Fawken
Platinum Member
5 years ago I would have never even considered using the backhoe for a small job like this, but the roots proved overpowering for my shovel......... and my back.
Is my shovel getting too old?
- Thread starter Fawken
- Start date
- Views: 4880
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 67,111
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
You could justify it by thinking this...
The beauty of power equipment is that you can get more done in the same amount of time.
(don't have to tell anyone its easier!
)
The beauty of power equipment is that you can get more done in the same amount of time.
(don't have to tell anyone its easier!
)
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
You could justify it by thinking this...
The beauty of power equipment is that you can get more done in the same amount of time.
(don't have to tell anyone its easier!
I guess so. When first started out we couldn't get the trees to even take root. Never thought the day would come when I'd be cursing them. Now I get to go over to my longest tenured neighbor's place and fix some drainage problem. He says I'll need the backhoe, but I haven't seen it yet. As you can see a bigger tractor would not have fit into that space, let alone get through the gates. I think YOU know what I mean!
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
You could justify it by thinking this...
The beauty of power equipment is that you can get more done in the same amount of time.
(don't have to tell anyone its easier!
I guess so. When first started out we couldn't get the trees to even take root. Never thought the day would come when I'd be cursing them. Now I get to go over to my longest tenured neighbor's place and fix some drainage problem. He says I'll need the backhoe, but I haven't seen it yet. As you can see a bigger tractor would not have fit into that space, let alone get through the gates. I think YOU know what I mean!
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I don't think there is a thing wrong with using the miracle of hydraulics any time you can. I am highly in favor of it!:thumbsup:
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
:laughing:
LOL!
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 67,111
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I guess so. When first started out we couldn't get the trees to even take root. Never thought the day would come when I'd be cursing them. Now I get to go over to my longest tenured neighbor's place and fix some drainage problem. He says I'll need the backhoe, but I haven't seen it yet. As you can see a bigger tractor would not have fit into that space, let alone get through the gates. I think YOU know what I mean!
Yep! My little PT425 is only 42" wide. Goes just about anywhere my wheelbarrow could, so wheelbarrow got retired. :thumbsup:
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 19,163
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
What is a shovel supposed to do? I use my backhoe for everything I possibly can. A few months ago I dug a ditch so shallow I couldn't even scoop dirt. I just scraped the teeth across the ground.
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
On a serious note, backho'ers, (is that a word?) I usually do use a shovel for small things because hooking up the backhoe is time consuming. In fact, I made a rolling dolly with the angle iron from the shipping crate and 3 small bottle jacks because without those it is real hard to hook up (safely) and remove.
mikeharold
Bronze Member
Why use your back if you have a machine to do it for you?!
TomSeller
Super Member
Shovel? I can't recall what that is.
Seriously, at work we had a new sales kid in a meeting and referred to something "the size of a 50 cent piece". He had no idea what a 50 cent piece was. The room exploded with laughter.
Seriously, at work we had a new sales kid in a meeting and referred to something "the size of a 50 cent piece". He had no idea what a 50 cent piece was. The room exploded with laughter.
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
Well, the digging went fine, but I went to Home Depot to get the 4" PVC connectors and the new clean out tee I needed, got them primed and cemented and they don't fit! Seems now I remember from 35 years ago when I built the house I used 4" conduit (got it free) for my gray water. 4" PVC conduit from those days must have had a thinner wall. An actual plumbing supply will be my first trip in the A.M.
Coyote machine
Super Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2009
- Messages
- 7,663
- Location
- Southern VT
- Tractor
- 22 SANY SY 50U, '10 Kioti DK 40se/hst KL-401 FEL, loaded tires, KB-2485 bhoe, Tuffline TB160 BB, Woods QA forks, MIE Hydraulic bhoe thumb & ripper tooth, Igland 4001 winch, & GR-20 Log Grapple. Woods BBX72" Brush Mower. Diamondplate aluminum canopy
Shovel: a antiquated mode of digging, still in use in some places by those who work for the guy operating the ' I won't break my back hoe'.:thumbsup:
Personally I will use my hoe whenever I can. I seldom take it off the tractor because it is great ballast, and takes too much time to remove and install, and since I have it why not use it. The more I use it the 'betterer' I get at using it!
Personally I will use my hoe whenever I can. I seldom take it off the tractor because it is great ballast, and takes too much time to remove and install, and since I have it why not use it. The more I use it the 'betterer' I get at using it!
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
I would leave it on, but for 28 years all I had was a 4' box blade for dirt work- no FEL until I finally built my own about 4 years ago. Needless to say I got very adept at using that blade which I welded a 4' length of railroad rail and trailer ball onto for weight and maneuvering various trailers. It's almost as if the old gal doesn't run right without that box blade on the back.:laughing:
Mace Canute
Elite Member
It's only supposed to be for leaning on and making it seem like you're doing something while you watch somebody else do the actual work.
Egon
Epic Contributor
My shovel is fine, but the shoveler has problems.
Bruce
With the addition of a backhoe my shovel is lonely and my back says thank you!
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
I would hope you are using a pair of 4" combo fittings for the clean outs, these work much better if you need to run a sewer machine through the line. The old style 4" clean out tees are difficult to run the cable through. Ask about these when you go to your plumbing supplier he can show you the difference this makes.
OP
Fawken
Platinum Member
Thanks. I'll check for that. This is just the gray water and has never been a problem until this spring. There was a 3" root that deformed and cracked it about 6 weeks ago best I can judge. Bummer that I didn't get it finished last night. Looks blazing, hot out there today.
