCo version; DR Towable Backhoe. It's considerably lighter duty than what the OP shows. My neighbor has one of these, and for their purposes it works out well.
It seems like if it's in good condition, the price is right and the owner just wants to get rid of it, you can buy it then decide what to do with it.

It’s only $450. I already bought it before I started the thread. How could you go wrong for that money?

 

[ptsg]

It’s only $450. I already bought it before I started the thread. How could you go wrong for that money?

So much usable stuff right there for just $450. Definitely a nice score!

 

[4570Man]

So much usable stuff right there for just $450. Definitely a nice score!

That’s what I thought. I’d planned on taking it apart for parts when I got it but I don’t think I will now. I have a mini x already but this is kinda cool. Unlike the really flimsy towable backhoes this one is self propelled and steerable.

 

[4570Man]

Looks a lot like a stripped parks trailbuilder.
This is the only image I have from an old craigslist posting. They were specially made for the state parks. View attachment 710548

What would be the point of that vs a mini excavator? It looks just as expensive and lacks the ability to turn 360 degrees.

 

[pmsmechanic]

What would be the point of that vs a mini excavator? It looks just as expensive and lacks the ability to turn 360 degrees.

Try and buy a mini ex for $450....

 

[4570Man]

Try and buy a mini ex for $450....

My $450 backhoe doesn’t have tracks, a blade, a thumb or currently even work. That machine CausticUrbanCoast posted is a pretty expensive machine.

 

[CalG]

I would bet that thing "ditches" like a dream!

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

What would be the point of that vs a mini excavator? It looks just as expensive and lacks the ability to turn 360 degrees.

They were made to create trails in state parks before mini excavators existed, they are also about a 1/2 the size of the smallest mini excavators on the market.

Here's a link to the Morrison version:

 

[ultrarunner]

Looks similar to what the plumber used when saw cut slab on ground floor of hospital during remodel to dig trenches.

Only difference is hydraulic power unit is electric... no fumes.

 

[two_bit_score]

It could get into some tight places.

 

[Smokeydog]

A small digger is very handy. My small backhoe simply fits more places than the bigger one. Good deal just for parts, extremely good for a working machine.

 

[4570Man]

I got the little digger in working order. It’s no mini x but it actually works pretty good for what it is. The biggest problem is it’s very poor driving ability. It’s slow as a snail and has close to no traction.

 

[mike0000]

That’s pretty cool, I would have bought it too at that price!

 

[Gregster613]

4570Man, She may be slow but that's much, much better than having to grab a hand shovel! Wish I could find something like that, it'd be great for my occasional animal/pet burial - or whatever small hole I need to dig.

 

[tman1020]

I built this when I was younger. It’s amazing what it would dig. But did not like to get around on the job site very fast either. Kinda crab clawed it’s way around. Was super handy and amazingly powerful for how small it was.