Build it yourself towable backhoe opinions

[ferrari99]

I would "like" to build a towable backhoe. It needs to be able to dig clay/shale. I like the greenmachines one (see link) just more like the ground hawg (see link) in size. I think hydraulic rotation would be better though. Has anyone seen or have a clamshell bucket on a backhoe, I was thinking if you could rig it like a thumb but the opposite in terms of wich side moves. Any ideas, photos of yours, or anything would be appreciated.
Thanks ferrari99
the greens machines-towable backhoe-home
Backhoe, Build a backhoe, these plans show you how.
http://attachmentsintl.com/wp-content/gallery/tractorloaderbackhoe/clamshell-bucket-open.jpg

 

[jaotguy]

I doubt any of the small backhoes will dig shale successfully ... clam shells end up being heavy unless very small.... clay usually requires a self cleaning bucket with a finger ...

 

[ishiboo]

I would "like" to build a towable backhoe. It needs to be able to dig clay/shale. I like the greenmachines one (see link) just more like the ground hawg (see link) in size. I think hydraulic rotation would be better though. Has anyone seen or have a clamshell bucket on a backhoe, I was thinking if you could rig it like a thumb but the opposite in terms of wich side moves. Any ideas, photos of yours, or anything would be appreciated.
Thanks ferrari99
the greens machines-towable backhoe-home
Backhoe, Build a backhoe, these plans show you how.
http://attachmentsintl.com/wp-content/gallery/tractorloaderbackhoe/clamshell-bucket-open.jpg

I rented a 8000 lb machine and it was tough digging clay, I don't think you'll be very successful with a towable for what you want to do unless you use a tiny bucket

 

[ferrari99]

I doubt any of the small backhoes will dig shale successfully ... clam shells end up being heavy unless very small.... clay usually requires a self cleaning bucket with a finger ...

We don't have a lot of shale and we are not on pure clay so it is not that sticky. I don't want a clam shell that can dig i want one that can load loose material and turn compost.

 

[ferrari99]

I rented a 8000 lb machine and it was tough digging clay, I don't think you'll be very successful with a towable for what you want to do unless you use a tiny bucket

One of the main purposes is turning compost which involves lift a mesh frame of the pile putting it next to the pile and turning it(that is why I want a clam shell).

 

[RBA50]

You might check out Cadplans.com also. They have a number of different sizes of both towable and 3 pt mounted palns. There are quite a few customer photos, some with mods to the buckets, and other attachments. I think I remember a grapple or clam type deal on one. Might find something that will work for you.

I built a model 728 (the original design) from the Metkits kit. (UPS driver loved me the day he delivered 700# of oily, rough cut, un-deburred steel and a couple 5 gallon pails full of small parts, plus a couple large boxes. Had to make me the first stop of the day because he couldn't get to anything else in the truck!) Basically just weld and bolt together, paint and go. Probably didn't save much money doing it that way, but saved a lot of time tracking down material, cutting and drilling etc. I was more interested in getting to the digging part than having a project.

A lot of how well these machines work depends on technique. They are light, so trying to drive the bucket down into the ground doesn't work well. You learn to dig by scraping along the surface and work your way down. For loose material that won't be a problem.

 

[ferrari99]

You might check out Cadplans.com also. They have a number of different sizes of both towable and 3 pt mounted palns. There are quite a few customer photos, some with mods to the buckets, and other attachments. I think I remember a grapple or clam type deal on one. Might find something that will work for you.

I built a model 728 (the original design) from the Metkits kit. (UPS driver loved me the day he delivered 700# of oily, rough cut, un-deburred steel and a couple 5 gallon pails full of small parts, plus a couple large boxes. Had to make me the first stop of the day because he couldn't get to anything else in the truck!) Basically just weld and bolt together, paint and go. Probably didn't save much money doing it that way, but saved a lot of time tracking down material, cutting and drilling etc. I was more interested in getting to the digging part than having a project.

A lot of how well these machines work depends on technique. They are light, so trying to drive the bucket down into the ground doesn't work well. You learn to dig by scraping along the surface and work your way down. For loose material that won't be a problem.

Do you have any photos of it (728) or photos of projects you have done with it?

 

[RBA50]

I did have some pictures, from the time I got the kit through paint, and a couple of the first drainage ditch I re-dug/cleaned up. I'll have to see if I can find them, I moved across the country since then, not sure where they are at this point. I know they weren't digital, so if I find them I'll have to scan them to post. Give me a day or two.

 

[ferrari99]

Thanks

 

[stuckmotor]

I doubt any of the small backhoes will dig shale successfully ... clam shells end up being heavy unless very small.... clay usually requires a self cleaning bucket with a finger ...

I know what a thumb is and I know what a claw is, but not a finger. Does it help to clean the bucket?

