An honest assessment of the Harbor Freight towable trencher / backhoe. DMF Homestead

Let's get down to the bottom line. Is the Harbor Freight towable trencher worth buying.

[jameshynes]

Thanks for putting this video up. Very informative. I think your most valuable comment was to not "over push" the machine. I looked at towable back hoes for years. Finally settled on this one. I now have over 20 hours on mine and am very happy with it so far.

[D.K]

My uncle-in-law recently purchased this machine and was kind enough to let me borrow it for our pool project. This was my first time I've ever operated any kind of machine like this. I have to say, It's super easy to learn on. Within 10 minutes, I went from jerky / clunky movements to smooth and steady (my 14 year old son learned to operate it as well, so we share in the fun haha). I only have 1 issue with it and that's the plastic handles. They keep spinning off, even after super gluing them on. I'm going to fix that real quick (with a custom made set from some car gear shifter parts I have laying around) as a "thank you" for being able to borrow this machine from my in-law.

We also live in the Blue Ridge Mountain area (on top of a mountain actually) and our ground is nothing but big rocks, red clay, and thick rooted grass. So far, this little machine has done amazing work for us and I plan to use it to install a drainage system around the footers of our house as my next project. Just these 2 projects alone, it'll have paid for itself, if I had bought it.

To anyone reading this and is hesitant about buying this machine .... At the time of writing this comment, they are sold out online on the Harbor Freight website with no "return to stock" date. So if you see one for sale somewhere, I'd buy it in a hurry!

[mikeingeorgia]

When I worked on the railroad signal gang, we would occasionally have “backhoe appreciation day”. We’d dig all day with picks and shovels while our Case backhoe just sat there. Then we’d get back to normal and that was the best maintained backhoe in North America lol.

[Karmajun]

Very well stated. I have an HF trencher with about 30 hours, and I have issues with it so far. I was reading one place that "Chinese tight and American tight must mean different things" and I agree with his assessment. I also have a few caveats for new HF unboxing - all along the same lines as "the best value for the least money".
1. It comes dry - no fluids. Invest immediately in 4 gallons of Hydraulic fluid, 1 quart of 10-30 oil, and your low alcohol content gasoline.
2. As you put it together, do so with a grease gun handy. The Chinese fittings - Zerk and needle point - are not the best of quality. Even a used grease gun may click on and not click off - but break the zerk! So especially as you are configuring the boom, make sure the fittings are tight - or better yet, change them all for stronger and more durable products.
3. All the cotter pins are durable, but I prefer linch pins. I've lost two in the first 30 hours - the huge pins are just not long enough to put a "fender washer" style buttress for the linch pin to rotate with or against, the joint pin will move with the joint and the linch pin has likely been dragging against the brackets. Otherwise the linch pins would not fall off on me! But I like linch pins.
4. Improvements - if you are annoyed at the slow hydraulic action, there are 3 things that can be done. First - a higher GPM pump - the little number is rated at 2.7 gpm. If you upgrade the engine, you won't get more hydraulic flow, just a stronger pumper. Some people say 3-4 gpm is max - it is the combination of the working pressure and the gpm, do not exceed the valve body relief valve pressure range! Your lines and valves are protected from maximum pressures if the relief valve is working. The valve body is rated to 10 gpm, but the hoses are all 1/8 inch diameter connections. So a 5 gpm flow will roast your hydraulic fluid. If you want more of a pump, you need to upgrade the pump to valve body line and return to at least 1/4 but I'd go to 3/8. Let the valve body be the tightest link. If you find your hydraulic temps are high, you can purchase an automatic transmission cooler which may handle the pressures - check with manufacturer. You can mount an oil radiator (tranny cooler) on the side of the reservoir behind the filter and below the seat depending upon model you find.
5 Changing the pump may lead to a desire for larger hoses all around. If so, consider staging your lines. There is no need for flexible hoses the entire length - you can mount hydraulic piping along the boom sized & threaded to length. So your hoses become shorter and can be upgraded from 1/8 ID connections to larger - but the valves and the cylinders will still set your limits. More gpm means faster action, it won't make the cylinders stronger or improve the valves control - fine control valves are expensive and the HF is not manufactured with the most expensive components.
6 The HF is strong for its size, and you will ride a bucking bronco if you are digging wet clay. Invest in means of ballasting the hitch/engine/small axle end of the trencher when working. Another 200 lbs may require installing a hand crank on the trailer tongue to make towing easier - along with all M&M farms has done to their trencher, a hand crank is an easy addition.

