Can the Harbor Freight Towable Backhoe Dig in Hard Packed Dry Arizona Soil? (Central Machinery)

I use my Harbor Freight (Central Machinery) Stand-Alone Towable Backhoe Trencher to dig post holes nearly 4 feet deep for a railroad tie retaining wall I’m building in my back yard. It’s digging in very hard packed virgin dirt and does an ok job at digging the hole in under 20 minutes. I just want to answer the question as to whether or not the Harbor Freight Backhoe can dig in hard rocky dry dirt as many people question it or believe it doesn’t do well.
#backhoe #harborfreight #excavation #trencher

[@williamcunningham1448]

There is a few mods for these that are worth trying for your usage. Swap your long and short links for the bucket around that makes the bucket teeth out further for deeper digging easier, then there is a post here about making a set of tires and wheels for the digging end that fold up, makes towing better and dont have to keep moving the wheels front to back. I just made a tube that fits over the center tooth of the bucket and at the right angle fits around a 1-7/8 ball to tow it from the bucket end with my zero turn mower ball just move the outriggers all the way in and a good thumb is indespensible but beware of the Mytee one it is not designed very well at all.

[@michaeldlindsey9901]

Who would have thought that my neighbor is a KZbin star! Now I'm going to have to make my yard look nice so it's a good background for you.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Haha! I certainly think “KZbin star” would be a better description for someone else!

[@beardedprepper8606]

The HF Trencher is definitely worth it! You can do almost any kind of job one needs to do. It can't compare to an actual backhoe or excavator. It may work slow, but it WILL get the job done!

[@BartzAJohnsonJr]

I know about that bucking ride when you hit the hard stuff. I’m enjoying mine, but it’s a project I hate. Things might get expensive. The light overall weight is one of the few detriments to this model.

[@stevedaff9774]

I have owned one of these for the last three years and I have gotten a ton of work done with it. For a machine that costs around $3500, it's amazing. It's not fast, and crab walking/towing it are a bit tedious, but it can get the job done. It doesn't have the breakout force (ability to dig through harder surfaces) of a Kubota U17 or Bobcat E20, both of which costs 10 times more. I find that wetting the harder pack dirt the night before, makes it easier to break through the surface with the HF trencher.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

I’ve been doing that. I’ll soak the area the night before and dig through easier when placing a post the next day. Thanks

[@dodgeme1986truck]

Here is another trick add some weights (sand bags work) to the outrigger feet it gives better plunge force (I place 2-500lb rock on the feet of my outriggers while digging frozen glacial till and blue clay)yes I was maxing out the hydraulics... Order extra pivot pins and keep them on hand.

[@GeoBurdo]

Algorithm! This thing is pretty cool. I don't really have a use for it but I could see landscapers using it for garden beds and things

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Possibly trenching for sprinkler systems too. But really. I probably wouldn’t pick this for commercial work.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

But for DIY stuff it’s unbeatable.

[@johncoleman1935]

Seems ok for what it is and the job.

[@MysticSpank]

good video. not sped up footage or a bunch of fluff, straightforward narration

[@playbacktri]

Had no clue harbor freight made a little backhoe like this!

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Yup! Online only though. Shipped to your house or store.

[@jimmywarren6685]

I was thinking about one of these rather than buying the backhoe attachment when I buy my subcompact frontloader tractor. I think I will get the attachment for the additional $5K...this Harbor Freight backhoe is just too SLOW and too WEAK for me to spend my money on.

[@beardedprepper8606]

Is your bucket curl to break up and dig through the hard stuff! The bucket curl cylinder is stronger than the arm cylinder.

[@embededfabrication4482]

We have cement like caliche as soon as you get 2 feet down

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Your probably could see that in my video. It’s not cement like though. Definitely really hard however.

[@ezrc9294]

1. This is not for you. Trust me.. You will do more work , back breaking work and heavy lifting just to set up the equipment for each use. Equipment makes our life easier, not this one - prepare for back break. For each use - you must lift at least 200 lbs of equipment 2x a day, remove and reattach clips, use jacks, stands, remove tires, translocate tires all while breathing in carbon monoxide close to the engine. 2. Its like saying .. I have a nice car but to drive it you will have to replace tires every day and haul parts like a heavy door and switch doors , then carry the heavey door up a hill. 3. I can not stand when people have great products and ruin it , because of a stupid design. 4. They designed this to be completely without use. It stays in one location, you can not tow it, you move - you will dig up your yard, and all they had to do was put a trailer jack on there - but too cheap. 5. To set it up you need three people, and heavy lifting. 6. I do lots of work, and equipment is a life safer. 7. This product is like this: Imagine selling a zero turn mower, and saying - well you have to remove the back wheels and put on the front, and remove the lid , re=arrange and then carry heavy parts to the garage - just to use daily .

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Are you moving it daily? It’s not designed for commercial use, if that was your intention. I use it weekly on different projects on my property and don’t spend any time getting it ready to go except for greasing it every 4 hours or so.

[@ezrc9294]

@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects 1) towing it to any location in the yard is terrible 2) I am exhausted after lifting and changeing the tires, and legs - its insane 3) it digs up my yard when I move. I have never had equipment with so much nonsense