Rationalizing the purchase of a backhoe

[ArtisanFarms]

I have a small backhoe that I mount on a compact Kubota and over the years between me and my kids it has been have used a fair amount. It is limited in terms of how deep it can dig, power and changeover time to install the subframe and partially dismantle the 3pt hitch. I'm starting to look at a larger dedicated machine and comparing it to renting a mini excavator when I need one or hiring someone. Renting a mini excavator is better than $300/day in my area once drop-off and pick up are included and hiring someone is $100/hr and up.

In order for hiring someone or renting to really make sense I need to stack up a few jobs to put enough time on the machine to justify the charge, unlike with owning where I can use for 1/2 hour or 5 hours whenever I need it. I can definitely make a case for selling the little hoe (but keeping the tractor) and buying a larger one while I'm building my house and shop, but am not sure if I want to sign up for the upkeep that might be associated with the machine if I keep it longer term.

Has anyone regretted their purchase of a backhoe?

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have 2 NH tractors with hoes, very handy, I would never sell them, they're always there when you need them. If you have the work for an excavator it's one thing, but for occasional use I would just rent, way cheaper in the long run. But for the right price I'd buy one.

 

[Technologyteacher]

Every man could find a use for a good hoe

 

[ez-duzit]

If you buy a used machine that is affordable to just keep around, besides routine maintenance, it will likely also require catching up on deferred maintenance. Parts won't be cheap. And some of the work may require a specialist. For a farm, it is easy to rationalize because of regular use. I had a Case 430CK.

 

[Old Man Roger]

What’s this rational thing? Who doesn’t want a backhoe? Is this thread a joke?

 

[Sumboodie]

If you already have the tractor with a hoe, I'd be looking for an excavator. I had never used a backhoe and lots of hours on excavators.
Had to use a backhoe for a project and while we got it done, it sucked compared to an excavator. Can't swing very far, have to spin the seat and reset 300 times, etc.
A backhoe isn't going to do much that your tractor can't, unless it's a tiny tractor.

 

[tarmy]

Get a bigger tractor and frame mounted BH…compact tractors just aren’t big enough to have a decent sized BH. When I was in the market for a tractor…the dealer talked me out of a compact based on my description of what I planned to use it for…and I am very glad he did too.

 

[mcbane]

I have a backhoe attachment for my bobcat that has definitely earned its keep. But for big or complex jobs I typically rent a mini ex. The 360 degree boom rotation and ability to dig alongside a wall make a backhoe seem really primitive.

If I ever buy another machine it will be a mini ex.

 

[finn]

Get a mini excavator. I bought mine with the expectation that I would sell it when done.

That’s not going to happen.

I would get rid of the compact tractor before either the mini ex or the CTL.

 

[LXCam]

Has anyone regretted their purchase of a backhoe?

Nope.

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[ZRX61]

What’s this rational thing? Who doesn’t want a backhoe? Is this thread a joke?

There was a guy who won the UK lottery several years ago & that was about the first thing he bought. Then he had to buy somewhere to use it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

The only problem is if it sits for long periods of time, but if you keep it moving you'll be better off. We have some equipment in the shop that doesn't get used a lot so we exercise them on a regular basis, plus keep up with all services.

 

[theoldwizard1]

No question a back hoe is handy. But I suspect you will be wanting a small/medium excavator soon !

 

[Docswelding]

I have a small backhoe that I mount on a compact Kubota and over the years between me and my kids it has been have used a fair amount. It is limited in terms of how deep it can dig, power and changeover time to install the subframe and partially dismantle the 3pt hitch. I'm starting to look at a larger dedicated machine and comparing it to renting a mini excavator when I need one or hiring someone. Renting a mini excavator is better than $300/day in my area once drop-off and pick up are included and hiring someone is $100/hr and up.

In order for hiring someone or renting to really make sense I need to stack up a few jobs to put enough time on the machine to justify the charge, unlike with owning where I can use for 1/2 hour or 5 hours whenever I need it. I can definitely make a case for selling the little hoe (but keeping the tractor) and buying a larger one while I'm building my house and shop, but am not sure if I want to sign up for the upkeep that might be associated with the machine if I keep it longer term.

Has anyone regretted their purchase of a backhoe?

The regret I have is selling it.

 

[larry_g]

I've had a Case 580 for years, one of the most used utility rigs. Great for moving bulk material, grading, digging, lifting. If you want to trench an excavator will be better but if you want to move material then the BH will run circles around it. Have a project down the road? The BH will just drive down to the project, the EX will have to be hauled most times. So think about all the jobs you want your tool to do. I have a BH and my son has both an excavator and a skid steer. Each tool has its strengths and jobs it excels at.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Prospecter]

I also have a Case 580. Fill up the fluids and check the diesel. Needs a rear tire. Needs hoses. And yes, an excavator probably does the digging jobs better. However, an older industrial tractor with loader and backhoe can be had for little $$$, and generally, things do not all break at once. I keep mine busy, and have no complaints.

 

[Old Man Roger]

There was a guy who won the UK lottery several years ago & that was about the first thing he bought. Then he had to buy somewhere to use it.

Well ya! Lol

 

[Meursault74]

I know some guys rent them from time to time. Didn't know you could buy one. They say it's cheaper than an inevitable divorce in the long run anyway.

Oops, wrong type of hoe. My mistake

 

[jbfsr]

I bought 1 of those little tow behind backhoes for home use. More or less a toy, but sure beets a shovel.

