Backhoe Upsize backhoe, or entire machine?

[familyman]

My backhoe (BushHog BH650) just doesn't dig deep enough or strongly enough for my needs (it's a 6-1/2' hoe). It's mounted on a BushHog subframe, which may be the only one that's been made for an L2800. I need to increase my digging abilities, and am considering just getting a larger tractor and backhoe, but it occurred to me that maybe I could install a larger BH into this subframe. If it had its own PTO driven pump, the L2800's 6.5 gpm pump would no longer be a limiting factor. Does this sound feaseable?

 

[dfkrug]

I don't consider the 6+ GPM supplied by the tractor to be a limiting
factor for a larger hoe like the Kubota BH75. I have operated the
BH75 on an L3400 and it works OK, even tho the Kubota subframe
flexes a little more than I like. 5GPM will run the hoe fast enough,
so you do not even have to run at fill throttle. You can't use your
current subframe, however.

 

[goneandbrokeit]

I would suggest you consider a larger machine, at a certain point the weight of the tractor involved is going to be a limiting factor on the amount force that can be applied.
A larger hoe will bounce around a smaller machine before the object of work gets moved.

 

[Richard]

At the expense of buying a larger tractor/hoe, could you buy a used industrial loader/hoe?

That's what I did and I'm not sure I could have done some of the same things with a tractor hoe that I've done with this thing. (what, ME abusive? )

I think I paid about 15K for a JCB 1550-B. Digs to 15 1/2 feet, somethign like 90 hp (turbo), 2 wheel drive. Perkins runs smooooooooooth as a baby's behind.

Ya it's not the prettiest machine in the world but functionally it's got what it takes.

 

[familyman]

Of course, I left out a few details. Along with doing all the work my property needs, I intend to use this machine for side work, doing mostly digging, and whatever 3pt. work presents itself. I'll be towing it with a 2500 Dodge Cummins, so a bigger machine (580, etc.) is not possible.
At this point, I'm giving serious consideration to a DK45 with a BH90-X, but I would have to sell my L2800 first. I'm trying to explore all possibilities before I pull the trigger.

 

[bx24]

familyman

It has been a while, but when I used to run a Ditch Witch Sidekick loader backhoe. The BH on that machine was too big and strong for the machine. In normal situations, because of the power, the BH would pull the machine all over the place if you tried to utilize its power or size.

One time we were working by an old Oak tree and we threw a web strap around the tree to anchor the front end so the machine could not be dragged backwards with the BH. When tied like that, the machine was awesome, for all other times, all you did was drag the machine around.

If you can swing it, get a small mini excavator. The biggest advantage with something on tracks is that you can swival 360 degrees where many times, you start to run out of room to put spoil with a tractor mounted BH

 

[mcruc]

I spent more hours thinking about the tractor/backhoe deal than
one can count. The price of the backhoe alone was 1/2 roughly
what I ended up paying for my Bobcat 325 compact excavator
with 1400 hours (16k). 360 swing, ability to move quickly, offset..
I don't have a loader on the tractor which complicated things since
you can't attach a tractor subframe for BH on NH without a loader.

Excavator does what it's intended to do superbly. Hard to compare
these really though. It's a single use machine but.. if I was going to
upgrade things just for this backhoe attachment, I'd look to a single
use machine like an excavator vs. making the general use machine
larger to just handle one function if that's the case.

 

[familyman]

I love mini excavators, having used them many times on commercial jobsites. However, along with the digging at my foundation, I have a good bit of grading and some clearing to do, and the ground prep that follows for a lawn. I've considered a compact track loader, like the ASV, but the dollars get big very fast. A large cut or small utility would be the most versatile, but before I buy I was hoping it was feasable to put a longer hoe on my machine. Bx24 makes a hood point about the weight and size of the tractor itself.