Backhoe How to size a backhoe for a tractor

[Dippybird]

My last post was too wordy so I am going to try again. I have decided to buy a used backhoe with a sub-frame and a pto pump for my tractor (i know they are not great and I could rent etc.) How does one figure out the biggest size that would work on a particular tractor especially for the aftermarket ones (woods, bradco etc). I know biggest isn't always the best and I assume there isn't a limit about how small I can go but maybe I am wrong. I know the manufacturer usually list HP but I assume there more like thew weight. I am new to tractors and it is just a hobby I don't use it for work. Unfortunately I am an engineer and I was expecting to find some information like the backhoe should not weigh more than half of the three point hitch lift rating but I haven't ( I am not planning on mounting it to the three point hitch I just assume the rear end of the tractor should be able to handle the load of whatever the hitch can lift as an example). I appreciate any information you can give me. Thanks

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Well, you are talking 2 different animals... subframe or 3 point. With a subframe mount, you do not use the 3 point. 3 point mounts do not use a subframe. DO NOT get a 3 point mount. They are known to break tractors in half. There are way to many stresses put on 3 point BHs. You are correct in choosing not to do so.

If you look at weights of tractors and the factory BH weights, they seem to be about 60-65% of the weight capacity of the three point lift. I am not sure this is purely coincidental, or engineered this way.

Hopefully someone else will come along and be able to confirm or provide additional information.

 

[mikester]

Just drive to your tractor dealer and price out having them install a BH for your tractor. They will size it for you. Then get a price on a new SCUT TLB. Look at one. Test drive it. Then trade in your tractor.

Easy as 1 + 1 = 3

 

[Dippybird]

LS mt125 owner: thank you very much for your reply. That is very interesting about the 60-65% I hadn稚 noticed that. You may be on t0 something. It may be semantics I am still new to the lingo but the subframe I have seen for my older tractor is a ? point? It still uses the top link in the 3 pt hitch but has a frame mounted under the tractor for the bottom ? points? The newer subframes I have seen are ? point? I definitely would get some sort of subframe though. Thanks.

 

[Dippybird]

Not sure why the text gets screwed up. Probably my fault. The subframe I have seen for my older tractor is still called a three point subframe? It uses the top link but has frame under the tractor. Newer tractors seam to have four point subframes?

 

[Dippybird]

Mikester: I like your math. I did call a dealer and ask them about how they sized a backhoe. It was funny the sales guy said it was very expensive to put a backhoe on a tractor. He suggested buying a new tractor and adding a backhoe to that.

 

[ericm979]

Not sure why the text gets screwed up. Probably my fault. The subframe I have seen for my older tractor is still called a three point subframe?

That's the older style subframe, like I have on my Branson. Most of the force goes through the subframe. The top link just keeps it tight and reduces flexing.

CUT backhoes range from 6.5' to 7.5' with a few 8' ones for larger CUTs. Not a lot of difference there. The subframe is specific to your tractor. And the backhoe has to match the subframe. If you can find one with the right subframe, it's going to be an appropriate size for the tractor, unless someone has made a frankenstein.

 

[Richard]

Not knowing your situation....I was going to buy a tractor....wanted loader/backhoe with it. Ended up buying an industrial loader/backhoe which will lift more, dig deeper than most tractors with both attachments.... paid just a bit more than what a stand alone Bradco backhoe would have cost at that time.

So, if you can stand a second dedicated machine, that's another way to go. Use it for couple years, then sell it. In my case "use it for a couple years" is currently pushing 20 and counting! I could literally give it away and be money ahead for what we've done with it. I could also very possibly sell it for what I paid for it (near 20 years ago....)

 

[Dippybird]

ericm979. I appreciate your response. I looked at woods (because they make a subframe for my tractor). They offer a 9 ft I think about 1500lbs and they have a 7.5 foot at about 800lbs different subframes but both fit. I was looking at older used ones. They said the 9 ft may not be the best choice but it will work fine and won稚 damage the tractor. My tractor dealer said no way much too big. I am not sure the dealer really knows ether especially since my tractor is over 20 years old.