How good are backhoe attachments?

[245dlc]

Pretty neat pictures, I have seen some guys do similar jobs with a mini by removing the canopy or cab. How is it moving the machine from one part of the job to the other?

[Bumpsteer]

Not bad to move, just have to remember the attachment makes the machine front heavy. It'll bounce & the stablizer pads will dig in, usually just making a mess.

Ed

[245dlc]

Can you back up to continue a trench simply by raising the outriggers and pushing back with the backhoe? I remember years ago when I was a kid seeing a guy with a Ditchwitch do that.

[Karl Robbers]

biggest issue i see is finding bh mounts for your skid steer that will safely connect to the bobcat backhoe.

do not use a backhoe atachment on a skid steer without the proper mounts.


older bobcat BH attachments have a safety shutoff valve that wont let the hyd operate if it's not prpoerly connected to the machine. they also have a sfety chain that wraps around the bobtach to insure the attachment cant come off the machine while working.

Well spotted, I realise that the bobcat uses the universal attachment plate, (toyota use their own connector), plus the two extra connections each side onto the frame.
The ace up my sleeve is that I am a qualified boilermaker welder and will modify as and where required to achieve a secure fitment. Ideally I will make the attachment able to utilise both the universal and toyota style mounts.
I would imagine that the backhoe attachments would put some hefty loads on the frame at times as their digging forces seem to spec really well.

[Steve Frazier]

I've got a Bradco 611 for my Cat 248 and it digs every bit as good as the John Deere 410 I had. It is inconvenient to climb in and out of the cab, plus I sit out in the weather, but I couldn't justify the cost of a dedicated trenching machine. It did bring me work that I couldn't otherwise have done. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Bumpsteer]

Can you back up to continue a trench simply by raising the outriggers and pushing back with the backhoe? I remember years ago when I was a kid seeing a guy with a Ditchwitch do that.

No, not with my machine. The parking brake has to be locked, if not the hoe will drag you towards your work. Also, hydraulic drive machines don't like to be pushed/pulled.

Ed

[pafarmer]

I would classify an attachment backhoe on any skid steer as a huge waste of money IMHO.........You can get a really nice and much more useful mini ex. for the same dollars spent...No one wants them and once you do buy one and figure out that what I am saying is true, you couldn't give the darn thing away. I have one sitting in my storage building for the last two years and find it to have been, one of my worse purchases ever.

[cdm123]

I have a 911 bobcat hoe that i used on a 825 bobcat for years.I was a litle heavey for that size skisteer but a very good diger, to move i just turned the seat and pushed the stearing levers.It is still siting in the yard but now that i have an ex i never use it but it was a very capable tool.