How to Buy a Backhoe for a Tractor

[@sreihart]

One thing that I learned when I got my tractor and later wanted a backhoe - If you use 3-pt attachments and you have the sub-frame type backhoe, you will have to remove your 3-point links every time you take the backhoe off so you can run 3-pt attachments. It's a pain in the butt, so I try to arrange my jobs so there isn't a lot of switching between the two. Usually, throughout the winter I let the backhoe on, but come summer I need to till the garden and brush hog pastures. And of course you have those times that you don't have a choice but you need the backhoe and have to switch. Something to think about before you take the plunge. Would I still get a backhoe after all that? Yes, I would. I use the backhoe a good bit, especially like Mike said, if you need to lift a log it comes in handy. I did put the mechanical thumb on mine though, not the hydraulic. You can position the thumb in several positions by pulling out a pin, moving the thumb and replacing the pin. Not a big deal. 10/24/19 - I should also mention, the more you do it the easier it becomes. I'm a 65 yo woman who stands 4' 11", with bad arthritis, and if I can do it, anyone can. It just takes a little bit more time than switching from one 3-pt attachment to another.

[@DIYMyWay]

Thanks, Mike! Great advice and information! When I bought my Kubota L3901, I researched backhoe options and quickly came to the conclusion that the factory BH77 backhoe with subframe was the way to go. I had heard that 3-point backhoes could break a tractor in half - very believable given that my backhoe weighs 850 lbs. Thanks again!

[@profdave2861]

Great video with excellent recommendations, Mike, but I beg to differ on the comment that it’s easier to mount a 3 point hoe than a sub-frame hoe. I can’t speak for all brands but having spent an intensive 6 months shopping for a compact tractor, I can say with reasonable assurance that both the Deere 2 & 3 “R” series tractors, as well as the Kubota Bxx50 and Lxx60 tractors, have excellent backhoe mounting systems. I eventually chose the Kubota L4060 with the BH92 backhoe, and I can have the backhoe off or on in under 5 minutes. (As we all know, it can take that long to mount a brush hog on a bad day!) One of the other comments suggested that if you take the pressure off the stabilizers, it makes it easier to re-connect the hydraulic lines to the tractor. That’s true but I’d add another tip to that.... once the hoe is off, connect the male and female hoe hydraulic lines together. Not only does that keep the connections clean, but when you separate them, it releases any pressure that may have been built up (typically due to an ambient temperature increase). Since I started doing this, I have never had any issue connecting the lines to the tractor when re-mounting the hoe. Thanks again for the great videos and I hope these tips help others!

[@jerrygilliam7349]

Good vid Mike. I bought a backhoe with the LS XR4145HC I bought last December. It has a subframe.that locks into the Loader frame and uses the tractor hydraulics via remote connection. To your point about the backhoe breaking the tractor, I saw a number of videos talking about the leveraged forces exherted while digging being another cause for breakage, since most tractors aren't designed to handle such tortional loads. To your point about a pto driven pump vs using the tractor hydraulics, I'd like to see a more in depth video on this aspect, pros and cons of each. Overall, I've been satisfied with my setup. It's been a great tool for ditching and stump removal. I'm learning to be patient since it is slower and not as strong as an excavator of similar size. But the backhoe was only 15% of the cost of an excavator, and is easier to store and maintain. Thanks again for all your great vids!!!

[@rp1645]

I remember the mounting system CASE used on there earlier 580-CK poor hook up. It came loose. No matter what I did it would NOT tighten We even had a belly blade on an older model Case. The water Utility had got them way before I was hired. Their newest backhoe was a 480 with the old 580 design boom and Dipper on top of boom frame. It had two controls for the front bucket. The other crew got the newer 480 for all the new water installation. I had to use this old 580-CK to dig up what is called back to stock service. The major Airport that was in the middle of the service area. The Airport bought up all the land south of runways to make a clear Zone. Cut down on noise complaining. Plus resell the property for big tilt up storage building. Make all the area business instead of family homes. Anyway a lot of the homes were burned for FD to practice Burns for training. And a big house moving company would save the house that could be moved. I had to go in front of the property and try and find a meter and dig it up.( Save the meter) Then we dug down where we thought the connection to the main water line was. Shut off corporate Stop. And cut/ discount the service to the meter. That loss backhoe frame, was really hard to do fine digging to not rip the service off the main water line. Believe it or not the big company that installed the 12 inch ( ASBESTOS water line) yes there was a time JM made AC water mains The service connection was tapped directly into the AC pipe. They used no saddle around 12" Bought a lot of JM 6" for side sewer jobs I did before the water Utility Job got later. All the Union "A" list guys were coming back from The Alaska pipeline job. So it was hard getting work through Union after all the "A" listers came home. So I went to work for water Utility. I stayed there for many years. When I left they finally got a new Case 580-E.

[@wcb3a]

I bought a 3 point hitch backhoe from Alibaba for less than 1/2 the price of one in the states. Does a great job and is easy to get on and off.

