What tractor for around $15k has the deepest digging backhoe attachment available???

[4570Man]

You can certainly buy an older full size backhoe for that $15K price. It will be 2WD and manual shift. It may or may not have a cab. Expect it will be well worn, but the one you want is one that has not been abused. They are out there for that price. I've seen several that I thought were good buys go in that range this year alone.

It will probably need some work....but shouldn't need anything major, and for $15K it should be able to go to work tomorrow. I would look specifically for JD310 or perhaps an older Case. Both have good parts availability and decent support groups.

I am assuming that you have tools and are a competent mechanic. If not now, you will be - and nothing wrong with that.

As for trailering, I wouldn't. If you stick with rural jobs within a ten mile radius you can simply drive it between jobs. Lots of people do.

A full size JD310 will dig to 14 feet and if it has the extendahoe dipperstick it will go 18 feet. Most have accessory hydraulics instead of using a PTO to run things like a post hole digger. But they do NOT have a 3pt hitch or PTO.
rScotty

I wouldn’t touch a manual shift backhoe. But I’ve seen some pretty decent 90s era shuttle trans backhoes for 15k. But buying a nicer backhoe is a better investment. I had 30k in my last Deere backhoe and it worked flawlessly the entire time I had it I and sold it for a profit. A junker backhoe is going to be an oil leaking, constant mechanic project and a lot more likely to stick you with a catastrophic repair.

 

[RickB]

I wouldn’t touch a manual shift backhoe. But I’ve seen some pretty decent 90s era shuttle trans backhoes for 15k.

Some with MFD.

 

[Richard]

Don't know if you'd consider my JCB a manual shift or not..... you have to manually change what gear you are in but, the left stalk, (where a turn signal lever might be) is a forward/reverse that electronically changes your direction. You pick your gear (I'm usually in 2nd on the farm here and only when I hit the pavement to go to another part of farm am I ever in 4th gear)

So pick your gear and then it's simply click forward/reverse with the left fingertips.

Mine was built as I recall, 1987. Now, if you mean manual transmission as in having to clutch it every time you change direction or gears.... yikes, yes I totally agree.... avoid.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I thought he only had 1 hole to dig?
If your tractor is not being used primarily for digging holes I would sure look into renting a mini excavator.
They arnt that expensive.

 

[rScotty]

Don't know if you'd consider my JCB a manual shift or not..... you have to manually change what gear you are in but, the left stalk, (where a turn signal lever might be) is a forward/reverse that electronically changes your direction. You pick your gear (I'm usually in 2nd on the farm here and only when I hit the pavement to go to another part of farm am I ever in 4th gear)

So pick your gear and then it's simply click forward/reverse with the left fingertips.

Mine was built as I recall, 1987. Now, if you mean manual transmission as in having to clutch it every time you change direction or gears.... yikes, yes I totally agree.... avoid.

I would call that a manual transmission with a shuttle shift. The way I use the term "shuttle shift" it is just what you have described, a fingertip lever that gives you fwd/reverse in whatever gear you are in. No clutching required; it's used for shuttling back and forth. Mechanically it is a aux. transmission bolted behind the manual transmission. Sometimes electrically actuated, but more commonly electric over hydraulic.
I've also heard it called a "direction reverser" in some advertising literature. Whichever you call it, it is a common feature - sometimes optional - on on lots of manual shift tractors. I agree, it's a great thing to have. I see it on almost every machine where it was offered. The older JD310s I've seen all have the shuttle shift. I don't know if it was an option on TLBs like it was on Ag tractors. Maybe all TLBs have it.

 

[Jstpssng]

I thought he only had 1 hole to dig?
If your tractor is not being used primarily for digging holes I would sure look into renting a mini excavator.
They arnt that expensive.

Two holes actually, but you are right. In post #11 he indicated that he was thinking in that direction.

 

[4570Man]

Don't know if you'd consider my JCB a manual shift or not..... you have to manually change what gear you are in but, the left stalk, (where a turn signal lever might be) is a forward/reverse that electronically changes your direction. You pick your gear (I'm usually in 2nd on the farm here and only when I hit the pavement to go to another part of farm am I ever in 4th gear)

So pick your gear and then it's simply click forward/reverse with the left fingertips.

Mine was built as I recall, 1987. Now, if you mean manual transmission as in having to clutch it every time you change direction or gears.... yikes, yes I totally agree.... avoid.

My Deere had a lever on the left of the steering column probably the same as yours but you rolled the end of the of the stick like a windshield wiper speed selector for the gears. I’ve seen some backhoe with a manual stick for the gear selection with the forward and reverser stick. That’s a workable option and is probably more durable long term. My Deere had synchronized gears and you could hit all of them rolling down the road. I’m not for sure if the manual shifts can or not. Some of the really old backhoes just had a stick between your legs for the gear selector and a dry clutch. Those could be ground up for scrap for all I care.

 

[m7040]

I have a John Deere 8A backhoe that digs pretty deep. It is mounted on an MF 203 industrial tractor. Use Kubota minix these days so it does not get much use anymore but it served its purpose on the farm

 

[MESSMAKER]

Rent an excavator for $300 and move on. You will be money ahead unless you just want to own a backhoe.