Backhoe How much can a BX22 backhoe handle?

[Charley]

With about 250 hours on my BX22, it has proven to be a very good machine for my domestic needs. However, lately I've been doing a bit of backhoe work in my remodeling business laying drain tile. What seems a perfect tool for home seems painfully overmatched when using it for a living. While doing about 30 hours of backhoe work this past week, I pondered about how much of this work the little BX should be expected to handle before problems arise. Anybody out there with a bunch of backhoe hours have problems with sloppy bushings or other wear-related problems?

 

[Volfandt]

Your 250 hrs is about 130 more hrs than I have on mine so you may be a better judge than I.
That said, before I bought my BX23 I rented one of those TerraMite small TLB's and I think the BX is as stout, if not moreso than it was. Especially the diesel engine over the gas engine in the Terramite.
I don't believe the BX23 is rated as a commercial TLB so you may be working in unchartered waters their Capt'n /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[TroyR57]

I think that you should have lots of hours left, I had check out a B21 last year with almost 4000, hours on it, and it was just needing the bushing's replaced, all though its commerical grade, I feel the BX is tuff enough to take it.

I have put my BX 23 into some tuff work also, and it takes it on with ease, you just can't ask it to take the bigger bites, that the bigger machines can handled.
One thing I wish, the BH bucket had is sharp edges on the side, just above the teeth, as bigger machines have, this would allow you to cut through some roots, you might get some one to weld these pices on, but, don't take your grinder to the sides and do it your self, it woud make it weak.

That being said, I live in Louisiana, and the soil, is very easy to dig in.

 

[bird1968]

Charley,

If I where you, I would sleep easy at night. I've got 560Hrs on my BX22 & give it a hard time. This photo shows a little sample of what it's been up to. Moving mountains.

Shows only minor play on the BH right/Left rotation on the cylinder bushing.

 

[escavader]

If your using it for a livin id grease it every day,just like most pros do
ALAN

 

[jeffmazz]

My friend has a BX22 with over 800 very hard hrs. on it. Mostly backhoe use. He installs residential retaining walls and frequently uses the BX instead of his much bigger Case 580 to dig the footers. He has replaced a few pins---I'm not sure which ones, but most of them are still the originals. Frequent lubing is important. This machine has been trouble free for over 800 hrs. Thats one reason I bought one instead of another brand.

Jeff