Keep it lubed, greased, and check all your pins - and you should be pleased with a light duty dependable trencher. Ignore all M&M farms has said and you may find the HF is a easily broken POS. I have found it useful - under sized yes, but it gets the job done eventually. Thanks for letting me add my 2 cents - I wish I had learned this when I was comparing trenchers - it is what it is, but it can be a little better with little changes along the way! Enjoy!

[rickybailey]

Thank you for your video i was thinking the same thing people over working them braking stuff !!

[dandahermitseals]

Wow that's the most positive testimony they could hope for. I was hoping you would demonstrate it. Enjoyed your comments. Dandahermit

[kevinaltizer]

Thank you for the honest assessment. I'm beginning my journey of possibly purchasing this type of machine, so your input for me is highly valuable.

[okiejeepin]

I agree on everything you said, for the money it’s a great piece of equipment. You can do anything you want with it. Keep up the good work on the pond.

[DonaldPerrell]

Great review from a Sandhills, NC native. Was thinking about buying a 40 HP tractor with a backhoe attachment but after looking at your review and others I think this is the way to go. This is a MUCH cheaper way to have a small backhoe. Then I can have my 3-point tractor hitch readily available. Thanks for creating this video.

[thomasinawinslowmusic]

Thank you! This is the best video I have seen on this machine.

[MrBill-mqti]

I agree it's the best for the money.
At the price if hiring the job out, mine has paid for itself 2-3 times over, in just the first 2 years I've owned it.
Plus, I get the satisfaction of saying I did it myself.
My only regret, is not buying one years ago.

[woodrowcaudle]

Good information. I've been looking at this machine for quite awhile and finally broke down and ordered one. I haven't received it yet but I have several projects planned for it. Most of the videos I've seen about things breaking were from abuse not use.

[roybracy]

I agree these trencher machines are worth the money. They have their limits and one of the biggest is they don't swivel right round, but I've learnt to compensate for that but does take longer to do a job.
I have a kellfri trencher and yes I've broken a part of the swivel which holds the cylinder underneath. But a friend welded together and made stronger.
Where I go with mine would be suicide in a track machine. I've had mine digging on a slope with one wheel in the air and felt as safe as standing on Flat ground. The worse bit I digging face down I have gone over the front once needs seat belt otherwise it's brilliant and just won't give I when trying get roots out yesterday I was clearing an overgrown pond area and it lifted up a tree roots and all Inc about six sucker's which had rooted in the pond.
If wanted to dig something I'd recommend these machines and I'm 71 and cleared 100feet of overgrown stuff on edge of pond in around 3hrs no sweat. Great videos wish I could do them

[russell]

Thank you I appreciate the no nonsense honest review.

[dukesilver]

Nice review. Just purchased one with the Easter 15 percent discount. Already on its way.

[thetruth]

I can tell an honest man from a dishonest one with a relatively high degree of accuracy, but you, sir, make it easy. You are blatantly honest. Great info. Thank you.

[ranjanty]

Thanks for doing this video. I'm trying to decide if I should buy one or go rent one from Home Depot to finish digging out my 16x10 pond and water fall. I'm going to go watch your other video on digging out the ponds you did to see if it can reach out 10ft from one spot.

[NilsKall]

That trencher is a better design than the one that I had a few years ago. Biggest difference is that this one actually have some lift height and the wheels/support legs seems better designed. Ants Pants sent me here and I like what I see! Keep up the good work!

[Cold-silver]

Just purchased one .Nice video good observations.

[lonecrusaider]

I'm about to buy one. Thanks for the review and advice.