How often do you actually use your backhoe? (BX and B size)

[California]

If I remember right most all tractor mounted backhoes I looked at, the digging depth were based on 2' flat bottom.

That sounds right. I was trying to recall something I last thought about a decade ago. And the mfr isn't really declaring a useful spec. That 2' flat bottom means moving the tractor every 2 ft to trench at that depth - which won't be very productive.

 

[California]

Your parallel digging concept is interesting. A rotating bucket would accomplish that. But the digging depth would be very restricted. And it would take an operator with expert skills.

I wonder if the modern expensive excavators and backhoes have electronic controls to keep the bucket level and properly rotated as you draw the bucket toward you. Learning to coordinate that with the hand controls is, for the occasional user, one of the complexities to be learned. Then a machine that included that 'autopilot' feature could probably control offset bucket rotation as well.

 

[ovrszd]

I wonder if the modern expensive excavators and backhoes have electronic controls to keep the bucket level and properly rotated as you draw the bucket toward you. Learning to coordinate that with the hand controls is, for the occasional user, one of the complexities to be learned. Then a machine that included that 'autopilot' feature could probably control offset bucket rotation as well.

I've never heard of Topcon or any other type of auto dig function for a hoe. Not saying they don't make one.

 

[Smokeydog]

I don't dig deep, but I wish I could dig farther back, more reach. Guess that's part of the same boom length issue though.

The other thing is I wish I could dig offset but parallel as sketched. I'm not sure any machine can do that though. Not sure it's even possible with today's hydraulics and mechanics. You'd need some kind of articulated boom and the stresses would be extreme.

View attachment 641409

Kubota R-series commercial articulated loaders had carriage mounted backhoes that would allow the backhoes to shift side to side. Kinda like side shift on on a forklift. Also had upright stabilizer pads. It allowed digging next to a wall. They still make the loader but not sure on the backhoe attachment. Been a few other manufacturers make or modify a backhoe for similar applications. Often the digger of choice for foundation repair.

 

[ovrszd]

That's very cool.

Last year I ran a mini-ex that had the swinging boom like Fallon mentioned earlier. The house is designed to turn without ramming the back end of it into what you are digging against. I dug along my shop for about 20ft with it. Was a bit tricky to get the controls figured out, but worked very good for digging along the building.

 

[DK35vince]

That sounds right. I was trying to recall something I last thought about a decade ago. And the mfr isn't really declaring a useful spec. That 2' flat bottom means moving the tractor every 2 ft to trench at that depth - which won't be very productive.

Seeing as I rarely ever dig that deep its been a non issue for me.
Our water line and electric line ditches are 40" deep. Footers are 36" deep.

 

[ovrszd]

Seeing as I rarely ever dig that deep its been a non issue for me.
Our water line and electric line ditches, Etc. are 40" deep.

My old Ford 555A with extendahoe can dig 19' deep. I've never dug that deep. But I can dig one heck of a shallow trench before having to move. Or I can reach across a pretty good sized ditch and do work on the other side. Or I can pile my dirt a long ways from the hole.

For my uses, digging depth only tells me reach.

 

[Diggin It]

Or I can pile my dirt a long ways from the hole.

That's the other thing that bugs me when digging a fair sized hole. Pile of dirt gets annoying. But at least I figured out to use the bucket to push part of the pile away after dumping it.

 

[Diggin It]

Kubota R-series commercial articulated loaders had carriage mounted backhoes that would allow the backhoes to shift side to side.

You still need to have the tractor flush up against the building/obstruction though, which can be a problem. I'd like to see it at an angle as sketched, but I have no idea if it's even mechanically possible.


Just dreamin' cuz I'd never be able to afford it.

 

[electrycmonk]

That's the other thing that bugs me when digging a fair sized hole. Pile of dirt gets annoying. But at least I figured out to use the bucket to push part of the pile away after dumping it.

Piles of dirt "on top of you" while digging with a short 6-7' arm is most annoying, I totally agree. The skill of using the bucket/arm to push dirt & rocks further away from the hole is a skill I'm able to do with a modest degree or accuracy. You see, back in ~80-'82 time window - up in Cereal City, USA we had the streets in our rural neighborhoods get completely removed for the install of a major expansion of the city sewer system. The Canadian company that had the contract for our area where a real hoot! Seriously, these guys were able to do some amazing stuff with the equipment. I even got to work the big excavator and the articulated FEL [Snickers] they guy who drive that FEL was nicknamed '1/2-a-bucket' --- for good reason! (Still giggling)
The technique of pushing piles to the side away from the hole was VERY necessary for them as we lived in a hilly area around a small lake. The had to put in all kinds of pumping sub-stations once the collection & drain pipes were installed.....

I was 10-12 y/o during this 2year project....what a fun experience it was for me.....
So earlier this month I was having to 'push' alot and then would have to stop digging and use the FEL to relocate the rocks and mud/dirt to the distant piles....

These pics are after I dug and mother nature saw fit to test my drain ditch......