Question for BH owners--

JasonL · Apr 29, 2005

I really want a BH for my JD4110. I'm not sure I can justify (to my wife) the large expense. I have a few tasks curently I could use it on, but I'm wondering how often everybody really uses their BH. Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Jason

Engine66 · Apr 29, 2005

It's not a tool you will use everyday, but when you need one, you need one. Also, you will find more uses for one once you get it. I have a BH90 for a Kubota L3830 and most of the time it sits...but when a problem or project pops up, there's no replacing it. The price stings and you may second guess yourself, so weigh your jobs/needs with the expense. There are plenty of past posts and good advice. Some are glad they never got one and hire out a job or rent for a weekend and others can't live without one. I was initially unsure about spending $6,800 on mine and lost some sleep over the purchase, but now I'm glad as it has helped me fix some problems on my property and is ready for any future task. Good luck in your decision.

chatcher · Apr 29, 2005

( I really want a BH for my JD4110. I'm not sure I can justify (to my wife) the large expense. I have a few tasks curently I could use it on, but I'm wondering how often everybody really uses their BH. Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Jason
)

When I went shopping, I knew I couldn't really justify the cost of the backhoe with the work I had for it, considering the other options of renting, hiring, or using a shovel. But I also knew I wanted one anyway. Now that I've had it for a few weeks I see that I didn't know what I was thinking. I am using the backhoe so much that I am not getting much use out of any other attachment. Not that it is that hard to take the backhoe off, it's just that there is always something that needs to be done with the backhoe, so I leave it on most of the time.

There have been many threads about whether or not to buy a backhoe, just search past messages. Most people seem to agree from a strict cost vs. benefits point of view a compact backhoe makes little sense. My feeling is that if you can store it out of the weather, so that it doesn't deteriorate over time, if the day comes that all your work is done and you no longer want to own it you can probably recoup enough of your investment to have come out ahead. And using it is undeniably a lot of fun and, for me, therapeutic and stress-relieving. And you can't put a price on health. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

txdon · Apr 29, 2005

"Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it." 

Nope, you do not need one.

I have more task than time for mine.

Here are some of my done task and to do task:

Move and install creek bridge.
Move downed trees and dig stumps.
Dig out about 300 small Mesquites.
clean silt out spring pond twice a year.
Load small cart with sand to transport across wood bridge to island.
Dig a walk-out basement.
Dig two septic systems and field lines.
Dig 300' of water line.
Knock down rotten trees.
Dig out rocks.
Dig out woody vegetation from pond banks.
Dig retaining wall on hill and by spring pond.

etc. etc..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Oh yea forgot one, it is a great counter weight for the FEL, no filled tires necessary. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dpl96 · Apr 29, 2005

While the purchase price of the hoe may be a bite in the butt - having one when needed makes it all worth it. When I talked my wife into the BX23 she wasnt sure of the benefits of the hoe so I made sure to find a way to use it for ever single "honey is there a way to........." project she has come up with. Dont get me wrong - I still have to put on my "man this is a lot of work" & "all this seat time is killing me" face to cover the fact that I'm having a BLAST while working. Get one - you wont regret it.

Henro · Apr 29, 2005

Jason,

If you need to justify the backhoe, you probably will not be able to...at least realistically...on 2.5 acres...(read your profile).

I have 3.7 acres to deal with. I have used mine a lot. I don't have much more property than you do. I feel mine was worth it.

One reason I feel it was worth it is that last fall I put my own sewer line in. That saved me probably $3,000 over what a plumber would have charged. It was a 240 foot run. That paid about half the cost of the hoe.

Now for me the biggest thing is simply having the backhoe on hand when I need it. If I tallied up all the small things I have used it for over the last couple years, and gave myself $175 for each use (local 4-hour rental) I would be way ahead.

If you don't have one, you tend not to do as much I bet. I know I would not be inclined to run down to the rental place and lay $175 on the table every time I had something to do with my hoe.

Cheapest way? Don't buy it. Best way to get a lot of small things done? Buy it!

It all depends on you and how much you can afford to do that, rather than something else with your hard earned money...

I am sure glad I have one...dream come true in fact...but what applies to one does not necessarily apply to another.

Good luck with your decision...

JasonL · Apr 29, 2005

Thanks for the good thoughts everyone. I especially liked the idea that I could resell it later. Yes, I have 2.5 acres, but am purchasing it from my dad- who has 7 more acres next to it that also need attention. I am in the construction business and have a brother-in-law that has a hoe, but he is always busy and I hate ask for help. I just purchased my tractor and am loving it. I'll probably start seriously investigating BH's tomorrow. My only concern is just how powerful and fast these attachments are. Thanks!

GregJ · Apr 29, 2005

Jason,
I have 2.5 acres and a BH. I agree with all that Henro said, but I also look at it from a slightly different perspective. The BH for me has more than doubled the usefulness of my tractor. For landscaping, grounds maintenance and construction they open a lot of doors. They don't get you out of work.... they get you into work. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif From a cost justification standpoint, I look at it this way. If you pay 12K for a tractor and can more than double it's "usefulness" by adding a BH, it becomes a lot easier to part with another 5K. (Ok... My wife suggested it too, so that really made it easy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) If I was using my tractor for mowing and farming, the BH would just get in my way. In my case, it would have been a waste for my to get a tractor with just a FEL. The jobs I could accomplish at my place would not cost justify the 12K. In fact, my neighbors have confessed that they thought I was nuts when I bought it and after they have seen the work I have accomplished, they all agree that it was well worth it.... for me. If I had to sell my tractor today, I would probably lose about $3K in depreciation and I have accomplished WAY more than that in work.

So, the point I am making is to really evaluate what you will be using your tractor for. If you can double it's productivity by adding a BH.... Hey.... It's cost justified.

There is a BH pictures thread going in Owning/Operating that you might want to look at too. Similar theme....

Greg

KiotiJohn · Apr 29, 2005

Why justify anything? You need a backhoe don't you? You want a backhoe don't you? The answer should be yes, just because.

I can tell you that mine has paid for itself in not hiring someone else to do what I've done with it, not putting up with dummies who don't do the work right, and no aggravation with waiting around for a delivery and not simply having it there waiting for me when I have the time to do something.

Yes, it sits more than many of my other implements, but not as much as my tiller is going to, and it wasn't just a couple of dollars either.

How much life do you think you have left? If the backhoe is kept up well, it will probably last as long as you're able to use it. How much would that be in that time span? How much is that a year? Not really all that much is it?
John

cwarrix · Apr 30, 2005

( Why justify anything? You need a backhoe don't you? You want a backhoe don't you? The answer should be yes, just because.

I can tell you that mine has paid for itself in not hiring someone else to do what I've done with it, not putting up with dummies who don't do the work right, and no aggravation with waiting around for a delivery and not simply having it there waiting for me when I have the time to do something.

Yes, it sits more than many of my other implements, but not as much as my tiller is going to, and it wasn't just a couple of dollars either.

How much life do you think you have left? If the backhoe is kept up well, it will probably last as long as you're able to use it. How much would that be in that time span? How much is that a year? Not really all that much is it?
John )

Wow KiotiJohn, you are one heck of a salesman. I can't think of one thing I would use a BH for around here, but after reading your post, I'm ready to buy one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, you are right about trying to justify stuff, I went through the same cycle before I bought my tractor. Tried to justify it for weeks, then I realized, I work hard, I can afford it, I want it, it makes me happy, no justification needed!