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Minimum I should be searching for in a Used Backhoe?

C

ClemonsNYBob

New User
Ideally I would be searching for a workhorse that will last for years? But I might be only able to afford a starter... or even attachments for an ATV to start on some little projects?
Although I have heard about someone picking up a useful large backhoe for only a couple of thousand dollars, I haven't seen anything I could afford, that was what I think I need... So I am at least trying to increase my knowledge level, as I search...
 
I bought a 580K for $10K a few years back. No FWA and the converter is a little weak but it is an extender. The tack is broke at 3900 hours. So go figure, it works and leaks some. For $2K you are not going to get much but only one that has missed the junk yard.
 
I picked up a nice 3-pt backhoe about 12 years ago for $1,500 from a tractor dealer, who was selling it for one of their customers. It was originally part of a TLB that had since died. Was a GREAT machine, although putting it on the end of the 3-pt meant needing a larger-than-normal tractor for the weight. All I know about it is that it came off a JD. At that time I had a JD 4010 with FEL and a very heavy bucket, and the front wheels would still pop up off the ground now and then.

The guy that bought it from me mounted it on a larger (and newer) JD - some front-assist with duals and cab. The big ol' backhoe suddenly looked sorta small. *lol*
 
I would look for a 580 ck Case. Should find a running one for $3000. Most popular,simplest to work on. After market parts available. I have a 480E Case. Had it for over 10 yrs. think I gave $6000 maybe less. Use it almost every day.
 
I agree, a couple of thousand is only gonna get you a money pit unless you're real lucky.
Tires, hoses, cylinder repairs, none of them are cheap!
I bought this Ford 345C several years ago for $6,000, not a steal, but a very fair price, spent about $700 replacing every single hose on the machine. Has been very handy around the house and makes a few dollars around the neighborhood. Glad i already had a one ton and a trailer that can carry the load. If you only plan to do a thing or two, look for a good used 3 point unit, most folks buy one, use it a few times, then take it off and it just sits. Mine was bought knowing it would be e a toy, but it's what I wanted!
<a href="http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Joecdeere/media/Ford%20345C/0620151116a_zpseqvv3iw4.jpg.html" target="_blank">
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It all depends on your budget, but mine was around 10k. It seemed I could either get something with an extenda-hoe or 4wd for that price, but not both. I ended up with a 4wd 580 super E, and it's been the best purchase I ever made.
Pete
 

I would start my shopping by perusing the on-line sites like Machinery Trader to see what is out there. As a rule of thumb deduct 25% from the prices to see what you should pay, Then go to Auction Zip and look for auctions that have what you are looking for, as well as Craig's list. With some time and luck you should be able to find something that will work. One basic rule to remember is that the pros don't want old and the homeowner-part timer usually does not want big.
 
I cant say it has never been done on some one-off deal but around these parts the average TLB for $2000 is going to be a headache, not a work horse. Save your money until you can afford better is my advise. As the others said, $5-6000 is a more realistic price for a "farmer back hoe" The 3 point hoes will do small work if run carefully, lots of tractors have been broken by people who think a 3 point backhoe is a concrete breaker, rock digger or production digging machine.
 
Just the other day a neighbor asked me where she can buy a good cheap lawn mower. I told her that's an oxymoron using good and cheap in the same sentence.

Same can be said when you are asking for a good and cheap hoe.
 
I picked up a Massey 60 a few years ago. Paid $6000. The cab was smashed in back by a tree, I'm told, so no glass in the back half of the cab. 2wd and no extendahoe. Runs good and built like a tank but near useless in winter. Did quite a bit around here with it so far. I've put about 150 hours on it since I got it so it doesn't owe me too much. Front seal in the motor leaks a bit, leaks coolant a bit, leaks out of a crack in one of the stabilizers a bit, no brakes, just the parking brake if you need to stop fast.....I'll likely fix those but if something major goes.... I'll get a 4wd extendahoe. They're handy beyond words. Dunno how I got along without one for so long...
 
I picked up a good 3 pt hoe for $2500 quite a few years ago. It was paid for on the first septic field. It is very handy for small jobs. Sure saves the back. I have it on a 430 CASE and can be a little light on the front end. Running off the tractor hydraulics it has lots of power for digging but not enough to wreck anything. For larger jobs I can rent a Kubota excavator by the hour on the meter. The combination save me maintaining another tractor
 
Probably not but always remember that field ready and needs nothing are subjective terms. I also did not have antiques, mini hoes etc on my mind when I gave my rendition of price range.
 
I bought and sold a few backhoes in central New York and in northern Michigan. My experience was that a decent running hoe that needed some work but was usable was hard to find for under $4000. I did buy a John Deere 300B loader-hoe with a cab on it for $4000. That was in Sharon Springs auction. I love the machine and trucked it to Michigan when I moved. Never needed any major work and had four brand new tires on it when I got it.

When I moved out of central NY, I had two backhoes I had to get rid of. Both ran great. One was a huge Pettibone with a Detroit Diesel 3-53. I sold it for $2200. I also had a 1964 Ford 4000 Industrial with a gas engine and hoe-loader plus a Sherman aux. trans. I sold that for $3200. Here in northern Michigan, I needed a second backhoe to leave at a remote property and I searched for a long time. I finally got an IH 3414 that needed two rear tires and a new main hydraulic pump. I paid $1500 for it. put another $800 into it an now it is a good usable machine.
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maybe, maybe not. Of course field ready could mean that it's ready to go park in a field because they can't afford to
keep it running!
 

I have a Ford 4000 industrial like the one pictured above.
Gas engine with a VERY strong hydraulic pump
Starts easy, runs good and a strong digger
Has some leaks but fixing &amp; replacing as I go.
Perfect for my situation....$4000
 

.I have owned Three. Like this one best. Had about eight years and paid 9K in need of work.
You need to decide what you will be doing with a backhoe and I think Hydraulics are just as important as drive train.
If all bushings and pins are wornout the rest of machine is usually the same. They require a lot of maintenance and lack of, creates problems.
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