3 PT backhoe - do they work?

Dan in North Houston · Apr 22, 2011

Occasionally I see used three point backhoes for sale on craigslist. I thought that even the add on backhoes for farm tractors needed some sort of fixed bracket under the tractor, but from the photos I"ve seen, they look to just hitch to a normal three point. I would think that they would bounce up and down and that your three point hitch arms would soon get bent out of shape from the side loads. Do they work?

Ray · Apr 22, 2011

I've used 3pt hoes for 30 years,mostly longs and they work fine.The weight of the hoe setting on the ground holds the 3pt arms down so it stays put.The ones with a pto pump work best.The ones that use the tractor hydraulic work faster,but have less power.

TJ in KY · Apr 22, 2011

I have a ARPS brand. I used on a 60 horsepower AC 175 tractor. That tractor had very heavy duty lift arms and I had no problem except it made it light on the front end even with suitcase weights on front. My son had an eighty horsepower AC 185 tractor and it worked much better on it. It was a longer tractor overall. The ARPS brand is a very heavy duty unit.

I know that some of the ones for smaller tractors require a sub frame on tractor

I used mine to help put a new foundation under my barn a few years ago, could not have done it without it.

JDseller · Apr 22, 2011

The smaller ones for little tractors have a sub frame. The larger ones just have a solid top link to hold them steady. I have a Bradco BH90 and it will dig 9 foot deep. I use it on a JD 4020 that I have a 720 loader. It balances pretty good that way. I use it quite a lot.

I have attached a good side picture of a Bushog hoe that shows the top link arrangement.

paul · Apr 23, 2011

Good explinations below. Getting that ridgid top link hooked up can be 'fun'. You want a tractor with a sturdy top link mount, as a lot of stress goes on that one pin/ ears.

They work a whole lot better than a shovel, not really the brute force or speed of a 'real' backhoe. A lot depends on hyd flow, we 'make do' with the tractor we have.

--->Paul

ohiojim · Apr 23, 2011

they do work good, but as stated are hard on top links....

Doug in IL · Apr 23, 2011

I have a Woods 1050. It's a great machine. I use it on a John Deere 4030. It has it's own pto driven pump. The hoe came with a heavier steel toplink bracket for the tractor. We have put in 2 complete septic systems with it. Dug the footings for my son's house and garage. Put in water lines. Dug out small stumps. Put culverts in. It has easily paid for itself.

TX656 · Apr 23, 2011

They work great. I added a heavy duty top link kit to the tractor I use mine on. I also use an extra over the counter top link on each side that I run from attachment points near where the ROP attaches to the axle down to the base of the hoe. REALLY tightens everything up. Turns it into a 5 point backhoe if you will. Takes about 35-45 minutes to put on each time I need it (less if you have a helper)

Video of mine working can be found on YouTube if you search for Bradco 3375. Coincidentally it is for sale (Dallas craigslist) because I got a deal on a 3444 IH tractor/loader/backhoe and I can't justify keeping both.

pat sublett · Apr 23, 2011

Not as good as a permanent mount. They don't have the weight of the tractor for digging force. If you get stuck they are a liability where the rigid mount is an asset. I bought a John Deere, 195 I believe, back in the 70s. I finally attached it with a rigid mount and it worked much better. It depends a lot on what you are digging. Like sombody said they are a lot better than a shovel though.

Mike Van · Apr 23, 2011

I use a John Deere [bradco] 3 point hoe on my IH 574. Within it's limitations, it works great. A 'real' backhoe will outdig me for sure, but this one does all I ask it to. Last summer, dug 100+ ft of new septic field, dug up a half dozen rocks that I always hit with the brush-hog, and buried a roadkilled deer that stunk so bad...............

3 PT backhoe - do they work?

Dan in North Houston

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Ray

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TJ in KY

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JDseller

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paul

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ohiojim

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Doug in IL

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TX656

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pat sublett

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Mike Van

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