Backhoe Skid Steer Backhoe on Tractor

staticman4414 · May 14, 2011

So I have a 3 PT Backhoe that I have used for about 8 months now and I am very happy with it. I am pretty easy with it, and have read all the dangers of a 3pt backhoe. I just bought a new bobcat CT230 and I am considering a backhoe for it. Mine is getting old and worn out. I am just looking at possible better options. I am not sure if I should move my 3pt backhoe over to the new tractor, or buy a new 3 pt which can be found reasonably, or I see alot of used Skid Steer backhoes on the market for pretty good prices. I also know for bigger money... $7000 I can get a subframe mount new.

My question is, can I not mount a skid steer style backhoe to my front loader like done on the skid steers. Is the loader not strong enough etc... I realize I would have to run hydraulic lines up there etc, and I am fine with that. I also realize the skid steers are a much heavier stronger machines than mine, that is why I am asking. I just am trying to think outside the box a little, and trying to save a dollar, but I also want to be educated on this and not overdo anything.

What do you think?

galaxie428 · May 14, 2011

I think you would have to verify the specs on the loader as far as how much it will lift vs the weight of a skid steer BH. I never really looked at them while I was buying a BH for my CT230 but it seems like it would put a lot of weight up front so you would definetly need a counter balance on back if you could even lift it. My woods BH weights 1500 lbs, maybe the skid steer BH weighs less. With all the weight being out front on a skid steer mounting BH, unless it was a lot lighter, I don't think our 230 could lift it.

Also, what is the flow requirement for a skid steer BH? Skid steers put out a lot more flow than our tractors do so it may not even run it. I think ours only has something like 13gpm but the power steering uses 4 or 5 of that so that leaves about 8 or so.

Lockport · May 14, 2011

Immediately your breakout force on the dipperstick will exceed the loaders lifting capacity, and then add probably 800lbs or more to the bucket breakout, now add in the weight of the hoe, probably another 800lbs and IMHO you are asking for disaster. There is a guy in the Kubota - Owning/Operating with a BX23 or 24 with pictures af his snapped boom. Now his was caused by rust but you may be surprised at how thin the box steel actually is. Not to mention, Bobcat will be extrememy curious if/when you show up with a bent/snapped loader arm. I would abandon this idea. 3PH or do it right with a subframe.

tawilson · May 14, 2011

I have a skid steer with a backhoe and I have a tractor with a backhoe with the subframe. One thing the skidsteer does is anchor the backhoe to the front of the skidsteer. I tried it on a skidsteer without the anchor brackets and tossed me around and was not feasible. I'm sure it would be a problem and worse on a front end loader.
Unless you need a bigger backhoe, why not get a subframe kit for the one you have. Should be around $1000. I definitely would get away from the 3-pt setup. I would have ripped my tractor in half if I had one, course I do tend to push things to their limit.

SSdoxie · May 14, 2011

Skidsteer backhoes are built to work at 3000+ PSI with much larger cylinders, this means a lot more steel in them than typical CUT backhoe. You may be able to counterweight enough to lift it but I would worry about loader frame damage while carrying it. Plus it is a whole lot longer walk from front of tractor and back again whenever you need to reposition.

One exception to my remark in first sentence of lighter duty steel in CUT backhoe. I have heard the the new 7TB coming from Bobcat is using boom and dipper from one of their small track excavators. I haven't seen one yet, early version was Rhino built. BX2230, you may be getting one of these new ones since yours is order. Looking forward to some pics of it.

Lockport · May 14, 2011

SSdoxie said:
Skidsteer backhoes are built to work at 3000+ PSI with much larger cylinders, this means a lot more steel in them than typical CUT backhoe. You may be able to counterweight enough to lift it but I would worry about loader frame damage while carrying it. Plus it is a whole lot longer walk from front of tractor and back again whenever you need to reposition.

