Backhoe Designed For ATV's

Backhoe Designed For ATV's ATV'S ATV'S 32-1-32 Bill Ganswich, of Riverdale, Utah, is a "recreational miner" who got tired of digging test holes with a shovel. "It's a whole lot easier to just flip a lever from the seat of an ATV," says the former aerospace engineer, who designed a backhoe for his 1994 Suzuki 250 ATV. It worked so well that he patented the design and found a manufacturer. He and his partner, Dean Beckstead, started selling the Gan-So Digger in 2007. The digger has a 108-in. reach. Each cylinder develops more than 5,000 lbs. force. The boom swings 60 degrees. It can dig 6 ft. deep, and the 7-in. bucket holds about 3.2 gal. level measurement and an additional gallon when heaped. An optional 10-in. bucket, which holds 4.5 gal., is available. Ganswich recently upgraded to a 2005 Bombardier 650cc ATV that works very well, he says. He also made the digger more versatile by making two versions - one that mounts on the front and the other with 21-in. wheels that tows behind any vehicle. The ATV-mounted digger is fastened by U-clamps to the front metal bumper. Customers need to add an optional straight bumper if the ATV has a curved bumper, Ganswich notes. The 6 1/2 hp gas engine and hydraulic oil reservoir assembly fastens to the rack on back of the ATV to counterbalance the digger's weight. The whole system weighs 415 lbs. "You don't need outriggers," Ganswich says. "It has a lot of stability." He has outriggers as an option, but doesn't recommend them. Ganswich says most customers prefer the tow version. At 525 lbs and 133-in. long, the digger tows on a 2-in. ball hitch. Wheel width adjusts from 56 to 75 in. and it can be towed at highway speeds. Either model costs $4,588 FOB and comes with a 90-day warranty for ordinary use and 30-day warranty for commercial use. "We contract with an Ogden manufacturing company to make them," Ganswich says. "The workmanship is superb. I'm very particular on how things are made. He adds that he is interested in adding dealers and notes that he plans to test an ATV front loader this summer. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Gan-So Enterprises, LLC, 5093 South 1500 West, Suite B, Riverdale, Utah (ph 801 510-7082; bill@atvs-backhoes.com; www.atvs-backhoes.com).

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