Towable Backhoe

[Willis53]

Hey Guys,
I have a question but don't throw rocks at me, lol I have about 9 acres of land and I have a need for a small mini excavator. I can't afford the price for one of these so I have come across what they call a towable Backhoe. Everything I need to do is pretty much light weight, but I am thinking about buying one of these instead of renting the Mini ex every time I need it. I have done a lot of research on these units and and narrowed my search down to two brands. I know that Harbor Freight and Northern Tool sell them but the two I have found are built with thicker material and appear to would to last longer. Does ANYONE have any experience with a towable Backhoe? I look forward to the responses.

Willis

 

[mike0000]

In my opinion I’d ditch this idea and buy a Chinese mini ex, but do your research. I bought a higher end one (Kymron) and have 130hrs. on it, so far great little machine. I just don’t see the towable HF type as being too useful when you can spend a little more and get a more useful machine, IF you get one of the better alternatives.
Just my opinion, only worth what you paid.
Mike

 

[Willis53]

Mike,
Thanks for your honest opinion, I will look at the Chinese mini ex.

 

[Jstpssng]

Hey Guys,
I have a question but don't throw rocks at me, lol I have about 9 acres of land and I have a need for a small mini excavator. I can't afford the price for one of these so I have come across what they call a towable Backhoe. Everything I need to do is pretty much light weight, but I am thinking about buying one of these instead of renting the Mini ex every time I need it. I have done a lot of research on these units and and narrowed my search down to two brands. I know that Harbor Freight and Northern Tool sell them but the two I have found are built with thicker material and appear to would to last longer. Does ANYONE have any experience with a towable Backhoe? I look forward to the responses.

Willis

My neighbors have a DR tow behind which has done a lot of work for them. Don't expect to rip stumps out of the ground, but for light work they say that it beats a shovel.

 

[mike0000]

Mike,
Thanks for your honest opinion, I will look at the Chinese mini ex.

You’re welcome,
I forgot to mention if you scroll through the forums down to excavators there are a few threads on different Chinese minis others on this forum have bought.
Mike

 

[AntiqueIron]

Hey Guys,
I have a question but don't throw rocks at me, lol I have about 9 acres of land and I have a need for a small mini excavator. I can't afford the price for one of these so I have come across what they call a towable Backhoe. Everything I need to do is pretty much light weight, but I am thinking about buying one of these instead of renting the Mini ex every time I need it. I have done a lot of research on these units and and narrowed my search down to two brands. I know that Harbor Freight and Northern Tool sell them but the two I have found are built with thicker material and appear to would to last longer. Does ANYONE have any experience with a towable Backhoe? I look forward to the responses.

Willis

I’ve seen guys who’ve bought 3 point backhoes, or hoes off junked TLBs, put them on a frame with a good stout axle, and driven them with a PTO pump. Boom, a really stout towable backhoe and it could cost you a bit less if you do it right.

 

[sd455dan]

I’ve seen guys who’ve bought 3 point backhoes, or hoes off junked TLBs, put them on a frame with a good stout axle, and driven them with a PTO pump. Boom, a really stout towable backhoe and it could cost you a bit less if you do it right.

Yes- also,

If the OP has mechanic skills, keep an eye out for an older JD, Ford, or CASE, tractor with a factory backhoe.

Sometimes can be found and bought for similar money to a china mini or HF towable units.

Not as compact and no turntable like the mini's but digging power and reach can be much greater.

If no mechanic skills, the china minis may or may not be easier to keep running with the quality control reports on new units some folks report. In that case a towable has less to go wrong than either a mini or an old backhoe.

 

[Willis53]

Yes- also,

If the OP has mechanic skills, keep an eye out for an older JD, Ford, or CASE, tractor with a factory backhoe.

Sometimes can be found and bought for similar money to a china mini or HF towable units.

Not as compact and no turntable like the mini's but digging power and reach can be much greater.

If no mechanic skills, the china minis may or may not be easier to keep running with the quality control reports on new units some folks report. In that case a towable has less to go wrong than either a mini or an old backhoe.

SD455dan- I don't have heavy equipment mechanical skills but I feel real good that I could work on and fix the towable backhoe. There is a company out of PA called Liberty that seems to make a good quality unit. I will keep doing research, and another thing my budget is around $7 grand.

 

[Jstpssng]

SD455dan- I don't have heavy equipment mechanical skills but I feel real good that I could work on and fix the towable backhoe. There is a company out of PA called Liberty that seems to make a good quality unit. I will keep doing research, and another thing my budget is around $7 grand.

For 7k you also might find something with a subframe to go on your BX. Depending on what you plan to do with it, that might be a viable option.
Personally, I prefer working with something to working on it.