Regret not getting a backhoe for my tractor

[In.the.Piñons]

A loader is important, and I'm glad my tractor has one with a big bucket. It's proven very useful as I will explain shortly. But the loader just isn't good at digging DEEP holes. This is my first tractor/ranch and, to tell the truth, I was unaware just how critical a deep a hole would be. Don't get me wrong, the loader is great for scooping up the cash, but it just can't dig a big enough hole, in which to put it. In fact I just bought a 15 yard dump trailer. Now I can use the loader to fill it up with cash and then dump it directly into the money pit. A real time saver!

 

[gengine]

Backhoes are great tools, but terribly hard on farm tractors. Farm tractors just weren't built for backhoes, so they can't really handle abuse, just easy digging. If you get one, don't try to shove the teeth into the earth, curl the bucket and try to fill it up. Use a longer scraping action to gradually fill it up digging 4" at a time on a longer stretch to fill the bucket. The abuse of the backhoe can possibly break the tractor in half where the transmission bolts to the engine. Many tractors have died this way.

 

[shooterdon]

I am so glad my neighbor talked me out of a backhoe. Saved $8000 and in the last 12 years I have done less than $600 of backhoe work.

When you get one, enjoy taking it on and off…such fun. And you shouldn’t store them outside so have enough space.

For some folks they are a necessity but most people hardly use them.

 

[gengine]

I am so glad my neighbor talked me out of a backhoe. Saved $8000 and in the last 12 years I have done less than $600 of backhoe work.

When you get one, enjoy taking it on and off…such fun. And you shouldn’t store them outside so have enough space.

For some folks they are a necessity but most people hardly use them.

I considered buying one, but renting an actual backhoe or a mini-ex is quite affordable for a day, mostly half a day in my case. When I need one, it's usually more time to go get it than it is to use it.

 

[Richard]

Interesting experiences. 20+ years ago, I knew we needed a tractor. I nagged at the wife about things she finally told me to shut up, call her brother and buy something (he was buying/selling heavy equipment)

Came home with the JCB 1550. Digs a two foot flat bottom at 15 1/2'

I don't need the depth as much as the reach makes it very friendly. We''ve done some many things around here, I can't comprehend not having it and honestly, I think she's the same.

Her cousin next door bought a new JD, just big enough to stay under the DEF HP requirements. Has loader & backhoe with it. The backhoe is OFF it 90% of the time. Obviously I can't remove mine, but I use it for all sorts of things.

 

[loggin]

A backhoe is a great thing to have but it all depends on your usage. They are not just for digging.. If you have an hydraulic thumb they are amazing for lifting things into place or removing things!!

It is very important to make sure you get one with a sub-frame if you do decide on one for your tractor.

I have used mine quite extensively at times but then it will also sit for long periods of time. I decided on getting it instead of an excavator because I did not want to have an entire other machine with another engine and a drivetrain to sit around and have to maintain. Therefore the removable backhoe was for me the best option.

Just my 2 cents. I hope this helps!!

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Guys I think my humor was too subtle.

Re-read my OP carefully.

Or TL;DR

Ranches are money pits, the scale of which necessitates heavy equipment to dig said pits and fill them with all your hard earned money.

Just a tongue in cheek observation on how expensive this lifestyle is.

 

[M59]

A loader is important, and I'm glad my tractor has one with a big bucket. Now I can use the loader to fill it up with cash and then dump it directly into the money pit. A real time saver!

I would be willing to provide a no charge 30 yard dumpster for you to fill with cash.

 

[M59]

Guys I think my humor was too subtle.

Re-read my OP carefully.

Or TL;DR

Ranches are money pits, the scale of which necessitates heavy equipment to dig said pits and fill them with all your hard earned money.

Just a tongue in cheek observation on how expensive this lifestyle is.

You need a bigger ranch to justify the heavy equipment

 

[SPYDERLK]

I would be willing to provide a no charge 30 yard dumpster for you to fill with cash.

Greedy!

 

[M59]

Greedy!

Greedy no, just opportunistic and willing to help someone in need.