 

[Moss]

I have a 35 horsepower kubota. For a while I had a backhoe for it but I didn't find it all that useful. I use the tractor for other things, lawn cutting, bush hogging etc. So couldn't just leave it on. I started renting mini excavators sized for whatever the task is and for me it's much better. A properly sized mini ex is way better at the actual work. I don't have to maintain it or store it.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

I bought this old lizard for 1000 bucks a few years ago. It hadn't ran in the previous 10 years or more. Got it running and working, did my digging and was planning on selling it but held off putting it up for sale and then realized it was just too handy to have around so I never did advertise it.

Ugly as hell, lots of looseness, etc. but it has found its home as long as I'm around I guess.

 

[CraigStu]

I have rented a mini-ex twice now. Love running them. Ck w/ your rental places for an over the weekend deal. Mine delivers at 430 or so Friday (so the guy can go home at the standard 5P). They pickup 800 or so Monday morning. It is a screaming deal. Try to figure what you would do w/ it first. The mini has a lot going for it but the little blade most of them has doesn't do much. It will spread dirt around some but you need a backhoe w/ a bucket if you want to move dirt in any quantity.

 

[ycgoat]

An Excavator and skid steer is a good combination

 

[cannuck]

I was fortunate enough to secure a long term loan of a UH-025 compact excavator. Did not want to go down the backhoe route specifically because it limits trench depth and swing amount. Buiilt a thumb for it and now the ultimate rock picker that my 11 YO grandson can run like a champ. I forgot to mention: stability of the tracked machine another big plus.

 

[CDPLUCKER]

bought a kubota B21 to build my house and shop. it was like $12,000 or so at the time, figureing that i would sell at the end of the project and just use my BX with a loader after that. however, i cant see myself ever selling it. it is a really good size, i can tow it with my car trailer, drive it down the road, best all around tool for doing projects ! the great thing is it loader, backhoe and a 3 point tractor in one machine.. sure is you can afford 2 machines a mini excavator and a skid steer are better for moving dirt, but that is two machines you have to buy and maintain. it is all about what and how you are using it, and how much money you have !

 

[4 FN 27]

Has anyone regretted their purchase of a backhoe?

Not once.

Bought a demo with 37 hours on it. Now have 470 hours and everyone of them was not only fun but productive. Made clearing 2 Acres easy for the new shop.

I still use it monthly or so now that the shop is done. I will never sell it.

 

[Jackfre]

You don’t have to “rationalize” a BH purchase. One of the greatest benefits of having a BH is community relations. None of my neighbors like me, but I have a backhoe and do their digging, so all good in the neighborhood. Mine is a BX23. I‘ve dug in spots where the clay is so heavy that the 23 couldn’t touch it. Had to rent a mini-ex for that job. Your rationalization will come in picking the size of machine.

 

[steel 35]

There is so much difference in each one who can say; your Kabot will cut under the lawn like no other if it's the one I am thinking of.
The seat should not be turned around, Rent anything for use needed there.

There is such a thing as a bad Hoe.

 

[Ton ton]

I bought this old lizard for 1000 bucks a few years ago. It hadn't ran in the previous 10 years or more. Got it running and working, did my digging and was planning on selling it but held off putting it up for sale and then realized it was just too handy to have around so I never did advertise it.

Ugly as hell, lots of looseness, etc. but it has found its home as long as I'm around I guess.

Is that a 202 Massey Ferguson?

 

[RoninB4]

Need to match the equipment to the soil content. Bought an older 30 hp tractor with a FEL and a backhoe attachment. Tried using the BH on a soil clearing project. The ground around here is loaded with small rocks, clay, and chirt-like fill with a little dirt mixed in. I tried using the BH for 2 sessions of 2 hours each and might as well been using a tea spoon. Sure it was less strenuous than using a shovel but I sure didn't feel the earth move under my feet. I might just have a crew come in next time, a few hundred and the job is done a lot faster than I could do it. Do I regret the purchase? Nope, it lifts heavy things and moves them that I can't.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Is that a 202 Massey Ferguson?

Yes it is. Massey-Harris-Ferguson to be precise, about 1957. My avatar pic is the grille.

 

[Ton ton]

Thank you for the pictures. Those tractors are super rare in my part of Virginia. We used to have a MF 202 years ago. Not sure why we sold it.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Thank you for the pictures. Those tractors are super rare in my part of Virginia. We used to have a MF 202 years ago. Not sure why we sold it.

They're not very common around here either. I saved this one from a scrap yard.

 

[zkdiesel]

I mean who doesn’t love a good hoe or two. Backhoe gets the most hours for generally versatility, but also travel speed in field is very important in our tiling operation. A mini would need a truck and tilt trailer to move it around the property

 

[NikonRon]

Get an excavator. Bought a Kubota KX121 4 years ago for a project and it's still here. No way I could get by without it around. Very useful around our 13 acres.

 

[Firebrick43]

Every man could find a use for a good hoe

but there isn't such a thing as a good ho

 

[uscarry45]

A backhoe Is like a gun - you Really don’t need one until you really really need one haha

 

[Sumboodie]

I have a backhoe attachment for my bobcat that has definitely earned its keep. But for big or complex jobs I typically rent a mini ex. The 360 degree boom rotation and ability to dig alongside a wall make a backhoe seem really primitive.

If I ever buy another machine it will be a mini ex.

Same. Something around 10-20 tons size.

I mean who doesn’t love a good hoe or two. Backhoe gets the most hours for generally versatility, but also travel speed in field is very important in our tiling operation. A mini would need a truck and tilt trailer to move it around the property

Looks like the excavator has summer teeth... sum are there, sum are missing

 

[firebirdparts]

What’s this rational thing? Who doesn’t want a backhoe? Is this thread a joke?

Told my wife it's an emotional support backhoe. It's a thing.