Backhoe mini backhoe stand alone unit or tractor attachment , which is better for the money

[waterman2012]

i am looking to buy a backhoe attachment for my Kubota l3200 tractor, but have been told that using it on the 3 point attachment puts a lot of stress on the tractor, also is a PTO pump unit as good as a hydraulic unit, what about these stand alone units that you hook up to the back of your pickup and they are self contained, any help will be appreciated, Larry

 

[Sysop]

Most of the hoe manufacturers have multiple mounting options. The Bradco 485 on my tractor actually can come as all types. You can buy it mounted it to a trailer frame with an engine with hydraulic pump as a towable. You can buy it with a 3 point attachment. You can buy it as a skid steer attachment for the front of a skid steer. You can also buy it as I did, with a subframe mounted hard on a tractor.

When buying it as a 3pt there is an optional PTO hydraulic pump, because not all tractors have rear remote hydraulic connections. Other reasons to buy a PTO pump is if you need high hydraulic flow to run skidsteer attachments. My hoe works fine on lower flow rates, so if the tractor has rear hydraulic ports then a 485 from Bradco would work fine.

The Bradco 485 also has subframes to mount to many many types of tractors.

When subframe mounted, the 485 is at full strength and can do the best work with the least chance of accidental damage. When on a trailer or three point I think they keep them limited so there is less chance of damage.

 

[Richard]

I don't know what's best for you.

I only wanted to say that I have a full sized (industrial) backhoe. I use the backhoe more than anything.

It has a long dig/reach (will dig a 2' flat bottom at 15 1/2 feet depth)

I still find myself backing up to something and need to fine tune adjust my position.

I don't know if I would have the patience for a backhoe being pulled behind a truck. Speaking only for myself, I think I'd find that very irritating and frustrating trying to get things lined up to where I need to be.

That said, I've also never used one so I might be even more clueless than my wife sometimes accuses me of being!

 

[George2615]

Last fall I bought a used Woods BH750 w/ PTO pump that came with a sub frame for a different tractor. The BH750 will dig 7 1/2' which is fine for whatever I'll need it for. The PTO unit is a hydraulic unit. The BH has its own reserve tank for fluid. It uses its own tank, fluid, and PTO pump for hyd. power instead of plugging into the tractor hyd. They are just as good. Woods doesn't make the 750 any more but parts are still available. They have newer models now that they sell and also sub frames for various tractors. My tractor is too new to the market for aftermarket sub frames so I adapted the frame I got to fit my tractor.
I'd suggest you get a sub frame or make one to fit your tractor to support the weight of the BH.