Power Digger - experiences, opinions?

gears

Member
I posted this on the implements page but no one's responded so I thought I'd see what the Ford guys say.

I've got a line on an NAA with a Sherman hoe on it, no 3 point or accompanying hydraulics other than the Sherman PTO driven pump. Do I need this?

How much digging/drainage work will this help me with (got 2 acres that get a little swampy, got a little bog/pond on it I've been working on deepening with a slipscoop and box scraper for the past 2 yrs when it dries enough over Summer with my 9N.

Do I need this, would it be an improvement over digging with an N or should I focus on one of the other many restoration projects stacked up in the barn?

Opinions experiences?

Thanks
 
I think if you consider the difference between a backhoe of this era and what you have been using, slip scoop, back blade etc., just the breakout force of the backhoe bucket will be a huge improvement over something with little or no break out force.

I've never run any of these, and very few 4 stick backhoes, some are good at or prefer 4 stick, I prefer modern joystick/excavator controls.

However, as old, and as sloppy as the pins could potentially be on something like this, not sure what condition yours is in, it has to still be a much more productive means to excavate to depth, vs what you have, which I assume is the N and just the implements. I saw how difficult it was to dig a shallow pond in soils locally on another farm with a heavy back blade. I'd not even waste my time using one for this, so many repetitions and passes to move small amounts of earth.

I have seen a few of these old backhoes, even my old 850 had one at one time, with 4 pt full frame mount integral with the wagner loader.

One thing to be aware of, given the increased higher center of gravity, and I hope it does have a front end loader, without one, this could be very unbalanced without front weight, and on uneven or steep terrain, one of these may not be what you want, better off renting something better and more efficient.

I would believe that on flat land, and for the work you suggest it would be beneficial, just know what you are getting. These are usually open station and you sure as heck do not want to turn one over while on it. I've run just about every denomination of more modern rubber tire backhoe/front end loaders, all of them are "tippy", and I have at times felt very uncomfortable on uneven terrain, even when swinging the hoe to the high side to balance it while moving.
 
I have a scout backhoe on an 8N I own. Have parts of a Sherman power digger also same as a back hoe just used a different name for legal reasons years ago. I would leave it on the NAA since the NAA is a good bit more tractor then the N series is
 
I have an Arps 80 pto pump driven 3 pt backhoe for my 8n and it does well for what it is...It is heavy for the tractor, the front end is feather light. All the wt hangs off the top link so I have to be aware of that. For what it sounds like you are wanting to do, I'd say go for it. Bogging down will probably be your biggest concern unless you can catch dry conditions.
 

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