Backhoe vs Tractor with backhoe

[Rookkee22]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

 

[Chewwy]

IMO, Midsize tractor with backhoe and loader plus some other stuff.

 

[Notforhire]

IMHO if you intend on doing work involving actual digging, not just moving piles of mulch/loam etc. you are better off with a backhoe. The loader and the backhoe are much stronger/faster/better than on a ag tractor with the same attachments.

You need to decide if the additional cost is worthwhile.
My TLB comes with a few downsides if you are farming. You can't remove the loader, the ground clearance is less and it's a lot heavier because of it's huge subframe, etc.
I've been happy with my decision, but much has to do with the type of jobs I have to do.

You could rent a L47 so you can experience the difference.

 

[2manyrocks]

I suppose removing and reinstalling a backhoe attachment from a tractor could be a chore, and I suppose many prefer just to leave them on all the time if they can.

 

[Texasmark]

My first question is percentage of usage. The answer with the highest percentage would be my choice. Both answers have problematic differences whereby either the choice can't do the work desired, or the choice has things that interfere with the intended task.

Once the choice is made, I would be looking for an inexpensive solution to the down side of my choice to go with my choice.

I have 6 tractors, 2 with FELs (one 25 hp handyman around the farm and a 65 for the big jobs), primarily haying, and one pull behind small 4 stroke engine operated backhoe from Harbor Freight for about $3k that I bought to install a waterline to my house. The backhoe just sits....in the barn out of the weather, fuel tank empty ready to work when needed. The tractors aren't burdened with a backhoe hanging off the rear.

 

[2manyrocks]

My first question is percentage of usage. The answer with the highest percentage would be my choice. Both answers have problematic differences whereby either the choice can't do the work desired, or the choice has things that interfere with the intended task.

Once the choice is made, I would be looking for an inexpensive solution to the down side of my choice to go with my choice.

I have 6 tractors, 2 with FELs (one 25 hp handyman around the farm and a 65 for the big jobs), primarily haying, and one pull behind small 4 stroke engine operated backhoe from Harbor Freight for about $3k that I bought to install a waterline to my house. The backhoe just sits....in the barn out of the weather, fuel tank empty ready to work when needed. The tractors aren't burdened with a backhoe hanging off the rear.

I've thought about the HF backhoe at times. How do you get it where you need it to work and then reposition it as you are digging with it?

 

[rScotty]

Silly question, but here it goes.

Which would be most ideal for a 6 acre property with long driveway, mature trees, snow removal, and making and maintaining a small veggie garden. A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

You might want to consider the TLB alternative to a Tractor. They are similar. Kubota makes Tractors and TLBs both, but since most or all the other manufacturing brands only make tractors, you may have missed Kubota's dual purpose TLBs. There are a lot of both Tractors and TLB owners active on this Forum. A favorite is the 25 hp B25 TLB. Kubota has made that basic model for decades. No fancy emissions hardware at 25 hp. You can work it at full chat, or just run at idle rpm all day. An old style diesel engine.

Compact and utility tractors are built lighter and are less expensive than similar size TLBs.
So if you are going to use yours for lawn mowing plus some garden tillage and rural chores then ignore the TLB idea and go straight for the tractor. Use the money saved for more attachments.
But of your work is more woodland, dirt moving, construction, or landscaping - take a look at TLBs.

Tractors come with a 3pt hitch as normal equipment. From there you add common tractor options like a medium duty front end loader and/or backhoe. You can buy all these from the dealer or just buy the tractor and get the FEL and BH later as aftermarket kits from a variety of places.
Normally mounting the backhoe attachment requires taking off the 3pt hitch. A tractor may also need a permanent subframe added to handle the extra stress. .

TLBs from Kubota come in only 3 sizes: 25, 45. and 62 HP sizes. On a TLB, the front end loader and backhoe are standard dealer equipment and more rigidly mounted. A major difference is that on a TLB, the 3pt hitch is the optional accessory - so on a TLB you swap the other way around, taking off the backhoe in order to mount the 3pt hitch. The TLB is sturdy enough not to need a subframe for the hoe.

Swapping the 3pt hitch and backhoe on either type machine is about the same amount of work either way - whether doing it on a Tractor or TLB.

There are other differences too, but those are some of the basics.
rScotty

 

[masseyrider]

Unless you are going to use the backhoe all the time get the tractor with a FEL. There's always something for a FEL to do.
When you need a backhoe once in a while rent one for the day.
I also have just over 6 acres and a dedicated backhoe would just take up barn space and cost too much.

 

[Notforhire]

A midsize backhoe with loader or a midsize tractor with backhoe and loader?

The way I read this the OP is trying to choose between a midsize TLB like a L47 and a tractor (like a 4701) that has both backhoe and loader attachments.
How about it OP?

 

[Paystar]

You might want to consider the TLB alternative to a Tractor. They are similar. Kubota makes Tractors and TLBs both, but since most or all the other manufacturing brands only make tractors, you may have missed Kubota's dual purpose TLBs. There are a lot of both Tractors and TLB owners active on this Forum. A favorite is the 25 hp B25 TLB. Kubota has made that basic model for decades. No fancy emissions hardware at 25 hp. You can work it at full chat, or just run at idle rpm all day. An old style diesel engine.

Compact and utility tractors are built lighter and are less expensive than similar size TLBs.
So if you are going to use yours for lawn mowing plus some garden tillage and rural chores then ignore the TLB idea and go straight for the tractor. Use the money saved for more attachments.
But of your work is more woodland, dirt moving, construction, or landscaping - take a look at TLBs.

Tractors come with a 3pt hitch as normal equipment. From there you add common tractor options like a medium duty front end loader and/or backhoe. You can buy all these from the dealer or just buy the tractor and get the FEL and BH later as aftermarket kits from a variety of places.
Normally mounting the backhoe attachment requires taking off the 3pt hitch. A tractor may also need a permanent subframe added to handle the extra stress. .

TLBs from Kubota come in only 3 sizes: 25, 45. and 62 HP sizes. On a TLB, the front end loader and backhoe are standard dealer equipment and more rigidly mounted. A major difference is that on a TLB, the 3pt hitch is the optional accessory - so on a TLB you swap the other way around, taking off the backhoe in order to mount the 3pt hitch. The TLB is sturdy enough not to need a subframe for the hoe.

Swapping the 3pt hitch and backhoe on either type machine is about the same amount of work either way - whether doing it on a Tractor or TLB.

There are other differences too, but those are some of the basics.
rScotty

I looked at the Kubota dedicated TLB's a couple years ago. Problem is, here in Canada, the price they want for them I can buy an almost new full size construction backhoe that has a cab and air conditioning