Author	[Modern View]
Lanse 08-01-2012 09:51:29 209.251.8.126 Report to Moderator	Hey everyone!! So, Ive been thinking about what my next big project could/should be. I still have this little 212cc Predator engine sitting around, and recently I made a video starting it up after it sat for almost a year. Took two pulls... Anyway, someone suggested in the comments that I should make a mini-backhoe thing, and it sounds like a unique project and one that would be fun to build, and one that would provide lots of video-making material for me. Just looking for a little feedback here, what could I realistically sell one of these things for (See link)? How much would you be willing to pay for one? The biggest problem that I see, is that I don't know the first thing about hydraulics, and that could/would be an issue. If anyone here is a hydraulics expert, would do you think I would be looking at in terms of cylinders/hoses/valves/etc? I bet that'd be my biggest expense... Thanks in advance, have a good week everyone!! :) Mini Backhoe thing [Reply]   [No Email]
Puddles 08-02-2012 02:29:41 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to hd6gtom, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Mike, not that I know anything! But I don't think you're going to see bushing on any of this low end crap! I know I was very ignorant when I bought my backhoe, (used) I should have taken my buddy who is a heavy equipment operator so he could have pointed out all the short comings of it. First time he ran it, he got off the tractor and said you need to add a foot or 18-inches to the dipper stick. Which I did made all the difference in the world for digging. The Moron who builds these over in Idaho should be shot! :x [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 08-01-2012 23:14:15 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Building a backhoe would be an expensive nightmare! Lanse, I'm curious if you've followed up with the Lincoln and/or Hobart welding schools? If I was you, that is where I would be concentrating my efforts. If you can't afford it right now, save up all your money so you can get in as soon as possible. I really admire your ambition but you're never going to become a welder doing what you're doing now. Taking courses or working in a shop, you will learn more in 6 months than you would in 5 years on your own. I don't disagree with Puddles when he says to try get into pipe welding. [Reply]  [No Email]
tx68 08-01-2012 19:42:02 64.66.232.62 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Here is a log splitter that does not look to hard to make. I am thinking about making one from a hydraulic bale unrollr spear tractor bucket we don't use any more. Screw type log splitter [Reply]  [No Email]
Bryan iniowa 08-01-2012 18:02:25 207.191.221.191 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Build it ! If you can afford to. It will be fun and challenging as all get out . Market value ?? No idea ,,but it will give you a TON of experience and FUN ! [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 08-01-2012 18:11:25 75.172.124.239 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Bryan iniowa, 08-01-2012 18:02:25   $4,000 cost in for a guy just graduating from high school kind of takes the fun out of it. Ignoring for a moment the profit/loss aspect of it, just where does he even come up with the money to get the thing built? [Reply]  [No Email]
Bryan iniowa 08-01-2012 19:00:42 207.191.221.191 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Mike (WA), 08-01-2012 18:11:25   Guess I didn't realize he had to build it right away or on a time table . I know with scounging parts materials etc it could be built for far less . I have several projects in that scope that over time were built on the cheap . Kid out of high school should have TONS of play money as life and it's expenses hasn't set in yet . [Reply]  [No Email]
downsouth 08-01-2012 17:40:51 205.188.116.142 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Lanse, you know Harbor Fruit....er ah Freight has one too don't 'ya? About 2 grand less than Northern. No doubt they a bit different, but worth researching before taking the plunge. I still say stick with the simple stuff. Remember that goat and sheep stand I sent you? They use them at the fairgrounds for grooming, trimming etc. Lots of 4H and FFA folks around raising animals for show could use one, and I bet you could make them really cheap. Harbor Freight Towable Backhoe [Reply]  [No Email]
36 coupe 08-01-2012 16:45:05 66.186.169.176 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Google Cadplans.Much money involved.If you build it they will break it and blame you. [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 08-01-2012 13:08:01 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to d beatty, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Mike I down loaded the manual on that little backhoe, and did a screen shot. Do you see any bushing? I don't. Bushing are the way to go, but they will cost more. :wink: [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/bushings.png/][/URL] [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 08-01-2012 18:05:58 75.172.124.239 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Puddles, 08-01-2012 13:08:01   Yep, don't look like any there, either. What? A Chinese machine made cheaply without bushings? Who'd a thunk it? Guess I'd pass on that one, too. Guess I'm just not destined to have a backhoe. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike (WA) 08-01-2012 12:44:00 69.10.199.107 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   I think you'd have trouble selling it without a "brand name", or at least a shop with a reputation. Your youth will also work against you, when they find out you're the builder. This is not said to denegrate your abilities, but its a reality, and you're going to have a bunch of money tied up in it, so saleability is very important. The simpler stuff, like a backblade, or fence unroller, or 3 point carrier, a guy can look at the "husky-ness" of the material, the workmanship of the welding, and make a pretty accurate buying decision. And your youth would probably work in your favor, at least with me. "Well, the thing looks pretty good, and I'd like to help the kid along." But something complicated, like a backhoe, I'd be much more hesitant. Did the builder know the geometry and leverage to get the thing to work right? Did he get the hydraulics right? Did he use heavy enough hydraulic hoses, pins and bushings? Has it got adequate relief valves? And on and on. By the way, Puddles says "you don't need bushings, just run the pin through a tube." If I was looking at it, the first thing I'd look for is bushings, and I'd already be in the car and headed out before you could finish your explanation of why you didn't use any. Sure wouldn't think anyone would put out that kind of money for a machine that's ready for the scrap pile as soon as the pivot points get a little wear on them. [Reply]  [No Email]
Retired Farmer 08-01-2012 11:43:48 207.200.116.12 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Lanse, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   What I have found since 1990 about building stuff is, you will have more in it, than if you bought one already built. Then you have to find someone willing to buy what ever you made. [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 08-01-2012 10:17:00 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: Anyone ever made one of these? in reply to Uncle Ernie, 08-01-2012 09:51:29   Personally I wouldn't own one of those things. My little back hoe drags my tractor around bad enough. I don't see where there is anything you couldn't build. No need to build it with replaceable bushings. Mine just has 1-inch dia pins with seamless DOM tubing at the pivot points. If you run into any hydraulic problems, call out J_J on TractorByNet in the hydraulic section, he is very good with hydraulics! Here is my back hoe before I built the A-frame for it. [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/143/backhoe.jpg/][/URL] Here is a picture of the A-frame. [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/aframe.jpg/][/URL] Here is how I had to beef up around the pins, because the moron who built it only used 3/8-inch plate for the pin mounts. [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/pin2t.jpg/][/URL] [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/pin1p.jpg/][/URL] [Reply]  [No Email]