Backhoe Woods 6500 Backhoe

[Nik]

I am considering buying a Woods 6500 backhoe with subframe and PTO pump for my Kubota B2410. The specs are very similar to the backhoe on the Bx22. Does anyone have any experience with this backhoe and digging in hard,rocky clay soil. This would be used for light landscaping duties such as digging holes for small trees and some small stump removals. I have given thought to buying a BX22 but I really like my larger B2410 and have several implements for it that are too large for the BX series. Also the b2410 serves my needs well and just buying a backhoe would be cheaper. I was impressed with how easy the 6500 subframe/hoe attach to the tractor. Thanks for your help.

 

[Wheeldog]

Nik,

Too bad you didn't get any responses to your question. I was interested in hearing what people had to say, since that is the setup I'd choose for my B2410 also. Cross-posting is probably frowned upon, but there may be some B-series owners with the Woods 6500/7500 hoes who don't typically read the 'Attachments' threads - you might catch them under 'Kubota Owning'.

Rob

 

[Hoeman00]

I had a 7500 on a L2900.
Worked fine but it was on small side.
I have a 9000 on my SSL now.
The sub frame is a nice set up w/ PTO pump kit.
I don't know anything about smaller Kubota tractors.

 

[Rick Jay]

Nik,

I can't comment specifically on your desired set-up. I do have a Woods 7500 with pump and sub-frame on my B2910. It works really well, although there are times I wish it had a longer reach.

That being said, it still beats a pick and shovel any day.

Good Luck,

Rick

 

[bigrazor]

I have a 6500 on a B1700 and am pretty happy with it. Much better than digging by hand. I live in Southern, NH and mostly have hard, rocky clay soil like you mentioned. It handles it without any real problems. Takes a little longer that's all.

Don't get a large bucket. I think I have the 16" bucket. The tractor doesn't have the weight or power to dig with a bigger bucket in hard soil. Also, the bigger bucket can be a drawback when digging around a rock or stump.

Backhoe removal and installation gets easier over time. It does add a lot of weight so make sure you consider that if you're trailering it. And watch out for slopes. The backhoe sticks way out the back so its really easy to get it caught on a hill.

 

[tractorman]

The subframe mounting on the Woods 6500 makes it much easier to install on the tractor than kubota's three point hitch mounting. The only problem I have encountered with the Woods on the Kubota B2410 is that the subframe hangs out pretty far from the tractor and also pretty low to the ground. This makes loading it on a trailer a pretty good chore. Bottoming out is a problem. I should have a good used backhoe and subframe coming in very soon, email me if interested. Thanks, Tractorman

 

[chrisjbell]

Jeez, sorry I didn't see this post sooner. I have a Woods 6500 backhoe, with subframe and PTO hydraulic pump that I have hooked up to a B7300. I live in the Sierra foothills in California and have some pretty serious rock and clay in some spots. Someone made a comment about the tractor not having enough weight to dig through some stuff, and that is true but I've only had real problems trying to dig up a slope that is mostly rock. I'll probably ask my neighbor to bring his big hoe in for that.

But I'm really happy with the setup. It is a better solution (IMHO) than the Kubota setup, at least for the smaller tractors. Yours is a bit bigger than mine, but I'd still think that having the subframe would be a Good Thing. You can throw the tractor around pretty good with the hoe, and any extra strength in the frame will certainly help.

The subframe also helps by adding weight under the tractor's center of gravity. Yeah, it does get spooky on slopes, and there is a tendancy to get caught on certain terrain. However, for the smaller tractors I am convinced that is the way to go.

The way I think of my tractor with the hoe on is basically a platform for digging. The tractor can be used with the FEL (uh, make sure you have *lots* of weight up front!), but it isn't exactly nimble. But it works fantastic for lumbering up to a spot, planting the hoe, and digging.

If you have a big enough tractor, the 7500 might be a better choice - I don't think you can have too much reach when operating a hoe. Oh, and the comment about bucket size - true. Don't go bigger than 12" for hard soil, and you might even consider smaller if you have really nasty stuff. My neighbor with the big hoe runs an 8" - although it is a heck of a lot deeper than my 12".

Hope that helps. Sorry I took so long to get back to you...Chris