Backhoe How Big is Your Backhoe?!?

[MaineTWLSB]

Just thought of a question I wish I had asked awhile ago….How big of a tractor (hp/weight) do you need to safely/confidently operate an 8’6”(9’) backhoe? (A sub-frame is assumed) Any opinions appreciated.

Thanks
John

PS Sorry the title sounds a little rude... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[MMM]

Asssuming your speaking of dig depth and not reach., my 8.5 (flat bottom depth) is rated for 45 to 95hp. I think the main requirement is tractor weight to transport the hoe safely and keep stabilizers planted when dumping bucketful of dirt or digging. It doesn't actually take that much hp to operate the hoe. The man I got it from had hoe mounted to a 2110 Ford (38hp) that operated it fine hp-wise, but drug it all over the place trying to dig and would almost tip over trying to dump to the side.
However, to relieve myself from any liability, you should ask the hoe mfg.

 

[MaineTWLSB]

Yes I mean digging depth (sorry bout that). I thought maybe weight would be the bigger issue. I assume pump capacity is another factor, correct?

Thanks for your input....anyone else?
John

 

[MMM]

Most modern hoes this size don't require much flow at all. I had to use flow divider to get speed to comfortable level. About 6-8gpm is plenty.

 

[KiotiJohn]

For a hoe of that size, I would say at least 35HP and around 3500# up. HP not really having much to do with it, most tractor won't get into that weight until the HP is higher. Careful going by HP because many tractors are not that heavy, but have high HP ratings. Kioti, Mahindra, Zetor etc. have higher weight tractors and can handle this size. John

 

[dsgsr]

John, I have an 8.5 ft digging depth hoe also. It is a JD #48 on a JD 4700 (48 engine hp). If operated properly it digs and dumps to the side fine, but yes it can tip and toss the tractor around like a toy. Tractor weight means 99% so anyone with 1% experience can operate safely /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif You're welcome to Come over sometime and I'll show you what that size hoe can do. I think you'll want a smaller hoe for a 35hp tractor.

David

 

[OkieG]

John,
KiotiJohn and David (dsgsr) suggest tractor weight makes a difference. I agree, but...I have a JD #8A hoe which is the predecessor to David's #48. Performance specs are similar. It was designed to fit the larger CUTs of the 90's era. I fitted one to my small 24hp ~2000 lb. JD855. (It was on the dealer's lot, and was selling cheaper than a new #7). I am pleased with the results. My little tractor wouldn't handle anything bigger, but I'm glad I didn't settle for the smaller #7 (#47 equivalent).

Poor technique, which you learn to employ less and less, can toss the tractor around a bit. But, I can tell by the power that a larger tractor would be prone to the same thing, as David suggests. I know there's a load on back when traveling around, but there's no hint of untoward instability during operation, even off to the sides.

My advice in buying a hoe is that you could buy as large a one as will fit, and your hydraulic flow will handle, and not be disappointed. Even with a hoe that's "too large" for my tractor, I run the engine at about 80% throttle. The response is snappy enough for me at that hydraulic flow rate.

OkieG