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

[rScotty]

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.

I don't see it the same way as your drawing. I mean I see what you are saying, but as a medium-long time backhoe operator I don't see that motion as a problem.
As drawn it is impossible without a hydraulic knuckle - but we can come close enough. It all depends on the hoe & controls

Just because the bucket can't rotate doesn't mean we can't do a pretty good job of digging a ditch next to a foundation. I do a fair amount of ditching, and agree that it's not always possible to get into a position where I have the luxury that perfect position..... that position where we can pull the bucket straight towards the backhoe. It happens when you strattle a ditch, but how often is that?

What's more likely is that getting the backhoe positioned is a bit of a compromise, but the ditch still gets dug.

I'm saying we can still draw a straight line with a bucket by using the controls for swing, bucket, dipper, and boom all simultaneously.... now I'll admit that doing that does mean having to end up with a ditch that is wider because the bucket is on a bit of a diagonal... but that's OK. It's all in the controls.

OK...now for the disclaimer. I can't always do what I'm saying either. I mean, I ought to be able to do that with my JD310SG backhoe or with the Yanmar 3pt backhoe I used to have. Or a couple of hoes that preceeded those. But I can't & couldn't. None of those hoes have lever controls accurate enough to use swing, dip, bucket & boom all simultaneously with any accuracy.

And in the case of that big JD310SG, it is scary. If that big heavy bucket lurches a few inches out of line - and it will with me at the controls - then it would be all too easy to crack a foundation. I wouldn't dare. And the little PTO-driven 3pt Yanmar hoe didn't have the flow or the control - and had too much slop in the 3pt connections even if it did.

But the M59 has good flow, a solid mounting, and amazingly accurate controls. Making moves like that while inching the bucket isn't a problem; in fact it's easy. So I know it is possible - even though only one of my last 4 hoes can do it. I bet there are other hoes even better than the M59; I just haven't used them.
rScotty

 

[Gary Fowler]

I won't be getting rid of my two wheelbarrows and several shovels any time soon. Still find LOTS of uses for them.

I still have some use for a shovel on rare occasions. I have to remove the chicken manure from the hen house roost which is shovel work cleaning off a 2 foot wide board but only maybe 5 minutes at most. It also has to be a mighty small plant for me to use my shovel to set out (like a tomato plant perhaps) and then it is a mighty small shovel.

My wheelbarrow is free to anyone needing it. Haven't used it in 10 years and dont plan to. If my B26 cant move it, then my RTV 900 can. Those 2 pieces of equipment I couldn't do without EVER.

 

[California]

... And the little PTO-driven 3pt Yanmar hoe didn't have the flow or the control - and had too much slop in the 3pt connections even if it did....
rScotty

You've commented before that my Yanmar hoe is the same model you had long ago.

I agree, the controls aren't subtle enough for precision work. Feather the levers and nothing happens then it takes a very gentle touch to avoid nearly full speed motion. I run at ~60% of standard pto speed to have finer control. And as you said with all the slack tightened out of the 3-point the motions still aren't precise.

So trying to work on a diagonal like that diagram to take little crooked bites is frustrating, generally not worth it. Digging as a straight pull is the only really productive mode. Just simple force doing the work rather than anything precise. It's good at that.

I'm glad to read that the lack of precise control isn't me. I thought I was using the hoe as well as it was designed to do, so your comments are reassuring. :laughing:

 

[Diggin It]

I don't see it the same way as your drawing. I mean I see what you are saying, but as a medium-long time backhoe operator I don't see that motion as a problem.
As drawn it is impossible without a hydraulic knuckle -

Yeah, I drew a single line for both sections out of simplicity. It would really need to twist at the dipper stick knuckle to do what I want.

It's pretty quiet out here sometimes and I just don't want the diesel rumble to move a bit of dirt, brush or firewood, so the two Wheelbarrows have their place. Plus, I still need the exercise. And there are times when my ground is almost too soft for me to walk on, let alone ride over it on close to a ton of machine. Even the WBs leave a rut sometimes.

 

[electrycmonk]

So, here are a few pictures I took a couple hours ago of my drainage trench - just in time for the next round of rain to show me how well I did for slope. A couple months back I had a little help from my son digging in the coop 'run'. The trench served multiple purposes, had to bury the machine cloth for protection vs. predators; laying the drain pipe; and the tetris-like stacking the stones Inna sorta filter like surround of the pipe.

It did show functionality through the stones while the pipe was "up" outta the way on either end of the coop.
In one of the pics you'll see a 2" PVC pipe. When I moved the propane tank I asked the company what size pipe they recommend for protection of the copper supply line to the house as I am finally getting to see the driveway planned and thus this will protect from driveway etc.

Yes the BH is a 3-pt setup still. I don't see making the sub-frame anytime this spring and with that I've been very careful to not push my luck.
I've discovered that the cub throttle control on the dash had a weak hold and will allow the RPMs to slowly drop. That being said, it's not a real issue with wheat I'm doing with the BH. The majority of time I have the PTO running under 50% max; the engine is running at most 17-1800 then over the next 20-30 minutes slowly drops to about 1100RPMs.
Right now I wish I had landing gear feet that swiveled.

The control handles do allow for gentle & very slow adjustments which was really great next to and on top of the PVC protecting gas pipe.

 

[Bosifus]

I use mine enough to be glad I bought it.

 

[fried1765]

I use mine enough to be glad I bought it.

Absolutely the correct response!

 

[dragoneggs]

I use mine enough to be glad I bought it.

Absolutely the correct response!

ditto!

 

[dragoneggs]

Used the backhoe yesterday to 'carve' out a flat spot for a propane tank install next to my garage/shop that I will be heating soon. Although the site is small, I couldn't dent it with a shovel and I'll be dammed if I going to pick up my pick again unless the world is ending. The rocky soil was like concrete.

Some say the BH is a bad ROI... I don't care. I smile every time I use it... and stuff gets done.

 

[ovrszd]

Definitely not as bad as a boat for us mid-westerners Mark.

Although I'm a bit concerned by no pics.....