List of Things To Do With A Small Backhoe

[radioman]

Well- I have BX24 on 2 acres split in 1 acres lots. house is on one and across street is the other. The BH was very useful, and there is really no maintaince involved. Just retract the rods, coat the remaining chrome rods with jelly, grease all joints and call it good. I am still finding uses for the BH, even for things I never thought of. Its sooo easy to hook up and take off, I see it as a investment for years to come. IF I ever get into a situation where I need a bigger BH, I'd just rent a big one and get most of work done what I can in one day and return it. If there is something I forgot or need to dig more, I still have my BH. No extra day fees to worry about.

Terrancing would be accomplished the best with a backhoe if you have one and it certainly would take time to do. Where are you located ? perhaps a local TBN'er would like to come out and lend hand with thier BH and all you need is a simple BX with FEL.

 

[AchingBack]

I use my back hoe to scratch my dinosaur's back, and my giraffes neck. What I'd like to do someday is add a grapple to it. In the meantime, my first real project is a 100' x 3' trench for my underground utilitites. After that, I may start digging up some of the larger boulders around the property. I live on abandoned gravel pit property, and have a lot of future rock wall material for sale.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I find it interesting that a person can go out and buy a $20K motorcycle and think nothing of it but will agonize over spending the same amount on a tractor which is so much more useful.

If they didn't make a lot of noise - sales would go down by 95%. Just like little kids that put cardboard with a clothes pin to flap on the spokes of their bike and make a noise.

Same little kid inside - just older and more money - screaming - look at me.

 

[bxkubota]

I am all for the purchase of a BX25. I own less than half an acre and have several pool and retaining walls projects lined up. If you have the funds available it is an investment that will last a long time with a terrific resale value.

 

[tawilson]

I don't know if you do firewood, but I welded a grab hook on my bh bucket and sometimes dangle a set of skidding tongs from it to pick up logs for bucking up.

 

[DavidVT]

I vote with: if you want it and can afford it, then buy it. I bought an old beater and after replacing a hose it has served me well. Any projects I absolutely had to have? Nope, not a one. But maybe this summer....

A note about 'two small children':

Make sure you can properly secure this attachment. I have no children and had my BH stored in the field with no concerns about safety. While I was traveling, my wife hired two teenagers to move some wood for her. One played with the levers on the 'stored' backhoe, only to discover the hard way that it had the ability to move. No one was hurt but it really woke me up to the need to be wary about large stored hydraulic equipment and insuring all the stored energy is released.

 

[Abe460]

My MF 471 came with one and it wasn't really needed, but couldn't pass up the deal. When it's running (story for another day) i use the backhoe quite a bit.

I have 22 acres I live on and 40 in another area. The backhoe has been great for putting in culverts and getting fill dirt by digging/expanding the edges of the ponds. I've dug up some trees, but the backhoe isn't strong enough to cut much root. I've dug some trenches and having to move so often is really a pain. Still much less expensive than renting, but then again I already had it. To me the biggest downfall is reattaching it...removal isn't the most fun either...now that I think about it, storage is an issue.

I think the best use I've found though is while I'm moving round bales. The backhoe bucket works great as a trash can.

 

[savageactor7]

'm in the market for a tractor, and I'm trying to justify the purchase of a small backhoe.

Save your money and you'll be glad you did.

 

[LBrown59]

Ummm....that may not work. I bought a BX24 three years ago with the same intent and I'm not sure I'm ready to part with it now that all the BH work is done. I just know something happen where I'd like to have the BH. I know it would happen, I just know it would.

Sure it would/ That's why you have it.

 

[20 20]

I believe it's easier to justify having a BH then not having one. It also funny how all of a sudden you'll have new friends.