Nardi Seagull 220 Backhoe

[3RRL]

When I bought the Kama 554, I bought a Nardi Seagull 220 Italian backhoe with it. It has a 7-1/2' digging depth and it's own PTO driven pump, hydraulic tank and strainer. I wish I knew better at the time, because I would've bought the Model 270 which is the 9' digging depth with a little more power and reach to it. It would've fit the 554 a lot better and the longer reach and power would sure come in handy.

Anyway, the model I got does work pretty good so I decided to share some photos and stories about it.
Here it is when I first got it.

[3RRL]

I realized that I had not actually talked much about the backhoe itself. If any of you are in the market for a backhoe, I thought it might be interesting to talk about the different features associated with different Brand backhoes? I know now it would sure have helped me! I hear the newer Chinese LW7 and LW8 models have a lot of improvements on them now. But when I made the package deal, I was told to shy away from them back in 2005.

When I first decided to buy a backhoe, I had no way of knowing which kind I should buy. So started out by looking on the internet for information. All I knew was I wanted one so I could dig holes and trenches like I saw on TV. I thought it might come in handy on the property? Right off the bat, I realized I didn't even know WHAT to look for! I didn't know about controls, hydraulics, what power it should have, subframe or 3pt mount...what is desirable? Not much at all.

Here's what I knew...
-The "reach" was how far or deep it would dig.
-It had to have some kind of power rating?
-I figured "weight" might have something to do with better construction and/or durability?
My Nardi has a 7-½' reach and weighs close to 1,200lbs. with an 18" bucket loaded with hydraulic fluid. The teeth on the bucket are bolted on for replaceability. Bucket widths are available ranging from 6" to 36", but 12" and 18" are most common for this size.
I ended up getting 12" and 18" wide buckets. They seem to fill my needs.
You can see I also added bucket hooks to both of them. The 18" wide bucket has hooks facing in both directions.

[3RRL]

My backhoe also has it's own hydraulic tank and pump which is driven off the tractor's PTO shaft. I personally like this feature versus those that are hooked into the tractor's hydraulic system. However, that is my personal preference, and there are those that like direct plumbing to the tractor better too.
Anyway, here is a picture of the hydraulic pump attached to my tractor's PTO shaft. You can see it's a 3pt hook up with a solid top link shaft.

[3RRL]

The stabilizer feet do not have "shoes" (but rubber inserts are available). The hydraulic joystick controls allows ALL functions to operate simultaneously and are very easy to work. It had a fold up seat and a seat belt and is a very powerful backhoe.




I looked at several 7-½' backhoes to compare specs and the NARDI seemed to match up favorably. There were a couple of the other brands I was seriously considering ... the Prarie Dog Ditch Digger and the Farmline backhoes. Interestingly enough, the Prarie Dog was made in USA but later found out it was really made in Bulgaria under an American company's name. The Farmline was also made in USA but after scrutinizing all the pictures I could find on the web, it is IDENTICAL (except different paint sometimes) to my Nardi, so I think it is really a NARDI...Ha ha. I've taken pictures of the identical pumps, 3pt hitch, seat and cab, dipper stick, boom, bucket linkage and hydraulic joystick controls....they are identical.

All of these were PTO driven pumps with their own hydraulic tank system.
I should add that I also had a Mazzotti backhoe for 3 months and it was Italian also, being much like the NARDI too. My dealer shipped me that one by mistake (OMG) It was a dinky 6 footer and I returned it for the one I paid for.

I would be interested to hear about the new Chinese backhoes and if there are improvements. They are certainly a great value.

[3RRL]

I'll bet I've taken out about 20 large Oak trees with the backhoe.



Here is a cool video after digging around an Oak tree.

[Hugh]

I have a nardi 220 and need a swing cylinder for it. Where did you buy yours so I can contact that dealer for this part. Thx