Backhoe Or 5 Extra HP?

[drizler]

Where can you get a backhoe for $5400? Sign me up. Kubota L3400.

You can't period. One nice thing with Kubota is that all the yuppies buy em so there are a lot of them kicking around. After they get done building their chalet in the country and discover that hoe takes up a lot of space and it's a pain to hook up they sell them. Set up an email return search on Craigs list and keep the money real handy then wait.
You see them around here for Kubotas for around 7500 used. That's about all you get for something in very nice shape. Back in 13 or 2012 I see people buing new for 7500. Like the Massey dealer told me they couldn't move them at all then wham. By 2014 you couldn't get enough of them and the price had jumped up to over $9K. With my horse farm discount of 28% mine still came in back about where they were selling a year or two back and it was just over dealer cost. Simply stupid but amazing. I literally had to wait for them to cast mine in Korea. :confused3: Oh well. FWIW I see those Kubota hoes sitting on craigs list for a long time, often remaining till the next year. That's a good opportunity to low ball em and wait

 

[dave1949]

Compare the hydraulic pump ratings between the 35 and 40 hp models. My backhoe doesn't work my 40 hp engine very hard, I think 5 hp less would hardly be noticeable for backhoe work. Same frame means you have about equal weight.

If the main hydraulic pump flow (ignore the PS pump flow) is the same or close on the two machines, the hoe is the way to go IMO.

 

[aeblank]

I say backhoe as well.
My dad has one, and we find that most jobs don't justify renting a mini-ex, but since you have the backhoe, you midas well save your back.
i.e. without the hoe, we'd dig by hand. With the hoe, its "easy street". Depends on your property and projects of course. Even if it sits a lot, when it's being used, it's worth having.

 

[kneedeep]

Put a 509 on the 3510 and its the best attachment I ever bought. Don't use it all the time but when I do it is priceless.
It will dig holes, fill up holes, lift everything I can get the thumb around, pulls, pushes, loads and unloads equipment, digs ditches, cleans up ditchs, the list goes on and on.

 

[drizler]

Compare the hydraulic pump ratings between the 35 and 40 hp models. My backhoe doesn't work my 40 hp engine very hard, I think 5 hp less would hardly be noticeable for backhoe work. Same frame means you have about equal weight.

If the main hydraulic pump flow (ignore the PS pump flow) is the same or close on the two machines, the hoe is the way to go IMO.

My Massey operates the hoe nicely at just a high idle around 1600. It's all you need. I wouldn't worry much about the power either. The hoe is pretty much limited by the weight of your tractor anyways. Once you bite too much it's going to slide or be dragged . Thus you only get what you are getting anyways. I would think that the larger tractor wouldn't be enough more weight to be dragged any less.
One word of great advice I got with mine. If you don't have a cement floor to park that hoe on when dismounted build a wooden platform to set it on. I took mine off on some slightly uneven ground the first time and it came right off. Putting it on was a whole nuther matta. At the very least make sure it's sitting nice and square with plenty of room for the tractor to move around in front if need be. Like don't park it dismounted right next to something fragile and expensive that can't be moved out of harms way, in case you need to slide things around a bit getting reattached. If you are square and flat it's a 3 minute job. I leave mine on nearly all the time though as the 1000 lbs takes the place of loading the tires more or less when it comes to traction.

 

[TheGoose]

Looked into getting a Woods BH-80X with a PTO powered Hydraulic set-up. Was going to cost about $10K before any installation (not sure how much that would need). Have never been able to find a used unit worth looking at.

You can't period. One nice thing with Kubota is that all the yuppies buy em so there are a lot of them kicking around. After they get done building their chalet in the country and discover that hoe takes up a lot of space and it's a pain to hook up they sell them. Set up an email return search on Craigs list and keep the money real handy then wait.
You see them around here for Kubotas for around 7500 used. That's about all you get for something in very nice shape. Back in 13 or 2012 I see people buing new for 7500. Like the Massey dealer told me they couldn't move them at all then wham. By 2014 you couldn't get enough of them and the price had jumped up to over $9K. With my horse farm discount of 28% mine still came in back about where they were selling a year or two back and it was just over dealer cost. Simply stupid but amazing. I literally had to wait for them to cast mine in Korea. :confused3: Oh well. FWIW I see those Kubota hoes sitting on craigs list for a long time, often remaining till the next year. That's a good opportunity to low ball em and wait

 

[GPintheMitten]

I bought my BH65 used from a guy that bought it with his B2920 as part of the original package. He tried it for about 5 minutes then took it off and never used it again. If I recall correctly, I paid about 4700 for it including the subframe. I had hoses made and fabbed a seat platform. The original owner kept the 180 degree swivel seat.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm amazed at the prices of backhoes today.
I bought my Rhino 85 (8 1/2' backhoe) with subframe and 18" bucket brand new for $5200 in 2003.

 

[IslandTractor]

Another vote for backhoe. However, I wouldn't want a 3pt version. Go for the subframe.

 

[sd455dan]

I'm amazed at the prices of backhoes today.
I bought my Rhino 85 (8 1/2' backhoe) with subframe and 18" bucket brand new for $5200 in 2003.

Me to at least the attachment kind,
even locally - a buddy of mine looked for an attachment but gave up because of the high prices he picked up a late 1990s Case 580 from a neighbor that runs and operates really well for under $7k recently.

I think he got a whole lot for his money- because it weighs over 11,000lbs and can lift almost 5000lbs in the fel.
When he's done with it i am going to make him an offer. More to take care of -but when the backhoe goes from push to shove think it may pay to have a heavy duty unit. he also likes having the 3 point available.

I do think for the OP it makes a lot of sense to get a subframe backhoe at the time of their tractor purchase If they are buying new and are going to need the backhoe.