Question for BH owners--

[JasonL]

I really want a BH for my JD4110. I'm not sure I can justify (to my wife) the large expense. I have a few tasks curently I could use it on, but I'm wondering how often everybody really uses their BH. Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Jason

 

[Engine66]

It's not a tool you will use everyday, but when you need one, you need one. Also, you will find more uses for one once you get it. I have a BH90 for a Kubota L3830 and most of the time it sits...but when a problem or project pops up, there's no replacing it. The price stings and you may second guess yourself, so weigh your jobs/needs with the expense. There are plenty of past posts and good advice. Some are glad they never got one and hire out a job or rent for a weekend and others can't live without one. I was initially unsure about spending $6,800 on mine and lost some sleep over the purchase, but now I'm glad as it has helped me fix some problems on my property and is ready for any future task. Good luck in your decision.

 

[chatcher]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I really want a BH for my JD4110. I'm not sure I can justify (to my wife) the large expense. I have a few tasks curently I could use it on, but I'm wondering how often everybody really uses their BH. Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Jason
)</font>

When I went shopping, I knew I couldn't really justify the cost of the backhoe with the work I had for it, considering the other options of renting, hiring, or using a shovel. But I also knew I wanted one anyway. Now that I've had it for a few weeks I see that I didn't know what I was thinking. I am using the backhoe so much that I am not getting much use out of any other attachment. Not that it is that hard to take the backhoe off, it's just that there is always something that needs to be done with the backhoe, so I leave it on most of the time.

There have been many threads about whether or not to buy a backhoe, just search past messages. Most people seem to agree from a strict cost vs. benefits point of view a compact backhoe makes little sense. My feeling is that if you can store it out of the weather, so that it doesn't deteriorate over time, if the day comes that all your work is done and you no longer want to own it you can probably recoup enough of your investment to have come out ahead. And using it is undeniably a lot of fun and, for me, therapeutic and stress-relieving. And you can't put a price on health. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[txdon]

<font color="blue"> "Seems expensive for something used rarely, or do you find yourself finding tasks to use it." </font>

Nope, you do not need one.

I have more task than time for mine.

Here are some of my done task and to do task:

Move and install creek bridge.
Move downed trees and dig stumps.
Dig out about 300 small Mesquites.
clean silt out spring pond twice a year.
Load small cart with sand to transport across wood bridge to island.
Dig a walk-out basement.
Dig two septic systems and field lines.
Dig 300' of water line.
Knock down rotten trees.
Dig out rocks.
Dig out woody vegetation from pond banks.
Dig retaining wall on hill and by spring pond.

etc. etc..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Oh yea forgot one, it is a great counter weight for the FEL, no filled tires necessary. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dpl96]

While the purchase price of the hoe may be a bite in the butt - having one when needed makes it all worth it. When I talked my wife into the BX23 she wasnt sure of the benefits of the hoe so I made sure to find a way to use it for ever single "honey is there a way to........." project she has come up with. Dont get me wrong - I still have to put on my "man this is a lot of work" & "all this seat time is killing me" face to cover the fact that I'm having a BLAST while working. Get one - you wont regret it.

 

[Henro]

Jason,

If you need to justify the backhoe, you probably will not be able to...at least realistically...on 2.5 acres...(read your profile).

I have 3.7 acres to deal with. I have used mine a lot. I don't have much more property than you do. I feel mine was worth it.

One reason I feel it was worth it is that last fall I put my own sewer line in. That saved me probably $3,000 over what a plumber would have charged. It was a 240 foot run. That paid about half the cost of the hoe.

Now for me the biggest thing is simply having the backhoe on hand when I need it. If I tallied up all the small things I have used it for over the last couple years, and gave myself $175 for each use (local 4-hour rental) I would be way ahead.

If you don't have one, you tend not to do as much I bet. I know I would not be inclined to run down to the rental place and lay $175 on the table every time I had something to do with my hoe.

Cheapest way? Don't buy it. Best way to get a lot of small things done? Buy it!

It all depends on you and how much you can afford to do that, rather than something else with your hard earned money...

I am sure glad I have one...dream come true in fact...but what applies to one does not necessarily apply to another.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[JasonL]

Thanks for the good thoughts everyone. I especially liked the idea that I could resell it later. Yes, I have 2.5 acres, but am purchasing it from my dad- who has 7 more acres next to it that also need attention. I am in the construction business and have a brother-in-law that has a hoe, but he is always busy and I hate ask for help. I just purchased my tractor and am loving it. I'll probably start seriously investigating BH's tomorrow. My only concern is just how powerful and fast these attachments are. Thanks!

