Garden digger / backhoe idea

[AdrianH]

Just to correct this a Janson MB-300 is the cheapest new that I have found in the UK. Just that they can not get into tight spaces, if I had a field to trench yes the cheapest option.

Wendelspanswick, thanks for the links, but waaaaaaaaaaay to big for back garden, but you have given me a new name to search on though, apart from buying a cheap one for the parts at some time, I think the rams would still be to big, so I will see if they do these for the mini tractors.

But looks like my main question has been answered, yes others have/are thinking about it one is doing something about it.

Adrian

 

[Burdekin]

This is my neighbours, it was made in England but that's all I know. It's not fast but easier than a shovel. We moved a good amount of earth and rocks with it.

 

[Master-of-none]

Here you go:

 

[AdrianH]

This is my neighbours, it was made in England but that's all I know. It's not fast but easier than a shovel. We moved a good amount of earth and rocks with it.

I think that is the main thing, easier then a shovel. Again the thing I note there is the boom, made from plates welded together by tubes, which is why I wondered if H beam could be used as a cheap alternative, may be heavier though.
All just thoughts.

Adrian

 

[bigegg]

Just as a matter of interest, what size engine would i need to power a pto back hoe?
Im guessing bigger than a 1500w electric, but smaller than a van engine?
Would a diesel concrete mixer engine work? Now i know how to start it (!)

 

[Wendelspanswick]

The pumps are designed to work at 540RPM but don't need a huge amount of HP to run, my tractor is 70HP but there is no perceptible change in engine noise when you work the rams hard, I guess something like a GX200 would power if geared to the correct speed.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I would think an 8/10hp engine would probably do, you see that size engines on small digging machines such as what's planned.

I think you'll find that although they'll require gearing down from the engine they won't be as slow as 540 at the pump - I think most pumps driven off a tractor PTO are geared up a little.

 

[the snooper]

unless you will use the digger for anything other then getting a garden in order to maybe grass you may be better of trying to hire a small Kubota with a cultivator on the back

 

[Burdekin]

My neighbour also has a small/tiny dump truck with a blade on the front as well. He's building as extension, has cleared loads, dug the trenches for the drains and started digging the foundations. He didn't pay much for either of the machines and they'll pay for themselves. You can get more industrial small machinery but he plods along and gets it done and surprising how much he can get done in a day.

 

[AdrianH]

possibly like a few others on here I get the daily updates from Homemadetools.net and I like the home made Dump-ruck there and the home made treads from a commercial tyre, bet that still took some doing, just goes to show what ingenuity some people have.

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/tracked-mini-dumper-45494#post65265

I like that

Adrian

 

[Sarto]

@the snooper :
Something like this small tractor?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/groundcare/products/b1220-en/

Or something more like this mini excavator?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/constructionmachinery/products/k008-3-2/

By the way, if I win the lottery, I will buy them both.

 

[the snooper]

@the snooper :
Something like this small tractor?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/groundcare/products/b1220-en/

Or something more like this mini excavator?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/constructionmachinery/products/k008-3-2/

By the way, if I win the lottery, I will buy them both.

The one in the 1st link, we used to use one similar in greenhouses with a cultivator on the back and they do a great job

 

[FLO]

i owned the basic model and added a pair of rams to the front legs and a diverter valve from the original pump which raised the front without getting out all the time to do the pin trick...great machine and one day ime going to renovate one just because they deserve to be saved.

Im looking to do exactly the same with my powerfab 125, any guidance on how to go about it (a complete novice)

 

[roofman]

Im looking to do exactly the same with my powerfab 125, any guidance on how to go about it (a complete novice)

I bought a pair of double acting rams off ebay (used) and made up my own gusset brackets for them using the original pinned front legs....plumbed in a 2 way diverter valve and a pair of double acting levers..one for each leg.The original fluid tank holds enough fluid to fill a couple of small rams and still have enough for the rest of the machine so all good there,just make sure you get your measuments spot on with the gussets and try get slimline rams or they will demand too much fluid...Sorry no pics as it was pre-smart phone times (7 years ago)
edit....Iff you dont feel your able to plumb it all in then get it fabricated to the machine by yourself and employ the services of a mobile site digger hose doctor..

 

[FLO]

View attachment 87470

I bought a pair of double acting rams off ebay (used) and made up my own gusset brackets for them using the original pinned front legs....plumbed in a 2 way diverter valve and a pair of double acting levers..one for each leg.The original fluid tank holds enough fluid to fill a couple of small rams and still have enough for the rest of the machine so all good there,just make sure you get your measuments spot on with the gussets and try get slimline rams or they will demand too much fluid...Sorry no pics as it was pre-smart phone times (7 years ago)
edit....Iff you dont feel your able to plumb it all in then get it fabricated to the machine by yourself and employ the services of a mobile site digger hose doctor..

thanks I will start looking for some, I have seen a couple of machines on ebay with them on, it would make life easier

 

[blenkie1]

@the snooper :
Something like this small tractor?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/groundcare/products/b1220-en/

Or something more like this mini excavator?
http://ke.kubota-eu.com/constructionmachinery/products/k008-3-2/

By the way, if I win the lottery, I will buy them both.

If I win the lottery I'm buying a cat D8

 

[FLO]

https://www.leboncoin.fr/btp_chantier_gros_oeuvre/699159001.htm?ca=14_s

I looked at these, they are very small, but they have a UK stockists who sells ready made or kit form "http://four-ashes.com/" I was contemplating getting one a couple of years ago, but a powerfab 125 came up on ebay, just in time, which was half the price and they were close to each other near frome Somerset then, but have moved now. Also the powerfab just fits in a lwb mercedes van, okay going in, scary coming out. It has a 13hp honda engine on it.

 

[addjunkie]

I had a look at one of these when buying a quad mower

https://www.kellfri.co.uk/atv-backhoe-digger.

Decided not to bother in the end, they be ok digging soil, but ditching in clay itll pull its self over. Easy done in a small digger too.

Ive been gardening with a digger today, now i need to fix the wall next to the gate, it was a tight squeeze.

 

[FLO]

I bought a pair of double acting rams off ebay (used) and made up my own gusset brackets for them using the original pinned front legs....plumbed in a 2 way diverter valve and a pair of double acting levers..one for each leg.The original fluid tank holds enough fluid to fill a couple of small rams and still have enough for the rest of the machine so all good there,just make sure you get your measuments spot on with the gussets and try get slimline rams or they will demand too much fluid...Sorry no pics as it was pre-smart phone times (7 years ago)
edit....Iff you dont feel your able to plumb it all in then get it fabricated to the machine by yourself and employ the services of a mobile site digger hose doctor..

Will these rams be suitable from this supplier Link:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251200208433?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[scottmk1]

That's the ones I am using on my Powerfab. Well, I've got them but not used them yet. 50mm bore, 30mm rod & various strokes to suit.