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Posted: 11/15/2022 10:55:34 PM EDT
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/mixers-compactors-backhoe/backhoe/9-hp-towable-backhoe-62365.html

What does GD think? Yeah it's chinesium but I'm so fucking tired of digging holes by hand



Harbor freight backhoe! Pulling stumps ends in Disaster!!! Ugh!
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 10:57:08 PM EDT
[#1]
I love how it's poorly photoshopped and levitating over the ground.    Seems like a great tool for amateur DIYers to locate gas mains.
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 10:57:30 PM EDT
[#2]
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:02:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:31:49 PM EDT
[#4]
I have towable backhoe, a jansen mb-300, not the harbor freight model.

It has 2 control sticks instead of 4 for the HF model.  Hydraulics are faster as well.

I've used it to run electrical and water lines around the farm, dug footings for a house addition, buried a couple animals, made a shed pad, stuff like that.

It needs more weight and can struggle in extremely hard ground.  It will tear up the ground near your trench, because of the claw like front legs digging in as you dig the trench.

I paid $2700 for the one I have.  I feel like I have gotten good use out of it.  I am running out of reasons to keep it.  I may dig footings for a garage project next spring and then sell it.  I would imagine I will get close to what I paid for it.  They are selling for $4700 new.
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:32:50 PM EDT
[#5]
Seems like it would be horribly underpowered and underweight to do any serious work.  You'd be better off renting a small trackhoe.
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:33:57 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted: I'm so fucking tired of digging holes by hand
View Quote


you’re not digging holes with that
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:38:06 PM EDT
[#7]
You can rent an excavator 8 weekends, or a trencher 20 times, and still be ahead.  

That's a whole bunch of regret right there.

Now a pics of your backhoe thread.

Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:39:57 PM EDT
[#8]
Just rent a mini excavator in a 4 hour block from your local rental place or hardware. Probably cost $150 for a 4 hour rental with a trailer. Our local Amish store (ironic) rents Bobcat E42s for that rate and can’t Keep them in stock.

Those units don’t dig in anything beside Sandy ground and you’re only scooping a couple buckets before moving again.
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:41:42 PM EDT
[#9]
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:47:53 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Just rent a mini excavator in a 4 hour block from your local rental place or hardware. Probably cost $150 for a 4 hour rental with a trailer. Our local Amish store (ironic) rents Bobcat E42s for that rate and can’t Keep them in stock.

Those units don’t dig in anything beside Sandy ground and you’re only scooping a couple buckets before moving again.
View Quote



A mini ex rental is more than double that in my area.
Link Posted: 11/15/2022 11:56:49 PM EDT
[#11]
The fuck is that guy doing with the chainsaw dancing around like that? And with no ear or eye pro in shorts?

I wouldn't listen to anything thing those guys said working like that.

And I bet that backhoe is complete junk.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:05:35 AM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I love how it's poorly photoshopped and levitating over the ground.    Seems like a great tool for amateur DIYers to locate gas mains.
View Quote



This, and fiber optic lines.

Plus flip it over on top of themselves.

Harbor Freight gonna get sued and recall those for sure.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:09:05 AM EDT
[#13]
Looks like a piece of shit.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:13:37 AM EDT
[#14]
For less than twice that you can get a used Case.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:17:19 AM EDT
[#15]
Attachment Attached File
Remind me of one of these.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:21:15 AM EDT
[#16]
I have a 1963 Ford backhoe, I got it for $4500. Digs whatever I want but man it leaks fluid(s)
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:28:56 AM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Holy fuck I was trying to find this pic. My cousin had the same shit for his sandbox. Looks just like the op
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:37:21 AM EDT
[#18]
FIL has a Kubota L3301 with a backhoe and it struggles to do real work. This thing might move sand and that’s it. After messing with 2 Kubota TLBs, I have no interest in owning a stationary backhoe. If I needed one enough to own it, a mini ex is the only answer.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 12:38:18 AM EDT
[#19]
I have one I bought used.  For digging ditches and similar small holes/trenches it's great.  Use it to maintain some trails on our hunting property, maintain drainage ditches and small culverts.  It will not do the same stuff a backhoe will do even on a small tractor.  But for the price I paid it's a great tool. Beats using a shovel.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 1:04:18 AM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
FIL has a Kubota L3301 with a backhoe and it struggles to do real work. This thing might move sand and that’s it. After messing with 2 Kubota TLBs, I have no interest in owning a stationary backhoe. If I needed one enough to own it, a mini ex is the only answer.
View Quote


Backhoes can be pretty damn nice to have too. Yeah the mini ex is the better digger, but sometimes it's really nice to be able to spin around and have a front loader too. My machine is also generally more friendly to turf than a tracked machine.

