Justification for a BH?

[DK35vince]

I purchased a backhoe for my tractor 2 years ago.
Since then I used it to install the utilities to our new house. ( around 880' of waterline, and 600' electric).
Install 1000' of perferated pipe to dry up wet areas on the property.
Dig drainage colvert/drainage ditch along the driveway (around 500')
Installed colvert pipe under driveway
Dug the foundation to install a swimming pool.
Dig out more room and sloped the bank off behind my pole barn. Etc.
I use it often, goes on or off in 5 minutes.
The nice thing about having my own backhoe is I can use it whenever I want as long as I want, and best of all I only have 3 payments left and its all mine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[seasalt]

Not to worry Brandon1. Your 3320 will lift just as much, pump just as much fluid, and "bull" a load quite sufficiently I am sure (especially with the 300cx).

I went over the top and changed my lower HP tractor to a 3720 after my "friends" on the forum talked me into an firebreathing intercooled turbo diesel monster. After learning I lived in SE Texas, they probably wanted to make sure I wasnt embarrassed at the Saturday nite tractor pulls!!

have fun! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[seasalt]

RRF,
You lost a debate with your wife - understandable.
Your wife was the one taking the side of buying the BH - yeah...reminds me of the time my wife told me to go out and buy a new Porsche!

Anyway, glad you are enjoying it, especially if it was forced upon you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[gizmo]

Seasalt

I just put this on my 990 about a month ago and I'm already over the money guilt. It comes off really fast, but takes a bit longer to install. It has to be aligned perfectly. My problem is that I am changing it out on a gravel base. If you have a concrete surface it is much easier. My next welding project is going to be a support base with maybe a couple of adjustments to help align it for install.

I have ten acres that is mostly dense forest and I am constantly cutting trees. I have since removed about two dozen stumps without a problem. As you would expect bigger takes longer. I also finally solved a drainage problem with about 100' of trench. I've even used it as a crane a couple times. This Saturday I am digging a drainage trench on the side of my driveway. I have work lined up for this thing as far as I can see. My only regret is that I didn't get it sooner.

 

[dicker]

I agree that the JD backhoes are easy to remove and install. I have the 48 hoe.
We also have a PTO generator and sometimes the hoe has to be removed at night in a rainstorm. I can do it with my wife holding a flashlight in less than 5 minutes.

Richard

 

[brandon1]

Great information for the 448 BH. Answers alot of my questions. Has anyone actually used this BH or a similar one to dig through rocky ground? I have more rock than dirt and I'm talking some bigger type rocks. Will a BH this size have any problems with this?
brandon1

 

[LBrown59]

Why not not hire a guy with a BH to come in and dig for a couple hours and see how it digs?
Or you could rent one for a couple hours and try it yer self.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

OK, first let me tell you that I didn't know a whole lot about Deere's setup before buying mine. There certainly weren't any at the dealerships!

The first step in mounting the hoe is removing the 3 point arms. That sounds like a pain, but it is very easily done in less than about 5 minutes. Betting them out of the way allows the hoe to mount snugly up to the tractor, where there is a huge tthhiicckk mounting plate. It hooks up very easily, especially on a flat hard surface.

Once attached, it is TIGHT as if it was integral to the tractor. That is with no subframe stuck down there interfering with the midmower or robbing ground clearance. (btw, there is a subframe that should be used with the new 447/448 on the older 4x10 machines...)

I have yet to encounter a situation that my 447 can't handle, and it is smaller than the 447 let alone the 448.

<font color="green"> Has anyone actually used this BH or a similar one to dig through rocky ground? I have more rock than dirt and I'm talking some bigger type rocks. Will a BH this size have any problems with this? </font>

Yes. You can do it. Heck i see little BX tractors digging out Volkswagen sized rocks! you need to be patient with the hoe at first. At first, a new hoe needs to get 'broken in'. They don't lollow cammands well, and don't exactly do the right things in response to how you work the controls. After a bit they get better at following your instructions, and before you know it you can train one to pick up dog poop without scratching the yard... Amazing that they learn so well! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I would suggest getting the 12" HD bucket (you can get a wider one too..) to get the most power for digging. I would also think you want the 300CX loader, with a heavy duty bucket and toothbar. You should be set, (ok, get a grapple if you can!) I have seen grapple kits on eBay for pretty reasonable, you should at least get the plumbing for the 3rd SCV so you can easily add a grapple later...

 

[brandon1]

Yes. You can do it. Heck i see little BX tractors digging out Volkswagen sized rocks!

This is what I was hoping to hear! Thanks for the input MC Mike

 

[SoloDotCom]

As you can see in my sig I have a 3520 w/ 448BH. A lot of the "what you can do" isn't as dependent on the tool as it is on the tecnique. You won't move mountains with the boom or the dipperstick, but that bucket curl is bad! Mine is a digging machine, and I had never used a backhoe before. The controls are nice and responsive. The only thing I find I have a problem with is sometimes the boom up and down get jerky, but again I believe it's mostly a short between the seat and the controls.