Backhoe Is your backhoe worth it over the long-haul?

Alt5600 · Feb 28, 2008

I'm happy to see that this thread is still getting some feedback ... since this issue weighs heavily on me.

So sayeth the former WiTel ... now Alt5600.

RobS · Feb 28, 2008

Y'know, at the end of the day there is regular tractorin'...

... and then there's backhoein'. Whether you can justify it in your projects or not, there is nothin' at all like the mental stress relief of working those backhoe controls.

I doubt that I can financially justify keeping (much less buying in the first place) my backhoe, but no way in the world I'm getting rid of it!

fishpick · Feb 28, 2008

As much as I hate to agree with a guy with a picture of a Deere on his post

There is some truth to that statement... Sure - I have used my BH a lot - save money (maybe) by doing lots myself... there there is the intangible convenience of having it - "worth it's weight in gold" sort of feeling...
But - RobS hit the nail on the head...

Whitey · Feb 28, 2008

My shovels are getting rusty. That backhoe of mine gets more use. It is a great item for a young son to operate too! My 10 year old loves when we do backhoe work. Everything from opening up foundations, downspout conductors, electrical lines, foundations for stone walls, etc. I own a used unit now but when we attach more property I will be shopping for a bigger tractor and when I buy it will have a backhoe.

JD 770 / 70 FEL / 7 BH - 425 AWS / 54" MMM / 54" FMP - BB?

AndyMA · Feb 28, 2008

Personally I use my backhoe as much as my FEL. I would not buy a tractor without one. On my land at least a tractor without a backhoe is virtually useless. The ground is just too rocky and hard. I use it to dig,trench, pull stumps and rocks. There is no way I could plant a tree without one. I've had hoes on my last four tractors and to me they make the machine 100's of times more useful. Renting one is also useless unless it is for one dedicated project. In my usage, I'll use the hoe on and off for the entire project and there is no way to group the activities. In fact I have 2 tractors with one always having the hoe on so that I can use it as necessary, Value: Priceless. I read many of you trying to justify an attachment economically and it just makes me laugh. I look at it as could I get the work done with the time I have available without it and the answer is no with out my backhoes.
I suspose the answer may be different for those of you who live where the soil is easy to work, but not around here.

Andy

California · Feb 28, 2008

AndyMA said:
Value: Priceless. I read many of you trying to justify an attachment economically and it just makes me laugh. I look at it as could I get the work done with the time I have available without it and the answer is no with out my backhoes.

I'll second that. This post with photo says it all. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...or-freight-back-hoe-trencher.html#post1302484
I think that was the most recent emergency that the backhoe solved for me. My tenant had called a plumber who charged $120 to report he couldn't help because his snake down the kitchen sink line hit garden soil after 3 ft.

In pouring rain I went and installed 10 ft of perforated 4 inch drain, bedded in gravel, and had the project finished before I was even chilled. If I had built that with a shovel I would have been out there past midnight digging under lights in the pouring rain. Priceless.

There have been several cases where, like Andy said, the project would have never started if it had to be done by hand. That makes it more valuable than a simple hourly-cost comparison.

Blackbird_BX · Feb 28, 2008

In researching my tractor purchase, I found too many reasons listed for having a backhoe, especially once you add a thumb. I probably couldn't justify the cost based on projects I had planned before buying the BX24, but there are so many that are getting done now that would have gone undone and ignored if I didn't have the backhoe. The backhoe and thumb makes handling large logs a fun job instead of chore. I also have plans to do some drainage work that wouldn't be practical without the hoe. I'm sure that it will be more than worth it over the long haul.

Builder · Feb 28, 2008

They sure come in handy!

RobS · Feb 28, 2008

Y'know Builder, if you keep showing your too cool, but not very compact equipment like that and we're going to have to kick you outa here.

(kidding, seriously nice stuff!)

Builder · Feb 28, 2008

RobS said:
Y'know Builder, if you keep showing your too cool, but not very compact equipment like that and we're going to have to kick you outa here.

(kidding, seriously nice stuff!)

Thanks, man.

I really like the smaller stuff, too. I really need a smaller rig like you guys have for clean-up.