Backhoe Uses for a Backhoe

   / Uses for a Backhoe #1  

bpattie

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
270
Location
Colorado
I have never had a tractor with a backhoe. Have been thinking about them lately and sort of have an itch. There are obvious uses and I have a couple projects I can think of to apply it. Digging out my pond some, running a water line. But to buy one for that limited use it would be cheaper to rent one. Just curious how many of you keep your hoe employed?
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe #2  
Love mine,,It's not big but does the job.. Uses,, Pulling out stumps,, planting fruit trees for my wife,, Building rock walls,,Digging holes for posts on the decks,,Lifting heavy things out or into the bulkhead..
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe
  • Thread Starter
#3  
thanks HR3, guess it is like a FEL, you never knew what you would use it for until you have one, then you can't live without it. :)
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe
  • Thread Starter
#4  
PS,

how hard/quick are they to put on or take off?
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe #5  
PS,

how hard/quick are they to put on or take off?

Mine is a 3pt mounted backhoe on a Kubota L3000DT, and it is a giant pain to take off and put on. It takes at least an hour, although I'm getting faster!

I still love it, though. I use it a lot for digging up stumps.
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe #6  
When I bought my first tractor it came with a backhoe on it. When I sold the tractor after 3 years, I had used the backhoe only one time.
When I spec'd out and bought my NH I thought about that 1 hole in 3 years and couldn't justify the $7000 + for a backhoe.
Now that I own my own property there are few times and a few projects that I do wish I had a backhoe for. But, I figure that a mini excavator rents for about $200 a day here.
Having to rent a backhoe is certainly not as convienent as having your own but for me and my possible / occasional needs, $200 here and there is a lot cheaper than $7000 invested in a piece of equipment that would sit under a tarp most of its life. Beside, renting a mini excavator every now and then, gives me a new toy to play with every now and then.
Don't get me wrong. I can sure see the advantages of owning one and I wish I did. I just can't justify the capitol expense for my needs and uses.
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Having to rent a backhoe is certainly not as convienent as having your own but for me and my possible / occasional needs, $200 here and there is a lot cheaper than $7000 invested in a piece of equipment that would sit under a tarp most of its life.

that is kind of what I was thinking and the reason I asked about on/of ease is that I use the bucket and the rear blade a couple times a week so they need to stay in place. Hey that is a good goal for one of you, invent a tractor that can carry 3 implements. :) I can also see that if you had one you may find ways to utilize it.
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe #8  
I am pretty sure there was an old thread on here somewhere with a similar subject, might want to search. I have mostly used my backhoe for digging in irrigation lines and tree/bush removal. Occasionally I need it to do some ditch maintenance or the like but these small hoes have limited reach compared to a big hoe or even a mini excavator.
 
   / Uses for a Backhoe #9  
Things I have used my backhoe to do:

1. Dig up rocks and small-medium stumps.
2. Carry rocks and stumps too large to fit in FEL bucket.
3. Dig french drain trench.
4. Stir compost pile.
5. Dig drainage swales along trails and heap dirt on trail.
6. Bury stuff, like two FEL buckets full of blighted tomatoes.
7. Loosen soil to make it easier to load into FEL bucket.
8. Dug a horse grave once for a neighbor.

It takes me about 10 mins. to drop my backhoe, 15-30 mins to put it back on. It has a subframe mount.

Hope this helps.
Dave.
 
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   / Uses for a Backhoe #10  
that is kind of what I was thinking and the reason I asked about on/of ease is that I use the bucket and the rear blade a couple times a week so they need to stay in place. Hey that is a good goal for one of you, invent a tractor that can carry 3 implements. :) I can also see that if you had one you may find ways to utilize it.

I think you should get a spare tractor for the third and fourth implements. ;)
 
 

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