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

[johnk]

I like the reasoning. I'll have to talk to the wife........ I'll show her this post.......

 

[3RRL]

Show her these pictures too. They are of my wife working the backhoe and running the tractor. Maybe she'll get the hang of it too?
Tell her gals are pretty adept at handling the backhoe and it's easy and fun.

 

[pat32rf]

My hoe (bought used) spends more time sitting than working, but then again so does my boat, deer rifle, chain saw and winch. Wouldn't like to give up any of them. Having it sitting there to be used when needed is worth a chunk, especially for moving rocks,planting rose bushes or digging drain ditches in the ice come spring. Being a smaller unit it will fit into a lot of places that a full size unit won't. Its a LOT cheaper than renting around here and much handier than borrowing. I've also found that the learning curve on my unit meant a lot more work got done when I have borrowed a full size neighbours rig and I can do those small jobs for friends without breaking their bank....

 

[witel]

I saw a TBN-posted link that showed weights of various material (i.e. sand, gravel, dirt, et. al.) that I need to track-down.

I'm just following up on my own comment about finding the TBN thread on weights of various material. It's right here ... and very useful.

 

[DWD]

Like a few have stated, I too waited (about 4 yrs) to get a backhoe. Why did I wait....why did I not get one at time of purchase....???? Oh, hindsight...
I have a B2710, now with almost 900 hrs. Lots of things to go with the tractor. The best add-on was the 4-in-1 bucket, with a tooth bar. Those with a 4-in-1 most likely would agree to its usefulness, and capability. It increases its ability with a toothbar. Those without one need to get 'experienced'...an amazing tool. I think I would opt for the 4-in1 before the hoe, if only having one was the rule. Anyone want the box blade I have? Have hardly ever used it. The 4 in 1 along with the hoe makes my machine quite capable. And like today, after pruning trees and cleaning the mess up, I had about 20 minutes before I had to quit for the day, and I hoe'd out a holly tree, and some brush along the fence row which would not have been done w/o the hoe.
Useful? Yes.
Worth it? Most of my tools are. I don't borrow or loan my tools. And I like doing things myself, so I do them when I can.
I buried a guys horse not too long ago with my hoe. A bigger machine couldn't get where I needed to get to, to take care of the critter. And cheaper too......
I buried my neighbors monster horse a couple of years ago with just the 4-in-1. Worked great, but would have been easier and quicker with a hoe.

So, if'n it was me, I would get the hoe, and the 4-in-1, I doubt you will regret it. How many tractor people have stated they have used their tractor and implements more than they thought they would? Most, I would say. I have done things that amazed me, and the people who watched me do them.
For me, I look at it this way.....you can pretty much do by hand what your tractor and tools can do.....but with a whole more time, and a whole lot more Advil.....

PR

 

[gizmo]

Just recently I had my septic tank pumped out which I had never done before. When the pump guy got there he said the first foot of digging is free. We discovered that the top of the tank was almost four feet under ground and it would cost another $300 for the extra digging. Good thing I had a backhoe handy. I dug the whole job and since I also did the first included foot he had to discount me for the extra hose he was also going to charge me.

This is just one example of many where I needed my hoe right now and further convinces me that the cost was justified.

 

[LBrown59]

Justifying my BH is no problem.
Where I have trouble is justifying a shovel.

http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/storycty/chev6001.JPG 60 Chevy Convertible front
http://www.hubcapcafe.com/i/2001/storycty/chev6001a.JPG rear view
http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyscrapbook/files/kamp50.jpg 1950 Chevy
http://www.jenningsequipment.com/storepics/ksBX22.jpg BX23

 

[mike69440]

I consider a BH like duct tape, very useful. Use it a lot to lift and move stuff.
The L39 will lift and crane over 1000 lbs.

I have gottten my L39 in places that would scare a track machine. I would have needed a track machine to get me unstuck, had it not been for that hoe.

You can even dig a hole with it.

My wife has not used the BH yet, but is learning the loader fairly well.

I want one of these:
MULTIJOB MJX - Chargeuse pelleteuse à rotation totale
Except built by CAT

 

[dmccarty]

You mentioned the JD110. I have a 4700 with the JD 48 Backhoe and you ain't getting my backhoe. The 48 sits most of the year but when I need it I need it. My dad said why don't I sell it? NO!

It has dug the trenchs for my retaining wall foundation on the "barn". Its dug up huge stumps and that is its main purpose. We will be putting in more retaining wall blocks this year or next which will need the BH. Last year it planted a bunch of plants plus the usual stump digging.

The wifey and I where just out looking at the yard and wondering if we should dig a trench to put in a drain pipe for a water flow issue. Having the back hoe sitting there just makes it easy to figure out what we want/need to do. We know what will do the job.

The JD110 was not out when I bought the tractor and I would have looked at it real hard. I was just looking at it again this past week. It has some awesome hydraulic GPM's compared to my 4700. And it accepts skid steer attachments. I want but don't yet need a post digger. If we ever get one it will be a hydraulic unit that fits on the FEL. I just saw hydraulic powered rotary cutters that fit on skid steers. Those sure would be better for me than the pull behind MX 6 cutter that we have. With the JD110 I think I could use those instead of the MX 6.

My two cents is to look at that work list you have and see which implements will get the job done. But make sure you look at skid steer equipment and compare their prices with tractor attachments.

If you do get a backhoe, the JD110 with the single operator seat is the way to go. You spend quite a bit of time moving the tractor around and having to get switch seats is a time waster.

I have had this thought bouncing in my head to send my dealer a note to see what the numbers would be to trade up to the JD110. I mentioned it to the CFO and got The Look.

Hey, she ain't looking right now... She won't see the note to Joe....



Later,
Dan

 

[KJM]

I have a baby Kubota B7100 which came with (an equally tiny) backhoe. I bought the tractor with the thought that "the backhoe was free, I'll use it once in a blue moon".

I've taken it off the back of the tractor, installed a ROPS frame and am now working frantically to modify the hoe so it can be re-attached (without removing the ROPS). I have used the thing so much - it isn't funny. I read posts on TBN saying backhoes are handy, but until you have it on-tap you don't realise just how gob-smackingly useful it is.

When my backhoe goes, I'll probably be pushing up daisies and they'll get more $$'s for it than I paid!

$0.02
/Kevin