JD Backhoe 260 ???

[z1gasman]

JD 1026R with loader - my first tractor Just finished running up its first 6 hours and I can't believe how much I have achieved and how easy it is to work. I have a dodgy hand and needed a hydrostatic drive machine but it was the range of easy fit attachments that made me opt for the 1026r over everything else I had looked at. It was the 260 BH that really swung it for me BUT there doesn't seem to be anyone that wants to sell me one.

JD will not sell me one as UK dealers tell me that they are not allowed to import it and US/Canada distributors that I have spoken to say they are not allowed to export. Not very clever of JD to promote the 1026r with FEL and 260 BH around the world and not mention availability restrictions.

Any ideas of how / where best to get the full BH package welcome.

I should mention that I got a broker to source the tractor for me. He was quite negative about the JD Backhoe 260 (not up to much, hard to get, better with a Lewis) and I know I should have done more research myself but after missing out on a couple of other tractors I took the plunge and thought that I would manage to get a 260 somewhere / somehow.

 

[The kid]

Welcome to TractorByNet. :tractor:

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome from Ohio :welcome:

 

[deerseeker001]

welcome from Wisconsin.

 

[swick1]

John deere doesn't make the 260. Look to the oem but beware you will need the subframe parts. I have this this tractor and hoe. Its not very strong as a backhoe but much better than working by hand

 

[yelbike]

The 260 on our 2305 has broken a few times. Its OK and can actually do a lot of work on a small scale. Kind of one of those mixed review situations. If you have to ship it half way around the world it may be less expensive to buy an older dedicated Case backhoe and sell it when your done. Otherwise you could search for on machinefinder, tractor house, ironsearch or other sites. I have bought some equipment from some 1000 miles away and had it shipped, sometimes its a good experience, sometimes not.

Welcome aboard and good luck in your search! Is there any John deere dealers in Scotland?

 

[z1gasman]

Thanks for the welcome everyone and yes there are John Deere dealers in Scotland. The JD registered head office for the UK is in Edinburgh - they will now have a letter from me asking for help re the BH 260 !!
Anyway, I am still on the case and not looking for anything heavy duty in the BH department.
Would opt for any BH that works off the tractor hydraulics as it will sit tighter onto the back of the tractor and be smaller and lighter than the types that are pto driven with their own reservoir.
I would think that the the 260 close mount type will also be less of a strain on the tractor mount.
Found a good forum with a write up from someone that converted an older 260 to fit his 1026R so this might be an option.

I have priced out shipment to Scotland and you would be surprised that it isn't automatically an issue.
A numbers check is however required across shipping cost, US price vs Local price, taxes and duty etc.

 

[Pixguy]

:wave:Welcome from New Hampshire. :us-newhampshire:

 

[rockshaft]

The 260 on our 2305 has broken a few times. Its OK and can actually do a lot of work on a small scale. Kind of one of those mixed review situations. If you have to ship it half way around the world it may be less expensive to buy an older dedicated Case backhoe and sell it when your done. Otherwise you could search for on machinefinder, tractor house, ironsearch or other sites. I have bought some equipment from some 1000 miles away and had it shipped, sometimes its a good experience, sometimes not.

Welcome aboard and good luck in your search! Is there any John deere dealers in Scotland?

How have you broken the hoe a couple times? I'm interested because I have one (relatively few hours on it).

 

[rockshaft]

Good luck with your search gasman, as long as you aren't expecting full size hoe performance, the 260 is fun to work with.

 

[yelbike]

How have you broken the hoe a couple times? I'm interested because I have one (relatively few hours on it).

One was grease issue, one particular pivot pin(one of the pins between the two booms) was not getting nearly enough grease as the zerk was very stiff and pretty difficult to get at. The pin seized than sheared which twisted the one boom. Nothing a good welder(machine shop) didn't fix.
A couple of hydraulic hoses have also burst. We also had a bushing fail at the weld.
I would just recommend lots of grease on the pins. Also tree root ball removal is NOT recommended. Stick to easy tasks and you will mostly be fine.

 

[Briana03]

Welcome to TractorByNet!

I moved your thread to the John Deere Owning & Operating forum.