Anybody using a backhoe attachment on their CUT?

[jjeff]

Had an old smaller great bend 651 3pt mounted on my old L2850 very handy, it was self contained meaning you hooked the hydro pump on the pto shaft, if I ever needed another 3pt bh I'd probably look for the same setup for hydraulics. Never needed a thumb I curled the bucket into the stick when I needed to hold something, I do see the advantages of a hydraulic thumb though. Being my first tractor and BH, some would probably consider my usage as abuse. It didn't have a subframe for the BH it did have a subframe for the loader running all the way back to the rear axle though. Still have and use the L2850, and sold the BH when I bought a mini x both tractor and BH are/were in good operating condition.

 

[HP942]

Years ago I bought a JD1050 CUT with factory frame mount backhoe. One of the major reasons was for the BH. I used it quite extensively at first developing my home lot and digging the foundation for a 30x40 workshop build. Over the next 14 years of ownership I used the BH occasionally, but probably not enough to justify the extra cost when buying an newer tractor. I miss it some days…..and it sure beats a shovel.

 

[etpm]

If you have back issues climbing in and out of the BH seat to get into the tractor seat every 3 feet will get old and stale real fast. Do yourself a favour and find a CUT/SCUT TLB that has a swivel seat.

I've owned an AG CUT with subframe BH and will never buy one again. AG tractors just aren't made to handle construction duty. Sub-frame BH's suck almost as much as 3PH BH.

Sell your Case 580 and buy an older used mini-x with a thumb. Thank me later.

Greetings Mikester,
I appreciate your quite negative opinion of a backhoe mounted to my CUT. However, I am still leaning toward getting a small backhoe for my CUT. It will be subframe mounted. You commented on my bad back and climbing on and off the machine every few feet. Though the particular problem with my back probably wouldn't be bothered much climbing on and off the machine I can see how it would cause problems for some folks. It was good you pointed that out.
My Case 580 CK has the swivel seat but it is not easy to use. It needs to be raised from the tractor position before being rotated to the backhoe position. And then back for tractor operation. And it is actually not very easy. Obviously Case did not think about this operation very much when designing the machine. But maybe it is because backhoe operators use the hoe a lot to move the tractor. I do.
The Case was the first backhoe I ever even sat on, much less used. And is the only one I have ever used. I bought it to install my septic system, something I had zero experience with too. I soon learned to use the hoe to move the machine. I am sure that virtually every backhoe operator does the same. When digging a ditch it is quite easy to move the machine forward, backward, and side to side with the hoe. Still, I will need to think about how often I will need to climb on and off the machine, because even though it won't hurt my back if I'm careful I also have vertigo (and have had it for over 30 years) and so must pay attention whenever I climb on and off something.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[Williy]

Do a search on TBN there was a post
on the frames to attach a back hoe and
where you can purchase them.

Don't use the 3pt to attach a backhoe
because the life you save just might be
your very own!

willy

 

[shirleyujest]

I have a kubota b3030 with a bh77. It is not a case 580 or a an excavator. I think of it as a diesel powered shovel. Repairing tile blow holes and burying water lines are easier on my back.

 

[bdhsfz6]

If you're used to the raw digging power of the 580, you may be disappointed with the digging ability of a CUT hoe. This is especially true if you dig in difficult ground like hardpan & shale or need to dig deep.

I've had hoes on all my CUT's from an 18 HP Kubota B7100 up to my current L6060 with BH92 hoe. It's tough digging where I live and I've had to rent a full sized machine to do a few jobs.

For the most part, all the CUT hoes I've had are very capable and do the job but can take more time. The exception was the Woods 3pt hoe I used on my Kubota L3010. That hoe was a piece of crap which broke the tractor transmission housing.

 

[Glue Guy]

Try P F Engineering P.F. Engineering — Do-it-yourself Plans — Micro Hoe Digging

 

[twowoode]

I used to run a case 580 and now have a Massey 1723 tlb. I don’t know what your yanmar weighs but weight is your friend. My Massey has to be in 4 wheel drive while digging or just gets pulled backwards even with the dirt pad side down on outriggers. This then makes it impossible to push yourself along. Other than that it digs great and has a manual thumb you set.
Have you thought about selling your yanmar and buying one that already has the backhoe on it?

 

[tambs]

I picked up a Branson 4820C with a BH250 backhoe early last spring. The BH option was not cheap, and likely not worth the expense. That said, I wouldn’t have it any other way. For my use and purposes the backhoe is adequate to the task. I don’t have much rock on my place, and this will add longevity to the hoe. These are nothing like the Case you are accustomed to though. Breakout strength, digging depth, swing radius, loading height, and build quality are all very much less than what you are used to, and they are not designed to be used to pick up/move the tractor. Most of the manufacturers say to not pick up the machine with the BH and loader as it puts excess stress on the machine. Rolling forward from the BH seat might be possible, but only if you can reach the loader hydraulics from that seat. Hard to do with most setups, and impossible with a cab. One could probably MacGyver up some rudimentary FEL controls that would work from the BH seat, but if you need a BH that often to justify the effort then you should consider keeping what you have, or trading the Case for a mini-x like others have suggested. All of these CUT hoes are for light-duty purposes only, and won’t stand up to hard use. I understood all this when I got mine, and rationalized that it would serve my purposes adequately. So far I have been very happy with the decision, and the hoe.

