Skid steer back hoe

Has anyone used a skid steer mini back hoe with any in sight(good,bad) looking to buy one

I've used one. There's a couple different styles. One you sit in the seat and can re-position a lot faster but can't what you're doing very well. The other type has a separate seat outside of the skid steer. You can see a lot a better but you have to climb back in the machine every time you need to move which can be a real pain. For smaller jobs the hoes do work pretty good though and sure beat using a shovel.

My former neighbor hooked up some bars to operate the skid steer levers from the backhoe seat which made it a lot better. You can also get a poor man's backhoe which is just an arm with a bucket and cylinder and you turn the whole machine with the drive levers. These would work good if you don't have to dig too deep.

They are a pain to use. If you are just digging in one spot they work fine but if you want to dig a trench they are terrible. You dig for a while then climb in the skid steer and move it. Climb back out to the hoe.

I see them for sale all of the time now. The value is dropping fast as well. Most of the contractors that had them have all sold them and now have a small mini excavator. The mini will out dig a skid steer mounted one easy. I got lucky an rented one first and found out I did not like it. I was really looking hard for one to buy before using that rental.

Another thing to keep in mind. You really need high flow hydraulics to run the skid steer back hoe with any speed. Most older skid steers don't have that option.

I have a woods 7500 backhoe attachment on my 553 Bobcat. I love it. Cheaper than a little trackhoe. And I don't have to rent something every time I need to dig a hole or trench. My 553 as a traction lock override switch that allows me to move it while not being in the seat. I can reach the steer levers from the backhoe seat so there is no problem moving around. You only complaint I have is the design of the backhoe. The hydraulic ram for the boom runs fast. It's okay when operating another cylinder that same time, but when just dropping the boom it moves fast. Fast enough that it is a nice jerk when it comes to a stop.

Steve I like JD Seller see all the contractors in my area that went and paid big money for them, now just droping them for what ever they can get for them. You cannot see behind you and it is easy to get one stuck. See more of them for sayl than I do in use.

(quoted from post at 04:57:29 06/02/12) I have a woods 7500 backhoe attachment on my 553 Bobcat. I love it. Cheaper than a little trackhoe. And I don't have to rent something every time I need to dig a hole or trench. My 553 as a traction lock override switch that allows me to move it while not being in the seat. I can reach the steer levers from the backhoe seat so there is no problem moving around. You only complaint I have is the design of the backhoe. The hydraulic ram for the boom runs fast. It's okay when operating another cylinder that same time, but when just dropping the boom it moves fast. Fast enough that it is a nice jerk when it comes to a stop.

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That is one of the basics to hoe operation. You always keep two cylinders running at the same time so that they cushion each other and you have the speed that you want.

I owned a Bradco which fit my New Holland....had to get in the cab and shut the door to move it. The Lawyers had too much say in that design. I then got one for my Bobcat S205. Much better thought out and you could just spin the seat around to move when needed. Then I tried the Bobcat 331 Excavator! Never looked back. It is not a full size backhoe by any means but fits my needs perfectly!Here is a shot of the hole we dug today to move this septic tank.
Good Luck,
Andy

Here's my two cents.

1. Skidsteer backhoe.
Cheapest cost, will beat a shovel any day. Very limited reach. Occasional use machine. PIA everytime you have to dismount to use the skidsteer for something else. Cost $5k or less.

2. Traditional backhoe. Case 580, JD310, etc.
Way ahead of the skidsteer in reach and power. Speed too, since you can handle a bigger cap. bucket. Cost $10K

3. Mini/small excavator. 8-10K lbs. Digs like crazy. The 360 rotation vs. a backhoe is worth every penny in speed on the job. Lots easier to load a small dump truck. Cost $20K

Right now I settled on a 580 Case backhoe. Price was good, and with tires, its easy to move around the property, even the neighbors. Works great for my occasional to moderate use.

You need to figure out how much you are going to dig and buy accordingly. Once a year, rent something. Twice a year skidsteer hoe. You get the idea. You never said what you planned to use it for. When I was building my house and shaping my property, basement, ponds, drainage ditches, etc. I bought a 14 ton excavator and had my buddies PC300 excavator here, which I think is around 80K lbs. We were moving a lot of dirt, and fast.

Around my area, all the small contractors seem to be selling their skidsteer mounts and going with mini/small excavators.

My thoughts,
Rick

Ive got a New Holland married to an 1845C Case, its a regular backhoe attachment, with outriggers and such. If you are referring to the little assisted shovels which use the bucket controls and aux hudraulcs to flex the bucket they arent worth having. Now the regular attachments, I love mine. Its nice to not have an extra power plant to maintain. Handy, fast to use, and gets pretty decent production. I can dig 900 feet a day with it with 30% loose rock. Its also the devil itself to put on where I had to do that forced mating of designs.

I have two loaders that I use for feeding and cleaning barns just looking for something to do a little digging for posts,water hydrants and maybe a tile here and there .Not looking to start construction company.

For your plans, sounds like a skidsteer hoe would work just fine for you. I"ve seen them as low as the 2500-3k range. Just make sure you get the right brackets.
Rick