To 3PT or to subframe, just the facts.

[dfkrug]

From what I hear the biggest problems come from pushing up on the 3pt linkage, not pulling down. The linkage is designed for the downward pressures, but not the up. There are few implements that push up, and a backhoe can push up as well as pull down.

A properly installed 3-pt hoe MUST use an anti-lift bracket to keep the 3PH
from rising. There are anecdotes about operators getting pinched by a hoe
that suddenly rises.

 

[backdoor]

I'm not familiar with the shaking and moving around and moving up and down on the lift arms that you guys talk about with a 3PT hitch backhoe. My BH attaches in such a manner that the lift won't go up or down, and it doesn't sway side to side. The only damage I ever did to any part was when I ran over a large root in a newground field and poked a big hole in an oil return line. My bucket is about 16 inches wide. Most all the time I can get a full bucket with no problem. The only movement from the tractor comes if the outriggers slide. My cousin has a Woods frame mounted BH on one of those watch fob sized JD tractors, seems to be a really solid setup. About all he does with it is turn his small garden beds each spring.

 

[skipro3]

Thanks to everyone for the discussion. I'm very new to tractors in the first person; I've never owned one or worked one. I got one because for what I was being quoted to do certain tasks around my place, I could buy a tractor and in the end own the tool. I apply that philosophy to most of the jobs I take on. I own a lot of tools now and have gained much knowledge on how to use them from boards such as this one, books and my own experience. I have a suspicion that many members of this board are cut from that same cloth.
The 3pt backhoe I have is from the tractor manufacturer. I figure if they built it to my tractor and it fails, then there's an argument that the fault is on their end of things and no fingerpointing between a hoe manufacturer and the tractor manufacturer. My work involves a very stone/rock infested soil. I got the backhoe mainly to dig holes for tree planting. We are recovering from a wildland fire and I have a lot of trees to replace. After digging holes for 27 15gallon potted trees in soil that mostly required digging with a 5 foot prybar because a shovel wouldn't even make a dent, my wife insisted I get a tool that can do the job before I kill myself. Of course, if I end up mashing myself hooking up the hoe to my tractor, I guess that point is defeated. ha!

I'm not trying to show cause for a 3PT being as good or better, I'm trying to sort out rumor from fact. So far, it's sounds to be pretty rare to have a 3PT backhoe damage a tractor. The only "fact" quoted was one fella saying he says so and therefore is fact. Ha!! Great humor there!!

 

[Crash101]

Skipro3: Many on here have shared their backhoe experiences with us, Some more entertaining or informative than others. After reading of your intended use with your 3 point hoe. I'm looking forward to seeing your own reports. You may indeed help someone one day answer the same "3 point or subframe" question. Please keep us informed of your times in that backward facing seat as you progress with those property improvements and replacement of those trees. All the best to you and family in getting your place back in order after the fire.

 

[skipro3]

Well, I took some time today, about 3 hours, to give that backhoe a workout. I did everything I could think of to see what the thing can do. It is self-contained with it's own PTO and fluid tank. Running the motor to PTO speeds, I find the controls a bit "touchy" shall we say... On several occasions I would catch a tooth on a hidden/buried rock and not be able to get the hoe to progress. It sure seemed like it was the PTO was into some sort of hydraulic by-pass or something. Anyways, it seems like the hoe won't be doing much tractor damage if there's hydraulic governors on fluid pressures. I'm going to have to find someone who knows backhoes to tell me if this is working correctly..

 

[wedge40]

Ok at this point a lot of people are going to ask what tractor you have and what size backhoe are you using? If you hit a "ROCK" it maybe too big for the backhoe to move unless you completely dig it out first. If you hit roots that are too big it's going to stall the backhoe as well. With enough seat time you will learn little tricks to work around things like that. With some roots you can keep picking at them and eventually they will break, other times you may have to move the tractor and take a different approach.

Wedge

 

[Bedlam]

I'd never run mine at PTO speed, Just way to much quick movement not being able to control it.
Oh sure someone will post you need to run at recommended speed. But that totally wrong in my opinion.
Fell it out and run the engine seed that best suits you for being able to run it smoothly. Lots of time you need it to run at idle, speed, to smoothly spread sand or backfilling.

 

[skipro3]

Thanks for the feedback. This is ALL stuff I can use!!

dfkrug pointed out that A properly installed 3-pt hoe MUST use an anti-lift bracket to keep the 3PH from rising. There are anecdotes about operators getting pinched by a hoe that suddenly rises. I don't know if I have that anti-lift bracket. Can someone post a photo what that is supposed to look like?

Sorry I didn't point out my tractor and hoe brand/sizes earlier. I have a Montana 4344HST w/FEL and the Montana 8600 backhoe.
Specs are here:

Tractor

backhoe

Great tips on digging rocks and roots. Also thanks on the info about running speeds. I just wasn't sure and saw that the tach has a special indication of PTO and set the throttle there. I'll try different speeds to see if I can control the hoe easier. Sure wish there was a throttle back there to kick it up when I need the extra power, but then maybe at some lower RPM I'm getting full pump power anyway??

 

[wedge40]

Just to let you know.. Thats not a "rock" that's a BOULDER.
We'll all be looking at what you accomplish with the tractor and backhoe.
Nice looking outfit.

Wedge

 

[Willl]

dfkrug pointed out that A properly installed 3-pt hoe MUST use an anti-lift bracket to keep the 3PH from rising.

The whole 3pt BH mount is "anti-lift bracket", sort of.
The top/center mount maintains the BHs altitude, while the lower 2 maintains its verticalness.

At least that's the way my 3pt is, isn't everybody elses the same ?