Backhoe Compact Tractor Backhoe

[cobrajet85]

Hey all. I am looking for a backhoe for my New Holland TC29D. I have found plenty of options out there but I am stuck with finding a subframe mount that is compatible with the mmm. Do any of you know of one or have you used a 3pt backhoe without a subframe and how stable was it. Just worried after reading horror stories of tractors breaking in half and such. Thanks for your time on the responses.

 

[Fallon]

Hey all. I am looking for a backhoe for my New Holland TC29D. I have found plenty of options out there but I am stuck with finding a subframe mount that is compatible with the mmm. Do any of you know of one or have you used a 3pt backhoe without a subframe and how stable was it. Just worried after reading horror stories of tractors breaking in half and such. Thanks for your time on the responses.

You aren't likely to find a MMM friendly subframe, they both just tend to occupy the same space.

Some people have had good luck with 3pt backhoes & recommend them. Others have heard the same stories you have. To each his own.

I fall into the subframe camp though (or more realistically borrow my friends 50 year old beat to **** full size industrial backhoe). If I found a really good deal on a small 3pt hoe I might snag it. But I'm not likely to put anything about appropriately sized for my L4060 on the 3pt.

 

[2458n]

For the same money you can also get a case 580 well broken in. May have foot controlled swing or some other feature that no one wants or is used to. You want a sub frame on a tractor with a backhoe.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I too was worried about a 3 point on my Kubota. When visiting the dealer I put the question to the manager of the dealership. He said there is no problem using a 3 point and Kubota actually used to sell 3 point backhoes. He assured me that they are OK to use and would not affect the warranty on my relatively new tractor.
Perhaps your dealer can give you some advice as well. I've read the horror stories and quite frankly they are mostly stories. If you try hard enough you can break just about anything and when people do that they tend to blame everything else but themselves.

 

[fried1765]

I too was worried about a 3 point on my Kubota. When visiting the dealer I put the question to the manager of the dealership. He said there is no problem using a 3 point and Kubota actually used to sell 3 point backhoes. He assured me that they are OK to use and would not affect the warranty on my relatively new tractor.
Perhaps your dealer can give you some advice as well. I've read the horror stories and quite frankly they are mostly stories. If you try hard enough you can break just about anything and when people do that they tend to blame everything else but themselves.

Good dealership story!
Only driven by a little old lady, on rainy Sundays, in the middle of the week.
You won't have to "try hard" to break the top link attach point on your tractor.
Should be OK though, for digging in a pile of dry feathers.

 

[MoArk Willy]

You won't have to "try hard" to break the top link attach point on your tractor.

Sarcasm noted. Let me ask you this....have you ever broken the top link using a 3 point backhoe?

 

[MoArk Willy]

You won't have to "try hard" to break the top link attach point on your tractor.

Sarcasm noted. Let me ask you this....have you ever broken the top link using a 3 point backhoe?

 

[fried1765]

Sarcasm noted. Let me ask you this....have you ever broken the top link using a 3 point backhoe?

Duplicate posts are a waste of everyone's time!

 

[John_Mc]

Sarcasm noted. Let me ask you this....have you ever broken the top link using a 3 point backhoe?

No, but a friend has. It's true that some Kubotas were made to handle a 3 pt hitch backhoe (they had tougher top link attach points. I don;t know if they all did, or if they still do). However, the NH TC 29 is NOT designed for this (I own the same frame tractor - a NH TC 33D). If you want to baby it, you might get away with it. But if you want to baby it, why buy a backhoe in the first place.

 

[MoArk Willy]

Duplicate posts are a waste of everyone's time!

Trust me, it was not intentional. But your comment speaks directly to your mindset.
Thanks for your 2 cents.

 

[MoArk Willy]

If you want to baby it, you might get away with it. But if you want to baby it, why buy a backhoe in the first place.

I agree with your analysis. But I think a lot of tractor owners are just homeowners with a lot of land who need the "occasional" hand digging a trench or planting a tree....or moving a pile of feathers. They simply don't need or want to spend the $6000 + to do that. It would be foolish to think that a piece of equipment attached in that manner could do any work.....like box blades, tillers, rakes and a multitude of implements that work just fine with the 3 point / pro attachments.

