Backhoe Input Please! "Constructive" Positives and Negatives

Dave,
I think you are on that right track with the Kubota TLBs. I know JD made a compact TLB 5-10 years ago, but I don't think they currently have any thing like that in their line up.
If it would t be too big, I think you can find a quality used Case or JD backhoe at a decent price. As most excavating contractors have moved to a excavator/ CTL combo, backhoes don't seem to hold their value as much as they used to.

Will

 

My 270a is underpowered for my tasks.
#1 problem is digging out stumps. I have to dig out at least 3 sides before I’m able to grab it with my thumb and pull it out.
Horsepower is your friend.


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The Kubota B26 is almost as expensive as an L47. Depending on your needs you could also get a tractor and put a back hoe on it. A TLB is construction grade and will have a stronger loader and back hoe than what a compact tractor would.

 

I dont own a backhoe but I do live in New Hampshire...my bit of advise to you would be to go a bit bigger than you think you need. Theres a reason they call us the Granite State...I promise you, once you start digging you'll find lots of rocks, big and small, in your way!

I considered getting a backhoe for my little tractor but decided when Im ready for one I'll go much bigger, something like a Case 580 or bigger. Used they can be had for reasonable prices...heres just a quick example what Im thinking when Im ready:

Case 680H Backhoe

Ideally a tractor and mini-excavator combo would be best...but mini-excavators are very expensive, older loader/backhoes seem to be much more reasonably priced.

 

L47 is a heck of a machine. Here's a nice review of the B26, L47 and M62 TLB's from my local dealership.

 

That Case is a lot of machine for the money. I can't believe it has 4 in 1 bucket and extend a hoe. Even if a machine like that is about worn out, it would last forever for a home owner that would use it 50 hours year.

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Thx for posting that video mike bayerl


That L47 is indeed one fine machine.


I really like the creep function, as well as not dismounting to switch between loader and backhoe.

 

Hard to beat the older triple nickel Ford/New Holland backhoes. They made them forever, so finding a used one shouldn't be too hard, parts should be easy to find and they are a nice size overall.

 

TractorData.com Ford 555 backhoe-loader tractor information

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2X on this regarding rocks. I watch the YouTube videos of people digging and dozing without a rock in sight, and all I can do is sigh.

 

We have an older Ford 455C that's worked well, and wasn't too expensive to buy. It's been very reliable, and hasn't needed much maintenance, but in fairness it spends a lot of time in the barn sitting.

At least to me, the big thing is to figure out what your limiting use case is, in terms of tonnage/horsepower, and then try to balance that against your budget/storage/maintenance constraints. Nobody ever regretted having horsepower My concern with the add on ones, versus a proper backhoe, is that they don't have enough guts to really go after stumps. The small boom may also be a concern, but unless you're digging out foundations or loading a dump truck I think that just means you need to get closer to what you're working on, and go a bit slower. It still beats shoveling!

Also, I would go back and sharpen your pencil a bit. A new L47 (one step up from the B26 in the Kubota lineup) is a $50k machine, and you can get nice used backhoes for around 15-20k, depending on where you are. Large TLBs, as far as I can tell, are all pretty new, as the older ones are mostly hobbyist set-ups that can't compete with a "real" backhoe.

Anyways, without knowing more about your constraints, it's hard to say.