Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855?

   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #1  

X24

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I'm looking to get a woods BH80-X 3pt mount with PTO pump for my JD 855 with FEL. The dealer says there is not much weight difference between the BH70-X and the BH80-X, but I wonder if it will be able to support it power wise. According to woods, the HP rating for the BH80-X is 20-45 so the 855 falls in (barely). I like this model BH because of the factory thumb option and the excavator style dipper. BH will be used for removing small stumps and bushes and installing shallow curtain drains.

Please let me know what you think.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #2  
What i think is...... if the weight won't be an issue, the power certainly won't. I suspect your tractor will power the hoe fine just above idle.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what the BH80-X weighs. Are you talking about the weight of the backhoe being a problem for the 3pt hitch or the tractor not weighing enough to stay planted? I have not seen one of these hoes in person so I'm not sure if it's too big in regards to size alone.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #4  
X24 said:
Thanks for your reply. I'm not sure what the BH80-X weighs. Are you talking about the weight of the backhoe being a problem for the 3pt hitch or the tractor not weighing enough to stay planted? I have not seen one of these hoes in person so I'm not sure if it's too big in regards to size alone.

Well, both potentially. But really i was just referring to what your dealer told you about the weights of the two hoes. Your 855's HP won't be a problem though. If it were me.... i'd opt for the smaller of the two you are looking at.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Yeah, the more research I do the more I lean toward the BH70-X. Less weight and smaller size will probably have some advantages with my machine.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #6  
One of the biggest issues with BH's is the hoe hydraulics overpowering the tractor. It's sort of a surprise to find the back of the tractor going up rather than the bucket going down. Then there's the tractor getting pulled into the hole, vs the bucket filling up with dirt.

The larger hoe will also have longer reach. That's really handy. It's so nice not having to move the tractor as often. But, if you reach out with a full bucket to the side as far as it can reach (dumping the spoils) and the tractor starts to get tippy, that's a real seat clencher.

You can use the larger hoe and be happy, but you will always have to be more circumspect in it's operation and a whole lot more smooth.

jb
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to get a quote on a BH70-X with a thumb and a 12" bucket rather than a 16" to make digging easier. From other threads I've read, the 3pt hitch mount is a no-no so I will look into a sub-frame and I have read that the self contained PTO driven system is very good to have.

How do sub-frames typically mount? I have tried and tried to take the large bolts out that hold the roll bar on so I hope it doesnt mount to them. Does the frame stay on the tractor and the backhoe attach and detach from it or does the whole thing come off everytime with pins and such? Will I still be able to mount my mid-mount mower with the sub-frame attached?
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #8  
The bh80x is only 50 lbs more than the bh70x. I recently installed one on my 30 hp Kioti CK30HST. You can very easily move the tractor around with it!

But I wouldn't want anything with less power.

My subframe went into existing open holes.

How much does your tractor weigh? CK30hst is about 3200 lbs I think.

I must admit when I first put it on it looked too big and I sort of thought I should have gotten the bh70x.

Mike
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
I think the 855 only weighs in the ballpark of 1900 lbs. Plus the FEL is probably 300-400 lbs.
 
   / Woods BH80-X too big for JD 855? #10  
Keep in mind that besides there only being 50lbs difference between the BH-70X and the BH-80X There is also another very important difference. Only the BH-80X has controls to slow the swing speed down. When you are working next to your house or a vehicle you will certainly appreciate that. It is also great when you are getting used to the operation of the backhoe.

As far as power to operate the hoe, you will be using a PTO pump so you will have all the power you need. If you don't already have your rear tires filled you will certainly want to look into that.

One last consideration. If you have many stones on your property, you might want to stay with a 16" bucket. Stones get stuck in 12"ers pretty often. Yep, I found that out the hard way.

Al
 
 
 
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