New member from Montana, converting from industrial to agriculture

Learner1 · Apr 13, 2015

Hello, Hailing from the north western corner of Montana.
I have been operating backhoe-loaders, excavators and small cranes in my business for a few decades.
Started looking around for my first agricultural tractor for versatility (brush hog, chipper, generator, auger, etc...) and found out that I don't know nearly enough about tractors.
While reading up on one of my many searches I found TractorByNet...
Thanks for sharing so much good information.

Right now I am looking into whether it is possible (or reasonable) to try to convert a full size industrial backhoe-loader (JCB 214 or JD 410C) into an ag tractor. Is it possible to install a 3 point hitch and PTO on an industrial machine?

TomSeller · Apr 13, 2015

Learner1 said:
Hello, Hailing from the north western corner of Montana.
I have been operating backhoe-loaders, excavators and small cranes in my business for a few decades.
Started looking around for my first agricultural tractor for versatility (brush hog, chipper, generator, auger, etc...) and found out that I don't know nearly enough about tractors.
While reading up on one of my many searches I found TractorByNet...
Thanks for sharing so much good information.

Right now I am looking into whether it is possible (or reasonable) to try to convert a full size industrial backhoe-loader (JCB 214 or JD 410C) into an ag tractor. Is it possible to install a 3 point hitch and PTO on an industrial machine?

I would check with JCB and JD. I have an older Case 480 which I added a 3 pt kit. It is not a normal 3 pt setup in that it has down force. But it works good, particularly with a box blade.

bullbreaker · Apr 13, 2015

WELCOME 2 TBN ! :thumbsup:

LD1 · Apr 13, 2015

Depends on what you want to do. Anything is possible. But Industrial equipment typically has MUCH higher ground pressure than an ag tractor, and weigh ALOT more for a given HP.

Not sure how big you are looking to go, but lets look in the 60-70HP range to pull an 8 or 10' cutter. Typical ag tractor, maybe 6000# An industrial machine, maybe double that.

Most industrial equipment has non-removable loaders, and a chore to take a backhoe off. And much smaller tires vs a 4wd ag tractor up front makes for a rougher ride when mowing a field.

Attaching a 3PH may be the easy part, the PTO shaft might be more difficult also.

farmer2009 · Apr 13, 2015

Welcome from Kentucky.

You might be able to add a 3pt hitch but doubt you can add a pto.

Walt 2002 · Apr 14, 2015

Welcome,

Walt Conner

pohorsky · Apr 14, 2015

I've seen some older yellow JD and Ford skip loaders that had a PTO on them. They do make mowers that attach to the backhoe also.

Learner1 · Apr 14, 2015

I have a JCB 214 and a JD 410C. The JD is about 15,500 pounds and JCB is about 18,000 pounds.
I'd guess that it must not be a popular thing to do or it would happen more often. Can't find a good example in a Google search... Searched FarmShow ... No find.
Ag tractors are tough to find around me, and I have these two beasts already.
Might have to bite the bullet and expand the ag search and plan on a long haul.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

LD1 · Apr 14, 2015

Learner1 said:
I have a JCB 214 and a JD 410C. The JD is about 15,500 pounds and JCB is about 18,000 pounds.
I'd guess that it must not be a popular thing to do or it would happen more often. Can't find a good example in a Google search... Searched FarmShow ... No find.
Ag tractors are tough to find around me, and I have these two beasts already.
Might have to bite the bullet and expand the ag search and plan on a long haul.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

Its not that popular cause of ground compaction. You have 80-100hp industrial machines. In that weight, you would be getting double the HP and ALOT bigger tires to spread that weight out.

They would be fine if you were mowing on concrete.