Backhoe Backhoe, with or without loader?

[Robcat21]

I have a Grand L 3430 with Ag tires. I use it for mowing (pull behind finish mower), brush hogging about 5 acres. I also have a front mounted L2194A snow blower with joy stick for up & down & directional shut adjustment. I was hoping to put some oversize turf tires on as the lawn is getting pretty torn up with the ag tires. A while back I was looking to put on a backhoe (BH92) and maybe a front loader later but was told this would not work with the mid drive hardware and brackets?

Please, any help on tires and good places to find used? Also suggestion on how I might add a back hoe without adding front loader now or adding front loader without losing ability to have front mounted snow blower?

 

[dickfoster]

I don't know about your Kubota but I just went through all of this specing out a new Mahindra, a mid PTO with loader and backhoe was an allowed combination. In the end I didn't get the mid PTO because I will likely never see enough snow for a front blower. I can't see why you'd have any trouble with putting a loader on it with the snowblower and mid PTO. Of course you'd have to have one or the other on at the same time but not both. I watched a Youtube of someone swapping the loader and snowblower and back to loader. It didn't seem to be much of a big deal.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I think for the Kubota backhoe you have to have the loader frame (I know this is true for the Woods on a Kubota). The hoe subframe ties into the loader frame. You don't have to have the loader on you just need the frame.

 

[Opti-Mist]

A 3-pt mounted backhoe with a PTO driven pump will not require a loader.

 

[Fallon]

Your front axle is a pivot. If you don't have a bucket to lower & support things & you end up lifting the rear with the hoe, you are likely to flop the tractor to the side & end up rolling it. Not a guarantee, but a huge potential issue, depending on how aggressively you use the hoe.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

A 3-pt mounted backhoe with a PTO driven pump will not require a loader.

Perhaps not to physically be mounted but you need significant front counterweight to offset the weight of the hoe. Dropping the bucket on the ground is also recommended for stability while digging. I'm not going to go down the 3pt vs subframe mounting conversation, there's dozens of threads already about it

I'm not sure why anyone would want a backhoe without a loader. A loader without the hoe sure, but never hoe without the loader

 

[Xfaxman]

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I'm not sure why anyone would want a backhoe without a loader. A loader without the hoe sure, but never hoe without the loader

Different strokes for different folks.

I used a small 3 point, PTO powered, fixed top link, back hoe on a Utility tractor for several years. Didn't want a loader on it because it was a gear transmission.

 

[dickfoster]

You need to get after some of that rust. LOL

 

[Xfaxman]

Why? Rust is a color.

Too late now, I sold it and the tractor 6 years ago, after I got my first Compact Telehandler.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Different strokes for different folks.

I used a small 3 point, PTO powered, fixed top link, back hoe on a Utility tractor for several years. Didn't want a loader on it because it was a gear transmission.

Ok, so you are the exception to the rule, we all know that I think that MF230 is likely a good bit more tractor than the OPs L3430 and the hoe is pretty small

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, why be normal?

That tractor weighed 6300 pounds, with all 4 tires filled, but the little hoe could still pick up the back end push it forward.

 

[Robcat21]

Thanks for the information! I wasn't planning on a loader because I have a old Farmall 450 with a loader I use now. Sorry I didn't mention that earlier. I will most likely end up selling the Farmall & putting a loader on but the old girl comes in handy at times!

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I'd have to guess that the only way you'd get a hoe with out a loader to fit your machine is with a 3pt mounted one. I'm pretty sure all the major manufactures require a loader to tie in with the sub-frame.

Another option to consider is a small used mini-ex. You should be able to pick up a decent one for the same or less than what it would cost for both a loader and hoe for your L. Way more efficient at digging but you loose considerably on ground speed compared to a backhoe