[@geremychubbuck3730]

This summer, I managed to break my backhoe sub-frame on my 2017 Kioti CK3510. I was doing a lot of work on a long gravel road (over 5 miles long) and by the end of the summer, two major cracks had developed on the sub-frame and folded down allowing the backhoe to drop and drag behind the tractor. It was scary and ugly. Since it was out of the 1 year warranty by a few months, Kioti basically didn't warranty it (still fighting with them). $2K later, it was repaired with sub-frame internal sleeves and external plating. I also then looked at a few tractors that my friends have and theirs all had top links connecting the backhoe as well, so I had two ears welded onto the backhoe and now the top link helps hold it as well. By doing this, it eliminated the bounce. This made a big, big difference. Mike is right - be very careful of bouncing these as it stresses the heck out of the sub-frame because the backhoe is canterlevered. The top link addition will really help. (I am really happy with the Kioti BTW, just wish that they would have come good for the weak frame - the dealer told me that it is a known issue). Your mileage may very, but that's my experience.

[@daryncashmark6518]

Geremy Chubbuck I am probably asking a stupid question, but was it the sub-frame of the back-hoe that broke, or the tractor?

[@semco72057]

That is very important information to remember when getting a backhoe, but I didn't get one for my 3032E tractor as it was too expensive and the tractor and front loader was high enough. If I decided to buy one I would have to go back to the dealer where I got my tractor and bucket from to make sure that everything worked together perfectly since I saw a tractor with a backhoe on it and the tractor was broken in half and the equipment was used at a cemetery.

[@jacquesgrillon5185]

I have a KUBOTA MK5000 with backoe ENOROSSI EBM 250 and I am very glad of this material .

[@tominsc9909]

I set my backhoe down on cinder blocks and remove the pressure from all cylinders before disconnecting the hydraulic lines and dont have problems reconnecting the lines.

[@3110luigi]

I learned that the hard way.

[@5critters]

Mike, when you're talking about getting a subframe mount for smaller tractors, where is the cutoff point for that? I.e. how small is small.

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Nice Mahindra backhoe😁👍. Good video Mike.

[@AutumnOaksFarm]

Thanks Mike great timing as I have been considering a Backhoe.

[@gckshea]

Thank you, Mike! Great presentation and you hit the points I was hoping to hear! Blessings!

[@MLJenkins]

I got a BH92 with my Kubota L6060HSTC. The subframe is a pain to deal with because you have to be careful with the three point not catching on it and it’s difficult to work in between. If the three point could stay attached with the subframe on that would be extremely awesome. I have not had any issues getting it on and off. I hook the hoses on the backhoe together and I have never had a pressure issue getting it back on (also obviously relieve pressure on the tractor side by cycling all loader functions). I’m on the line if the investment was worth it, but I have probably done enough work myself to at least pay for half of it if I had to pay someone else.

[@hornett22]

Give me a frame mount any day! Love that Mahindra! Mine's been amazing!

[@larrymoore6640]

Like always a good informative video. Thanks Mike

[@harryv9397]

My backhoe for the CK2510 takes me 5 mins to mount up on the tractor, less to take it off. It's a subframe setup and I don't have to take off the 3 point arms. That would be a pain! ;) Pressure on the lines? Easy fix.....when I've pulled my backhoe , I'll turn off my tractor. BEFORE I disconnect the lines I cycle all the hydraulics on the backhoe and NO pressure when hooking hydraulics again.

[@erkme73]

You say the larger tractors should be fine with the 3ph version. can you qualify 'larger'? Is a 55HP considered larger? My Mahindra CL2555 came with a 3PH Woods backhoe. It's in rough shape (rode hard and put away wet) and it's old (circa 1989). I'm always ginger on the sticks because I don't want to damage my tractor.

[@royfernandes7081]

Thank you Mike Goa

[@velodaman]

How about a video about the PTO pump you mentioned? I'd be interested in the attachments which could be used with the PTO pump. I don't have remote hydraulics, so the PTO pump sounds attractive.

[@_P0tat07_]

I’m trying to convince my boss to get a backhoe attachment for the tractor at work. Originally he was going to go with it but then he says that even the subframe mounted backhoes will beat the shit of the tractor. Is that true? Or does a subframe completely eliminate the stress from tractor frame? We could really use a backhoe and our actual backhoe is basically dead. Should I continue to convince him to get a subframe mounted backhoe? Thanks Mike.

[@wadesgaston3730]

Mike, I have a used compact tractor and the front bucket is not level. I have noticed when I am changing from the bucket to the fork attachment that the cylinders are not moving together. One is forward of the other. Is there any way to repair it?

[@aaronneves9684]

Hi Mike I have a Kubota L 2650 in three three point hitch doesn’t work what should I do to fix it it doesn’t go up right now

[@KrustyQuad]

Who 1626? That's a great tractor ya got there

[@sofakinggood5829]

Cool thanks

[@badfishie67]

new to tractors and just got a ford 3000. Is this small or midrange? What backhoe attachment would you recommend?

[@TractorMike]

A 3000 is considered a mid-range utility tractor and I would be comfortable with a three point backhoe on a tractor that size. I don't recommend specific brands, there are lots of good aftermarket backhoe available.

[@badfishie67]

@@TractorMike thanks. Thats all i was looking for

[@johnweiser170]

Going red mike?

[@allenhenry1113]

Yanmar makes there own

[@TriggerTravels]

Rent a mini ex... Tractor backhoes suck!