Buying Advice To buy or not to buy, that is the question...

[highland hunter]

Hi all

This is my first post but have been reading lots lately.

I'm looking for input/advise on the usefulness of purchasing a SCUT with the backhoe option. I'm not looking for this to degenerate into a conversation of which manufacturer makes the best widget. I'm looking for input from those that purchased their SCUT with the backhoe and found they really didn't need/use it and those that didn't and later regretted having not purchased the backhoe.

I'm in the market for a SCUT and am torn as to whether a backhoe will be nothing more than an overpriced ballast box or if in fact I will find more uses than I expected. Let痴 face it, this is an expensive option and if I can put the money spent to better uses I would rather go that route. I'm really looking forward to upgrading from my current GT to something with a frontend loader, MMM and snow blower, but am totally torn on the backhoe.

Thank you in advance.

Brian

 

[Tompet]

I bought a SCUT with BH about 10 years ago (Massey GC2310). At the time I had a hip injury and thought this will certainly be a good remedy for digging with a shovel. Anyway, at the time it was around a $4,500 option.

I looked at this way, some guys spend money on cars, boats etc. and they sit, while this will help me get work done quickly and efficiently. Which it did. So much so I traded up twice primarily for BH upgrades. I use it way more than I thought and wouldn't want to be without it. So it worked for me.

It also depends on how much property you have, projects you envision etc.

It will be less now with package than as a later add on.

 

[sixdogs]

If you ever get a backhoe, you will never let it go and will frequently say it is the best purchase you ever made. Despite thinking you have few uses, things will magically appear. Bushes need to come out, rocks or stumps dug out, pets pass away, mailbox post dug out, etc. The list will prove endless even though you don't think so and especially in New Hampshire. You can always "un-buy" it by just leaving it on the back but will almost never find one for sale and if you do, it will cost almost retail price of a new one.


Uhhh, did I mention get the backhoe?

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have never regretted the BH. As mentioned by Tompet once you have one you always find more uses for it. I now find it is on the tractor 1/4 to 1/3 of the operating hours.

Ron

 

[TJP89]

Well, it depends. I would like a BH, but can't justify the cost because I have few uses, and no needs. Most of the time it would be a 8K ballast box. On the other hand, if you want to dig holes, pop stumps, remove rocks, etc, on a regular basis, then it's likely worth it. Why don't you start with what you have to do, then decide. Remember, you can always rent a mini-ex for a weekend, that will do a ton of work, and you'd have to rent a lot to justify the cost of a BH.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a friend that purchased a B7800 Kubota with a BH new in 2008.I have used it a couple times,he has four sons that have used it for projects............it only has 400 hours on it.
In my case I would rent one/or hire it done if I really had a big project to do;hard to justify the cost IMHO.

 

[davesl708]

Hi. Welcome to TBN.

Here is the issue. If you get the BH now as part of the purchase you get a better deal as opposed to buying a BH afterwards.
List the things you plan to do with the tractor and see what will need a BH. If the list is short rent a BH for as little as $200 per day and do the work with that.
You can get a lot of rental for the cost of a BH if you don't need it.

 

[Sprinklerman]

I have a bx 24 , the backhoe is both , usefull and a big counter weight . It all depends on my needs that day . Most of the time its off the machine and I am using the 3 point . But when I need it its great .

 

[jeff9366]

I'm in the market for a SCUT and am torn as to whether a backhoe will be nothing more than an overpriced ballast box or if in fact I will find more uses than I expect. This is an expensive option and if I can put the money spent to better uses I would rather go that route. I'm really looking forward to upgrading from my current GT to something with a frontend loader, MMM and snow blower, but am totally torn on the backhoe.

To receive worthwhile input you have to tell us your expected applications for the Backhoe.

Perhaps there are realistic alternatives to the Backhoe.

With a MMM you have very little tractor ground clearance. You will probably want to remove the MMM when using the Backhoe to avoid the risk of damaging the low positioned MMM.

Forgive me, I am going to modify your expectation: I'm really looking forward to upgrading from my current Garden Tractor to something with a THREE POINT HITCH, frontend loader, MMM and snow blower.


LINK TO T-B-N ARCHIVE: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/36241-mmm-backhoe.html

 

[sixdogs]

I have a friend that purchased a B7800 Kubota with a BH new in 2008.I have used it a couple times,he has four sons that have used it for projects............it only has 400 hours on it.
In my case I would rent one/or hire it done if I really had a big project to do;hard to justify the cost IMHO.

I'm a big fan of the backhoe so look at ownership another way. It is agreed you get a deal to buy a package up front. And, it is common knowledge that a used backhoe costs almost s much as a new one. So, look at the cost of a backhoe as not the total price up front but rather the difference in price between what it costs and what you can sell it for, if you had to. Plus you need to add in interest and opportunity cost lost, or interest paid.

It's a little sleight of hand, but not really, that a backhoe costs very little to buy up front as part of a package. And when you figure out what it would cost to rent one, plus time for a learning curve because of unfamiliarity, I'd say it actually pays rather than costs to buy a backhoe.

I never wanted a backhoe 35 years ago and I now I'll never be without one.