Harbor Freight Towable Backhoe/Trencher Overview

[berlinbarNorCal]

I know why you’ve boomed in subscribers. You’re real in what you share with us.

[jafquist]

Great video! I bought one last year, and I love it! I want(ed) a sub-compact tractor with a backhoe also, but, after finding out the tractor, without the backhoe, no matter the brand, starts at about $13K, then the backhoe attachments start at about $7K, I began more seriously considering the Harbor Freight option. I bought a "weld-on" thumb for mine, which I bolted on, and it adds a whole new world to the machine. For example, I had a huge pile of large oak rounds (20"-40" diameter) given to me, and I used the machine to manipulate them toward the splitter. It was fabulous!

I would caution folks, I was moving some pretty large rocks (300-500 lb), and I peeled the bucket apart like a banana, at the pivot point. The steel just plain ripped, right along the welds on both sides. Basically, It was too powerful for itself.

FYI, There's a cool FB group dedicated to this machine, where a person can get ideas, share experiences, and generally discuss all things Harbor Freight Towable Trencher. Cheers!

[charlesswhitlock]

We have owned our HF digger for about 2 years and love it. Is it perfect, nope, does it get a lot of work done yep. I have used it to dig up the roots of a 40" diameter tree so that I could push it over with my tractor later. We used it to help level out an area we built a garage on later and much much more. 👍

[USMC-Sniper-]

This is really awesome for the 'backyard excavator'! Perfect for maybe pools, trenches, digging small tree trunks, etc. I must have one! The thumb would be cool for moving tree trunks and logs also...I installed a ball hitch on my lawn tractor to move my utility trailer around and I'm sure it would be perfect for moving that around the property. Thanks!!!

[paulrogers]

The reason it's slow is because your running it at idle, the higher the RPM of the engine the stronger/faster the hydraulics will be. This is true of almost all hydraulic pumps. Hope this helps

[nihlist]

Great video, man. Harbor Freight should sponsor you. You were very honest about the positives and negatives.

[johnhodan]

Wow, almost 6k! Keep it up.bro. I have been enjoying the content. Love to see u do something with the 2 trucks that u covered a few videos ago. Keep grinding.

[thxforthat]

Legend dude!Your first video i got recommended u had 500subs. Look at u 6k already
Well deserved 🤙🤙🤙

[ronniefuller]

Dalton you are wise beyond your years and don't mind getting in the dirt. You rock Dalton!

[DoubleMFarmHomestead]

Well done review! I've had mine for over 7 years now and it's still going strong. Don't worry about welding around those holes, just replace the curved pins with straight hitch pins and the holes will be fine. I have many videos on my channel that may help with some of the questions you brought up. I will subscribe and keep watching so you keep digging.😁

[DavidStafford-iiyv]

Great review! Harbor Freight has a lot of good things for the price. Now may not want to use to make a living (working eight hours a day for 5 days a week but great for project every 3 or 4 weeks). I know its slow but you have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run and thank God your legs still work! By the way coming from an old man in Fayetteville AR, if you got that land for the price you paid where you live then you are way ahead of the game. Close to major highway with almost all utilities. Not bad not bad at all!

[googacct]

I have had my trencher for about a year. It is not fast, but it can dig faster I can with a shovel.. I have the same problem with the front pin holes getting oblong. Two other problems I had with mine that caused delays in using it the first time. One was someone stole the tires off the pallet while in transit and I had to have another set sent. Also the hydraulic valves were leaking on mine. That is a well known problem and a replacement was sent no questions asked. Same for the replacement tires.

[soundsmith]

Awesome video! I'm a harbor freight fanatic. I have always wondered about their trailers and that backhoe. Great content! I look forward to more of your videos.

[dogmom]

Nice additions to your single wide mobile home. Nice job

[grumpyoldman]

Pros: There's been many times over the years that I could have used that. I've dug plenty of ditches on this property with a shovel. We just hired a guy with an excavator to clean out ditches and culverts on our driveway (long driveway) a week or two ago. Cons: I think you could get hurt pretty quick, if you're not extremely careful and willing to go slow.

[mmmark]

I was thinking of buying one this past spring. Ended up finding out about the Chinese mini ex and got that instead. Happy with my purchase. The mini ex is slow in travelling too but I can move it around my property. Been doing some ditch digging and digging out stumps.

[prairiefork]

Excellent video description of your HF backhoe. Obviously you realize some of the shortcomings/dangers, hope others who purchase do too. Definitely don't want to operate/move in a yank. Think you are spot on with acquiring a compact tractor with a back hoe attachment for your homestead. Wishing you all success so you can purchase that tractor. Look into outfitting with a front dozer blade, too. I have JD 750 with a 365 hydraulic (up/down/angle) blade, can't tell you how much work I've accomplished with it and I'm looking for a backhoe attachment now. PS: can't help admiring the large tree (assume it is an Oak) above your home in the background.

[zoeazsss]

Well that seems to make digging etc easier, as long as you have it secured on flat surface, and not top heavy. Stay safe out there.

[roneisler]

Very well done bro I couldn't have done it better myself really get into your videos keep up the good work

[Larry-]

Dalton that’s a great little machine for what you’re doing. Good plan use it for now and get some bigger when the projects get bigger when you know more what you need. You should have no trouble selling it. I think there are plenty of homeowners out there just waiting to dig up the water line and fiber optics cable. 😃🤣😃 Thanks for the video. It is better quality than I thought it was going to be. 👍👍