Backhoe Harbor Freight Digger

[Patiofarmer]

Well, got the machine delivered. It took about 3.5 hours total to assemble at a meduim pace. Most of the smaller parts and motor etc...are all pre assembled so it wasn't bad at all.
I am building a set of removable wheels for the front end so that I can move it around without switching the backwheels to the front and taking out the front "arms" each time a move sideways is needed. You can push yourself with the bucket forward and backward...but sideways takes too long. So I'll just raise front end with bucket, flip the front wheels down when I want to move it...then flip front wheels back upwards. I'm using the vacant 2" square tube where the moveable axel and wheels can go for the new front wheels assemblies.
I bought a trailer dolly for pulling it around the yard and that works IF you're on level ground, machine is too heavy otherwise. I'm attaching a hitch and ball to my 2015HST back gannon also so that I can move it with the tractor into digging position...and onto my trailer if need be.
It digs good in my sandy soil as anticipated, hard packed clay and real rocky soil might find it too light a machine, but for my place and uses its good so far.
I got it with %20 off coupon so it was delivered to the house for $2,700.
I'll give a follow up report after some more usage.

 

[20 20]

sounds like you have a tool that'll do some work for you

 

[Patiofarmer]

Yep
I would have preferred a 3pt hoe if my tractor was bigger, but I use the gannon/drag box all the time so I'd have to be hitching and unhitching both a lot ...so I opted for this separate unit at price lower than I could find a hoe for. I'll just reinforce it and beef up and replace stuff if it wears/breaks with better stuff.
The used hoes for smaller tractors are pricey...if you can find one local.
I have also enoyed my introduction to Hydraulics in putting this thing together. I was a little scared to hook up hoses and stuff, but after doing it everything went perfectly. (I've done some plumbing over the years and that's all it was like).
Next year I may tap into the diggers system and put some Quick Disconnects and fed an "off to the side" log splitter next to this digger. Cash in on it 2 ways. (My regular tractor has no rear hydraulics).