Regret not getting a backhoe for my tractor

[Oaktree]

I couldn't imagine trying to use a backhoe off of a tractor instead of an excavator.
I've wondered if backhoes are like pickup trucks. Most people that own them very seldom use them for its intended purpose.

Not every digging job warrants using an excavator any more than everyone needs a 1 ton flatbed truck. A half ton pickup or a TLB is all many of us need.
Maybe you can afford to have a fleet of specialized vehicles, but most of us don't.

But you knew that.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Not every digging job warrants using an excavator any more than everyone needs a 1 ton flatbed truck. A half ton pickup or a TLB is all many of us need.
Maybe you can afford to have a fleet of specialized vehicles, but most of us don't.

But you knew that.

But, it's only when you have a one ton and an excavator, that can you live your life with no ragrets!

 

[4570Man]

What do you mean by these cutesy phrases?
I couldn't imagine trying to use a backhoe off of a tractor instead of an excavator.
I've wondered if backhoes are like pickup trucks. Most people that own them very seldom use them for its intended purpose.

I used to have a tractor backhoe and did a lot of work with it. It was a heck of a lot better than a shovel and it was a lot more convenient than renting an excavator. Was it cheaper than renting an excavator? No idea. Most of the work it did probably just wouldn’t have gotten done if I had to go rent a machine. I have a mini excavator now and sure that’s a heck of a lot better but I also paid way more.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I was concerned about having to take a BH on and off my compact tractor, so I bought another tractor.
Problem solved!

I bought my first backhoe attachment when I was in my 40's and it took less than 10 minutes to put it on and do the take off. When I was in my 60's, it took 20 - 30 minutes. You also need to consider the time it takes to remove and reinstall the implement that was already on the tractor. Age is a big factor to consider for the future as well.

The actual attachment time is one thing, but you have to store the hoe somewhere and moving it around adds quite a few minutes to the process. I suppose it wouldn't be much of a problem if I just dropped it in a field somewhere, but I've always been a believer in keeping my implements inside and out of the elements. Once off the tractor, the hoe takes up valuable floor space and can be a headache to move around.

Then there's the question of whether to spend the time installing & removing the hoe, or just dig the hole by hand. Now in my 70's, the answer was to use your approach and buy a second tractor. It's amazing the things you find to do with a hoe if you don't have to put it on the tractor first.