Backhoe looking for a backhoe

[DemcoEd]

I have been wishing for a backhoe for some time but didn't want to spend alot of money on one because I didn't have a "big" job to do, so wanted to go the cheap route. I am now planning an addition to our house and will need to dig a 16x42' crawl space which will need to be mostly 4' deep with part of it needing to be ~6' deep.

I have a New Holland TC40DA that I would put the hoe on, and am wondering what to look for in specifics. Looking at several brands on their web site and notice alot of sizes over lap on HP range of the tractor. (ie model xxx fits 25-50hp and model yyy fits 35-75 HP) Am I better buying the larger hoe that would have my tractor on lower end of the scale? I think I like the idea of a PTO pump vs using tractor hyd. I will be putting the hoe on and off often as I use the tractor for mowing every week and have a 3 pt finishing mower that I use.

Currently the brands I'm starting to look into is the New Holland brand which I think may be basically a Rhino brand and the other brand is Koyker. I believe these three brands are manufactured within 1 hour drive from where I live.

The dealers in my area are not alot of help because most have not sold any of these hoes to be put on a compact tractor. (I'm in the heart of big time corn and soybean farming so there is only a minimal amount of compacts sold in the area)

I am hoping this week to stop at the two Mfg's this week and get some input from them.

I would appreciated any help from you guys on this board.

Thanks

 

[nickel plate]

I have a TC40S and I believe we share the same hydraulic rate of 9.8 GPM which is another key factor in choosing a backhoe. I went with the Woods BH90-X with a hydraulic thumb and they are both plumbed off the tractor. I understand that Woods is now offering the HT on the BH80-X. As fas as pricing goes, check out Rosseel's Farm and Garden Supply. They usually have a hoe or two on ebay. My backhoe, bucket, hydraulic thumb, hose kit and subframe was around $8500.00 plus freight about a year and a half ago. I recently added a Michigan Iron and Equippment root ripper to the BH arsenal as I have a couple dozen oaks to remove this spring.

 

[spo307]

Buy used excavator 9k lbs. and under.

 

[jimmysisson]

Buy used excavator 9k lbs. and under.

This will be cheaper and easier and quicker: sell again when you're finished. Unless you have ideal soils and access, you'll be digging to loosen soil with the bh then get straightened around then remove spoil with the bucket. 16' x 40' x 6' is 142 yards, or maybe 300 trips. That's assuming the size you stated includes the overdig. Then you'll have to do something with what you bailed out.

Better yet, I'd hire someone with a truck, excavator, and experience to do the job, spend less money, get done in a day or two, and not put your house at risk. Around here, you'd want to use different backfill from what you dug out, so you'd have to get rid of almost all the spoil. How? Plus you'll need the guy to come back with the backfill mat'l. That you can do yourself, without a backhoe.

Of course maybe you have all the machinery you need, in which case I apologize for telling you something you already know. Just this is a big dig for a small tractor.
Jim

 

[spo307]

DEMCOED; I will be putting the hoe on and off often as I use the tractor for mowing every week and have a 3 pt finishing mower that I use.

I do this now, although not a tough job, get the bh off, then bolt an pin 3pt arms, then attatch flail mower,, it becomes a pain in the arse

 

[Ford tractor]

When you look at the BH specs look for the flat bottom length the machine can dig at your target depth. If you can only dig a 4' flat bottom at your target of 6', you will have to reposition the hoe very frequently. That's a real pain. While it might be attractive to dig your own foundation space, it takes some skill (actually a lot of skill) to dig a flat level bottom at the correct depth.

 

[newbury]

I have been wishing for a backhoe for some time but didn't want to spend alot of money on one because I didn't have a "big" job to do, so wanted to go the cheap route.

If you've been wishing for a BH get one, spur the economy. I got a BH70-X to help with small jobs. Like picking up sticks in the yard. Don't dismiss the fun factor. I'm going to need to dig small ditches, rocks, stumps etc. To me it's fun to spend a few hours digging a stump out and filling it back in. But as others wrote if you've got a dedicated big job it would be more economical to hire it out.

 

[LD1]

We just bought an older backhoe. Actually dad did. If you are mechanically inclined at all, the mone spent on a backhoe attachment will buy WAY more backhoe if you look for an older industrial model. And you wouldn't have to worry about hooking and unhooking it.

 

[jaquetarr]

So....
What would be the best Backhoe to get. Some are smoother with better control than others, some have higher digging force, some are crap hanging on the back of a tractor.
Which brands / models do you like best??
tim

 

[DemcoEd]

I purchased a New Holland 758B used earlier this spring and have been very happy with it. I did hire out the job for the addition on the house. I have dug several ditches and stumps and have been very pleased with it. I can mount and dismount in less than 5 min so things have worked out well. I paid $4000 and got two buckets in the deal. Thanks for your advise and I would recommend this backhoe to others.