Backhoe Who regrets their Backhoe Decision?
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CTyler
Veteran Member
I've had the tractor and hoe for almost 1 1/2 years now and 460 hours later... NO regrets. It would have been cheaper to rent but a quick tally is 2k worth of rental expenses. That doesn't include all the little convieneint uses like holding logs for the chain saw, planting trees, digging up some stumps etc... I still have plenty of time consuming projects to do with the BH.
mahlers
Gold Member
My only regret is that I'm now on the neighborhood list of "call that guy to get your stumps dug up, etc." Otherwise, the BH rivals the loader as being indispensable and I wouldn't even consider not having one. I use it like a gigantic extension of my arm to do anything that I would have done 'by hand' if I were a giant.
Ledgemere Farm
Veteran Member
I agree. My dealer quoted me in the neighborhood of $6500 for a backhoe. I have a friend with a huge Caterpillar excavator that will come over and do in 15 minutes what a little backhoe couldn't do in a day. For me, a backhoe would just be a huge waste of money. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
TWINKLE_TOES
Veteran Member
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<font color="blue">
So the only folks who are sorry they spent money on a backhoe are those that didn't? </font>
Bingo!! You got it Mike /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wish I had got mine a long time ago. <font color="blue"> </font>
So the only folks who are sorry they spent money on a backhoe are those that didn't? </font>
Bingo!! You got it Mike /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wish I had got mine a long time ago. <font color="blue"> </font>
<font color="blue"> So the only folks who are sorry they spent money on a backhoe are those that didn't? </font>
I think that a few of us only answered the original question regarding our "backhoe decision" of not purchasing one and not with any regrets. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Who said anything about spending money that they didn't? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
If I had one, I probably would have found many, many uses for it also - but mostly conveniences to me with respect to the considerable cost.
I've done things that would have been easier with a BH (taking out trees, putting in drains, etc), but still couldn't justify buying one. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think that a few of us only answered the original question regarding our "backhoe decision" of not purchasing one and not with any regrets. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Who said anything about spending money that they didn't? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
If I had one, I probably would have found many, many uses for it also - but mostly conveniences to me with respect to the considerable cost.
I've done things that would have been easier with a BH (taking out trees, putting in drains, etc), but still couldn't justify buying one. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
NIXON
Veteran Member
I regret my backhoe decision ! I didn't buy one ! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I have a lot of uses for one that come to mind . Oh well maybe this time next year i'll have one . John
I have a lot of uses for one that come to mind . Oh well maybe this time next year i'll have one . John
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
Sorry - even i don't fully understand the Backhoe Economics Axiom i just made up!!! Do you REALLY think Archemedes relly knew what eureks means? Heck, he was stark naked running mad!
MadDog
Platinum Member
The responses on this thread certainly tend to show that MOST people profess to be happy with what they actually did, whether it was buying or not buying.
...reasonable points on both sides and I guess that I am no exception; I bought my B7800n with a subframe mounted Woods 7500 and have NO regrets at all either about buying the BH or buying the largest one that my tractor could handle.
Boy, has it been useful! So far, I have used it to dig stumps and uprooting sapplings from about one half acre of very thickly overgrown back land. I tried doing some of the sapling removal with the FEL, but it is MUCH faster and easier with the BH. Digging the stumps might have been possible with the FEL but would have taken many times longer than the BH and put a hell of a lot more wear and strain on the entire tractor. I cleared this land of all but the large trees that I wanted to keep in a few weekends. Without the BH it would have been a most-of-the-summer project. ....unless, of course, I rented a BH and if I made a habit of that, by the time I get done with the remaining 2+ acres (not to speak of the 30 waiting for me in the Berkshires) I would have paid for the BH without owning it).....
This summer, I plan to use the BH for excavating a small (1200-1500 sq. ft.) landscaping pond. If my polebarn site has too many or too large boulders to dig the holes with a PHD, I'll resort to the BH. Since it has already extracted and moved 2' diam boulders without undue difficulty, I am hopeful that it is all I'll need as backup for the PHD and for the FEL when digging and grading the area for the floor slab.
