Harbor Freight Backhoe (AMAZING VALUE)

Let's take a look at the Harbor Freight Towable Backhoe, this video is a basic overview of how it is stored, transported and used. This is the best value for a home owner backhoe period!!!

[DoubleMFarmHomestead]

I've had mine for 4 years and it's still going strong.

[michael.w.salter]

I have a similar towable and I found it works better if you don't disconnect from the tractor and don't use the outriggers. The machine is too light to really dig without dragging the machine at the same time. They are very nice however. Also, tie up those hoses. Then practice, practice, practice!

[oilspeculatorhater]

Great demonstration and suggestions, thank you for sharing.

[richardbyus]

When your digging, keep the bucket teeth pointing towards you. It will cut the dirt so much better & reduce dragging the machine around

[TheAussieincalgary]

I think this is the setup I will probably go for. Backhoe definitely a tool I need for many jobs, but not a tool used every weekend... or even every year, so for half the price it seems the best choice.

[tommys_trucks_trains_tractors]

I use the same music in my videos-Great choice. Very interesting and well done. Thank You

[Chase_is_a_race]

Good video, I plan on picking one of these up myself.

[georgedoganis]

Honest review from an honest person thank you sir

[littlejackrussell]

My son and I have had ours about 2 months now and still learning how the best way to use it is. The way it started is we wanted to add more room to our garage as we enclosed our carport to make it. We don't need a concrete floor but to add a 10x20 room we would have to dig it down at least 10" for it to be level with the floor now. We started digging by hand that didn't last long in 98 degree temp. So we thought rent a small backhoe after checking the prices and waiting time out of the question, for a 1000.00 more and time needed to keep it, we ordered as we call it (Little Big Red) it came in about 10 days we have found so much else we needed it for we haven't had time to dig out for our floor. We have ran much needed drain lines, we are now going to run a water line to our garage and back work shed. I had my yard checked years back for power, phone, cable so we are good to go. My x wife's widower asked if we would dig him a burn pit on his farm. It will be good training for my son I told him yes but it will cost him gas and lunch, he agreed.

[craigcolbourn]

Thanks for the review!
Definitely interested in purchasing one.

[danielhurst]

Counter weights are your best friend with this ol girl. I put about 300 pounds on the back and it made a world of difference. Watching you go back and forth reminded me of my wife learning it. Who needs to look at the stickers just pull and push every lever til it does what you want 😂😂

[easttexasengineering]

Listen to this guy. I bought a new 2019Branson 3520 with the added Backhoe attachment . The problem I had is once the backhoe was attached which, is the factory one it attaches to the frame and takes an hour to get the thing off which makes it a pain to put on any other 3point accessories, such as mower, tiller, brush hog, etc. I ended up selling the attachment the first year at a loss.

[lilredwagon]

Kinda funny. May 2021 was also when my father and I received our harbor freight backhoe too! We bought so that we could dig shallow trenches along 3 sides of my property to plant lilac bushes to hopefully act as a natural fence. After the first day of usage we noticed we were losing hydraulic fluid from the pistons...so we had a shop replace the seals...400 buck job there...went back about a week later and dug a 2nd trench for the lilacs and the backhoe seemed to work just fine and no leaks.
We at some point forgot about the safety latch near the bottom of the main boom and that bent the heck out of that solid peg where you put the pin in after the swivel latch or whatever you want to call it...don't know how we're gonna fix it...so far we have a large washer on that peg with a gold-ish colored pin being used (forgot what hardware grade that is).
Used the backhoe again this year to dig another trench for more lilacs and we looked over the machine and the piston that actuates the bucket itself the seal nearest the bucket is now leaking...
I mean the machine is pretty awesome all in all for the price! Makes planting trees or trenching for bushes a heck of a lot easier! I can also scoot around the property pretty well with the backhoe but the downside to that is the outriggers tend to tear up the grass a good bit...
Anyways thought I'd leave a comment! Sorry it turned out to be an essay!

[fondy]

This option probably makes more financial sense for more subcompact owners because in my area, the price of a new JD hoe is equal to a 10-week mini-ex rental. Sure you'll need a stout towing solution for renting the mini-ex but if you go strapping an OEM hoe on your subcompact, you're gonna need the same to maximize the value of your tractor/hoe. Looks like your tractor may be light enough to transport without needing to buy a $10K car hauler or pay a towing service $70 one-way to move it with their rollback.

[chrisreibold]

Nice video! I have wondered about these for years....Suggestion when you park the backhoe inside set the tongue on a block of wood or something then you can just back up and pick it up with the 3pt. No bending over and lifting.

[brianhoffman]

Better be putting your hydraulic lines inside. Having them hanging out will catch something and tear them off. Just FYI. I have one going on 2 yrs now. Love mine!!!

[kevinbaker]

If you want to make it a bit less work to get the backhoe where you want it see if Harbor Freight has a boat dolly. The look similar to a two wheel hand truck. They have two wheels on a frame with a handle and a place for a hitch ball. Marinas and storage places have used them for years to get as many boats on trailers into a storage building as possible.

[larrysherman]

To add to the life of your machine, replace those "Bent Rod" pins that came with the machine. I have had mine for about 5 years now, and those bent rod pins have a way of making the round holes oblong and sloppy. I replaced mine with true hitch pins with a ring or handle. I also replaced all the cotter pins with the appropriate sized linchpins. They are easier to remove for maintenance and you are less likely to get cut up or scratched working around them.

[JustAGuy]

Yeah as has already been mentioned, best to keep this hitched up to whatever you are pulling it with while digging/using it because it is too light to do the job efficiently without moving all the time.

[tadtravis]

HeyBro! great hey, I have a 12 hp craftsman lawn I wonder if THAT would tow Thanks