Backhoe So what can I really do with this 40hp Backhoe

newtothis · Jul 1, 2005

As you can tell by everyones answers these are fun units to operate, learning is half the fun.

I was just looking at my BH last night for my 28 HP JD wondering what excuse I had to use it. It's not attached at the moment and haven't used it since last fall. I'm thinking about going to my back field and digging a hole "to see if it will hold water". /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

tawilson · Jul 1, 2005

What an ideal time for this post. I am just coming back from the dealer with my 2120 with a brand new shiny 758C on the back. Just thought I'd stop in at the house and check the forums on the way to my campground where I'll be unloading and learning to use it. I've got a couple of septic jobs lined up, which was enough of an excuse to pull the trigger on this BH.

midwest · Jul 1, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What an ideal time for this post. I am just coming back from the dealer with my 2120 with a brand new shiny 758C on the back. Just thought I'd stop in at the house and check the forums on the way to my campground where I'll be unloading and learning to use it. I've got a couple of septic jobs lined up, which was enough of an excuse to pull the trigger on this BH. )</font>
What is the HP rating on your 2120

tawilson · Jul 3, 2005

It's 40hp with 35 at the pto. The backhoe is not so shiny now. About a dozen stumps, a boulder or two, and a couple piles of dirt. I'm having a hard time getting the bucket to drag in and out keeping it level. It seems no matter how careful I am, as soon as I start using the boom joystick, the dipper will stop moving. Maybe just practice. One thing I'm wondering is are the 3/8" lines the dealer supplied to my remotes big enough? When I get back to it, I'm going to see how the unit is plumbed to see if 1/2" would gain me anything. Anybody got one of these, is so what size are your lines and is it working ok? Probably need more practice, but I am used to running other equipment and having to control two joysticks at a time.

AKfish · Jul 3, 2005

I've got a JD 970 with the 8A BH attachment. From your discussion, it sounds like the 970 (33HP and 30PTO) is right between the Kubota 7800 and the Massey 2120 in horsepower. I'm new to this business and so was very interested to read that there are thumbs available for this size of backhoe. Who makes them and where can I find more info? Appreciate the feedback. Thanks. AKfish

tawilson · Jul 5, 2005

Oops, didn't know there was another 2120 besides my Ford/New Holland 2120. I'll make my brand clear from now on. All the manufacturers make backhoes for their machines along with Woods, Bushhog and lots of others. I've seen backhoes on machines that didn't look much bigger than lawn tractors. After 12 hours on my machine this weekend, I can see a lot of improvement in my handling of the backhoe. As far as the hose size comment I made, the remotes are fed with 3/8" pipe anyways, so I was talking smack.

BlueToy1 · Jul 5, 2005

I got to use my 758C w/ 18" bucket awhile today. Used it to dig up some rocks from an old chicken coop foundation and a 8" hedge tree. I was expecting a little more power out of it. Not sure if its the hoe or my expectations. Dealers going to check the pressure on it tomorrow.

It wouldn't pull through 2" roots. I had to split them up with the teeth first. I wonder if sharpening the bucket edges would help cut through. Also seemed to really work hard pulling through packed dirt. It could only handle about 1/3-1/2 of the bucket in the dirt. Anyone else had problems... or do I just need to keep taking smaller bites??

willfick · Jul 6, 2005

Mine is a 38 hp. It's an older machine (a '67 model Ford 3500D with a 753 bh and 735 fel), probably heavier (and clumsier) than a modern tractor. It will do anything, given time.
The guy I bought it from (in 1991) told me a number of things about it that turned out to be less than totally accurate, but he did give me some really good advice about learning to use it.
"Take it out somewhere where there's nothing you can hurt and work it with nobody watching."
Wm

willfick · Jul 6, 2005

Can even wind up with this. In time.
Wm

Edit - Somehow the attachment came loose, fell off, the first time.
Wm

tawilson · Jul 6, 2005

One thing I've found is that most of the power is in the curling of the bucket. Try getting the bucket under the root and curl it in to tear up the root. Same with digging. Curl the bucket in as you pull it toward you. Makes a big difference. I believe this is the case with all backhoes no matter what the size. I hope curling is what it's called. Please correct me if wrong.