I expect that the amount of my use of the BH, to say nothing of the convenience of being able to use it when I want and for as long as I want on any particular day, will largely return my financial investment in it within 2-3 years.
The "cost/benefit" analysis of buying a BH involves a personal business decision as to the deployment of substantial financial resources. I think that this is a matter for individual judgment for each of us, in light of our own resources and priorities and there simply is no "correct" answer to whether it is sensible to buy a BH or not. Only one of my children is still in college and my wife and I have no substantial future expenses to consider other than our own financial security and eventual retirement. If buying a BH compromised either of those, I would hope that I wouldn't do it.
...reasonable points on both sides and I guess that I am no exception; I bought my B7800n with a subframe mounted Woods 7500 and have NO regrets at all either about buying the BH or buying the largest one that my tractor could handle.
Boy, has it been useful! So far, I have used it to dig stumps and uprooting sapplings from about one half acre of very thickly overgrown back land. I tried doing some of the sapling removal with the FEL, but it is MUCH faster and easier with the BH. Digging the stumps might have been possible with the FEL but would have taken many times longer than the BH and put a hell of a lot more wear and strain on the entire tractor. I cleared this land of all but the large trees that I wanted to keep in a few weekends. Without the BH it would have been a most-of-the-summer project. ....unless, of course, I rented a BH and if I made a habit of that, by the time I get done with the remaining 2+ acres (not to speak of the 30 waiting for me in the Berkshires) I would have paid for the BH without owning it).....
This summer, I plan to use the BH for excavating a small (1200-1500 sq. ft.) landscaping pond. If my polebarn site has too many or too large boulders to dig the holes with a PHD, I'll resort to the BH. Since it has already extracted and moved 2' diam boulders without undue difficulty, I am hopeful that it is all I'll need as backup for the PHD and for the FEL when digging and grading the area for the floor slab.
I expect that the amount of my use of the BH, to say nothing of the convenience of being able to use it when I want and for as long as I want on any particular day, will largely return my financial investment in it within 2-3 years.
The "cost/benefit" analysis of buying a BH involves a personal business decision as to the deployment of substantial financial resources. I think that this is a matter for individual judgment for each of us, in light of our own resources and priorities and there simply is no "correct" answer to whether it is sensible to buy a BH or not. Only one of my children is still in college and my wife and I have no substantial future expenses to consider other than our own financial security and eventual retirement. If buying a BH compromised either of those, I would hope that I wouldn't do it.
PineRidge
Super Member
I rented backhoes and mini-excavators while working on my vacant lot before the house was built. But when it came time for a new tractor purchase I had New Holland include a FEL and backhoe in the package.
I think a backhoe can be used almost as much as a loader and you are only limited by your backhoe length or lack of imagination. I'm always dreaming up new ways to use mine. They are great for plucking large boulders from a creek-bed to be used for accent in my pond. And I can use the backhoe to place the boulders wherever I need one while still remaining high and dry.
Oh, I do us it to dig more than a few trenches and stumps as well. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that everyone that owns a backhoe should add one way that they used it other than to just dig a hole to prove how handy they actually are. Maybe some of these guys that don't own one will reconsider the investment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think a backhoe can be used almost as much as a loader and you are only limited by your backhoe length or lack of imagination. I'm always dreaming up new ways to use mine. They are great for plucking large boulders from a creek-bed to be used for accent in my pond. And I can use the backhoe to place the boulders wherever I need one while still remaining high and dry.
Oh, I do us it to dig more than a few trenches and stumps as well. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that everyone that owns a backhoe should add one way that they used it other than to just dig a hole to prove how handy they actually are. Maybe some of these guys that don't own one will reconsider the investment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
OP
Henro
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<font color="blue"> The "cost/benefit" analysis of buying a BH involves a personal business decision as to the deployment of substantial financial resources. </font>
You know MadDog, while I agree totally with your post...I must say to this point...NOT FOR ME! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Guess I'm a strange bird...make that dog...don't want to change the picture again... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif... but I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby and my personal "county club" membership...Sorry Golfgar4!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but it's true...