 

[GregJ]

Jason,
I have 2.5 acres and a BH. I agree with all that Henro said, but I also look at it from a slightly different perspective. The BH for me has more than doubled the usefulness of my tractor. For landscaping, grounds maintenance and construction they open a lot of doors. They don't get you out of work.... they get you into work. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif From a cost justification standpoint, I look at it this way. If you pay 12K for a tractor and can more than double it's "usefulness" by adding a BH, it becomes a lot easier to part with another 5K. (Ok... My wife suggested it too, so that really made it easy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) If I was using my tractor for mowing and farming, the BH would just get in my way. In my case, it would have been a waste for my to get a tractor with just a FEL. The jobs I could accomplish at my place would not cost justify the 12K. In fact, my neighbors have confessed that they thought I was nuts when I bought it and after they have seen the work I have accomplished, they all agree that it was well worth it.... for me. If I had to sell my tractor today, I would probably lose about $3K in depreciation and I have accomplished WAY more than that in work.

So, the point I am making is to really evaluate what you will be using your tractor for. If you can double it's productivity by adding a BH.... Hey.... It's cost justified.

There is a BH pictures thread going in Owning/Operating that you might want to look at too. Similar theme....

Greg

 

[KiotiJohn]

Why justify anything? You need a backhoe don't you? You want a backhoe don't you? The answer should be yes, just because.

I can tell you that mine has paid for itself in not hiring someone else to do what I've done with it, not putting up with dummies who don't do the work right, and no aggravation with waiting around for a delivery and not simply having it there waiting for me when I have the time to do something.

Yes, it sits more than many of my other implements, but not as much as my tiller is going to, and it wasn't just a couple of dollars either.

How much life do you think you have left? If the backhoe is kept up well, it will probably last as long as you're able to use it. How much would that be in that time span? How much is that a year? Not really all that much is it?
John

 

[cwarrix]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Why justify anything? You need a backhoe don't you? You want a backhoe don't you? The answer should be yes, just because.

I can tell you that mine has paid for itself in not hiring someone else to do what I've done with it, not putting up with dummies who don't do the work right, and no aggravation with waiting around for a delivery and not simply having it there waiting for me when I have the time to do something.

Yes, it sits more than many of my other implements, but not as much as my tiller is going to, and it wasn't just a couple of dollars either.

How much life do you think you have left? If the backhoe is kept up well, it will probably last as long as you're able to use it. How much would that be in that time span? How much is that a year? Not really all that much is it?
John )</font>

Wow KiotiJohn, you are one heck of a salesman. I can't think of one thing I would use a BH for around here, but after reading your post, I'm ready to buy one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously, you are right about trying to justify stuff, I went through the same cycle before I bought my tractor. Tried to justify it for weeks, then I realized, I work hard, I can afford it, I want it, it makes me happy, no justification needed!

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can't think of one thing I would use a BH for around here, but after reading your post, I'm ready to buy one)</font>
I see you have two acres. Bet I could find some things to use a BH for on your property. Just give me a few minutes to look around, and I'll be digging up everything in site! LOL
John

 

[bncsauve]

Probably pretty difficult to cost justify, but, I tend to think of more projects that I can use the backhoe on, than I would if I had to rent one every time. I have no regrets buying it. It gets lots of use.

 

[jim_wilson]

In my opinion having a FEL and a backhoe on a tractor is liking having a pick and shovel. Each complements the other. If you were digging with just a shovel could you get the same amount of work done as you would with the pick and shovel?

I bought a BX23 last year and even though I only have a 1/2 acre lot I have found the backhoe invaluable. I knew I would need a backhoe when I went shopping for a tractor so the only real question was whether I bought one or rented one. I am very glad that I bought. There have been numerous times when I have used the backhoe for just one small job - and that small job would have been a real backbreaker if I had to do it by hand. With all the big rocks there are here in New England the backhoe is needed - I can't get them out of the ground with just the FEL.

I have used the backhoe to break up ground so I could more easily dig it out with the FEL, remove a dozen or so tree stumps on the property - including one from a huge 24" diameter Pine we had cut down, break up some driveway, bury some pipe, etc. Recently one of our cats passed away and I used the backhoe to dig a grave for her - I was able to get about 5 feet down and dig a nice squared off hole. If I did not have the hoe I would have had to dig that hole by hand and it would not have ended up as deep and I actually would have had to dig out more dirt because the hole would have had to be bigger so I could fit in it. The hoe turned what would have been a multi night after work job into something I was done with in a hour.

I have seen a number of people post on TBN that a backhoe is a toy that won't pay for itself. I disagree - if I add up the money I would have spent on rentals at this point and also what my time is worth because even with rentals there would have been times when I did stuff by hand because I could not wait to get the rental - I figure the hoe on my BX23 is probably earned back about 1/3 of what it cost me. By the time I am done with all the work the hoe will have earned it's keep and I will have a backhoe that is paid for that I can use whenever I need it. I would say if you want it and you think you will use then you should get it. Having the backhoe will change your way of thinking too - instead of thinking how am I going to do that? - you will think I can do that - I can use the backhoe. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Partsman2]

I thoroughly agree with everything everybody has said. I have 60 acres so I can always find some use for the BH.

