Buying a backhoe...

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MrMoMo

MrMoMo

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OK folks, looking for pointers here.

I've just bought some land, and we plan on building there over the next few years. The deal I made with my wife, she can do whatever she wants for the house (within reason) I get a shop and a backhoe to build it all... (currently would need to use it to build a 350ft+ driveway, excavate 40x40 shop, 40x60 basement/foundation, septic field, landscaping etc...)

Now...

From what I have seen there are a TON of CASE 580's out there. You seem to be able to pick a decent one up for between 10-15K. I have also found a nice JCB 1400B. I've also seen a few nice CAT's and Ford/New Holland's. I have heard some dont like JCB, but don't really know why. I'm currently most interested in the JCB as it is pretty close by, and it's in Canada (I'm in Ontario) - most of the decent machines I have been finding are in the US - which I don't mind - but I'd much rather not have to go through the work of shipping and importing one if I don't have to. (though a nice Texas or California air conditioned unit would be nice!)

I have never owned or operated a backhoe, but I've always wanted one - and this is the best excuse I'll ever have to get one.

Where should I start? What should I be looking for?

Absolutely must haves;
Diesel
Enclosed cab

Would like but don't have to;
4WD

Seem to be finding I can afford;
around 7000 hrs, or 15 to 20 yrs old...


What advice can you folk give? what should I stay away from? what should I look for? Where are all the good deals!?!?!

Thanks!
 
Get a Case or Cat. Better parts and service. They are everywhere. I would get a 4wheel drive if you get a lot of snow. You might as well make a little money removing snow when you are finished with the house. Get an oil sample from the machines you are interested in. Have them analyzed. It will tell you what could go wrong in the future.
 
You NEED four wheel drive. I use a lot of subs in my landscaping business and 4WD makes everything so much easier.

Now that I think of it I don't really remember seeing one that was NOT 4WD around here.
 
As far as a homeowner machine I would suggest going with a Case. Cats are nice but will cost you more.
Four wheel drive is a major positive if you can afford it.
For general small time clearing, trenching, and even your septic system depending on type and size you can get away with a backhoe. I would not however suggest digging a basement at all. Way over your head for a backhoe, just not the right tool for the job. You'll be way ahead of the game to hire a guy to come in with an excavator.

Digging footings for a shop , no problem.
 
Thanks Guys - I have noticed quite an abundance of Case units... but most of them 2WD - I really would love 4WD, but unless I happen upon a great deal on one - I don't know if it would be in the cards.

As for the digging a basement - the land is not all that deep - a friend lives up the road and is only 3' to the bedrock. (I'm not digging the rock out!!) So most of the basement would be backfill.

Painfully slow! - I'm of the mindset that this is going to be so much fun I'll want to quit my day job and run the thing all day!! - honestly - I love operating hydraulic equipment!! (forklift, marina trailer, hoist... hell, even trimming stern-drives up & down!!!)

A friend just e-mailed me a link to an auction going on this weekend with a Case 580 - sucks that I'm not around this weekend cuz I'm off wheeling!!! (DOH!)

How much of a killer is the 4WD? I obviously would love to have it, but is it going to limit the operation drastically?
 
I just bought a case 580 about six months ago for much of the same reasons that you are mentioning. My next door neighbor has a a grading business and he told me not to even consider buying anything that was not 4wd. I listened to him and am glad i did. 4wd is the only way to go. In 2wd backing up with a full bucket it just spins unless you lock it in. I leave mine in 4wd never take it out unless i drive it down the pavement. Another reason to get 4wd is resale, if you ever deside to sell that alone will make it worth it to someone.

BTW i love my hoe and wish i had it years ago!!

Good luck whatever you deside to do
 
I would find a local shop that repairs heavy equipment. When you find a piece that you want to buy, have them look it over. The last thing you want to do is to spend $15k on a backhoe, and then realize that the cylinders need to be repacked, the tranny is shot, and the oil analysis comes back bad. I just dumped $8k into my crawler loader over the past 2 years...but I got it for free, so that isn't so hard to swallow.

A 2wd backhoe has it's limits. I have an old david brown tractor with a loader backhoe attachment. Yes, I would love 4wd, but once again, budget didn't meet with wants..only needs. Watch the auctions, and ask around some of the local shops, they might know of a contractor getting out of business and you might be able to find something reasonable.

you get what you pay for.

I would be really hard pressed to not buy a 4wd backhoe.
bk
 
So tell us about the property you just bought. Is it all steep hills? If so, I would avoid a dedicated Backhoe. They are top heavy and can tip over when used improperly on a slope.

