Self-congratulations for getting backhoe

[ning]

I've seen a lot of questions in my brief time on this forum about getting a backhoe attachment. They're by far the most expensive attachment, but often it's kinda required to get it when you get the tractor (+/-, but you probably won't get a subframe backhoe for a tractor you've had 10 years without one), and nobody who's not using the tractor for construction will use one daily.

So, the questioning goes, is it worth it to get one? Many people say no; they say rent one for much less, occasionally, and stack up the work you need to do with a backhoe to make it worthwhile.

I took the other route, and said yes.

Here's why: While I can stack up the "dig a stump out" jobs, there are other jobs you can't. Like the other day, I had a water line break a few feet down in clay. I'm not about to rent a backhoe for $250 to dig one hole. Sure, I could've dug out some stumps while I had it (once we had a guy doing some backhoe work, and wife was like "I want a big tree over there so dig me a big hole" - it was years before the tree got put in there), but I had other things to do instead of low-priority chores. I needed to fix the line, and do other jobs.

Grabbed the tractor, dug it up. Fixed. Pushed the soil back in. Done.

If I'd've rented, my savings account would still have more money in it, but instead, my job was done in less time than it would've taken to get back with the rented 'hoe. If I'd've dug it out by hand, I'd be at the chiropractor's today, paying for his backhoe (or whatever).

I go for the "get the backhoe" because I can get the job done right away, when I want to do it, and I don't feel like I've got to do a bunch of other digging at the same time.

I've already had multiple reasons to feel glad about it, and I'm happy I could afford it.

YMMV, of course.

 

[Snobdds]

You have learned a very important lesson that most just don't understand. Plus there is an opportunity cost associated with not having a tool when you need it.

I have a cat mini ex and still got a tractor with a backhoe. I know how handy and versatile they are. It may take me 6 years to break even on the back hoe attachment, but I will break even and then it's gravy for all my projects.

 

[dadster4]

Well said :thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye08]

I don't ever plan to break even on my backhoe attachment or tractor or mower, I got them because I wanted to and saved money to do it. I don't have alot of hobbies and enjoy some tractor time when I get it. We also used our backhoe for recent water line issue.

Good choice, enjoy your tools.

 

[3Ts]

I had some projects stacked up and looked at the cost of renting a backhoe vs buying an attachment. I knew that it would take a while to get the jobs done so I would need it for a couple of weeks or so. Decided to buy it. I've used it enough that it's been paid for thru rental avoidance and I have it when I want and the opportunity to help out the neighbors as well. The biggest issue is where to store it when it's not attached to the tractor.

 

[sandman2234]

I purchase a compact backhoe at a good... (make that a great price). Too small for my 70 Hp John Deere, but I figured I could make it work. Friend wanted it, paid me back my investment and got a table hauled halfway across the country for me. That table hauling allowed me to get a half dozen other tables (we are talking 4x4 steel leg tables with one inch plate tops) in several sizes.
Anyway, came across a bigger 3point backhoe attachment, in rough shape, even cheaper. Cylinders all need new rods, and one is a specialty dual direction with a rack gear on it. Seriously considering the $2000 cylinder and hose rebuild to put it back into service.
Nothing better than a backhoe, except maybe a good front end loader!
David from jax

 

[SkeeterFood]

About 12 years ago, I bought a JD 4010 gas with heavy FEL. Also shopped around and found a JD backhoe that used to be on a TLB, but had been converted to 3-pt. It was a heavy beast, as mounting on the 3-pt put the attachment farther out from the tractor, making it difficult to lift. Bought the backhoe for $1500. Ended up selling the backhoe some years later as I simply wasn't using it enough. Later sold that tractor - lots of mechanical issues. However, that backhoe was meant for working, and it did its job very well.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I totally agree. That is why I bought one. Now I can get up on the weekend and go do backhoe projects for an hour or four, or wait and do them later. And if I need a hole now, I can dig it now. Plus I can do things with it that I wouldn't want to do with a rental, like lifting large firewood blocks onto the log splitter.

The only bad thing is when you need a hole, but you have the 3 pt on with an implement you plan on using later that day or the next, and you figure you can probably dig the hole by hand quicker than you can get the backhoe on and then get the implement back on.

