For its age, the Ford 4500 backhoe is still quite strong for its class; in digging and loading work, it pulls up hard ground, roots, and rubble at a satisfying pace, and it gives you confidence that it can handle typical farm, hobby property, and around-the-house jobs. On the other hand, because it is a 50-plus-year-old machine, it is slower and less comfortable than modern backhoes, and you need to be prepared to deal with chronic issues such as hydraulic leaks, worn bushings, and slack in the swing chains. Regular maintenance on the steering and front axle is essential, and before buying, you really need to test the forward-reverse transmission carefully to be sure it is healthy. If your budget is limited, you like doing your own work, and you do not mind occasional maintenance and repairs, the Ford 4500 feels like a very capable work machine for the money; but if you expect daily professional job-site use, high comfort, and a “just put fuel in it and never think about it” experience, then a newer model would be a better choice.

Ford 4500 Backhoe Specs

Engine

Fluid Capacities

Transmission

There are 4 different transmission options for the Ford 4500:

1. Manual Reversing (Mechanical shuttle)
   • Type: Mechanical shuttle
   • Gears: 6 forward, 4 reverse
   • Oil capacity: 13.8 qt (13.1 L)
   • Note: 3 forward and 2 reverse gears; these are combined in 2 ranges.
2. Select-O-Speed (Full power shift)
   • Type: Full powershift
   • Gears: 10 forward, 2 reverse
   • Oil capacity: 13.2 qt (12.5 L)
3. Power shuttle
   • Type: Power shuttle
   • Gears: 4 forward, 4 reverse
   • Oil capacity: 19 qt (18.0 L)
   • Note: 4–speed gear box with a shuttle lever on the left side and a torque converter.
4. Dual Range (Gear)
   • Type: Conventional gear transmission
   • Gears: 8 forward, 2 reverse
   • Oil capacity: 13.2 qt (12.5 L)
   • Note: 4 forward plus reverse used in 2 ranges.

Hydraulic System

1. Separate circuits and oil capacities
   • Hitch (rear 3-point lift): 6.5 gal ≈ 24.6 L
   • Loader circuit: 14 gal ≈ 53.0 L
   • Backhoe circuit: 8 gal ≈ 30.3 L
2. Pump types and flow rates
   • Engine-driven piston pump for the hitch, 4.5 gpm ≈ 17.0 L/min
   • Separate front-mounted high-flow pump for the loader, 21.3 gpm ≈ 80.6 L/min
   • Total hydraulic flow: 26.6 gpm ≈ 100.7 L/min
3. Valves (number of remotes)
   • The tractor hydraulic system can be equipped with 0 to 2 remote valves, for single- or double-acting cylinders.
4. Hitch type and operating characteristics
   • “Live” hydraulic system, which means that as long as the engine is running the hydraulics stay active and pressing the clutch does not stop the hitch.
   • Rear Category II 3-point hitch (can be converted to Category I) with a rated lift capacity of about 2000 lb ≈ 907 kg.

Dimensions

Performance

Tire Size

• Agricultural rear tire: 16.9-24
• Agricultural rear tire (alternative): 16.9-28
• Lawn / turf front tire: 16.9-24 (listed this way on TractorData)
• Industrial front tire: 7.50-16
• Industrial rear tire: 16.9-24
• Industrial front tire (alternative): 9.00-16
• Industrial rear tire (alternative): 16.9-28

Bucket Size

Loader model: Ford 740 front-end loader (factory-matched to the 4500)

Standard material bucket

• Outside width: 71.5 in (≈181 cm)
• Capacity (struck): 25.3 cu.ft (0.72 m³)
• Capacity (heaped): 27.0 cu.ft (0.77 m³) → about 1.0 yd³
• Weight: 630 lb (286 kg)

Light material bucket

• Outside width: 85.5 in (≈216–218 cm)
• Capacity (struck): 27.8 cu.ft (0.79 m³)
• Capacity (heaped): 30.5 cu.ft (0.87 m³) → about 1.1 yd³
• Weight: 560 lb (254 kg)

Loader / bucket performance (with the 740 loader)

• Maximum lift height at pivot pin: 129 in (3.27 m)
• Dump clearance: 104.5 in (2.64 m)
• Ground reach with bucket level: 75 in (1.90 m)
• Dump angle: 42°, rollback angle: 30°
• Maximum lift capacity at pivot pin: 3750 lb (1700 kg)
• Breakout force at pivot pin: 6000 lb (≈2720 kg)