Ken B yes I did trench being new I took it very slow. Backhoe is strong especially on curling to break roots. I feel very stable and did some work on 30 degree slope uphill. I also have tried 10-20 degree slopes sideways to get feel of stability. Uphill is preferred but downhill is also ok but don't pull too hard as it wants to slide down even with tractor brake on. I tried it to get to all sides of tree root. Tree was about 18" across. I used backhoe to pry up old porch slab then used grapple to raise and drop to break into sections. I have heavy clay under 2 inches topsoil here and it cuts through very clean. I put blue tape on bucket sides to help maintain bucket depth it worked well. Digging and curling strength is very strong. So far I have been able to lift anything I wanted but a large white oak log estimated weight about 900 lbs. 7 ft long 24 diameter did seem to task the capacity. I increased rpms to 2000 then went very slow and managed to pick it up with using hydraulic thumb about 3 ft above ground then cut it into 16" logs. then picked up logs with grapple moved to barn where I split and store wood. I have a 9 inch bucket for trenching and root breaking also a 12 inch both work excellent. I have a 24" inch bucket for moving dirt and digging works well in clay also.
hydraulics are crisp and strong I need to a light touch on controls to avoid jerkiness and tractor shaking. Next year when I build garage/shop I will be digging up an old footing 12" wide about 40 ft. long 36 " deep this will really test backhoe. It was an old barn put in about 1948. Found footing by accident it is just starting to peek out above ground.
