Backhoe JD 3320 with backhoe

[sunrisefarm]

Well I think I've decided to purchase a new JD 3320 (after lengthy deliberation). I want to put a backhoe on it..either the JD375 or
JD485. I was wondering if anyone has either of these setups and could give me some input to help me decide which hoe to get.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Sounds like the 375 is for 3x20 series open station and cab. 485 will fit 3x20 open station and 4x20 open and cab. Your thought on Cab or any possible later upgrade could effect your choice.

Check specs on each - do you need heavier / bigger / faster / stronger / more reach / more $$$. If so then go 485.

What else are you going to do with tractor. I have 3320 / MMM / 447, which is pretty much the same as the 375. I don't even bother taking off the BH to mow. Extra weight does not seem to be a problem.

 

[sunrisefarm]

No cab in the future. I'm kinda hardcore. Going to use it around the farm which translates to use it as a wheelbarrow. Seriously, I have about 5 acres of field I mow twice a year, post hole digger for fencing, blade for maintaining 1800ft driveway and everything else i can think of to have an excuse to use it. Need backhoe for some trenching I need to do for elec/water to barn, culvert replacement on driveway and cleaning out manure (thanks neighbor) from a stream twice a year. I likde the idea of extra reach of the 485 but can't figure out if its worth the $850 the dealers asking for the upgrade from the 375. If someone told me that one or he other had problems it would help me make a decision. How long you hadd the backhoe? What do you use it for?

 

[R W]

No cab in the future. I'm kinda hardcore. :

A wise decision, wouldn't want to own a tractor with a cab myself.

 

[DreaminGreen]

My Kinda Man!...Don't need no stinkin' cab . I would damage one too much, going into the woods like I do.

 

[tuolumne]

I have a 448 on a 3520. This is definately not too much hoe for the 3x20 chassis. The 447 feels like a toy in comparison, although I'm sure it does well for those who don't have major digging projects. I've used mine to trench in our utilities; 450'x4' deep, trench the well; 60'x6' deep, daylighting the footing drain; 200'x4' deep and pulling a lot of stumps. Future use will include a 300' curtain drain for the septic, supply line and tank excavation for the septic and untold stump removal. I cannot imagine using a smaller hoe for these purposes, but I also don't see the need for anything larger than the 448; it will do any job I have, and would possibly just take a bit more time than a larger TLB. The 447 would have been too small for some of these jobs; for sure the septic tank burial/trench which will be 8' deep, and possibly even the well trench.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

How long you hadd the backhoe? What do you use it for?

Only had it since Feb 08. Dug 170' trench for NG line to shed, flowerbed / landscape work, holes for some trees. Future trench for footing / foundation wall for shed extension. Using 13" bucket for now because I don't want wide trench. Agreed I could have gone with 448, but doubt I will tax the capabilities of the 447 so could not justify the extra weight / $$$ Around here a foundation footing would never be deeper than 92" so the 447 will do that even if I have to move a bit more often.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I think Toulumne has given you a good perspective for the 448 alternative. From my reading here on TBN I don't recall anyone posting specific problems regarding either 447 / 448, so take a look at accessories / buckets available for each, look at intended uses, how valuable is your time and assess how all that relates to either spending or saving $850.

 

[Nuru]

A wise decision, wouldn't want to own a tractor with a cab myself.

sorry to diverge a bit, buuuut:

Ok, well, we will wait and see when you your posts rise to the thousands/you get a few more years on down the road and the units keep getting cheaper and cheaper due to the economy. I also stated that I would not have two tractors and ooops suddently now I have two, one big, one little, and they compliment each other in how I use them - One is for really mowing steep slopes/pulling objects under 1500 pounds and the other is for everything else!.

OBTW, these Cab units are very good and you don't have to wear ear protection or heavy clothes in the snow. also there are other benefits:

• if you happen to drink a little too much in the summer while mowin', you won't fall off the tractor if you forget to put on your seatbelt cause you are mowing flat surfaces!
• They also make great step ladders too!
• wife/Kids can shout at you to ask you somethin' and you have a legitmate reason to not hear anything said to you from outside the unit. however, I being foolishly optimistic bought a new set of two way radios for another purpose, left them layin' around and they figured out how to use 'em
• No running from accidently disturbing insects nests or animal lairs (well this claim excludes bears)
• You can get prescription glass so that when you are in your middle age (80's), you can still see well!
• you can get smoked glass, so if you get into with someoone and you are in your tractor you can probably push them around a bit defending yourself with your loader a bit (not enough to hurt them), and not be identified as the operator of the unit at the time of the event (ok, incident)

 

[Spudland_Dave]

My Kinda Man!...Don't need no stinkin' cab . I would damage one too much, going into the woods like I do.

LOL....I'll be thinking about you "hardcore" guys while I got my Dunkin in the cupholder, wearing just a T-Shirt & Jeans, snowblowing the driveway when its -20.....
Come to think about it...I'll be thinking of you guys all summer long too while I got the A/C on and I'm boxblading in the nice cool dry air...(80+ and muggy out)...
Sorry, but there isnt a day I dont love my Cab.... I'm glad my dad, uncles, etc.. all told me the stupidest thing I could do would be to buy a tractor without a cab...between them all theres probably 150 years of experience and about 18 tractors ranging from a 20 year old 18 hp Iseki/Bolens to a Brand new New Holland TM190