How often do you actually use your backhoe? (BX and B size)

[Gary Fowler]

no I'm saying a backhoe sitting in the garage not being used is going to degrade faster than one that gets used. All those seals and joints and fluids need to move around in order to stay in good condition. Most folks that buy backhoes use them for a while then run out of projects for them. $5-8K buys a lot of rental time with a more capable unit.

I hear this argument all the time, how it is cheaper to rent when needed. However, how many small jobs would wait till you could justify a rental. And at the end of a rental, you have nothing to show for your money. I have over 600 hours on my B26, all of them with the backhoe on the tractor. Some of these hours of course are just using the FEL but the backhoe is needed for counterweight. I have used it to dig trenches, repair underground utilities, dig up rocks that interfere with lawnmower (spring time is when the pop up), lift logs, dig stumps, remove trees, plant trees and shrubs, demo buildings, clean out creeks, spread dirt, dig up rocks from my rock pit to use on my roads and lift big rocks into my RTV for hauling away. Probably more uses that I cant think of right now. Almost none of these uses would be justified to rent a backhoe which would take me half a day to go get, bring home and unload. Even at $50 per hour or (whatever a daily rental is) 600 hours x$50 = $30,000. I only paid $20K for the B26 TLB used so it has way more than paid for itself.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I forgot to mention, I rarely use a shovel for anything anymore. Having a bad back, the backhoe allows me to still work my chores rather than have to hire some youngster to do my digging. Youngsters willing to do hard labor are getting hard to find in my neck of the woods.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Sorry don't agree
My backhoe can get used often for a few projects, then sit for months.
Am I glad I have it vs renting = YES
Does it degrade while sitting in the barn or do I worry about it degrading while sitting several months at a time in the barn = NO

I completely agree. Very little if any "degrading" happens to equipment setting in covered sheds. Degrading happens when exposed to direct sunlight and weather. Mechanical equipment can set for years inside a garage and still look and act like new.

 

[fried1765]

I hear this argument all the time, how it is cheaper to rent when needed. However, how many small jobs would wait till you could justify a rental. And at the end of a rental, you have nothing to show for your money. I have over 600 hours on my B26, all of them with the backhoe on the tractor. Some of these hours of course are just using the FEL but the backhoe is needed for counterweight. I have used it to dig trenches, repair underground utilities, dig up rocks that interfere with lawnmower (spring time is when the pop up), lift logs, dig stumps, remove trees, plant trees and shrubs, demo buildings, clean out creeks, spread dirt, dig up rocks from my rock pit to use on my roads and lift big rocks into my RTV for hauling away. Probably more uses that I cant think of right now. Almost none of these uses would be justified to rent a backhoe which would take me half a day to go get, bring home and unload. Even at $50 per hour or (whatever a daily rental is) 600 hours x$50 = $30,000. I only paid $20K for the B26 TLB used so it has way more than paid for itself.

In a way, it is sort of like many other things in life.
If you have not ever had them, you do not miss them.

If you have enjoyed only hamburger all your life ....tractor without a BH.
You have no real understanding of the fillet mignon difference.......tractor with a BH.

 

[DK35vince]

I completely agree. Very little if any "degrading" happens to equipment setting in covered sheds. Degrading happens when exposed to direct sunlight and weather. Mechanical equipment can set for years inside a garage and still look and act like new.

Yes it can.

 

[Peter 315]

I keep all my attachments and tractors ,pickup stored indoors , except my trailers but I spray them down with fluid film . My wife's horse trailer is inside you can't win every battle

 

[desertdog71]

Maybe I'm wrong. I always thought that machines needed to be used to keep the fluids moving around and the seals lubricated etc. If you guys say things can sit around unused then so be it.

 

[4570Man]

Maybe I'm wrong. I always thought that machines needed to be used to keep the fluids moving around and the seals lubricated etc. If you guys say things can sit around unused then so be it.

It’s the sun that causes the most damage.

 

[Peter 315]

It痴 the sun that causes the most damage.

And the rain

 

[Budweiser John]

I’ve had a New Holland frame mounted back hoe attachment for 16 years and i’m not about to part with it.
When the unit is not in service it gets power washed, greased, and lives in a tight building with it’s cylinder rods greased and hydraulic hook ups coupled together on it’s dedicated dolly. Even after 16 years it looks brand new and performs as such.
Back Hoes, post hole augers, wood chippers, and snow removal equipment all fall in to the category of seasonal/occasional use and for my money, the place utility of having the right equipment to do the job when I want to do it.. Priceless.

B. John