Go BottomWhat about backhoes
 | Dan Bessette
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2001-01-10 23275
The thread about loaders was great, so let's see if we can do as welll with backhoes. I'll be getting both when I get my compact this spring and it would be helpful to get some feedback about hoes as well. So can anyone let us know about there experience with their backhoes and is there anything they would have done or wanted different.
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 | dsg
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 528 Franklin, Maine 
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2001-01-11 23319
Dan, I have a JD 4700 with a #48 hoe. I like it very much. It is very strong and quick. After removing the 3pt hitch arms from the tractor, I can't imagine an easier hook up (from the tractor seat). The only problem I've has was the piston that works the bucket bent. It was replaced under warranty. The JD rep. said a few had not been heat treated properly. I do wish JD or someone would invent a mini thumb to fit the backhoe. My 2 cents, David. ....
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| Chris in IN
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-01-11 23341
I have a JD 48 on a 4400. as was stated above it is very easy to hookup. After removing the 3 pt hitch the hoe can be completely hooked up from the tractor seat. It has plenty of power. ....
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| Ed C In Vt
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-01-12 23348
I've got a Cub Cadet 7260 and #408 sub-frame mounted Cub Cadet hoe with a 16" bucket. I've got probably around 50 hours use on the hoe so far, no complaints. It comes off and goes back on fairly easy, although you do have to remove the 3 pt arms when it is on the machine (minor pain in the neck...). I've found the 16" bucket about right for the jobs I've had so far. A friend of mine has a Bradco sub-frame mounted hoe with an 18" bucket on a Ford 2120. The Bradco unit is real heavy duty. It also works well, although I've found the controls on the Bradco harder to use than mine. By harder I mean they are very touchy, just a little nudge on the joystick translates into big movements on the hoe. I find mine are easier, meaning a little nudge only moves things a little bit.. My friend feels the same way after we swapped units for a day this summer. It may be due to the fact that we are both rookies running a backhoe, and we've only got 'learners permits' so far...
Oh, one more thing, we both spent the extra $$ and had remote hydraulic outlets installed on the back of our tractors. You 'can' run a hoe using long hydraulic hoses from your loader hydraulic hose block on the front of the tractor, but the long hoses are a pain in the neck to hook and unhook, and easily get in the way. Having the rear remote outlets makes it a lot easier to hook and unhook, and makes for a much nicer looking setup. They can also come in handy for other attachments, such as a hydraulic top link that I would really like...
Corm ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2001-01-12 23354
I’ve got a Kelley 650 3ph hoe. In having a 3ph hoe, I recognize the safety issues and hazards to the tractor. I also know that the hoe is real easy on and off and there is no sub-frame to complicate other tractor uses. 3ph hoes are very convenient when the demands are light and occasional. In using a 3ph hoe, I do have to recognize that the hoe has potential for breaking the tractor in half. However, I believe a 3ph can be the hoe of choice for some people. The soil here is very sandy, and I just avoid trying to move big rocks in the hole or breaking main tree roots with the hoe. I also take care to use proper digging technique--no stretched out or wrong angle digs, no dragging full buckets etc. In addition, the Kelley hoe is not a particular strong hoe for the tractor. It's worked well for me for the two seasons I've used it.
I think many of the accident and tractor damage stories related to 3ph hoes are related to improper installation or adjustment of the hoe mounts. The Kelley mount uses the 3ph arms plus a plate bolted to the draw bar. In addition to the top-link, two additional links act to distribute load between the hitch and draw bar and to lock down the hitch. I recognize that proper adjustment of the three top link arms is critical for safety of the operator and the tractor. I check the adjustment of the top links and tightness of the draw bar plate at least once an hour during digging.
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| Ted Kennedy
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-01-12 23360
Dan, I've two backhoes; one is a Case 580 Super L TLB and the other is a Cub Cadet 407 mounted on a 7275. It isn't fair to compare the two, and maybe not fair to compare the 407 as it is no longer made (408 replaced it), but I'll mention some of the features I'd like to see. My ideal compact tractor backhoe would have an improved mounting system like the Kubota L35 and L48. Next, open center feel controls (closed center control systems are not easy to feather) and large diameter hoses for increased flow to the spools. A quick attach bucket system is a must, I switch buckets on the job and driving in/out roll pins is a pain. All pivot points should have grease retaining seals and renewable tension bushings. Optional integral plumbing out to the bucket for accessories like thumbs and augers would be welcome. Mandatory would be the flip over pads for street and dirt found on some mfg.'s stabilizers. Finally, an extendable dipper stick would round out my plan, I understand Deere offers this on their skid steer hoes. ....
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| JeffM
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-01-12 23367
I have the same setup as Chris in IN - JD48 on a 4400. In fact, we collaborated knowledge when we were making our purchases. I resonate on the good stuff said about the JD48, especially when I consider that this is an add-on hoe to an all-purpose tractor. I have an 18" bucket and have no problem with it even in the glacial rock-embedded clay I deal with. I think the axle/frame mount is excellent in that it gives stability and strength, while still allowing for a mid-mower. I have been extremely happy with the capabilities and features of this hoe. That said, here are wish list items based on my use of this and other small TLB's and mini-excavators: I wish the hydraulic controls and spools were higher-quality on the JD48 in that I get some bypass at times. (boom drops slightly over time, stabilizers drop a little when parked, etc.) I loved the auto-return feature on a Kubota B-20 I used a couple years ago. This would bring the boom back to where you started when swinging the boom. It took an act of faith to trust it at first, but it worked fine. I think having the capability to add a grapple hook or thumb would be fantastic. ....
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| By the Brook Farm
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2001-01-12 23378
JD4600 w/48 backhoe here. I like my little 'hoe but don't confuse it with an excavator or a dedicated TLB like a Case. I used it clear about an acre of heavy Maine woods for a homesite and it works SLOW. Part of it is due to my inexperience and the other part is that these little backhoes don't have much weight behind them so it is easy to lift your tractor when you are trying to pull a stump. I have no problems at all digging holes or trenches but if you plan on stumping be aware that it will be slow going. At about 7 grand for the hoe it is pretty expensive. I would check out a Kubota L48 for about 40K, they are suppose to be pretty heavy duty, or just buy a beat up old yellow backhoe for 10k that will out dig and and out stump a compact by a factor of about 10. ....
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