Backhoe Which backhoe do you recommend?

eebuckeye4life · Sep 25, 2009

Hi everyone. I have a Case IH JX90U and I'm in the market for a backhoe for it. Was wondering what everyone's thoughts were. I have heard the cons of 3pt attachments, are their any positives? Also, I'm unsure as to the model I should purchase. I left a message with Kelley Ind. but they never returned my call. So far I've looked at a used Kelley B70 and I was going to look at a Long 1200. Anyone have any opinions about either one or know what a fair price for them would be?

Thanks
Todd

buckeyefarmer · Sep 25, 2009

If you do a search you will see lots of past discussion on this topic. I am planning on getting a woods frame mount BH for my tractor (someday).

Go Buckeyes!!

MFRED · Sep 26, 2009

With a tractor that size you can run straight off the 3pt with no problems. I like the Woods backhoe with a hydrauic thumb myself. Are you going to be using it alot or just for the odd job here and there?

gumshu · Sep 26, 2009

buckeyefarmer said:
If you do a search you will see lots of past discussion on this topic. I am planning on getting a woods frame mount BH for my tractor (someday).

Go Buckeyes!!

Likewise. The Woods subframe mount is a very nice back hoe.

Builder · Sep 26, 2009

eebuckeye4life said:
Hi everyone. I have a Case IH JX90U and I'm in the market for a backhoe for it. Was wondering what everyone's thoughts were. I have heard the cons of 3pt attachments, are their any positives? Also, I'm unsure as to the model I should purchase. I left a message with Kelley Ind. but they never returned my call. So far I've looked at a used Kelley B70 and I was going to look at a Long 1200. Anyone have any opinions about either one or know what a fair price for them would be?

Thanks
Todd

Just a couple thoughts. What does a backhoe attachment of that size cost? Have you considered a used full size hoe instead? They are selling for peanuts right now.

cedarranch · Sep 26, 2009

Having had both I will share this with you. Backhoes with a sub frame work and handle much, much better. They are firm and stable. BUT a pain to remove so if you need to use the 3pt for other implements best go with a 3pt mount. Still a pain attaching and removing and they are not stable - lots of twisting and rocking while you work. I sold my last frame mount with my ford 3600 and now have a Kelley 3pt mount with my 3430. Works out better for me since I have to rotate implements so often. I have two tractors and that helps over just one but still have to swap out a lot. I have been around the Woods, Long and Kelley backhoes a lot and really have no preference of one over the other as far as brand and lots of models look interchangeable. Kelley/LandPride is slow to deal with for parts compared to the others but they come through in the end.

Charles Billings · Sep 26, 2009

Cedarranch, Sorry, but I don't understand what you are trying to say about subframe vs 3-pt hitch. I have a Woods BH90-X backhoe with thumb and subframe mounting on my NH 45DA tractor. Putting the backhoe on and taking it off is very straight forward, if never much fun; there is a qucik attach type engagement of hoe and subframe. I do remove the stabilizer arms when the hoe is on, but that is a quick switch. Once the hoe is off, there is no interference of the subframe and 3-point hitch aattachments. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something, if so I apologize, but at least with the Woods hoe and subframe changing things isn't much more effort than hooking up a 3 point attachment.

cedarranch · Sep 28, 2009

Then you must have a much better setup than I have ever worked with. Of course working on level ground would help. All the ones I have worked with FRAME or 3PT have been a pain to attach/remove. Wrestling with lining things up and all. They were never any type of quick attach. Bolts, plates and brackets to install/remove each time.

I merely stated my opinion from my years of experience that the frame mounts make them much more stable but on all 3 of the frame mounts units I have worked with it took me about 30 minutes to attach and about 20 to remove. I have worked with two sizes of Kelley 3pt mounts and although still aggravating to attach only takes me about 5 minutes. But they are not as stable as the frame mount. The wiggle around and twist too much.

Sorry if I offended anyone with my opinion. I will shut up now!