[AT] 3 pt backhoe

[Mike]

When I worked at a tractor dealership, I sold a few three point
backhoes. All but one was used for irrigation/drainage ditch and camp
trail maintenance, which doesn't put much strain on the tractor. The big
one went on a larger Ford industrial tractor, and the top was bolted up
solid to the pumpkin with a custom bracket.

I really think, if you are going to dig holes and rocks, that you would
be better off borrowing/renting/buying a regular backhoe/loader. You can
often find older 2WD backhoe/loaders with open stations and worn tires
(and maybe some loose pins/bushings and minor hydraulic leaks) for not
much money. They wouldn't appeal to a contractor, but could probably do
fine for your use. You might want to ask around at equipment dealers -
they might be willing to rent something like that for a few weeks at a
reasonable sum - better than have it sitting around. They might even be
willing to apply your rental payments to the purchase price, should you
decide to buy it. These would have the older "4-lever" style controls,
but some of the "old timers" seem to prefer that to the modern
"joystick" arrangement.

Mike

On 3/4/2013 12:22 PM, Don Bowen wrote:
> On 3/4/2013 10:48 AM, Herb Metz wrote:
>> Yes, it took me double the time (my D-14 vs a bobcat), but I
>> enjoyed doing it because my only cost was gasoline. Herb
>
> That is the issue here.  I am retired, spending my day on my
> projects. If it takes me twice as long no matter because my wages are
> cheap though my wife claims I am expensive to feed.  I also have
> several other holes I would like dug and having a backhoe here for
> several months would take care of those.
>