I've worked around heavy equipment most of my life but can't say I ever even looked close at a three-point hitch backhoe.
I just got some remote land in the Michigan UP and will have reasons, now and then, to dig a few holes and trenches. I already own two real backhoes but live 2 1/2 hours away. I have no interest in trucking a 11,000 lb. backhoe across the Mac Bridge to the UP, nor do I want to leave one there. I already have a Ford 641 farm tractor with a loader there. I kind of hate the tractor, but it IS in good shape. So now I am having weak moments and considering the idea of having a Cat. 1, three-point backhoe with maybe a PTO pump. Note that where my land is - all is sand. No rocks or hardpan. Since the digging is not exactly hard digging, I'm thinking maybe this idea is worth exploring. Anybody ever used one they can comment on?
I just got some remote land in the Michigan UP and will have reasons, now and then, to dig a few holes and trenches. I already own two real backhoes but live 2 1/2 hours away. I have no interest in trucking a 11,000 lb. backhoe across the Mac Bridge to the UP, nor do I want to leave one there. I already have a Ford 641 farm tractor with a loader there. I kind of hate the tractor, but it IS in good shape. So now I am having weak moments and considering the idea of having a Cat. 1, three-point backhoe with maybe a PTO pump. Note that where my land is - all is sand. No rocks or hardpan. Since the digging is not exactly hard digging, I'm thinking maybe this idea is worth exploring. Anybody ever used one they can comment on?