Regret not getting a backhoe for my tractor

[In.the.Piñons]

A loader is important, and I'm glad my tractor has one with a big bucket. It's proven very useful as I will explain shortly. But the loader just isn't good at digging DEEP holes. This is my first tractor/ranch and, to tell the truth, I was unaware just how critical a deep a hole would be. Don't get me wrong, the loader is great for scooping up the cash, but it just can't dig a big enough hole, in which to put it. In fact I just bought a 15 yard dump trailer. Now I can use the loader to fill it up with cash and then dump it directly into the money pit. A real time saver!

 

[gengine]

Backhoes are great tools, but terribly hard on farm tractors. Farm tractors just weren't built for backhoes, so they can't really handle abuse, just easy digging. If you get one, don't try to shove the teeth into the earth, curl the bucket and try to fill it up. Use a longer scraping action to gradually fill it up digging 4" at a time on a longer stretch to fill the bucket. The abuse of the backhoe can possibly break the tractor in half where the transmission bolts to the engine. Many tractors have died this way.

 

[shooterdon]

I am so glad my neighbor talked me out of a backhoe. Saved $8000 and in the last 12 years I have done less than $600 of backhoe work.

When you get one, enjoy taking it on and off…such fun. And you shouldn’t store them outside so have enough space.

For some folks they are a necessity but most people hardly use them.

 

[gengine]

I am so glad my neighbor talked me out of a backhoe. Saved $8000 and in the last 12 years I have done less than $600 of backhoe work.

When you get one, enjoy taking it on and off…such fun. And you shouldn’t store them outside so have enough space.

For some folks they are a necessity but most people hardly use them.

I considered buying one, but renting an actual backhoe or a mini-ex is quite affordable for a day, mostly half a day in my case. When I need one, it's usually more time to go get it than it is to use it.

 

[Richard]

Interesting experiences. 20+ years ago, I knew we needed a tractor. I nagged at the wife about things she finally told me to shut up, call her brother and buy something (he was buying/selling heavy equipment)

Came home with the JCB 1550. Digs a two foot flat bottom at 15 1/2'

I don't need the depth as much as the reach makes it very friendly. We''ve done some many things around here, I can't comprehend not having it and honestly, I think she's the same.

Her cousin next door bought a new JD, just big enough to stay under the DEF HP requirements. Has loader & backhoe with it. The backhoe is OFF it 90% of the time. Obviously I can't remove mine, but I use it for all sorts of things.

 

[loggin]

A backhoe is a great thing to have but it all depends on your usage. They are not just for digging.. If you have an hydraulic thumb they are amazing for lifting things into place or removing things!!

It is very important to make sure you get one with a sub-frame if you do decide on one for your tractor.

I have used mine quite extensively at times but then it will also sit for long periods of time. I decided on getting it instead of an excavator because I did not want to have an entire other machine with another engine and a drivetrain to sit around and have to maintain. Therefore the removable backhoe was for me the best option.

Just my 2 cents. I hope this helps!!

 

[In.the.Piñons]

Guys I think my humor was too subtle.

Re-read my OP carefully.

Or TL;DR

Ranches are money pits, the scale of which necessitates heavy equipment to dig said pits and fill them with all your hard earned money.

Just a tongue in cheek observation on how expensive this lifestyle is.

 

[M59]

A loader is important, and I'm glad my tractor has one with a big bucket. Now I can use the loader to fill it up with cash and then dump it directly into the money pit. A real time saver!

I would be willing to provide a no charge 30 yard dumpster for you to fill with cash.

 

[M59]

Guys I think my humor was too subtle.

Re-read my OP carefully.

Or TL;DR

Ranches are money pits, the scale of which necessitates heavy equipment to dig said pits and fill them with all your hard earned money.

Just a tongue in cheek observation on how expensive this lifestyle is.

You need a bigger ranch to justify the heavy equipment

 

[SPYDERLK]

I would be willing to provide a no charge 30 yard dumpster for you to fill with cash.

Greedy!