 

[RBaldwin]

I think this VERY user situational. I decided to purchase the backhoe for my tractor, but some serious factors apply. I am no 50+ with a bad back. I have large pets like 150+ lb mastiff, goats, horses.... I also live in the country so I bury my animals on my farm. For me if I would have had a horse pass away on Saturday evening and couldn't rent a backhoe until Monday and it's in the middle of summer, not a good situation. I also have trees I periodically need to dig out from my lagoon. I need to be able to do it when I have the time, not when I can schedule a backhoe rental. For others, this may not be the case and the occasional use permits the rental. But as others have said, when you have a water leak it needs to be addressed, and addressed now. Again, if it doesn't fall in line with when the equipment rental place is open... well I guess your SOL... my 2 cents.

 

[RBaldwin]

I totally agree. That is why I bought one. Now I can get up on the weekend and go do backhoe projects for an hour or four, or wait and do them later. And if I need a hole now, I can dig it now. Plus I can do things with it that I wouldn't want to do with a rental, like lifting large firewood blocks onto the log splitter.

The only bad thing is when you need a hole, but you have the 3 pt on with an implement you plan on using later that day or the next, and you figure you can probably dig the hole by hand quicker than you can get the backhoe on and then get the implement back on.

LOL. Been there, done that. Had to schedule all my other 3pt projects together because it's a pain to hook up and unhook the backhoe.

 

[fried1765]

I totally agree. That is why I bought one. Now I can get up on the weekend and go do backhoe projects for an hour or four, or wait and do them later. And if I need a hole now, I can dig it now. Plus I can do things with it that I wouldn't want to do with a rental, like lifting large firewood blocks onto the log splitter.

The only bad thing is when you need a hole, but you have the 3 pt on with an implement you plan on using later that day or the next, and you figure you can probably dig the hole by hand quicker than you can get the backhoe on and then get the implement back on.

The obvious answer (if you can afford it) is to have a second tractor!
My newest is a 32HP 1988 Ford 1920 FEL 4x4.(1050 hrs. restored) I use it exclusively for 3pt implements.
My other old Ford is a 1970 Ford 3400 TLB that I bought 31 years ago, when it was already 16 years old.
I paid $10,000 for the 3400 with 1350 hrs.(gas) in 1986.
Last year (now has 1850 hrs.) I repaired as necessary, and repainted. It currently looks like new.
That TLB has reshaped my entire front yard/driveway (would have been big cost), has installed two complete septic systems, has removed a 1000 gal.(underground) oil tank, has dug out dozens of stumps, installed electric and water lines, buried animals, etc., and...... is always at my disposal for the next project, large or small.
I am almost 77 years old! I bought it when I was 46.
Over the years my TLB has MORE THAN PAID FOR ITSELF!
I will keep it until I croak!

 

[mbohuntr]

My dad owned one for a few years, and taught me how to use it. I have rented several for odd jobs but hate being rushed to complete it the same day.

I am having a new house put up, and figured there's no better time to buy one than now, putting in electric, water, sidewalks etc. Boy, wish I bought it years ago!!

 

[California]

The obvious answer (if you can afford it) is to have a second tractor!

Yep. See my sig photo below. The little guy does 90% of the work around here, it fits under the orchard trees better. Mowing, rototilling, hauling my watering trailer around. That hoe is needed to dig out stumps every year in this old orchard plus the usual water lines, correcting drainage, digging down and getting the lid off the septic tank, etc. All were bought well used. I don't have a lot of money into a set of equipment that does everything I need.

 

[scdeerslayer]

The obvious answer (if you can afford it) is to have a second tractor!

I actually have access to 5 tractors to use. Two are the old farmall single row tractors, one always has the planters on it, the other always has the cultivators on it. The smaller of the other two is basically slap worn out. The larger is a bit too big for the implements for it, but now it's probably going to be the designated mowing tractor. My new tractor is kind of in between those two, and I bought it mainly for doing food plots without taking garden time away from the others. I figured I would get the backhoe while I was getting something because I knew I would find things to use it for and I've got some drainage ditches to dig at some point. When I'm not doing food plots the backhoe will probably be on it most of the time, the problem is just going to be when I need a hole at the same time I'm trying to prep food plots.