Any recommendations on 3 pt backhoe?

Dave H (MI) · Mar 24, 2015

I have a little Ford 1520 that I use a lot inside buildings and in tight spaces where a smaller tractor is needed. Going to be in the 18-20 HP range. Has a loader and 3 pt. Back around 1990 when it was new Ford had a 757B backhoe for it but I did not have a need. Anyone have a small backhoe attachment they like in that power range? Needs to be fairly easy to take on and off or I will never bother with it. Don't really want to buy another tractor just to run a backhoe. Only digging things like trenches and ditches, maybe rooting out a bush now and again. Not digging any basements or ponds or big stuff...I hire that out.

Fawteen · Mar 24, 2015

I have a Woods 650 that I use on my John Deere 750 tractor. It's done everything I've ever asked of it, and some things I shouldn't have.

On and off is pretty quick once you get the hang of it. I set mine on a 6x6 setting on top of a couple car rims. Puts it at just the right height I can back into it, put the PTO pump on and then use the hoe hydraulics to get everything lined up.

Off in 5 minutes, on is a bit longer, but not much.

DO get one with it's own PTO pump. Don't try to run it off tractor hydraulics. Not fast enough and puts a lot of heat in the oil.

You'll get a lot of folks that swear they're man-killers and will break your tractor in half, but I've had mine for 20 years and me and the tractor both are just fine, thanks.

paul · Mar 24, 2015

Easy on and off is going to be difficult - they need to pin up solid to the tractor so the top link is special, bolted solid to the hoe, can always be a challenge to mount up. And no quick hitch allowed.....

Small tractors and a big backhoe can be trouble, the mechanics of the hoe put a great deal of pressure and force in the very middle of a tractor, as you force the hoe down, there is a lot of pressure on the bolts and cast iron where the engine meets the transmission. (Think teeter totter). Some manufacturers make a special frame to brace up some tractors. You will be ok with a smaller hoe, but if you want to dig to China or are a stressful, full throttle type of person, something to be aware of on a small frameless tractor.

Lot of manufacturers out there. A three point won't ever set any digging records, but sure beats a shovel.

Paul

Mike M · Mar 24, 2015

I have also ran the Woods 650 under the Woods name and cub cadet name. They are pretty powerful for a little hoe. I had the 3 pt. model on a Kubota and do see where there could be trouble down the road where it mounted. The Cub Cadet one was on a sub frame. It stuck out farther but seemed like it was a stronger mount.

VaTom · Mar 24, 2015

I've got a small Ford hoe, 7' digging depth. Not 3 pt, a rigid undermount is better. They came both ways. Power is fine, but my compact's 5 gpm hydraulic pump is too small, makes the hoe slow. Real annoying to keep the engine at PTO speed and only get slow hoe speed.

When I bought mine slightly used, I didn't know any better. Should have spent a little more and bought a full-size TLB. If you're trenching in soft dirt, you'll do OK. Clay or tree roots are a problem. I've used mine for landscape, even then a little small.

I've kept mine, but wouldn't buy another. Takes me 15 minutes to attach if I didn't have anything on the back of the tractor. If your gpm is low, look into a PTO hydraulic pump, and compare that output to recommended gpm for the hoe.

If you were closer I'd offer you my hoe, and buy something larger. Most certainly beats a shovel.

Dave H (MI) · Mar 24, 2015

I see I have 2 Woods dealers about 20 miles north of here. I have to go up that way to pick up my sprayer controller at the IH dealer. I'll try to catch them open and see what I think of it. One is a NH dealership. They should be able to tell me what will work.

Dennis Andres · Mar 24, 2015

A friend put a 3pt hoe on a 674 ih. With no down hydraulics on the lift arms when you tried to dig down it would raise the lift. He had to fasten the drawbar to the lift arms to make it work.

stevob671 · Mar 24, 2015

Brother in law has Woods 650 with pto pump. It mounts easily on my 671, smaller tractor takes a bit more time as the lift arms are usually shorter. We hook up pump first, then use the built in outriggers to line things all up. Also store it on it's own outriggers and bucket when off but do throw blocks under just in case someone grabs a valve.

JayinNY · Mar 24, 2015

My dad has a woods groundbreaker on his 1520, it works well and he likes it, not to bad to put it on/off make sure you get a backhoe with a sub frame that goes under the tractor do you don't stress the tractor and break it in half.

showcrop · Mar 25, 2015

I agree with the Woods, and the PTO pump. And as others have said be sure that it ties into the tractor's mid point as opposed to just the 3 Pt.

Mike M · Mar 25, 2015

He NEEDS to install the solid top link kit from whoever the maker of his hoe is as that will prevent that.

Bud Sather in MT · Mar 25, 2015

I bought a selfcontained DR backhoe that I attach to a 650 JD. It is amazing what that little hoe will do. 2 years ago I put in 2 cattle waters with it. Buried the line 5 foot deep. Not fast but I got the job done. I put hydraulic cylinders on the outriggers this past winter. The neighbors also like it for small jobs. Bud

Any recommendations on 3 pt backhoe?

Dave H (MI)

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Fawteen

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paul

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Mike M

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VaTom

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Dave H (MI)

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Dennis Andres

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stevob671

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JayinNY

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showcrop

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Mike M

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Bud Sather in MT

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