Buy a backhoe attachment, or get a contractor in?

[Pete O]

I have quite a bit of drainage that needs re-doing on my property, and I'm trying to decide whether to buy one of these backhoe attachments TRACTOR 3 POINT LINK BACKHOE LARGE - Hayes Products - Tractor Attachments and Implements and do it all myself over the next couple of years, or to get a contractor in and get it all done professionally. My tractor is a Ford 4100, around 1970 model 67hp 2wd. I like the idea of spending probably less money and having the machine for whatever jobs come up, such as digging out stumps etc; but I have never used one of these attachments and wonder if it might turn out to be a disappointment. I have a slasher by the same company and the quality is good, there is a farmer selling one of these quite close to me with very little wear on it. How have others found these 3pl backhoe setups? Are they a good solution or just a frustration to use? Would my 4100 be likely to break in half?? Any advice appreciated.

 

[RoyJackson]

My personal experience...had a backhoe, rarely used it and sold it.
A professional can work faster (probably using an excavator)
Now, if you have definite tasks planned, then buy the backhoe if you can find one that fits your tractor. I suggest you do not get a 3-PT hitch type...

 

[Diggin It]

Lots of horror stories of 3 point BH's breaking important bits off tractors. Too much stress for some of the castings.

The newer tractors come with subframes that make the BH far more secure and durable. I've only had mine a year and have dug out a few stumps and a few other small tasks, but not much yet on ditch digging or clearing.

There have been a few posts where people bought real backhoes for not unreasonable prices, used them for a few years, then sold them for not much less than they paid. You might look into that.

Last thought ... a BH takes some experience and finesse (which I haven't acquired with mine yet) and there is a learning curve to move dirt efficiently. Your task of "quite a bit of drainage that needs re-doing" could take quite a bit of practice and learning before doing. What is your ground like? Rocky? Sandy? Clay packed?

 

[Pete O]

Thanks for the replies thus far. The ground here is red soil and clay. The attraction with owning a machine rather than hiring a contractor is that as well as one fairly big drainage project, there are lots of other tasks around the place that a backhoe would be useful for in an ongoing way. I have read a couple of things about 3pl backhoes breaking the tractor castings, was wondering if this is less likely to happen with my Ford than with a newer Asian machine. I don't know whether the old girl would be stronger or weaker in this regard to a newer machine. The tractor is the one I have rebuilt in this thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/386813-general-freshen-up-1967-ford.html I do like the idea of getting a proper backhoe but have not been able to spot one for a price I can afford, whereas the attachment that is on offer near me has an attractive asking price.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks for the replies thus far. The ground here is red soil and clay. The attraction with owning a machine rather than hiring a contractor is that as well as one fairly big drainage project, there are lots of other tasks around the place that a backhoe would be useful for in an ongoing way. I have read a couple of things about 3pl backhoes breaking the tractor castings, was wondering if this is less likely to happen with my Ford than with a newer Asian machine. I don't know whether the old girl would be stronger or weaker in this regard to a newer machine. The tractor is the one I have rebuilt in this thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/386813-general-freshen-up-1967-ford.html I do like the idea of getting a proper backhoe but have not been able to spot one for a price I can afford, whereas the attachment that is on offer near me has an attractive asking price.

Do NOT buy ANY 3pt. backhoe for ANY tractor!!!!
Hire a contractor....or....buy a REAL TLB !!!!

 

[Pete O]

Do NOT buy ANY 3pt. backhoe for ANY tractor!!!!
Hire a contractor....or....buy a REAL TLB !!!!

TLB? Not familiar with that abbreviation.

Also it would probably be more helpful to give a reason for why / why not; for example, if the only real negative is the possibility of damage to the tractor, I will consider fabricating a subframe to mount an attachment without using the 3pl, whereas if they just completely lack the digging capability to make them worthwhile then I will know to set the idea aside. This is a genuine consideration for me, the cheapest price I have seen any actual backhoe machine for is around $8,000 and they are very obviously clapped-out machines that would require extensive work to make them useable, whereas I could fabricate a subframe for a few hundred dollars worth of steel and a couple of days work, and have an operating machine for less than half that amount of money. So I'm really wondering whether the negatives are due to risk of damage to the tractor, are they just completely awkward to use, etc. Hoping for some specific ideas rather than a bunch of exclamation marks.

 

[BRMyers]

TLB=Tractor Loader Backhoe

https://www.kubotausa.com/tractors#tractor-loader-backhoe

 

[Diggin It]

Digging power is more about hydraulics than how it mounts. I've been able to dig things others didn't think these small ones would be able to. If you feel you can work out a suitable subframe to control the stresses on the tractor mount, you may be OK.


Another option is the towable diggers like those offered by Harbor Freight or Northern tool, but I don't know if anything like that is available in AU. Reviews on those are mixed however.

 

[shooterdon]

Good point about a pro using a small excavator. At least have the work you need done quoted so you have a feel for the true cost of having the job done.

A backhoe will not be as efficient as an excavator. If time is important to you, that can sway your decision.

I use a local guy with a back hoe for the small jobs I have had done. I have spent less than $500 of backhoe work in the last 6 years.

You will be surprised at the amount of ditches an excavator can dig in one day. You can save money by doing the clean up work yourself.

 

[Pete O]

Thanks again, I haven't seen any of the towable diggers on the market here except for what appear to be very lightweight units that look like they would struggle to dig in the kid's sandpit. I'll have a bit more of a look into it though. The idea of an attachment with a subframe mount is attractive though. I don't want to destroy my old tractor after sinking so much work into it, but on the other hand I want to make it earn it's keep.