So having a backhoe is not related to the cost at all. We all have ways to spend dollars for pleasure. If the tractor/loader/backhoe/implements had been a business decision I'm afraid I would have ordered coffee instead... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Man, I am so glad I am a master rationalizer... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You know MadDog, while I agree totally with your post...I must say to this point...NOT FOR ME! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Guess I'm a strange bird...make that dog...don't want to change the picture again... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif... but I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby and my personal "county club" membership...Sorry Golfgar4!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but it's true...
So having a backhoe is not related to the cost at all. We all have ways to spend dollars for pleasure. If the tractor/loader/backhoe/implements had been a business decision I'm afraid I would have ordered coffee instead... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Man, I am so glad I am a master rationalizer... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
GaryInWA
Member
OkieG
Veteran Member
Woodbeef,
To your comment, <font color="blue"> I must say I'm totally amazed at how popular the backhoes are on CUTs. </font>, I would add, "on TBN".
My smallish to midsized JD dealer had only sold two backhoes in his long career. Perhaps he's an exception, but I tend to think TBN contributors are the exception. I think we demonstrate a certain enthusiasm for the "sport" of tractoring just by the hours we spend in front of the computer reading and posting.
It's really great that tractoring actually gets something done, but that's almost just a bonus. We are the crazy few who really appreciate implements whether they're a necessity or a luxury. I'm not sure I could own an implement and regret having it.
Even though I need my tractor to do lots of work, " <font color="blue"> I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby. </font> " Right on, Henro. If I really can't use it, or can't afford it, I won't buy it (wife has final say on the "afford" part, which is probably a good thing). But, that still leaves me some wiggle-room regarding implement aquisition, which I have used to good advantage to clutter a corner of our backyard. Some are not used often, but all are indispensible for certain chores which come up form time to time. They are all part of the family, I don't regret any of them.
OkieG
To your comment, <font color="blue"> I must say I'm totally amazed at how popular the backhoes are on CUTs. </font>, I would add, "on TBN".
My smallish to midsized JD dealer had only sold two backhoes in his long career. Perhaps he's an exception, but I tend to think TBN contributors are the exception. I think we demonstrate a certain enthusiasm for the "sport" of tractoring just by the hours we spend in front of the computer reading and posting.
It's really great that tractoring actually gets something done, but that's almost just a bonus. We are the crazy few who really appreciate implements whether they're a necessity or a luxury. I'm not sure I could own an implement and regret having it.
Even though I need my tractor to do lots of work, " <font color="blue"> I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby. </font> " Right on, Henro. If I really can't use it, or can't afford it, I won't buy it (wife has final say on the "afford" part, which is probably a good thing). But, that still leaves me some wiggle-room regarding implement aquisition, which I have used to good advantage to clutter a corner of our backyard. Some are not used often, but all are indispensible for certain chores which come up form time to time. They are all part of the family, I don't regret any of them.
OkieG
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
well said !!!!! i don't have a BH , but there are times i wish i did, but for the no of times i would use it just not practicle. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Perhaps geography and geology have something to do with the decision. I notice a lot of people talking about stumps, rocks and boulders. I don't have any rocks or boulders; just sand. The only stumps I need to remove are pepper trees and small pines; neither have roots that can't be popped easily with a FEL, especially with the root rake I built for my bucket. I trenched 1100 feet a few weeks ago; a rental walk-behind trencher made a 8" wide, 24" deep trench in little time. I don't ever have to go deeper, because I have no frost to contend with. I can do most of the landscape planting I want to do with a post hole digger.
But. let's say I had a need for a backhoe. I considered it; I could have bought a slightly used TC33D with a Bradco backhoe for just a couple of thousand more than my TC18. But then, I looked at the mechanics of the thing. The only way to keep a late model New Holland running is to set the brake. There is no easy way to move the tractor with the hoe bucket. Every time you want to reposition, which would be often with a trench, you have to climb out of one seat and into the other, raise the stabilizers, release the brake and put it in gear, guess at how far to move it, set the brake and put it in neutral, climb off the tractor and back onto the backhoe seat, lower the stabilizers, and dig again for a short time before you have to repeat it all. No thanks. And, that's not even considering the need to take it off and put it on when using 3 point implements...
