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The backhoe I have is a Kelly Model 30- built in the 1980's. It hangs on the 3pt and has a pump that hangs on the pto. Mine is acutally a little large for the tractor and a Kelly 20 might be more appropriate but I'd lose reach and power. This one gives me no problems. I have a wagner lift on the front, it was made for the t030. It came with a manure bucket and a 5 ft wide snow bucket. Yup when the bucket is loaded, it steers REAL HARD with no power steering but the backhoe on the back offsets the weight some. Without the loader and it's heavy tubular frame, I fear the front wheels wouldn't even stay on the ground. I've always had the loader on so I don't really know, but if I remove the bucket, I can lift the whole front end with one hand. The balance must be pretty good as I've never done a wheelie with the bucket on and empty. Power steering would be nice with a load. Empty it steers fine with the hoe taking weight off the front. As far as I know Kelly is still around as I saw a relatively new Kubota with a model 20 on it. They are a very well made unit, not a backyard gardener item. I paid $3000 for my hoe alone (with 2 buckets and pump all set to mount and go) about 5 years ago. No regrets at all. I've gotten every cent out of it. I've used it for septic modifications, trenching, rooting trees, removing rocks, lifting engines, just plain digging lots of holes and burying dogs. Whether your use would justify such an expense, only you can decide. Hope this answers your questions. I live in New England the the woods are thick here too, just no Spanish moss !!!!
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