massey sub-compact
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tsteahr
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2008
- Messages
- 432
- Location
- CT shoreline
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson GC2410tlb w/ R1 and Rimguard
Based on the BH specs, the power of the Massey and the BX backhoes are very similar. That said, the GC backhoe bucket has a different tooth design then the BX. The BX uses a very rugged, thick bolt on design for a tooth. The GC uses a smaller welded on tooth with a welded on cap, similar to the design on a large excavator bucket. The GC tooth is sharper then the BX tooth and I have found it has no problem cutting and splitting thick roots. Cutting (or splitting) roots with a bucket tooth is a big part of how I dig stumps without having to dig an enormous hole or getting off the machine and hacking them by hand. I have a lot of rock and so far the GC teeth gave held up fine with no visible wear after about 30 hours of BH use. I have very little shale in my area, but I have come across a couple shale like boulders that I have broken apart.
Based solely on the tooth design I suspect the GC with dig roots and shale better than the BX. However I suspect the BX tooth will be more durable, require less maintenance and and be easier to replace (just bolt on a new one where the massey will require grinding off the welds to remove the old cap and then welding on a new cap).
Hope this helps...
Ivan1547
Silver Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2008
- Messages
- 103
- Location
- Sherwood Park Alberta
- Tractor
- Massey 1547 Hydro and GC 2410 TLB
I don't think you will have a problem. I have the GC2410TLB, I recently dug a 4' deep, 18" wide trench through my driveway. The driveway was at least 2' deep of packed rock and gravel about 40 years old with plenty of heavy traffic on it...
The only issue I found with it so far is digging through wet clay. I tried to dig next to a pond to make a "watering dugout" for my cattle, the bucket seems too deep and the clay just packed itself into the bucket, it was very sticky and hard to remove.
Ivan
The only issue I found with it so far is digging through wet clay. I tried to dig next to a pond to make a "watering dugout" for my cattle, the bucket seems too deep and the clay just packed itself into the bucket, it was very sticky and hard to remove.
Ivan
Don't know about digging rock, I've never tried it... but I suspect any machine might have some trouble there.
But, as far as the strength of the BH, I've been very impressed. It is, with the aid of a thumb, very capable of upsetting the tractor if you try to pick up something heavy without the stabilizers down...as they say, don't ask how I know this!:laughing: It's really strong!
I've dug out only a couple of stumps, but it was able to snap ash & maple roots up to about 3" in diameter with some finagling; smaller ones, no problem. Again, I was very impressed/surprised. It was also easily able to pick up a quite heavy (estimated at 400+ lbs) stump/root ball, though not without some pucker factor. (See above....
)
But, as far as the strength of the BH, I've been very impressed. It is, with the aid of a thumb, very capable of upsetting the tractor if you try to pick up something heavy without the stabilizers down...as they say, don't ask how I know this!:laughing: It's really strong!
I've dug out only a couple of stumps, but it was able to snap ash & maple roots up to about 3" in diameter with some finagling; smaller ones, no problem. Again, I was very impressed/surprised. It was also easily able to pick up a quite heavy (estimated at 400+ lbs) stump/root ball, though not without some pucker factor. (See above....
)
cdaigle430
Veteran Member
You can probably accomplish any task you would like with a subcompact, but there are production limits.
All subcompact backhoes are limited in ripping action because of the lack of weight these machines have. That is not to say you can't dig up roots, and shale, it just may not do so efficiently.
If your working in tight places, a mini excavator will perform better in the rocks, and roots.
If your not, a full size backhoe would be better.
All subcompact backhoes are limited in ripping action because of the lack of weight these machines have. That is not to say you can't dig up roots, and shale, it just may not do so efficiently.
If your working in tight places, a mini excavator will perform better in the rocks, and roots.
If your not, a full size backhoe would be better.
There's a video on youtube of a BX outfitted with a Brotek thumb and ripper tooth. Part of the video shows the ripper tooth operating in very rocky, almost shale like ground often found in the Pocono area of PA. Once all that pressure is concentrated on one tooth, you can persuade a lot of rock to get out of the way quickly
Rob2310
Silver Member
I can dig through sandstone, as long as I can find a crack to stick the bucket teeth in. The biggest problem with the GC series is their lack of weight compared to the power of the backhoe. On my GC2310, I broke the welds on both of the outriggers. So far on my GC 2610, I have only managed to slightly bend the outriggers, instead of breaking them.
gc2310
Bronze Member
I'll vote for the GC. It will dig a lot more then you expect it to. Don't worry about bucket teeth. I've probably got a couple of hundred hours of digging in mostly rocky clay or limestone and have only slightly bent the tip of one tooth. Big stumps take a little work, but usually you just need to try a couple of different angles. It never ceases to amaze me at what it will do.
ScottW
Bronze Member
I recently used the GC2410 backhoe to dig out some argillite, which is similar to typical shale but with less original layering and somewhat harder. Being near the ground surface, it was highly fractured, which made digging it easy. Like the others, I have found the backhoe's power can overwhelm the weight of the tractor. Chock your wheels well so that it can't move when pulling with the backhoe.
Ideally, you change your technique so that your using the bucket curl to do the work of breaking things loose. Then, you are only filling the bucket with the spoils you have loosened, as you pull the dipper in towards you. This eliminates pulling against the tractor as you dig.
It doesn't take long doing this, before you can dig all day without dragging the machine.
Wacky
Veteran Member
I did this technique last night messing around my willow tree where a ditch runs. I did what you explained while digging up roots, this little thing has got some power!:thumbsup: I was trying all different ways and yours seemed to work the best. Makes quick work out of hard clay.
Max2310
Silver Member
rjmack
Platinum Member
I don't know about shale, but my 2410 will dig up asphalt no problem... that is once you break through it (or find an edge).
flipping the outrigger pads so the cleats are down helps quite a bit. also, depending on what you are doing, the platform height makes a difference too. learning to walk the machine with the backhoe takes a little practice but is well worth it as the backhoe is plenty up to the task if you are thinking about what you are doing. (let the machine contacting the ground work to stop the motion rather than relying on the hydraulics and boom pins)
I'm going to fluff up the top 4" or so of some hardpacked clay in order to plant some lawn tomorrow.
flipping the outrigger pads so the cleats are down helps quite a bit. also, depending on what you are doing, the platform height makes a difference too. learning to walk the machine with the backhoe takes a little practice but is well worth it as the backhoe is plenty up to the task if you are thinking about what you are doing. (let the machine contacting the ground work to stop the motion rather than relying on the hydraulics and boom pins)
I'm going to fluff up the top 4" or so of some hardpacked clay in order to plant some lawn tomorrow.
