Backhoe To Backhoe, or Not.....

[ChrisBWJ]

I've been having a blast working my L3830 the last couple of weeks. Because of a miscommunication with my dealer, I just found out he has my financing paperwork back in his hands and I have an option to add a backhoe to my 36 month no interest financing.....

Of course I want it.... He who dies with the most tools wins, right? Everyone knows that. But I am trying to justify the extra $200+ a month for the next 3 years.

I would use the backhoe for sure to help dig out tree stumps.

I have aspirations of digging my utility line trench which could be 300-400 feet long. I have aspirations of digging my house foundation (though I know that's really a stretch, but the house would be a walkout, and I don't think much dirt will have to be removed to do what we want). I have aspirations of digging the hole in the ground for the pool my wife wants, and have aspirations of digging holes in the ground to bury more tree stumps. I'm sure we'll stumble across rocks and other things that a backhoe may be more effective or easy to use than the FEL.

Time is an issue. I don't want to interfere with building schedules, once we finally have the green light to go ahead.

I have no idea how long it will take to dig a utility line trench that long with this tractor and a BH-90. Nor how long it would take to dig a modest walkout foundation. How easy is it to dig a BIG hole in the ground to bury tree stumps?

What are the biggest projects that you have taken on with your backhoe? Would you do it again?

 

[GerardC]

Get it or regret. G

 

[Chechnya]

To dig the trench, i suggest renting a walk behind or a small ride on trencher for a day or two. Much cheaper.

 

[Rollerskate]

I agree, get it or regret it, with 1 exception though. How much you can do is going to depend on what you are digging in to. Around me we have so much large rock and ledge, I would not expect to complete digging a foundation or pool. I would certainly give it the old college try. I go in to big boy territority planning on needing reinforcements. If I succeed all by myself, /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Rollerskate

 

[IH_4_Me]

You should so get it! Tonight I almost convinced Dad that we need one, it was on an online auction and he seemed OK about it until he found out it was at the other end of the country and went crazy! He said it would cost as much to freight it up as the backhoe itself costs! Ouch! I thought I had him too... I have since contacted transport companys on the matter and am awaiting their reply /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
If you do get it you surely won't regret it, there's so many things they can do.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[David_G]

Crowbar or Backhoe - Your choice.
I have the backhoe. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SteveH_CT]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifGet it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I've had so many uses for the BH that I can't imagine the tractor without it. I agree the financing is a big pill to swallow though. If you decided you didn't need it I understand that you can sell a BH very quick, and probably recover enough of your initial costs to make it cheaper than renting one. I guess you need to consider how often you'll really use it over the period of a year or two and then decide if you can justify the added monthly cost - Or find a friend who'll loan you his! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Good Luck!

 

[Richard]

I'll tow the line too.... get it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've used mine for stumps, digging rocks, moving trees, planting day lillies, placing mulch (up higher on hillside), grabbed a dead 4" diamater branch & pulled it off tree, use it to "stir" my fires when I have a big one (and want to keep physical distance), use as a hoist to flip rotary cutter onto back for blade replacement....

Heck... mine does more OUT of the dirt, than it has done IN the dirt /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ChrisBWJ]

You guys are great!!

I've got 20 acres and a wife with a very creative imagination to take care of.

As for soil, I'm mostly gravelly, sandy soil. Haven't found much clay to speak of. Have found some good sized rocks (3' diameter) only in a couple of places, but there are so many trees around them, it would be tough to get the tractor there without a lot of clearing.

As for the utility line trench, I will be running it through an area that is covered in trees....ranging from 20 ft to 100 ft tall. I'm going to be removing a bunch of trees to put that line in and am sure I'll be running into roots left and right. How good are those rental units at dealing with roots?

I can see quite a bit of work in the construction phase of our house and initial landscaping. After that, I'm curious how much I would use it. Then again, once you have a tool, you always find new uses for it.

Any stories on big holes for tree stumps? Is this backhoe capable of digging such a hole?

Sorry for the newbie questions. I'm having fun learning all the things I can do!!!

 

[AndyMA]

Get it. I've had backhoes on all but one of my machines and I find it my useful tool. Many of the tasks people talk about doing with a loader on this site are really backhoe tasks. You'll love it.

andy