Sell the backhoe attachment??

[deputyrpa]

I need some advice from the gang. I've been using my newly acquired 1975 Mitsubishi MS-070 excavator for about one year now, and have come to the conclusion that it is generally more useful than the tractor/backhoe. Faster, stronger, more stable and manueverable. Obviously so - it was specifically designed to for the task of excavating. I haven't used my BH90X backhoe attachment in quite a while, and I am thinking about selling it.

However, the one advantage the backhoe has is that it is attached to a tractor that can travel much faster than the excavator. In fact, I was lapped by my elderly neighbor walking her dog last month while taking the Mitsu back to the house from my trout pond. (We did have a nice chat before she left me in the dust.)

With 400 acres, speed has it's advanyage. I have to carefully plan the movement of my excavator to maximize my fuel and time. On the other hand, it kicks *** when on the task. I also loads my dump truck, at which the backhoe does poorly. Te one issue is that the Mitsu is old, even though it has only 4900 hours and runs like a watch. It starts in the coldest NE weather without glow plugs. It's almost ridiculous. I did blow a hydraulic line, and will have to replace quite a few more to avoid failure.

So, whaddaya think? I really could use some more implements for the tractor, and the backhoe would defray the costs nicely. But, I just like to have new stuff for those times where you really need them. Thanks.

 

[kennyd]

I would sell it in a heartbeat. Do you have a trailer the mini fit's on that you could tow with the tractor to the job?

 

[deputyrpa]

It's not a mini - it's about 8.5 tons. I don't have a trailer, but I could get one and tow it with my International 1824 4x4 dump truck.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sell it. You'll get a good price for a well cared for BH90X. Why are you racing around your property anyways.

I love my 90X but if I had a more powerful excavator I'd happily part with it. I can easily see why a guy doing construction business would need the flexibility of a single machine to trailer but if you are just talking about spending an extra 15-20 minutes crawling to the right spot on your own property, I say get an ipod and enjoy the ride.

I don't love putting the BH on as it is always a bit fussy about lining up so I tend to leave it on for weeks at a time rather than switching back and forth with other implements. That means I don't really mow as often as I should mid summer. The BH is also a storage hassle as it is too valuable and complex to just leave out all winter which means I have to mount it just to store it and as the first thing I do in the spring is mow, I need to dismount it too. I wouldn't be negative about a TLB for someone who had no BH but for someone who has two, I say keep the excavator and put the 90X on TBN classifieds. (Does your subframe fit the newer DK series? That would make for an easy sell).

 

[deputyrpa]

I have a portable XM radio with antenna headphones.

And, I have other pursuit vehicles for....uh.....property management.

I don't know if the frame is interchangeable with the newer DKs.....someone here ought to know....

 

[Lloyd_E]

I am a firm believer in the idea that if it is paid for and not costing you anything - keep it.
If your excavator breaks down or is to big to get into a tiny area and you don't have a back up
you are SOOL!

If you sell it and in 3, 5 or 7 years and you need it... it will be more expensive to replace.

If you could pick up a few jobs with it that would offset the cost of some new gear.

Good luck.

lloyd

 

[JoelD]

I am with LLoyd.

Also, if you get to the point of selling the tractor, worth much more with the hoe than without.

I do like having the ability to drive my tractor (digger) around.

Also, tracks and pavement don't play so well together, I really like being able to drive my tractor on pavement, was one of the drawbacks of my dozer.

Don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough equipment or implements, there seems to be no end, and you've got it bad.

Joel

 

[Hawghauler]

I also agree with Lloyd and Joel. The minute you sell it you will need it. Moderation is for monks. Besides, you may have a friend over and you both decide to dig a hole at the same time. What's a guy to do if he only has one BH?

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough equipment or implements, there seems to be no end, and you've got it bad.

Joel

I'm with you on this Joel but remember that Deputy is not proposing to do something responsible like deposit the proceeds of the backhoe sale into savings. He "could use" more implements and will plow the BH $$ back into new ones.

Having two BHs sounds to me like having two girlfriends. Might occasionally be nice to alternate between them but the downside is maintaining two expensive items that perform the same function. Having one good one plus a pile of cash to take to the implement candy store is definitely an option I'd consider.

 

[IslandTractor]

I also agree with Lloyd and Joel. The minute you sell it you will need it. Moderation is for monks. Besides, you may have a friend over and you both decide to dig a hole at the same time. What's a guy to do if he only has one BH?

See girlfriend/backhoe analogy above. Right neighborly of you to maintain an extra in case a friend comes over to dig holes but I think he'd understand if you had to take turns.