Backhoe for 1026R

15377 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Tomfive, Dec 9, 2011

Tomfive

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2011

Hi everyone,
My first post, I tend to lurk and learn, as most of my questions have been asked and answered in previous posts - Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

Sooo... I've set my sights on a 1026R, FEL and backhoe. I've searched, but I haven't found any reviews of the 260 backhoe for the 1026R. Any feedback would be welcome.

A little background, I only have about 1.5 acres, half woods, half grass/garden both areas with a moderate grade, more steep at the start of the wooded half. I've been mowing with a 25 yr old wheelhorse 416 garden tractor which is still giving me great service. I got interested in a SCUT only because of a want for a backhoe, I get tired of digging in our clay and rock "soil". And I want to do some work and hauling in my woods which my Wheelhorse can get into but probably not out of. I don't plan to mow with the 1026r unless my trusty Wheelhorse needs to be retired. I plan to do light digging with the BH, moving material with the FEL, and need the 4WD to get up my slope from the woods. And of course, I NEED a new toy!:yahoo:

I just wanted to get some opinions on the 260 backhoe before I pull the trigger on the 1026R.

Thanks in advance, Tom

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1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Kennyd

· #2 · Dec 8, 2011

Welcome to DT!

Tom, while the 1026r is new-the 260BH has been around for a long time for the 2210's and 2305's.
If you find some reviews for those machines you can expect the same or even better performance on the 1026r because they have a little more horsepower. As long as you realize and understand it's limitations then you will do fine with it.

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dieselshadow

· #3 · Dec 9, 2011

Kenny, can you tell us about the limitations?

Gizmo2

· #4 · Dec 9, 2011

dieselshadow said:
Kenny, can you tell us about the limitations?

I can, they're small.:laugh:
But, so we are perfectly clear here, we had the #7 BH on our JD650 and now have the 46 BH on our JD2320 and I would not be without it, period.
Tom, just so you know the BH does a nice job of tilling a garden, life is good.

Kennyd

· #5 · Dec 9, 2011

dieselshadow said:
Kenny, can you tell us about the limitations?

Here is some info from mother Deere: http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US...ding_and_digging/260_backhoe/260_backhoe.page

dieselshadow

· #6 · Dec 9, 2011

That's weird. I didn't see any limitations listed under product features or specs. LOL

Sorry Kenny, couldn't help it.

Tomfive

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 9, 2011

Thanks for the welcome and replies.

From most of what I've read on this and other forums, backhoe owners say money well spent, no regrets, etc. so I'm sure I will get one. It's the main reason I'm really considering a 1026R. But I haven't found any postings from someone who actually has a BH on a 1023E or 1026R.

I've seen the videos, it it really that easy to attach and remove? I'm going to be digging in clay with rocks, the deere ads and some youtube appear to be digging in really sandy soil. Pulling out stumps... well those won't be easy.

Another thought, will going up 1 tractor size make that much a difference in digging power?

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Gizmo2

· #8 · Dec 9, 2011

Tom, I am almost thinking, under your circumstances, going up a tractor size would have more cons than pros. Can the dealer set up a demo with the backhoe?
What size bucket are you planning on getting with the BH?

Tomfive

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 9, 2011

I 've been to my 2 closest Deere dealers, both are pretty small, and neither have backhoes on any of their tractors. The orange dealer has a BX25, but I don't think he'll let me dig with it, just drive it around.

But I think you're right about going bigger. I'm pretty much convinced that the 1026 is the right one for me. I was just wondering why others who have a 1023 or 1026 on DT don't have a BH. Is it because of price, ability/power, need or they have other equipment that would do the job?

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Tomfive

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 9, 2011

BTW, I plan to get the 12" bucket.

Gizmo2

· #11 · Dec 9, 2011

Tomfive said:
I 've been to my 2 closest Deere dealers, both are pretty small, and neither have backhoes on any of their tractors. The orange dealer has a BX25, but I don't think he'll let me dig with it, just drive it around.

But I think you're right about going bigger. I'm pretty much convinced that the 1026 is the right one for me. I was just wondering why others who have a 1023 or 1026 on DT don't have a BH. Is it because of price, ability/power, need or they have other equipment that would do the job?

I think it comes down to $$$ and usefulness. The definition of usefulness can mean many things. We do not, by any stretch of the imagination, use our BH a lot but it SURE is handy when we do, so IMO it's useful. In terms of $$, the resale value of a tractor with BH is far greater.

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RandyM

· #12 · Dec 9, 2011

Welcome to Green Land Tom.

Tomfive said:
I've been mowing with a 25 yr old wheelhorse 416 garden tractor which is still giving me great service. I don't plan to mow with the 1026r unless my trusty Wheelhorse needs to be retired. And of course, I NEED a new toy!:yahoo:

I just wanted to get some opinions on the 260 backhoe before I pull the trigger on the 1026R.

Thanks in advance, Tom

You are making a great choice on machines. Sorry, I can't add to the BH discussion as I don't have one. I think you hit the nail on the head why others just don't have one, money and need are usually the big ones. But if I may, I would like to add something else, the 1026 is a great mowing machine. Don't be so quick to dismiss it for that task. I know your WheelHorse is working fine but with power steering, MFWD, diff lock, and an extremely tight turning radius you can not beat the 1026 for mowing. I myself traded up from Wheelhorses and in no way would I go back. Just my 2 cents. Again, welcome aboard.

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HunterWare

· #13 · Dec 9, 2011

I have a 1026R with BH. Like others have said, it is the same BH on the 2305 (which is a good thing). It comes on and off in just a couple minutes and has a fair amount of power. More than enough power to lift and move the rear-end, for example. I have dug driveway culverts, a 24'x24'x4' foundation (on a hill so not 4' in all places), and a couple hundred feet on trench with it. I have dug 2 stone wall foundations and used the manual thumb to move rocks for the wall and logs for bucking. It has worked great for me and I wouldn't be without it. In fact, I used to have a 2305 TLB (ie with BH), and chose to get the BH again when upgrading to a 1026R (for position control). Oh, I got the 12" bucket too, a good compromise.

No regrets,
Hunter

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Gizmo2

· #14 · Dec 9, 2011

HunterWare said:
I have a 1026R with BH. Like others have said, it is the same BH on the 2305 (which is a good thing). It comes on and off in just a couple minutes and has a fair amount of power. More than enough power to lift and move the rear-end, for example. I have dug driveway culverts, a 24'x24'x4' foundation (on a hill so not 4' in all places), and a couple hundred feet on trench with it. I have dug 2 stone wall foundations and used the manual thumb to move rocks for the wall and logs for bucking. It has worked great for me and I wouldn't be without it. In fact, I used to have a 2305 TLB (ie with BH), and chose to get the BH again when upgrading to a 1026R (for position control). Oh, I got the 12" bucket too, a good compromise.

No regrets,
Hunter

Good post. Sounds about what we have used ours for, even the foundation part.
I would also add, regardless of the power the BH has it will be a WHOLE S***load more than a hand shovel. Just sayin!

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Tomfive

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 9, 2011

Thanks Hunter, that was a great post, just the feedback I was looking for. Thanks to everyone else too, this is a great forum.

It looks like time to sit down with the dealer and get serious.

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