 

[TMGT]

A BH can put a lot more and different forces on the 3pt then most attachments, the larger kubota B series were offered with a 3pt awhile ago but I haven't seen one listed for them in years.
For the 3pt on the B series there were additional reinforcing brackets that had to be installed and the BH size and performance was reduced compared to a subframe mounted BH on the same size tractor.

If you go the 3pt route I would undersized the BH compared to what would be considered a normal size for the tractor. I.e. if a 7.5ft is recommended I'd go with a 6-6.5ft and take it easy.

 

[IRISHBOOMER]

I have a Woods 7500 groundbreaker mount that will work with a MMM it’s off a 2005 TC33DA

 

[fried1765]

I agree with your analysis. But I think a lot of tractor owners are just homeowners with a lot of land who need the "occasional" hand digging a trench or planting a tree....or moving a pile of feathers. They simply don't need or want to spend the $6000 + to do that. It would be foolish to think that a piece of equipment attached in that manner could do any work.....like box blades, tillers, rakes and a multitude of implements that work just fine with the 3 point / pro attachments.

"It would be foolish to think that a piece of equipment attached in that manner could do any work".
A 3pt hoe is not a valid comparison to: "box blades, tillers, rakes and a multitude of implements"
It REALLY IS foolish to think that a 3pt. hoe attached in that manner, will not break your top link attach point, if you actually USE the hoe.
Go for it!
Ignore the advice.
It is obviously your opinion that a 3pt hoe is the best idea since sliced bread!

 

[John_Mc]

I have a Woods 7500 groundbreaker mount that will work with a MMM it’s off a 2005 TC33DA

Is that 3 PT hitch or subframe mount? I don't run a MMM, so I have no idea what's required. It's a moot point for me at this time, since my belly pan is mounted on the backhoe subframe. It's one heavy piece of steel. The only way I'm taking that off is if I have major maintenance to be done.

 

[bspeedy]

I've owned a couple of 3 pt hitch mounted hoes. I ran many hours with a 3 pt hoe on my NH TC30. Only issue I had was the bolts between engine and trans wanted to loosen up. The tractor did have a subframe connecting front of tractor to rear. It was a reinforcement available from Bush Hog, the OEM of the backhoe. I also had a Woods Groundbreaker 6500 mounted to a Kubota L2900 and a Kubota L3710. No issues with these. I was certainly conscious of and aware of the limitations of a 3 pt hoe when operating.

I've since sold those backhoe attachments and bought a mini excavator. Would I buy a 3 pt backhoe today? No, probably not. Just because the risk of severe machine damage is too great. Would I run one if I had to get a ditch dug and there was no other option? Of course. Just be careful and work smart. Would I buy a subframe mounted backhoe? Probably not - too expensive. And, I've become extremely spoiled by the mini ex. The reach, power, work radius, ease of moving the machine (not to mention the air conditioned enclosed cab :thumbsup make digging FUN.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Sarcasm noted. Let me ask you this....have you ever broken the top link using a 3 point backhoe?

I have and the face first ride to the bottom of the hole I was digging was a real thrill.

 

[MoArk Willy]

It is obviously your opinion that a 3pt hoe is the best idea since sliced bread!

Wow....more sarcasm. I appreciate your opinion but you can keep your attitude. This forum is for exchanging ideas, not insults...or at least I though so.
But since that's your intention, I think I value the opinion of my Kubota dealer a little more than someone who prefers name calling rather than a factual exchange.
Take that any way you want. Now as far as advice goes, old pilgrim gave me an account of what happened to him and that I value.
But much of the "advice" about three point backhoes is exactly like "you'll shoot your eye out with that" and needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
I suppose anyone can ruin anything with enough effort. But tractors do break, they wind up on their side and get stuck in mud they shouldn't have been in. Rollovers cause a lot of injuries and deaths.
Carless actions around a pro shaft have severely injured people.
Does that mean nobody should buy a tractor?

 

[IRISHBOOMER]

Is that 3 PT hitch or subframe mount? I don't run a MMM, so I have no idea what's required. It's a moot point for me at this time, since my belly pan is mounted on the backhoe subframe. It's one heavy piece of steel. The only way I'm taking that off is if I have major maintenance to be done.

Subframe