Anybody using a backhoe attachment on their CUT?

[John_Mc]

As the owner of the TC33D that broke at the clutch housing, I can tell you that it had nothing to do with the backhoe. The backhoe has not even been on the tractor in over 10 years, and was used lightly and rarely before then. My break was likely due to extensive loader work (I was attempting to dig out a small stump when it finally let go all the way, though the evidence shows that the crack had started a while ago.) My tractor is really too small for the logging I have been doing with it. I'm careful, but after 21 year of that use, apparently I'm not careful enough. As we were disassembling the tractor for repair, we found a couple of bolts that had worked loose, and one of the loader mount bolts was broken. Those loose bolts are the kiss of death when you are working these tractors hard.

Problems with cracked transmission or clutch housings are a known issue with these tractors (which is exactly why I have the backhoe subframe on it, even though I don't really use the backhoe: The subframe provides a lot of reinforcement.)

The ONLY way I wold use a backhoe on a compact tractor is with a subframe (I suppose there may well be some models that can handle it, but why chance it.) There are a number of CUTs that when equipped with a well-designed subframe can handle an appropriately sized backhoe, you just have to use some common sense when operating it. If you are picking up the tractor and slamming it around, you are abusing it and it's likely you will eventually have problems. Stump duty is one of the tougher jobs.

A CUT with a backhoe can do a lot of work, but having used a mini excavator (my neighbor owns one), I can tell you that I will not buy a backhoe for my new tractor. If my neighbor sells is mini excavator, I'll just rent one. Anything I can do with a backhoe on a cut, I can do easier and quicker with a mini excavator. Renting a mini ex for the few times I might need it is far less expensive than buying a backhoe and subframe.

 

[jjeff]

As the owner of the TC33D that broke at the clutch housing, I can tell you that it had nothing to do with the backhoe. The backhoe has not even been on the tractor in over 10 years, and was used lightly and rarely before then. My break was likely due to extensive loader work (I was attempting to dig out a small stump when it finally let go all the way, though the evidence shows that the crack had started a while ago.) My tractor is really too small for the logging I have been doing with it. I'm careful, but after 21 year of that use, apparently I'm not careful enough. As we were disassembling the tractor for repair, we found a couple of bolts that had worked loose, and one of the loader mount bolts was broken. Those loose bolts are the kiss of death when you are working these tractors hard.

Problems with cracked transmission or clutch housings are a known issue with these tractors (which is exactly why I have the backhoe subframe on it, even though I don't really use the backhoe: The subframe provides a lot of reinforcement.)

The ONLY way I wold use a backhoe on a compact tractor is with a subframe (I suppose there may well be some models that can handle it, but why chance it.) There are a number of CUTs that when equipped with a well-designed subframe can handle an appropriately sized backhoe, you just have to use some common sense when operating it. If you are picking up the tractor and slamming it around, you are abusing it and it's likely you will eventually have problems. Stump duty is one of the tougher jobs.

A CUT with a backhoe can do a lot of work, but having used a mini excavator (my neighbor owns one), I can tell you that I will not buy a backhoe for my new tractor. If my neighbor sells is mini excavator, I'll just rent one. Anything I can do with a backhoe on a cut, I can do easier and quicker with a mini excavator. Renting a mini ex for the few times I might need it is far less expensive than buying a backhoe and subframe.

Curious question, tc is a new Holland? Does it or did it have some sort of a subframe for the loader? Particularly braces running from the loaders mast on each side to the rear axle. Apologize for the hijack drift.

 

[John_Mc]

Curious question, tc is a new Holland? Does it or did it have some sort of a subframe for the loader? Particularly braces running from the loaders mast on each side to the rear axle. Apologize for the hijack drift.

Yes, the TC33D is a New Holland. From the factory, there was no subframe connecting the loader towers to the rear axles. I added the Woods 4 point quick attach backhoe subframe (if I'm remembering the name correctly). The subframe runs from the loader mast to the rear axle. I also mounted a belly pan/skid plate between the rails of the subframe, which reinforces the subframe quite a bit.