 

[jaotguy]

special bucket for clay ... finger is stationary in relation to the pin ( in the middle of bucket ), sides and bottom move forward to make a bucket as you curl the unit... when you uncurl, the finger pushes the clay out ... hope it explains it...

 

[notme]

ferrrari check out youtube caddigger has some videos with all there products doing some action. the 821 is there bigger unit 728 is an older smaller unit.

 

[ferrari99]

ferrrari check out youtube caddigger has some videos with all there products doing some action. the 821 is there bigger unit 728 is an older smaller unit.

Thanks will have a look

 

[stuckmotor]

special bucket for clay ... finger is stationary in relation to the pin ( in the middle of bucket ), sides and bottom move forward to make a bucket as you curl the unit... when you uncurl, the finger pushes the clay out ... hope it explains it...

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like a good idea.

 

[RBA50]

I found my pictures. I scanned a couple of the parts as UPS delivered them, then the completed digger, before its first use, and a couple of the ditch and drain line that were the first 2 projects for it. Hopefully they load properly.
First is the parts pictures. UPS guy had to love that delivery! Bundle of raw tubing banded/duct taped together, 5 gallon pails of parts, big flat cardboard box with the flat parts and a couple boxes of hydraulics and wheel hubs. About 700# altogether.

Next is the completed Digger, just towed out of the shop for the first time AC Orange was a perfect match for the Power King. Outriggers lying on the ground.

Ready to dig! wheels moved back and outriggers attached, bucket all the way up to show the loading height possibility.

first project cleaning out the ditch on the up hill side of the property My very first time running a backhoe. I thought it came out pretty well. I checked during the first rain after I dug, it drained all the way, no puddles!

second project, a drain line next to the garage Ready for backfilling.

 

[ferrari99]

I found my pictures. I scanned a couple of the parts as UPS delivered them, then the completed digger, before its first use, and a couple of the ditch and drain line that were the first 2 projects for it. Hopefully they load properly.
First is the parts pictures.View attachment 358941View attachment 358942 UPS guy had to love that delivery! Bundle of raw tubing banded/duct taped together, 5 gallon pails of parts, big flat cardboard box with the flat parts and a couple boxes of hydraulics and wheel hubs. About 700# altogether.

Next is the completed Digger, just towed out of the shop for the first timeView attachment 358943 AC Orange was a perfect match for the Power King. Outriggers lying on the ground.

Ready to dig!View attachment 358944 wheels moved back and outriggers attached, bucket all the way up to show the loading height possibility.

first project cleaning out the ditch on the up hill side of the propertyView attachment 358946 My very first time running a backhoe. I thought it came out pretty well. I checked during the first rain after I dug, it drained all the way, no puddles!

second project, a drain line next to the garageView attachment 358945 Ready for backfilling.

Thanks it is good to see real pictures not factory ones.

 

[buickanddeere]

Just purchase a tractor mounted backhoe. You can't purchase the parts for the cost of a decent used machine.

 

[Kernopelli]

Just purchase a tractor mounted backhoe. You can't purchase the parts for the cost of a decent used machine.

This is a good point. I don't know what it would cost to build a CADdigger but I see hoes ( particularly skid steer mount) on Ebay for $1200-$1500 almost every time I look. Add a Chinese engine, hydraulic pump/reservoir, frame, seat and axle/wheels and you'd have a very substantial unit for probably under $2500. May be a different story in Australia though?

 

[ferrari99]

This is a good point. I don't know what it would cost to build a CADdigger but I see hoes ( particularly skid steer mount) on Ebay for $1200-$1500 almost every time I look. Add a Chinese engine, hydraulic pump/reservoir, frame, seat and axle/wheels and you'd have a very substantial unit for probably under $2500. May be a different story in Australia though?

I just looked on eBay cheapest decent backhoes are $3000+ and if you do that then you still have the trailer part cost on top of that.
They estimate you can build them for less than $3000 and then you have the pleasure of operating something you have built.

 

[jaotguy]

most of the boys down south of Canada have it good ... parts/ units are 1/2 the cost of what we pay up here ...

the rest of the world pays thru the nose ... ( gov import duties / taxes etc )

that's why the rest of us are still looking for cheaper ways to build things we don't have ( and want badly :thumbsup: ) ... I built a small backhoe / FEL from standard steel tubing and flat plate from the wreckers.... hydraulics came from a surplus store .... built on an old 10 HP estate tractor ... less than 1500 Canadian ...

to buy new would be over 6000 for just the cheapest Backhoe unit. ( used ones around here would cost more to repair than buying new )

for light duty work (non commercial) we sometimes need/want a special tool and can't justify buying / building a full proper unit. A smaller one works well and saves our backs ... the other factor is: not all of us make good money (or access to cheap credit) and can just go out and buy what we need... especially those just starting out.

I applaud ferrari99 for trying BIT ( build it yourself ) very satisfying when it works, and you still learn a lot when it doesn't. ... all those that didn't quite make it now become spares for the next project.