What I have found more than anything is that I am getting things done that I always wanted to do but never did because I didn't want to go through the hassle of renting a BH or hiring the job out. Around here it takes an act of Congress to get a contractor to show up to do a job. It is a major hassle just getting them here and then they never do it just how I want it.

I recently cut in a road and am preparing a building site. I figure what I saved by being able to do the work myself (except heavy dozer work) has paid for the BH. That's not a bad return in 18 months. And, it is all done exactly how I want it done.

To me the only choice was brand and size. I dealt with the wife later. But after she saw what I could do with it she was glad I bought it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[CTyler]

I have 28 acres but have only used the BH on about 3 acres worth of area so far. the BH made sense for me since we were building the house otherwise I may not have purchased it. With that said I'd be wanting a BH if I hadn't bought one...go figure..LOL!

What I'm saying is that sometimes it hard to see the forest thru the trees.

Some of the things I've done are as follows and I'm sure theres things forgoten.

Two septic systems
Three culverts
Twelve french drains
All plumbing and floor drains in ths shop
Electrical and communications conduits house to shop
Retaining wall
Tiled one terrace
Dug out catch dam, 100 yards, mix of BH, FEL, BB and trailer
Plant 100+ trees
Dig up 20 stumps and many more trees
Will be planting another 40+ trees today

Still have a couple 800'+ tile projects to do after getting more scraper work done. Thats my last big project but lots of other little stuff to do.

Don't buy a BH it will just make work for you!!!

 

[MadDog]

As long as you can afford it, you will find plenty of uses for it once you have it.

Example: Just this morning I used it to inter an opossum that was stupid enough to pick (and lose) a tussle with my Newfie. (The other possibility was to hang it from a tree branch to deter other "opossa" but I doubt that would have been any more effective than most other attempts at deterrance and I think I made the right choice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Seriously, mine has been so useful that I find that it is on the tractor about half the time. My land has so many rocks and boulders that I really couldn't use the FEL/toothbar for significant excavations without having it available to dig out around large boulders.

So, to mangle a cliche, "buy it, you'll like it." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JimR]

Your first sentence says it all. I have this same problem and will be buying a backhoe very shortly one way or another. I tried justify it and gave up. The answer was right in front of me all the time. I don't want to rent one, I want the job done NOW not when whoever can do it for me. So here is my list to justify a backhoe. How am I going to pay for it? I'm selling my GoldWing. I can always buy another one later on when the funds get replenished from my barn/house rebuild project.

(1) Dig out a trench 8' deep x 12' long in the front of my barn to push the stone wall back into place or rebuild it.

(2) Dig a 200' drainage trench under the barn to my brook to rid the barn basement of excess spring water once and for all,

(3) Put in new underground service wire from the barn to the house. The present wire is only 60 amp service.

(4) Transplant 5 very large bushes from in front of the house to anywhere I can dig a hole.

(5) Remove a bunch of stubborn rocks that my bucket refuses to move.

(6) Remove quite a few stumps from trees that I cut down.

(7) Put in a perimeter drain around the elderly neighbors house for him. $$$$ to help pay for the backhoe.

(8) Extend my present drains around my house to way off into the woods so that my backyard will be much drier in the spring.

(9) Trench out an area to drain off spring water on my property.

(10) All future projects that need to get done that will never get done without the proper equipment.

 

[JasonL]

Okay- I guess almost everyone agrees they are glad or would be glad they have a BH. Maybe my wife will make everyone sleep on the couch! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Seriously, the BH's that would fit on my tractor (JD 46 or Woods BH600 or similar) are pretty small. How many of you have larger hoes and would that change your opinions? My worst fear is to get one and then decide it is more a toy (which would be fun) than a machine. I feel certain I will find plenty of things for it to do as just reading your posts caused me to think of several more projects that need done. THANKS- Jason

 

[chatcher]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My worst fear is to get one and then decide it is more a toy (which would be fun) than a machine. I feel certain I will find plenty of things for it to do as just reading your posts caused me to think of several more projects that need done. THANKS- Jason
)</font>

Some of the smaller backhoes may look like toys when you compare them to full-size machinery, but they usually come out looking pretty good when you compare them to a shovel!

 

[BoneheadNW]

Jason-

If I may get a little philisophical for a second and add my $0.02:

Take the Bonehead approach to making a decision- write all of the reasons for buying a backhoe on one side of a piece of paper and all of the reasons for not buying the hoe on the other. Then, think of the worst possible outcome if you do buy the hoe (i.e. won't use it much and will have to resell, etc.) and get comfortable with that outcome (this helps to desensitize you if the worst does happen). If the positives outweigh the negatives and you can handle the worst outcome, Go For It! If not, you can be comfortable in not buying the hoe.

Wow, I think I just convinced myself to go out and buy my tractor and BH!

Bonehead