Pick a make and model. Full spec sheet, owner videos, and similar tractors on one page.
Find a model →Pit up to four models against each other. Engine, hydraulics, hitch, weight, warranty.
Open comparison →Written guides on choosing tractors, hydraulics, PTO, hitches, and maintenance.
Read articles →Micah walks through attaching and removing a subframe-style backhoe step by step, starting with a plain explanation of the three backhoe mount types (four-point, subframe, and three-point) and his strong opinions on each. He covers hydraulic hookup troubleshooting, basic control orientation, and safe removal procedure with real practical detail. Delivered in a dry, self-deprecating tone. Best for first-time backhoe owners figuring out the process on their own.
An owner-operator sharing hands-on experience from personal use, with a casual, humor-forward style.
There are four-point backhoes attaching directly to the tractor frame, subframe backhoes sitting on their own framework that slides into carriers, and three-point backhoes that hook up like a box blade, which are prone to breaking tractors.
Check for safety locks holding outriggers or the boom in place. More likely your hydraulic flow is backwards, so flip your hoses, making sure hydraulics are off first, and try different combinations.
The left stick controls the boom, moving it up and down with forward and back, and left and right. The right stick controls the dipper stick in and out, and curls or dumps the bucket left and right.
Disconnect hydraulics without standing between the tractor and backhoe, drive away slowly, and relax hydraulics if it catches on a carrier so it settles onto the ground and clears the tractor.