 

[hornett22]

As the owner of the TC33D that broke at the clutch housing, I can tell you that it had nothing to do with the backhoe. The backhoe has not even been on the tractor in over 10 years, and was used lightly and rarely before then. My break was likely due to extensive loader work (I was attempting to dig out a small stump when it finally let go all the way, though the evidence shows that the crack had started a while ago.) My tractor is really too small for the logging I have been doing with it. I'm careful, but after 21 year of that use, apparently I'm not careful enough. As we were disassembling the tractor for repair, we found a couple of bolts that had worked loose, and one of the loader mount bolts was broken. Those loose bolts are the kiss of death when you are working these tractors hard.

Problems with cracked transmission or clutch housings are a known issue with these tractors (which is exactly why I have the backhoe subframe on it, even though I don't really use the backhoe: The subframe provides a lot of reinforcement.)

The ONLY way I wold use a backhoe on a compact tractor is with a subframe (I suppose there may well be some models that can handle it, but why chance it.) There are a number of CUTs that when equipped with a well-designed subframe can handle an appropriately sized backhoe, you just have to use some common sense when operating it. If you are picking up the tractor and slamming it around, you are abusing it and it's likely you will eventually have problems. Stump duty is one of the tougher jobs.

A CUT with a backhoe can do a lot of work, but having used a mini excavator (my neighbor owns one), I can tell you that I will not buy a backhoe for my new tractor. If my neighbor sells is mini excavator, I'll just rent one. Anything I can do with a backhoe on a cut, I can do easier and quicker with a mini excavator. Renting a mini ex for the few times I might need it is far less expensive than buying a backhoe and subframe.

Sounds like maybe you should have used the backhoe more often. Especially for stumps. I've dug out some monster stumps with my 1626.

 

[Viny]

I have a Kubota M4700. I've had a small 3pt hitch/pto pump backhoe attachment. I've probably had it for close to20 years. It really boils down to how much and how you are going to use it. For me, I don't dig backhoe type holes very often so this solution works for me. If I needed to dig more often, I'd probably have upgraded to a dedicated machine long ago. One thing I really like about my solution is that I don't have another engine that has to be kept up with. I would definitely explore the option presented above of looking into getting a smaller bucket as you already know that machine and your learning curve would basically be eliminated. Good luck!

 

[Jstpssng]

As we were disassembling the tractor for repair, we found a couple of bolts that had worked loose, and one of the loader mount bolts was broken.

You've convinced me that I need to crawl around on the ground and check bolts. As I was reading your first post about breaking the housing I was thinking that logging is hard on the small tractors.

 

[GeneSimm7]

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

Why not trade your 580 on an excavator. I have a JD 35G with a thumb and it is just great for doing what you want to do with the rocks.

 

[marks146]

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.
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

Been using a Woods BH80 on my Kubota Grand L3240 cab for around 13 years. It's a subframe unit with a 15" bucket. A couple of things to consider. The dipper and reach arms are shorter than a conventional backhoe, so you don't get a long reach or depth. It's heavy and rides low on the subframe so you have to keep that in mind when you move around because it's quite a way behind the rear wheels. When you go up a bank it can drag. Not a real issue unless you care about what it drags on. Other than those couple of watches it's worked great for my intended use. Don't plan on a bucket any larger than 15" or you'll overtax it. It takes me around 15 minutes to hook it up and less then 10 minutes to unhook it. No big deal here. Just remember, every time you need to reposition you have to get off the BH and get into the cab to move the unit. A small price to pay for the convenience.

 

[m5040]

The CUT backhoes hang too far off the tractor and you can't pick and carry much weight. They are too hard to put on and off.

I have a JD 310D, but 75% of the time I use my Power Trac with a front hoe attachment, they pull out rocks larger then they can carry and with the rear engine as a counterweight, they can carry a lot. The hoe is on and off in a couple of min with only 2 small hyd hoses.

I pick and carry with a mechanical thumb and it's great. I can see it from the driver's seat to make precise grabs.

 

[kenbgbill]

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 Kubota BX25D which includes a backhoe. I love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. This little beast has never failed to perform. It’s limited in depth to 6’ in easy digging. IT’s biggest achievement was a 1000’ trench, 4’ deep for water and power lines from Road to a build site. It took a while, but never once failed to deliver.