What are your plans for it after the house and shop are built?

I would lean towards a tractor that will take a Backhoe atttachment. When you are done hoe'ing, you will still have a functional tractor that can be used for mowing, pulling trailers, etc.

I see alot of Backhoes around that the owner bought to do a job since it was cheaper than hiring it done. The job is done and now the backhoe just sits. To big to do 90% of the jobs that need done around the yard, too small to attract any commercial intrerest in reselling it.


Just thoughts for ya.
 
If I ever get a tractor it will be 4 wheel drive, diesel, USA or Japan made. The first time you get stuck with your tractor, you'll wish you got a 4 wheel drive.
 
I want a bulldozer for my next birthday...!

that is all! :D
 
e9999 said:
I want a bulldozer for my next birthday...!

that is all! :D
Click to expand...

Ask your wife for one of these new T models. I ran this one for a few months and can vouch it is a very nice tractor indeed. Even has a neat computer to tell you your vitals. You should pick one up.;)

DSCN1292-vi.jpg

DSCN1122-vi.jpg
 
D'Animal said:
So tell us about the property you just bought.
Click to expand...
See pics attached... (lot is about 750' deep on the south end, 450 on the north end, and about 750' along the road) In the photo, it goes from the road, back to the tree line, north past the hydro tower (and another) and further south almost as far as it goes north - I would guess that the tree line at the back of the photo, represents about 500 of the 750' at the back. On the lot plan, the lot lines are yellow (it's 3 parts, but one lot) the black is the "plan" at this point where we would like to put our buildings (40x40 shop and whatever the house is - I got my priority straight!!)

D'Animal said:
Is it all steep hills? If so, I would avoid a dedicated Backhoe. They are top heavy and can tip over when used improperly on a slope.
Click to expand...
Ahh, yes I can see that being an issue - however, this is about dead flat.... I'd say there might be a 5' elevation change over 9 acres... and it's pretty gradual. I wouldn't hesitate to drive a double decker buss across the hill sideways, with passengers only loaded on the 2nd level... yeah.. pretty flat!

D'Animal said:
What are your plans for it after the house and shop are built?
Click to expand...
Play! Seriously though... I'd love to be able to make a little money on the side... I love operating equipment, and if I could make a couple hundred bucks a month, I'd be happy. I'd also like to get a few small snow clearing jobs for the winter. If I can get enough of those kinds of jobs, I can quit my real job and work on cruisers the rest of the time!!

D'Animal said:
I see alot of Backhoes around that the owner bought to do a job since it was cheaper than hiring it done. The job is done and now the backhoe just sits.
Click to expand...
CALL ME NEXT TIME YOU SEE ONE!!!! If'n I got a hoe, I'm gonna work her!!
lot_shot.webp
lot_plan.webp
 
If you're going to get a backhoe, make sure that it's one that was designed as a backhoe and not a tractor that has the attachements. The ones I have used in the past (Kubota) are a PITA to go from front loader mode to backhoe mode (not enough room betwen the rear wheels to flip around easily).

I'm with everybody else on the 4WD.

I haven't used larger backhoes myself, but my father (an experienced backhoe operator) has always been a fan of Case. You can always look at trader.ca heavy equipement section or Kijiji.
 
I've been running CAT equipment the last few months and really like the control. Very simple. 1 joystick for the bucket and 2 joysticks for all controls of the hoe.

4wd is a definite plus and if you have the choice, the clamshell for the front bucket is pretty handy. It allows you to use the bucket like a bulldozer blade and it makes cleaning up the last little bit of a pile a lot easier.
 
Weedhopper said:
You NEED four wheel drive. I use a lot of subs in my landscaping business and 4WD makes everything so much easier.

Now that I think of it I don't really remember seeing one that was NOT 4WD around here.
Click to expand...

2x on 4 wheel drive. Nothing worse than digging a basment and not being able to climb out of the hole with a full bucket. I had a 2 wheel drive 580 and that was my biggest complaint.

Kevin
 
I have a 2wd case 380 and generally do Ok with it in my application. However, I live in an area of so cal with very little rain and there are not that many hills near me. I agree with D'animal that there is a great deal of uses for a tractor on a lot like yours besides using the BH. Maybe just a unit with an attachment that can later take a box, disc, etc, might be a good choice. See mytractorforum.com for some very knowledgeable people on tractors, land, etc.
 
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