But. let's say I had a need for a backhoe. I considered it; I could have bought a slightly used TC33D with a Bradco backhoe for just a couple of thousand more than my TC18. But then, I looked at the mechanics of the thing. The only way to keep a late model New Holland running is to set the brake. There is no easy way to move the tractor with the hoe bucket. Every time you want to reposition, which would be often with a trench, you have to climb out of one seat and into the other, raise the stabilizers, release the brake and put it in gear, guess at how far to move it, set the brake and put it in neutral, climb off the tractor and back onto the backhoe seat, lower the stabilizers, and dig again for a short time before you have to repeat it all. No thanks. And, that's not even considering the need to take it off and put it on when using 3 point implements...
MadDog
Platinum Member
Bill: Viewing it all in a larger context, I agree with your post, too; mainly because none of the things that I have done, or am planning to do, with the BH (or, indeed with the tractor or any of the other attachments I have) really HAVE to be done at all! After all, until this spring, I had lived the first 64 years of my life without a tractor.....
So I agree, it all boils down to what anyone wants to do with whatever "discretionary" money is available. I have quite a few hobbies, they all cost money of one order of magnitude or another, they are all worth it, from my point of view and "tractoring" is certainly one of them.
So I agree, it all boils down to what anyone wants to do with whatever "discretionary" money is available. I have quite a few hobbies, they all cost money of one order of magnitude or another, they are all worth it, from my point of view and "tractoring" is certainly one of them.
Rick Jay
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Henro,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... but I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby and my personal "county club" membership... )</font>
I never thought about it quite like that, but I believe that is an accurate assessment for my tractor use as well. Ah, heck, in 4 years I only have about 110 hours on it....and 25 of those were put on by my cousin when I let him borrow it to do some work around his house and my uncles. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have never regretted the purchase of the tractor, the loader, the backhoe, the snowblower, the rear-blade...etc...etc. Everything is there when I need it and will probably be there after I'm gone...unless I trade up to that L3130. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif A BH90 sure would be nice.
~Rick
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... but I just consider the tractor and anything attached to it my hobby and my personal "county club" membership... )</font>
I never thought about it quite like that, but I believe that is an accurate assessment for my tractor use as well. Ah, heck, in 4 years I only have about 110 hours on it....and 25 of those were put on by my cousin when I let him borrow it to do some work around his house and my uncles. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have never regretted the purchase of the tractor, the loader, the backhoe, the snowblower, the rear-blade...etc...etc. Everything is there when I need it and will probably be there after I'm gone...unless I trade up to that L3130. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif A BH90 sure would be nice.
~Rick
Dave___in___CT
Gold Member
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- Kubota L3130, LA723 Loader, BH90 Backhoe, Curtis Cab, || '82 Gravely 8199KT garden tractor
Hi...
No backhoe regrets for me...
1st one was a 3-point-hitch mounted one on a small farm tractor... 1951 Ferguson TO-30...
Sold it and upgraded to a used '87 Deere 750 CUT with the #7 backhoe...
Sold the Deere last fall and now have a BH90 backhoe on a Kubota L3130 CUT...
As others... the backhoes give me the means to do work I never would have done... never would have hired done... never would have rented a machine for...
...plus... I really really enjoy operating it and the tractor...
Dave...
No backhoe regrets for me...
1st one was a 3-point-hitch mounted one on a small farm tractor... 1951 Ferguson TO-30...
Sold it and upgraded to a used '87 Deere 750 CUT with the #7 backhoe...
Sold the Deere last fall and now have a BH90 backhoe on a Kubota L3130 CUT...
As others... the backhoes give me the means to do work I never would have done... never would have hired done... never would have rented a machine for...
...plus... I really really enjoy operating it and the tractor...
Dave...
MossRoad
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That looks like my momma when she would grab me by the ear! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