Couple times I hauled my Kubota TLB to some other properties to help with a project. I could have done the same tasks with a skid steer and a mini ex, but even if I owned both, I wasn't in a position to haul two machines.

I see the "rent a mini ex" line here all the time. But the fact is I do a shitload of little jobs with my backhoe, often spur of the moment, that if I didn't have the backhoe, I wouldn't be renting a mini ex for those jobs either. Either the job just wouldn't get done or I'd end up doing it by hand.

But also, agree with the other posters that say that Harbor Freight thing looks like it's probably not worth it.

ETA: Here I am loaded up to work on a project about two hours away. I can dig with the backhoe, I've got a front bucket for moving dirt and grading, etc.. I've got forks, and I've got a front grapple. Dedicated construction equipment could probably do the job faster, but that's a lot of functionality loaded up there in a single half-ton and a 16' trailer.

Link Posted: 11/16/2022 1:24:14 AM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Just rent a mini excavator in a 4 hour block from your local rental place or hardware. Probably cost $150 for a 4 hour rental with a trailer. Our local Amish store (ironic) rents Bobcat E42s for that rate and can’t Keep them in stock.

Those units don’t dig in anything beside Sandy ground and you’re only scooping a couple buckets before moving again.
View Quote



$400/hr with a min of 4 hours here
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 1:41:06 AM EDT
[#22]
I think I'd lean toward renting the machine I need or paying someone to do the work.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 6:56:37 AM EDT
[#23]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I have a 1963 Ford backhoe, I got it for $4500. Digs whatever I want but man it leaks fluid(s)
View Quote


‘59 Fordson Power Major. No power steering, it’ll make a man out of you.
Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 7:31:11 AM EDT
[#24]
Attachment Attached File


It’s better than a shovel and a wheel barrow! I’ve been running conduits and drainage all over my property. Also, renting is expensive when you are too busy to use for a few days in a row and have many projects, this thing is ready to go. Can sell it no problem when done.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 7:55:49 AM EDT
[#25]
Its a toy or might be handy for covering cat shit.
If you are digging hard clay you will be going for a ride.


Rent a real hoe or save the money and buy a quality compact tractor with hoe.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 7:56:20 AM EDT
[#26]
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 7:57:25 AM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
FIL has a Kubota L3301 with a backhoe and it struggles to do real work. This thing might move sand and that’s it. After messing with 2 Kubota TLBs, I have no interest in owning a stationary backhoe. If I needed one enough to own it, a mini ex is the only answer.
View Quote


Same experience.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:02:28 AM EDT
[#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/501832/B5F9C042-568F-4129-8141-D4E4034BABA3_jpe-2601914.JPG

Also, renting is expensive when you are too busy to use for a few days in a row and have many projects, this thing is ready to go. Can sell it no problem when done.
View Quote




That's exactly what I did.
I cleared brush , graded , several hundred feet of drain, dropped and removed trees then sold it for a grand more than I paid for it.

No way I could rent to do everything in a reasonable time frame and hiring it done was more than buying the tractor.












Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:03:42 AM EDT
[#29]
MADE IN CHINA JUNK.......
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:10:01 AM EDT
[#30]
I have my neighbor's three point hitch backhoe, which looks to be a little heavier built than the Hazard Fraught one you show. Even on my 8'000 lb tractor, it isn't useful on my farm. It might dig in clay or sand, but I have a lot of sandstone, which it just doesn't dig well. It can't dig up a 6 inch stump, even when I left three feet above ground. When I had to dig up water lines looking for a leak recently, we dug by hand.

I don't think that tool looks very useful in the situations you might need it for.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:11:51 AM EDT
[#31]
You can get a 1-ton excavator on Alibaba for a little more.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:13:19 AM EDT
[#32]
I can finally build my defensive trench line
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:17:26 AM EDT
[#33]
I enjoy my little BX23S. It’s as small as I’d want to go for something like this.

Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:19:21 AM EDT
[#34]

Not worth the scrap metal from my experience with a non chinisium one. They are not heavy enough, and even just tough dirt, they raise themselves instead of digging in.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:31:26 AM EDT
[#35]
In some parts of the country, this is called a backhoe. It’s not, but that’s beside the point. Go big or go home.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:38:09 AM EDT
[#36]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I love how it's poorly photoshopped and levitating over the ground.    Seems like a great tool for amateur DIYers to locate gas mains.
View Quote

I thought this too.

Also, am I the only one who thinks the guy in the video thumbnail looks like Lootie?
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:40:13 AM EDT
[#37]


Just added one to my tractor. Didn't cost $3499.

Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:53:20 AM EDT
[#38]
Chinese garbage. You can probably dig faster with a shovel.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 8:53:39 AM EDT
[#39]
That thing wouldn't be able to go deeper that 6-8 inches where I live. Caliche will make you a believer in "More Power".
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:06:38 AM EDT
[#40]
Might be OK for some light duty stuff.
I would plumb a wood splitter on the dipper with a 4 way wedge and go to town on the wood pile.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:13:30 AM EDT
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I have a 1963 Ford backhoe, I got it for $4500. Digs whatever I want but man it leaks fluid(s)
View Quote



I had a ‘63 international that cost $4500.

All the old timers kept telling me it would be impossible to fix the swivel gear and that I was on borrowed time.  I sold her for $5,500 even though she never disappointed.

Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:23:20 AM EDT
[#42]
Junk and a waste of money.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:24:58 AM EDT
[#43]
It is a matter of weight , not so much power. More power just lets you move the bucket faster.

As you try to push the bucket teeth  down into the ground or scrape the bucket through the ground the weight of the machine counteracts that force.

Try to push the bucket into the ground with a light machine and instead of the bucket going down the machine goes up.

You can somewhat counteract this by using a tiny little bucket and the smaller machines can work ok in sandy soft soils but this little tow behind is way near the useless end of the scale.

The smaller tractor mounted hoes and the tiny small mini exes have serious limitations but they would be way more useful than this unit.

Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:26:08 AM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:



A mini ex rental is more than double that in my area.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Just rent a mini excavator in a 4 hour block from your local rental place or hardware. Probably cost $150 for a 4 hour rental with a trailer. Our local Amish store (ironic) rents Bobcat E42s for that rate and can’t Keep them in stock.

Those units don’t dig in anything beside Sandy ground and you’re only scooping a couple buckets before moving again.



A mini ex rental is more than double that in my area.



https://ohiorentalequipment.com/excavatorstrackhoes/ - $175 for a 2tn machine.

Ohio cat is $385 for a 304 - posted price - 4tn machine
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:30:01 AM EDT
[#45]
Buy a mini excavator. Finance for the longest term at a low interest rate. Complete your projects. Keep it and pay it off or sell it for damn near what you bought it for.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:45:42 AM EDT
[#46]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The fuck is that guy doing with the chainsaw dancing around like that? And with no ear or eye pro in shorts?

I wouldn't listen to anything thing those guys said working like that.

And I bet that backhoe is complete junk.
View Quote


that's what I was thinking. He made a federal production out of cutting that little shrub down.
nutsack.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:51:16 AM EDT
[#47]
I rented a Kubota BX25DLB last month. It's an underpowered POS that is only good for very soft dirt or sand.  It extremely struggled with through hard dirt with the mini backhoe bucket and was a waste of time and money.  If you need to rent a small backhoe, run away from this one.



Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:54:02 AM EDT
[#48]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
You can rent an excavator 8 weekends, or a trencher 20 times, and still be ahead.  

That's a whole bunch of regret right there.

Now a pics of your backhoe thread.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/133760/img__1__jpeg-2601678.JPG
View Quote

Yeah, so much better to just rent something that's made to be used.  I can't imagine anyone getting this and not regretting it.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 9:55:59 AM EDT
[#49]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
In some parts of the country, this is called a backhoe. It’s not, but that’s beside the point. Go big or go home. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/11755/82A41282-8EF8-48F4-A7BB-10D3C7F52BE0-2601938.jpg
View Quote

A backhoe is an excavator bucket that's on the back of a machine that does something else.  Like a front end loader will often have a backhoe on the back.  If it's made to do nothing but the bucket, it's an excavator.
Link Posted: 11/16/2022 10:04:25 AM EDT
[#50]
Even backhoes suck. Sorry not sorry. Mine never gets used. Slow. Awkward. Sure if you only can have one machine.





Excavator / skidloader is where it’s at.







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