To BH or Not to BH?

[Jimbrown]

Buy the back hoe!!!! You might be able to hire the digging done cheaper but all of the little things that the hoe willl do just when you need it will outway the cost. The only reason to pay some one else to dig is cause you do not have the time. I got lots of time and it is fun.

 

[familyman]

Hire out the major trenching and clearing chores. The size and power of much larger machines, plus the experience of the operators, will give you a much faster and better job. Unless you have lots of time and patience, and a wife with same, you may be in for a minor but prolonged nightmare. Weather could delay you further. Definitely get your tractor and backhoe for the many, many future projects that will come up.
I misplaced my shovel a while back, but luckily I just spotted it -- in Henros' trench! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DK35vince]

I used my backhoe ( a Rhino 85/subframe mount) for digging my utility lines this past summer, (over 1500' total) and digging drainage ditch's (around 800' so far).
I was very pleased with the performance of my DK 35 and my Rhino backhoe. They worked great, moved right along in a reasonable amount of time, saved paying a contractor to come in and do it for me. And I can always find more things for the backhoe to do around here.
So like some of the others, I'm glad I have a backhoe.

 

[PineRidge]

We use a 757C sub-frame mount backhoe on our New Holland. We wouldn't advise using it to dig a pond, house foundation, or even the holes for the septic tanks but it is a valuable tool for many other applications none the less. That's not to say that if you had lots of time to burn that it couldn't be accomplished but some projects are better left to larger machines.

In our opinion the sub frame backhoes are the best method of mating to the tractor but I still wouldn't sell the 3-point mount short as many still do prefer them. If you watch a 3 point backhoe being attached we think you will agree that they usually attach as easily as a sub frame mount does.

If you like working with equipment (like us) and purchasing a backhoe won't break the bank then we say it's hard to go wrong.

Welcome to the TBN site.

 

[AndyMA]

I can't imagine not having a backhoe. I've had numerous in the last 30 years on compacts. I ran a subframe mounted Ford/NH 758 on my 2120 for years with great success. I used it for stumping, trenching, moving rocks, softening soil, breaking up ice and many other tasks. I now have a 3pt mounted Woods 1050 on a NH TN75. #pt is okay on larger machines. I also bought a used 44,000 excavator to do what the tractor's bh won't. I tried renting once, but it just doesn't work for me. I need the backhoe on and off for just about every project and you can't do all the rear implement work and then backhoe etc. (Unless you like working at about 30% efficiency) Just my thoughts, to me a tractor without a backhow is only half a tractor.

Andy

 

[JayC]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fact that JD hoes for the mid- and large- chassis machines aren't 3PH, nor are they subframe. Deere uses what they call Rockshaft Assist. The tractor frames are already strengthed to handle the hoes. They pop on and off quickly. I think you do have to remove the 3PH arms prior to attaching the hoe, though.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good point, Jay! I managed to buy one sight unseen, but if I had seen it I sure would have wanted it this way. You get rock solid connection with super easy on and off, with full compatibility with other attachments like a mid mower ) some subframe designs do not allow use of a mid mower in any fashion, even when the hoe is removed...) Removing and replacing the 3 point arms only takes a few monments...

A real timesaver for trenching is to use two operators, one on the hoe and another on the tractor, one digs the other moves. Of course, that would be rediculous in a commercial applkication, but at our house there is never a shortage of operators and the trenching goes very well. A rental doesn't work for me, and a trencher is aweful slow in our soil, so the backhoe has been fantastic.

 

[MSU_Keith]

At first glance, the $1.20/ft seems very reasonable. But on further review, a 650 ft trench 2 ft deep would be $780 + tax. If and when I get good at trenching lets say I could go 40 ft per hour at this depth. That makes it a 16 hour job. Using Edison rates thats close to $50/hr. Seems like a good wage to pay myself - especially for weekend work. Doe this calculation for making comparisons of DIY vs contracting it out make sense or am I missing something?

Doesn't look like I am going to be able to wait for the new Kubota - according to the dealer I talked with, it officially won't arrive until March and the hoe may be even later.

I would like to keep the whole package with hoe at around 20K. Leaving myself some wiggle room on price and features. The 4410 seem out of my price range once you start adding options. My choices are beginning to narrow - drove B7800 and it fit me nicely - not sure on the pedal layout though. Sat on Kioti CK30, also fit nice but did not get a chance to drive it. Have not made the trip to a blue dealer yet - maybe this weekend.

 

[dummy]

<font color="blue"> 500' of trenching for the run to the septic field (the only approved location ) plus the hole for the septic tank. </font> Ok, I'm a little confused. 500 feet away from the house site is the septic field? How are you going to move the septic that distance without installing a pumping station?

 

[EddieWalker]

A 2 foot trench 650 long is not a very big project. I've done 1,200 feet with a walk behind trencher in red clay in a day including installing the pipe and backfilling. I've dug 4 foot trenches 500 feet long in half a day with my backhoe. It's a Ford 555E.

I would consider your 650 foot trench a half day project on my backhoe. The biggest issue in time trenching with a backhoe is moving the backhoe into possition. For me, I just lift the bucket and outriggers, then push with the hoestick. It takes a minute, but when you repeat it every dozen feet or so, it adds up.

What you buy and how much power you have will factor into the time. Red clay is pretty tough digging, but conditions vary around the country.

Have you asked your utilities if you are allowed to dig the trench yourself? It varies from place to place what you can and can't do depending on policy, liability and the mood of the guy in charge on the day you ask.

I can dig all my water lines but not my electrical ones before a meter. After the meter, I can do what I want.

Septic lines are part of the system and the contractors all dig those. Doesn't matter how many hours I have or the level of my ability, they just wont allow me to dig those trenches.

I still haven't read a good argument for spending the extra money for a backhoe in your situation yet. If you've got the cash and it's something you really want, then it doesn't matter.

Like everyone who has a backhoe has said, it's nice to have and you will find things to use it on, but is it something you need right now?

If it's part of the budget, and you're sacrificing on the tractor you want in order to add the backhoe, I would definately go for the better tractor. Wether it's more HP, some extra options or larger mower, I'd consider upgrading in this area.