Almost pulled the trigger……just could not do it.

[scsmith42]

When you look at more back hoes take a look at the ones with the quick coupler on the front. Mine will lift about 8000 lbs.

+1.  My Cat 420DiT is good for around 8K lbs, and it's been a great machine.  The "D" model is the latest version that you can get w/o the Tier3 or 4 emissions.  The Integrated Toolchanger (ie quick coupler) will lift about 15% more than a non IT machine.

[Tom L]

would it make sense to keep your kubota and put some money in it, keep it as a tractor loader that it is intended to be, then get another machine like a forklift to lift logs and loads.

for moving material you can't beat a forklift. they are made for lifting

a backhoe is made for moving dirt. although they do OK moving material , you can get  better capacity and larger load rate with a forklift

for the price of a new machine I am sure you could pick up a used forklift and keep your other machine in top shape for a lot less money.

and then you will have a backup machine if one needs some work and you have material to handle

[ely]

I will agree that farm equip in no way measures up to industrial equip when you are doing sawmill type work.

[rasman57]

If I can't find what I want, I'll just get one of these.


 

Elephant pooper scooper

[highleadtimber16]

Google 910 K Cat wheel loader. Very good machine. Fuel efficient. Don't have to get out to change bucket. It's nice to sit higher up too. Not sure if it's what you're looking for but all the gravel pits around here either use Cat or John Deere.

[beenthere]

Lots of confusion in this thread as to what a backhoe is (BH), and what a front end loader tractor is (FEL). There is a class for TLB (tractor loader backhoe).  ;)


But I'll try to keep up..  ;D

[Tee]

Hey Poston, Be careful with those acclimated cabs. The one on my trackhoe was a big deciding factor in me getting rid of my mill!

[barbender]

What is that contraption, Poston? A grits server? ;D I use a skid steer around the mill and property, very slick but my second choice would be a TLB ;)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Went to the Cat House today to look at backhoes. WOW!!! Dump trucks as big as houses!
Looked at a few E models and F models that were trade ins. Some with 3,000 hrs and others with 8,000 hrs.
Some repos that somebody had not taken care of and some were repos that were taken care of. The Cat guy said he'd call me when he had others coming in and even bring it to the farm and drop it off for the day. Good service and nice folks.


  

  

  

 

Found a pretty nice Backhoe on the way home....needs a little work.....but while I'm making up my mind.....I'm still looking!


  

 

[sumday]

That last ones just getting broke in good

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

That last ones just getting broke in good

If it had had a cab on it....I'da brought it home.  :D

[Dave Shepard]

A little work with a cutting torch and that last one would go No. 1 at the scrapyard. :D

[ET]

What year is your 555C?  My 555B is a 1988 and has a set of CTI forks and has been able to pick up any log Ive tried. The backhoe is a little loose at the main connections and the main hydraulic cylinder has a leaky seal. But overall it runs and starts ok,  and not too bad on fuel. Just had to put 2 new front tires on recently. Being a 4X4 they were pricey.  Is the "C" larger or smaller than the B?

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

ET, mine is a 94....bought from the railroad.  :D Its getting ready to derail.  ;D

[ET]

Wow, Id better count my blessings then. Sure hope mine lasts 10 more years.

[yukon cornelius]

for a minute I thought you had came and took a pic of my hoe. then I realized that last pic is still nicer than mine!  :D not really but close. I had a ford jubilee with a Sherman hoe on the back. now I have a ratty old 460 ih with a hoe. it aint pretty but it does what I need right now!

[redbeard]

 

  Since your on the hunt JCB has really good vision on the loader. Older models are indestructible. Tough machines.

[ozarkgem]

looks like a Swiss Army Backhoe.

[thecfarm]

 :D

[Contractor1]

I have at 420 it cat backhoe that I would hate to do without. I have the bucket, forks, and a root rake. Very tough machine and the convience of changing implements from the seat. I have another 8 cat backhoes in the fleet at the company. I also own a kubota 56 hp tractor. I use it to mow and run a pole auger. Both are good machines for what they are designed for. Be careful if you are buying a cat backhoe that has over 5000 hrs on it. We are usually changing them out about then. Contractors can be pretty hard on equipment.

[mikeb1079]

david, will you elaborate on what tasks you use your loader backhoe for?  it will help us tell you how to spend your money better   :D :D 8)

also i'm jealous   

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

With all respect Mike.....I'm the only one who knows how to spend my money. (I know you were kidding) :D :D :D

I use the Backhoe bucket on the back for pulling slabs into a neater pile to be able to pick up more with the forks. I use it for digging holes to bury dead animals etc., drain ditches etc.
The 4-1 bucket on the front is used for loading mulch, scraping roads, grabbing small firewood logs, standing in it to saw limbs off trees, loading sawdust and all kind of stuff.

The forks that attach to the front bucket is used for lifting logs and bundles of lumber. Also for fertilizer pallets.
I have a hole in one fork for a 2 inch ball. I can move trailers around the yard.

Yep....my money will be spent on a backhoe. 
Everybody needs a backhoe.

[barbender]

Do you have a lot of dead animals?

[Peter Drouin]

Do you have a lot of dead animals?

:D :D :D :D They see the old goat and have a heart attack  :D :D :D

[Ianab]

Do you have a lot of dead animals?

Having just one dead horse laying in your driveway will convince you that you need a backhoe  :-\