 

[dcarman]

She's a big hoe but digs well. I have a Bradco hoe I mount on my Kubota with a subframe/threepoint mount I made. The three point makes it easier to put on and off. It works well but it's not like digging with the commercial case 530 tractor with the dedicated hoe. Mass is everything when trying to dig with a hoe. The Case is way heavier than the Kubota and doesn't move around as much when digging. I don't have the old Case any more and the Kubota gets the jobs done I currently do. It digs about 9 feet down and has a 12 inch bucket.
I would put a smaller bucket and thumb on the Case. You'll be more satisfied with the results.

 

[massey 165]

Greetings All,
I just can't seem to get this out of my mind. I have a Yanmar YM2310 with an FEL and a Case 580CK backhoe. I no longer need the big backhoe. It digs well but the bucket is 2 feet wide. And the machine is huge compared to my Yanmar. Now the only digging I need to do is ditches for water lines and a few power lines. I could really use a small backhoe with a thumb.
I move a lot of rocks because we have so many and every time I dig I get more. My back is slowly fusing itself, some sort of genetic thing, and this makes it particularly hard on my back when moving heavy things. Being able to pick and place rocks with a thumb would save me a lot of trouble and pain.
I would love to have a small excavator but I can't justify the expense. I have been looking to trade my big hoe for a smaller one but haven't had any luck with that. So I'm wondering if a subframe mounted backhoe on my Yanmar would be useful. Maybe something like this: 5\' Dig Self Contained Backhoe, VL-BHM5 | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service:
I can build the subframe myself, I have a complete machine shop and welders and the expertise. Since I'm retired the shop is free for me to play in. The hoe would be powered with a PTO pump.
Anybody with a good amount of experience that wants to chime in I would greatly appreciate anything you would have to say.
Thanks,
Eric

The small boom and bucket will not move the dirt far enought from the ditch. The extra weight with a thumb and rock will constantly unruly.
I put a thumb on the Case and look for a mini-excavator . They make a shorter hole and move dirt and rocks 360 degrees.
Good luck

 

[MMC]

If you really want to do this for a challenge and entertainment, no one can fault you. But as some have alluded to, you have an interim and cheap way to get into this. I have an old 580C on the farm with a 12" bucket - it will do anything I ask (almost). The ground you first described might not be conducive to a lighter machine for digging - you probably will be disappointed and may well ask more of the machine than it is wise or safe to do. The older Cases' are a little crude, but relatively cheap to maintain and repair. Yeah, the seat is a little aggravating, but it works (as does the loud bang after quickly reversing levers to get the boom over center to lock...). Still, a 12" bucket and thumb would be a cheap experiment to get you started. If you don't like it, just move on...

Good Luck

 

[jjeff]

Used 3 point BHs go relatively inexpensive used and at auctions compared to other implements, If I was looking I'd buy one and modify it with a subframe, and anything else I wanted it to do.

 

[California]

Sure you can do that. Yanmar used to make about 4 different models of subframe and 3pt PTO-driven backhoes for their 25 hp and under tractors. So did several other companies. Bradco still does. We had one...It was Yanmar model YBH600, and cost about $2500 back in 1985.

They aren't real popular and you could probably pick one up for under a grand today. There really isn't anything much to go wrong with them. Ours had a PTO pump and about a 8 gallon hydraulic tank with filter under your feet.
I used it for chores like you describe for about 15 years and did a ton of handy work.

It's almost a toy - but a toy that easily does the work of several grown men laboring with shovels and wheelbarrows.

Even these tiny hoes are rough and stressful on little tractors, and really throw the tractor around - but it sounds like you have the experience to avoid tearing up the machine. And if your tractor has automatic draft control BE SURE TO TURN THAT OFF! Draft Control can tear up a 3pt/subframe hoe and you with it. It almost happened to me.

But they are real handy. I replaced mine with a real TLB but if I hadn't I'd still have it. I've not seen a thumb for one. If I had mine back I'd at least put a mechanical thumb on it. No more power than it has, you wouldn't have to weld the thumb mount to the dipper stick, just use some old Chevy leaf spring U bolts ought to be enough.

rScottyView attachment 773024

I have the YBH600 3-point BH you described above.
Except in Kubota colors as K-650. Same identical hoe sold as OEM by those respective dealers. Circa 1980.

I use it mostly for my annual removal of apple orchard stumps, as ancient trees get replaced by new plantings. Scotty, I paid $3,500 some 15 years ago and I doubt one in working order would be any cheaper today. Seller received multiple calls as I was picking it up, including offering more than the Craigslist listed price.

My Yanmar YM240 seems to be strong enough for this 3-point hoe. The only problem I've had was loosening of a 3-point hinge pin that had been sloppy loose when I bought the tractor in 2003, and re-set at that time with red Locktite. The pin finally worked loose 15 years later, perhaps because of the backhoe stress.

In summary I'm pleased with this hoe for what I use it for.