One exception to my remark in first sentence of lighter duty steel in CUT backhoe. I have heard the the new 7TB coming from Bobcat is using boom and dipper from one of their small track excavators. I haven't seen one yet, early version was Rhino built. BX2230, you may be getting one of these new ones since yours is order. Looking forward to some pics of it.

Cool.

7TL will be older though. Even the CT235 is 2011. The others out front, CT122, 225,230, 440 I'm sure are all 2010 with a couple hours on them like <20. I'm not sure what hours are on mine if any. My salesman is dealing with flooding at his evacuated home in Manitoba and everything is on hold all week. They blew a dam (roadway) this morning to alleviate and let somewater takeover som farmlandand about 75 homes,too. Not a good thing.

SSdoxie · May 15, 2011

BX2230_Lockport said:
Cool.

7TL will be older though. Even the CT235 is 2011. The others out front, CT122, 225,230, 440 I'm sure are all 2010 with a couple hours on them like <20. I'm not sure what hours are on mine if any. My salesman is dealing with flooding at his evacuated home in Manitoba and everything is on hold all week. They blew a dam (roadway) this morning to alleviate and let somewater takeover som farmlandand about 75 homes,too. Not a good thing.

Your FEL will be the newer Bbocat built version if it was factory installed. They came out with the loader mid-year 2010. It has same style of cylinders and seal kits as the skids and excavators, pin fit is a little tighter for less boom & bucket flop.

Lockport · May 15, 2011

SSdoxie said:
Your FEL will be the newer Bobcat built version if it was factory installed. They came out with the loader mid-year 2010. It has same style of cylinders and seal kits as the skids and excavators, pin fit is a little tighter for less boom & bucket flop.

We'll have to see. The salesman, tending to flooding at his homestead, may not be aware that I have opted for the CT235 over the CT225. There is no loader on this unit. I doubt they will want to take it off the 225 so they may order it. Also the 225 had 20 hours on it. I also believe the CT235 is a 2011 model. I don't know if it has any hours on it at all. It smells new under the hood and is also cleaner than the 225, which has a little rust on the grill guard and a scratch or two. Mind you they said they would clean all that up and touch up paint. At this point, I don't mind waiting, I just want them to stick to the other salesman guesstimate that $1500 to $2000 should be all that is involved. Granted this was a conversation about the engine. If he tries to up it, I could promise to buy the 72" Finish Mower as well. I need it anyway, I'll just refrain from springing it on him until I know for sure.

Lockport · May 16, 2011

BX2230_Lockport said:
We'll have to see. The salesman, tending to flooding at his homestead, may not be aware that I have opted for the CT235 over the CT225. There is no loader on this unit. I doubt they will want to take it off the 225 so they may order it. Also the 225 had 20 hours on it. I also believe the CT235 is a 2011 model. I don't know if it has any hours on it at all. It smells new under the hood and is also cleaner than the 225, which has a little rust on the grill guard and a scratch or two. Mind you they said they would clean all that up and touch up paint. At this point, I don't mind waiting, I just want them to stick to the other salesman guesstimate that $1500 to $2000 should be all that is involved. Granted this was a conversation about the engine. If he tries to up it, I could promise to buy the 72" Finish Mower as well. I need it anyway, I'll just refrain from springing it on him until I know for sure.

So somewhere in between $$$. But it is a 2011 model with 2 hours on it,instead of the 2010 CT225 with 20 hours. They will transfer the Loader with Bob-Tach from the CT225 and the 7TB is the reinforced model coming straight from ND. They will bring it out first. I am probably out of town tomorrow for at least a week, but when I am back! When the Hoe comes, they will come get it,take it to the shop and then return. Gotta love that of Bobcat Manitoba seeing as I am 18 km out of town.

powergod1 · May 16, 2011

sounds good, i have been very happy with the bobcat customer service, they delivered mine 110miles, at no charge and ship my service items for nothing. or if they are in the area they drop them by cant complain about that deal