 

[check 6]

My two cents worth I start out with a BX tractor with a backhoe on it. I agree with what’s been said before it adds more length to the tractor which makes it less maneuverable. Additionally, it is not fun to take on and off and actually it can be very dangerous. It’s a heavy piece of machinery the backhoe that is and not well balanced to larger tractors And again found I needed something to dig holes, but I didn’t want to backhoe for its somewhat restricted. So I bought a small excavator very simmer in size to the backhoe on a BX or B and quite honestly I’ve been very happy with it. Yes, it’s another piece of machinery to maintain however, it’s much more flexible than a backhoe can get into tight spots and serve me very well. You don’t have to stop reset up. Move the seat dig a hole stop move the tractor. Set up. Dig a little bit more good example I dug almost 200 feet of trench 12 inches wide 12 to 14 inches deep in about an hour and a half with my little excavator cause I could dig and move and dig and move , I can dig down just under 6 feet take out small tree stumps and do about everything I want and as I said, it’s very flexible and my tractor shorter overall length so it is more maneuverable my opinion

 

[SPYDERLK]

Greedy no, just opportunistic and willing to help someone in need.

Providing a container sufficient for someone to give you over 100 million 1$ bills is opportunistic indeed.

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Providing a container sufficient for someone to give you over 100 million 1$ bills is opportunistic indeed.

American $1 bills? Nah, I'll load him up with Iranian currency (cheapest in the world). 13 yards should be about $16,000 USD. Which is about the average cost to do or fix anything around here.

 

[M59]

American $1 bills? Nah, I'll load him up with Iranian currency (cheapest in the world). 13 yards should be about $16,000 USD. Which is about the average cost to do or fix anything around here.

Just as so long as you stack them nicely like this. The, ever so considerate, Iranian govt has decide to slice 4 zeroes off their currency to make the populace happy. Iranian currency inflation since 2018, if memory serves, is running at average of 38% per year.

Someone just purchased a single piece of bread.

 

[JTKub]

I know the intent of this thread was for laughs, but since we really are talking about BH attachments now, to me it seems like unless you bought one as part of a package deal with your tractor, they're crazy expensive to buy and equip your tractor with later on.

You fellers would know more than me, but adding one later being the case, it would seem to make more sense to buy one of those imported mini excavators instead. I've seen them online with diesel engines for $7K and air cooled gas engine powered for $5K. They'd almost pay for themselves if you had a bigger job or 3 to do.

 

[mike69440]

Just as so long as you stack them nicely like this. The, ever so considerate, Iranian govt has decide to slice 4 zeroes off their currency to make the populace happy. Iranian currency inflation since 2018, if memory serves, is running at average of 38% per year.

Someone just purchased a single piece of bread.

View attachment 3884658

I could heat my home in winter.
Regarding a backhoe, a 5 ton or larger excavator can do some satisfying real work.

 

[M59]

I could heat my home in winter.
Regarding a backhoe, a 5 ton or larger excavator can do some satisfying real work.

Burning Rials is probably cheaper, by the ton, than paying for pellets or cured firewood.

The current 2024 foreign exchange on Rials is officially 42,xxx Iranian Rials to ONE USD but actual rate in use is 767,xxx to one USD. xxx used in FOREX info because the inflation rate is so high its losing value every minute you hold onto it.

On another note more appropriate to TBN, an excavator is a wonderful and useful toy because it can do work the M59 can't do. Had this delivered after Hurricane Helene rampaged thru NC. Next week it goes to friends house to scrap Helene debris off acre of land and replace the missing bridge

 

[rScotty]

A backhoe is a great thing to have but it all depends on your usage. They are not just for digging.. If you have an hydraulic thumb they are amazing for lifting things into place or removing things!!

It is very important to make sure you get one with a sub-frame if you do decide on one for your tractor.

I have used mine quite extensively at times but then it will also sit for long periods of time. I decided on getting it instead of an excavator because I did not want to have an entire other machine with another engine and a drivetrain to sit around and have to maintain. Therefore the removable backhoe was for me the best option.

Just my 2 cents. I hope this helps!!

I did the same thing and for most of same reasons.
A backhoe is very handy for lots of chores and if used reasonably & with a sub-frame it will not hurt you or the tractor.
The cost was worth it to me just to have it available when needed.
To the OP, I don't think you really haven't lost anything by waiting to get the proper backhoe for your tractor.
rScotty

 

[Jstpssng]

It sounds like the OP needs a reverse GoFundMe. Instead of digging a hole to throw his money into, he can send it to us for disposable.