I think one of these would be suitable to start a frame-mount project.

Note 4 ft is about the maximum practical depth without moving the tractor for every foot advancing the trench.

And a caution: I looked at the Del Morino mini-backhoe thinking that would fit my smaller YM186D. I discovered the US dealer was lying, he advertised 6 ft dig depth while the manufacturer said something like 4.1 ft straight down and a lot less for a continual trench. Avoid.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I was digging trenches every time that I had to move I would pull forward so that the rear tires were where the fronts had been. That’s about the effective digging length.

 

[John in BC]

Greetings All,
I just can't seem to get this out of my mind. I have a Yanmar YM2310 with an FEL and a Case 580CK backhoe. I no longer need the big backhoe. It digs well but the bucket is 2 feet wide. And the machine is huge compared to my Yanmar. Now the only digging I need to do is ditches for water lines and a few power lines. I could really use a small backhoe with a thumb.
I move a lot of rocks because we have so many and every time I dig I get more. My back is slowly fusing itself, some sort of genetic thing, and this makes it particularly hard on my back when moving heavy things. Being able to pick and place rocks with a thumb would save me a lot of trouble and pain.
I would love to have a small excavator but I can't justify the expense. I have been looking to trade my big hoe for a smaller one but haven't had any luck with that. So I'm wondering if a subframe mounted backhoe on my Yanmar would be useful. Maybe something like this: 5\' Dig Self Contained Backhoe, VL-BHM5 | Betstco Sales, Parts, and Service:
I can build the subframe myself, I have a complete machine shop and welders and the expertise. Since I'm retired the shop is free for me to play in. The hoe would be powered with a PTO pump.
Anybody with a good amount of experience that wants to chime in I would greatly appreciate anything you would have to say.
Thanks,
Eric

I have a Bobcat CT 225 tractor with a 7ft hoe. If I am ditching I am glad for the reach as it means less tractor moving. As for buckets I have a 9" and an 18". The land is all a mixture of sand and bowling balls, both 5 and 10 pin. I prefer to trench with the 18" because the 10 pin balls don't fit into the small bucket and that is a problem if one becomes exposed on each side of the ditch the small bucket doesn't want to pull up through them so in the end the ditch becomes wider anyway. Also if you need to climb into a 3 or 4 foot ditch and it's 9 inches, you can't.
JR

 

[Jaygyver]

You need to set your hopes a bit lower on a CUT BH compared to the "real one". Even new they can have a bit more play in the bushings and the controls can have a bit more slop in them then the commercial ones. With that being said and understanding the limitations of the "wanna be" it will serve you well.
One thing you might look at too is, see if you can get an OEM sub-frame either used or new then all you would have to do is fab a mount to the BH connections. I thought about doing that with my LS seeings how I aready have a 3pt BH.
I've used my BH way more then I thought I would. Basically if I could lift the log, stump or rock high enough for my old 4x8 trailer I was good to go. I just have too many large rocks to use my tractor bucket where I need it, it just beats the crap out of it when I hit one.

Everyone is different but unfortunately for ME I ended up getting a 3pt mount BH for my old JD770 a few years ago as I just couldn't find the factory one. Just got tired of renting one, which is how I got my JD also. And I did look at 3pt mount issues. There's even someone who's broke their tractor WITH the sub-mount so, it's either gonna break or it won't. I tried to get the lightest one that looked like it would hold up. I ended up with the WoodMaxx WM6600 self contained one. 180 degree swing. Got it with some extra's like the Ripper, Quick Connect system (for bucket change over), and Hyd Thumb. I do love the hyd thumb, it does fold out of the way so you don't even know it's there. Comes with a 9", 12" or 15" bucket. I got the 15" as I needed more digging then trenching. I think I paid around $5000 and a few penys delivered. (pre-pandemic) Hell, my neighbor spends more on beer/cig's in a year. It depends on how you look at it.
I ended up getting a new '21 LS MT235HE this last winter so I've since moved the BH over to it. I also ended up getting a HYD 4-1 bucket for it also, but I still need my 770 to get to our burn pile in the winter/spring as the LS is just too heavy for our mud as far as leaving ruts.

 

[hornett22]

Not sure what availability there is in your area but you might consider renting a compact tractor with a backhoe for the weekend just to get an idea of what to expect. Home Depot here in Knoxville rents a couple sub compacts and 2 series Deere and what looks like a 30-35 hp Yanmar all with backhoes. A couple of local rental places rent Kubota compacts with back hoes. Renting one for 3-400 $ and deciding it's not gonna work would be a lot easier to accept than buying one for $3-?k and deciding it's not gonna work.

 

[kpsp50]

Read the tractor by net post on 1129 of 22 bad news on my tc33 he had a 3-point backhoe on his tractor and he broke the case of his transmission 3-point backhoes are not the thing to put on a small tractor stick with the Case 580 or get an excavator

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have the subframe type backhoe on mine, and after seeing how much banging around it can do, there is no way I would ever expect a 3pt mount to handle that.

We've had a 3 point type since 94 or 95. Dug footings for houses, built 4 chicken houses, built brother's house, buried dead livestock. No problems yet.