Buying the Cheapest "Useful" Caterpillar Backhoe on Marketplace!

[@thehardway406]

Do you think this was the right machine to get first for our homestead? Let me know your thoughts!

[@SagebrushRambles]

YES! Great find as long as it doesn't have mechanical issues.

[@thehardway406]

@@SagebrushRambles True! A machine this old is bound to have some issues. We will have to work through them as they arise. I have a bunch of little things I would like to fix on the machine.

[@ertreeservice9558]

I bought a little mini excavator for my place in north central Idaho great unit but I think you made the right choice

[@thehardway406]

@@ertreeservice9558 thanks! A mini is a great piece of equipment that can do a lot of things better than a backhoe, but you also need a dump truck or trailer to move material long distances. I also love having a good set of forks and the 7k lifting capacity.

[@TheMadManPlace]

That yellow machine is going to be a game changer for your journey forward. Look after her properly and she will look after you like any solidly built machine will.

[@thehardway406]

Yes, absolutely!

[@csilveira8951]

I would imagine it’s definitely the right machine for the terrain, at least I have seen other homesteaders use it/ similar equipment.

[@thehardway406]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@gregblalock549]

First accessory you should make for that tractor is a snow plow.

[@thehardway406]

I would love to build a nice hydraulically angled plow! I also want to make a box scraper/ land plane to grade the road out in the summer. So many projects!

[@donaldhofman5257]

I recognized that road and river! Drove it many times in a semi!

[@thehardway406]

Cool! It is a really nice drive!

[@jujulepew]

I just found your channel. liked and subscribed. I am in FL. Waiting for more friendly markets to buy my N ID land. Best place to be.

[@thehardway406]

Thank you so much!

[@rafenatho5406]

Welcome to Idaho. I pray you are conservative folks in a effort to keep our great state what it is and has been.

[@thehardway406]

Thank you so much! We love this state and only want to contribute to what it already is. We have been welcomed in by our local community and everyone is so nice. I (Josh) have already became a volunteer firefighter to help out.

[@elwoodlindquist9324]

Nice job quite the endeavor you too have taken. Enjoying the videos.

[@thehardway406]

Thank you so much, we are glad you're enjoying!

[@grantlingley1385]

Congratulations again guys! It’s just beautiful from the pics and video so far!

[@thehardway406]

Thanks! We love it here!

[@jonesallu]

Excellent! Nice piece of equipment! Hmmm, but isn't there a story within the story here? I've only seen the schoolie and Jeep on the channel, that vehicle you're in is neither, no? I think it would be cool to see you make a video of you making a video. Just so all us fans can see how it's done! And see the "background" (behind the scenes) on what it takes to homestead. 😀 You guys are great! I am super happy for you two.

[@thehardway406]

Haha, the car is josh’s parent’s car. It was a bit more fuel efficient for all the driving! Haha, we will think about doing that! Thank you so much!

[@motel581]

If you need a welder, I am a one man show who likes to do cool projects & will travel & do affordable work. I am mainly a fence builder but I can do small steel structures as well

[@thehardway406]

That's great, thanks for the offer. I will keep you in mind.

[@ertreeservice9558]

How many hours on the backhoe?

[@thehardway406]

Just over 6,000

[@ertreeservice9558]

@@thehardway406 a little high but at least it’s a Cat

[@thehardway406]

@@ertreeservice9558 Yeah, at least the price reflected its condition. I got it for what I thought was pretty reasonable for its condition. I wouldn’t buy an off-brand machine with this many hours.

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

How many hours?

[@thehardway406]

It has just over 6,000 hours

[@sillywilly722]

so your building a homestead with his parents also ?

[@thehardway406]

My parents were traveling with us last winter and wanted to come up to the property to help for a few weeks. They may eventually build a small summer cabin in our valley for extended stays, but I have a brother in Alabama and Arizona, so they travel between all of us quite regularly with their RV.

[@timothyrussell4010]

etter than kubota bigger more powerful and with hydralics kubota doent not like this good buy for a first tractor whatn state is yall in beautiful country

[@thehardway406]

Thanks! Our land is located in North Idaho. I thought about a tractor, but they are just not built the same as construction equipment and I really don’t have a use for a 3-point hitch.

[@jeffherring6279]

How much did you pay for it??

[@thehardway406]

@@jeffherring6279 We paid 25k for it. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffherring6279]

@@thehardway406 Thats seems like a pretty decent price. How many hours? Hows it holding up?

[@thehardway406]

@@jeffherring6279 It has 5800 hours on it. It is holding up fairly well, I am working through all the neglected maintenance issues and poorly done repairs. Overall, I am happy with the machine and would buy it again. The D series caterpillar backhoes are excellent.

[@kjterz]

put tire chains on your list.................

[@thehardway406]

Yes, absolutely! Out here they are a must!

[@scottfoster2487]

She will do a lot of work but you better be a good mechanic because a older high hour machine. She will beat a pick and shovel for sure.

[@thehardway406]

Agreed, I enjoy the troubleshooting process and don’t mind turning wrenches. It is amazing how much work it can do.

[@kenkonstruction6127]

How many hours? Wow 3 hours to drive that distance, must of been alot of uphills

[@thehardway406]

@@kenkonstruction6127 it’s about 15 miles most of which is uphill which meant I was in 2nd gear which had a top speed around 5mph. I also stoped a few times to check on the machine, as this was the hardest I had worked the machine at that point.