Is the backhoe loader a thing of the past?

[Bri963]

It’s been nearly 15 years since Iv looked not them I must admit.
But having a 3cx contractor side by side to a top spec 432 - there was a huge difference in belly height, coupled with overall weight and skinny tyres no way would you put them in the same conditions - and get out!
I ran my mates 432f for a while as well and hell it made a mess!!
Ref flexing it was the older D(i think) with the outer dipper extender - wayyy to much weight out back, it wasn’t pretty in any way shape or form!

That outer extender was garbage, way too much weight behind the wheels. Perhaps what you thought was flexing was the hydraclamps not holding, which I have experienced. My most recent BHL work was on a 432F2 and the lowest point was the bottom of the aftertreatment box. Still never had any problem getting it through some really bad mud.

 

[DaveDCB]

I smacked the front lower grille/counterweight on a kerb on a unsurfaced road which a 3cx would of nipped over no problems

 

[Bri963]

I smacked the front lower grille/counterweight on a kerb on a unsurfaced road which a 3cx would of nipped over no problems

Ah, that had the optional extra weight. They don’t all have that fitted.

 

[hiluxman]

I'm a cat man over a jcb in the backhoe loader...

I've done several thousand hours on a 432 (d and e) learned to drive on a 428c. I've probably done around 1k hours on 3cxs in that time.

Cats are heavy and slower than jcb on the road. But likewise I've never has one stuck yet...n I've ploughed through some shite with them. Legs that's on full reach are still in the soft and loading lorries where the ruts are forcing you in one direction.

They have never failed to get the job done and I've never felt uncomfortable in one....I don't own one purely because the work for them disappeared and I pursued other work.

We all have our preference of machines and if your buying it...then that's all that counts