Backhoe B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe

   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #1  

brisbine

New member
Joined
May 15, 2002
Messages
9
Location
Portland, OR
Tractor
Kubota B21TLB
I am considering purchasing a B7500 (16 PTO HP) with a subframed Woods 6500 remote PTO backhoe (mainly due to budget, size, and weight constraints), but my concern is that is will be more of a toy than a tool capable of real work. A local dealer let me dig some holes in his back lot, and it seemed to have decent breakout force (12" bucket), but I had a hard time keeping the tractor stationary. Perhaps the tractor is too light, but I think it was just my inexperience.

Also, I found out that the 6500 backhoe does not have replaceable bushings like its big brothers (7500 and 9000). Has anyone had any problems with pin/pivot wear on this model?

If anyone has this particular combination or something similar I would love to hear your feedback on what you think of it. Is it too small to do any real work? I plan on using it in clay, rocky soil where we will be building a house (utilities, drains, septic, some stumping, etc...). Is this combination capable of the tasks? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Brian
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #2  
Brian -- I had been told, before getting my Woods 7500 with subframe, that backhoes were not the best choice for removing stumps and I'm finding that to be true. They'll get the job done, but slowly and with much repositioning. My tractor is a Kubota L3010 with loaded tires -- considerably heavier than yours -- and that backhoe is easily able to move it around.

You're right, a B7500 is a pretty light tractor. (Were the tires ballasted?) But so are the BX's...and I've seen them do some pretty decent backhoe trenching. The tasks you mention that I would have some concern with are the stumping and the septic, the latter mostly because of the depth. When my septic tank was installed the pit was nine feet deep, deeper than my hoe could have dug.

Would that dealer let you trench, say, 20 feet so you could get a real feel for it..?

Pete
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #3  
I had a woods 6500 on a B2400, which is basically the same rig you are talking about. The 6500 worked well, but it is a small hoe, with limited reach and depth. You will have to reposition often, and under certain circumstances stop and bucket away the spoils with the loader to make room for more digging.

I did suggessfully dig out a huge maple stump that was way bigger than the tractor once I got it out, dug the frost wall trenches for my barn foundation, removed some other smaller stumps, and dug out lots of offending rocks.

If you can step up to a B2710 or larger, you can get the woods 7500 (or a Kubota 4690) hoe and a noticably more substantial tractor. I'd encourage you to do that if at all possible.
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #4  
Brian,

The replaceable bushings are important for longevity, as I had a L185DT with a 600 series BH 3PTH/frame mount and at 400-500 hrs they tend to get a lot of play in the joints, as there are so many connections to move - 3PT to hoe, etc. Plus I found always getting on/off the BH to tractor to move around and reposition the machine to the task was a chore.

So I tried and bought the B21TLB integrated unit allows for moving around while still in the BH, digs to 7'+, does small oak/pine/rock stumps -10-12" range with ease, larger stumps take time.. All BH move around somewhat when digging, it's really a matter of setting up the stance and preparing to dig.

I looked at and almost bought the L3010 with Woods 7500 then I looked at the ease of removal, operation - not two seats to deal with, and chose the B21, as it was within 100Lbs to the 3010 in lift, digging etc and price was at that time the same (Fall 2000) Have 60 plus hrs now.

So, check out the B21 - Carvers is running a special $23K range for a complete unit. Also the BX 22 seems to be getting very good reports here, and is a baby brother to the B21..

If you really want to move up look at the L35/48 or the JD 110 units, but they are $30-40K plus pending options.

Carl
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #5  
When I went to look at the BX22 my dealer said he took a 7500 home with a woods 3pth BH to dig a ditch. He said he thought it would have done just as good as the BX22 he used at the dealer show. He said now the BX22's are out he much rather use it then a small tractor with a 3pth mounted BH. I've never used a 3pth BH so I'm just telling you what the dealer said. He could have said either was better being that he has a 7500 with the 3pth BH and didn't have the BX22 yet.
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #6  
I have a B7300 with a Woods 6500 backhoe, so here's my feedback...

First of all, I have to agree with Hayden's post. A larger tractor with a larger hoe would be a better choice - with hindsight, I would have probably bought a bigger tractor (although I could barely afford the one I got at the time). I added my backhoe a couple of years after buying my tractor, and the Woods with the subframe was definately the right choice. With the smaller tractor, I think the subframe is critical.

But having said that, I am quite happy with the hoe / tractor. With it on, I'm pretty back-heavy and if I'm not careful when I drop the FEL the front pops right up. (Tires are loaded, but no other front weight - keep meaning to add something.) It is great for the type of digging I need to do, which is primarily digging out for retaining walls and some trenching.

I've also got heavy soil with lots of rocks and there are some places the hoe runs out of steam. I've got a pretty solid wall of sandstone that I can't really break apart - but I suspect that any compact tractor would have problems with it. In any case, it does deal with rocks OK, but if you're wanting to go through things that are closer to concrete it won't do it (I can dig into hard packed road base [driveway]).

If you can swing the larger tractor, do it. But I'm still really happy with my little guy (which is, BTW, smaller than a B7500).

...Chris
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #7  
Brian,

Two years ago I was in the same position. I finally decided on a B2910 with Woods 7500 & subframe. This was my reasoning.

When I started comparing prices on the various attachments for the Kubota B series, I found that there wasn't really a huge difference in price based upon size alone. For example, the Woods 6500 was a little cheaper than the 7500, but I felt that the additional capabilities of the 7500 were worth the slight additional cost. Ditto the loader, posthole auger, snowblower, boxblade etc. I felt therefore, that I was getting the most "bang for the buck" with the larger tractor.

In retrospect, I think the Kubota B7500 tractor would have done all I needed, but I'm glad I stepped up to the B2910. I've only got a few hours on the backhoe, but from the little work I've done, the extra reach of the 7500 was really appreciated.

I considered the tractor and all the implements to be a lifetime purchase and therefore didn't mind spending the extra $$$ for the capabilities of the larger machine.

I'd also like to add that I have a very small lot (2/3 acre) and don't use the B2910 for mowing. Maneuverability has never been a problem. I've built my fence gates to accomodate the width of the 60" implements I have.

I was fortunate enough to be in a position to buy the larger tractor and backhoe. With the rebates and lower financing rates available now, I would think it to be even more tempting. If this is going to be a "lifetime" purchase for you, take that into consideration. Even if it's not, my guess is that if you should decide to sell the whole rig in a few years, the larger backhoe might attract more buyers.

Good luck in your decision. Most of us have been there one time or another.

~Rick
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Thanks for all of your valuable input!

After giving it much thought, and considering all the things I wanted to be able to do, I began looking at a B21TLB. I very much liked the ruggedness of the commercial grade line, and it seemed that everything was geared towards better maintenance. The swivel seat, canopy, stronger hoe and loader, and the extra reach of the hoe were all features that I really liked.

As a result, I now have a brand new B21TLB sitting in my backyard. So far I am extremely happy with it. Once I get more familiar with the controls I will put it through the ringer and see what happens-- I am very confident its performance will make me feel better about over-extending my budget... ;)

Thanks again for helping me make a tough decision!

-Brian
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #9  
Wow! That's a huge step up! I'm positively filled with envy!

Pete
 
   / B7500 w/ Woods 6500 backhoe #10  
WOW! Congratulations. That is quite a step up. I was thinking about the B21 as well, but I wanted something that would fit through my garage door, and the FOPS on the B21 wouldn't make it.

Enjoy your tractor, and don't worry about being over-extended. You will find it pays for itself in more ways than you can now imagine.

Good Luck,

~Rick
 
 
 
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