Backhoe Woods 7500 Backhoe Purchase

[jd2210va]

After re-reading the "great debate" on small backhoe ownership posted last September, I find myself at the crossroads of whether to join the "I have's" or remain with the "have not's" when it comes to CUT backhoe's. Today I priced a Woods 7500 with subframe, 12" bucket and pto hydraulic pump, to be purchased from and installed by my NH dealer. Quote was $6630. Do I HAVE to have it, no. Do I want to have it, yes. Do I have $6600 burning a hole in my pocket, not exactly. Do I have a use for it, I believe I do and as said in the "great debate" I bet I would find alot more uses for it once I had it.
Anyway, I would appreciate any opinions/advice on the Woods backhoe and the price quoted. (Not trying to re-open the debate on small backhoe ownership, though I did enjoy all the good commentary in that discussion!) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[kubotabilly]

JD,

I have a Woods 6500 and it works great. No problems whatsoever. Almost the same setup that you looked into except I have the Woods 4 point hookup and the 6500 is the next size under. Real easy to mount and remove. You may want to consider that mount. As for price, I bought mine 5 years ago, and paid $4300. I sat it up myself and the dealer knocked off another $200. Their easy to assemble, you may want to consider setting yours up. I originally bought the 6500 for the B2150 that I had. It was a 3 point hookup, When I sold the B2150 and purchased an HSTC 3430 I had to go with the 4 point hookup to get the BH away from the cab. The 4 point hookup cost me $850. Woods may not offer this 4 point hookup on a cabless tractor, but it's worth looking into.

Bill

 

[RodgerF]

Which dealer did you talk to? I got a little better quote than that for the exact same setup last month. I'm more than likely going to get one early next month for my TC30. Still undecided between the Woods or a BushHog brand.

Good luck with the purchase

Rodger

 

[Clyde]

JD - I purchased the Wood's 9000 for my Mahindra 4500 4WD and I have never regretted the purchase. Although the onboard pump provided the proper gpm requirement, the reservoir capacity didn't provide enough so I had to go with the aux pump and reservoir. As with you, I don't feel as if I have to quantify a reason to buy an item and I willingly admit I never imagined the possibilities of uses. My concern of frame mount versus 3pt (I opted for frame mount) was because of the wear and tear on the 3pt. I've heard nasty stories of guys snapping off the top link casting with the 3pt. The frame mount definitely distributes the load of the hoe and the anticipated loading and digging force .

I purchased a 16" and 24" bucket at the same time. I haven't even used the 16" yet because the hoe dug thru red clay with the 24" with no problem. I thought I'd use the 24" in sand and the 16" in clay but obviously I underestimated the power of this backhoe. I would almost guarantee you the same results with your model. Groundbreaker was a good name for this series but more aptly....rock crusher!

As far as the price you quoted, I think it is within the limits of fair. With steel prices very high right now, I think the price is very fair. If every dealer sold every item at cost - he wouldn't be in business too long. I think that as far as durability of any Wood's product, it will hold up to any task you or I will require of it. So far I have a Wood's 620 brush mower, quick attach pallet fork, and a 5 ft turf renovator. The only item I needed to replace on any of them is replacement blades for the brush mower and I hardly think 150lb rocks were meant to be mowed!

I don't think you'll be sorry with a Wood's product and incidentally, I have no ties to Wood's. Good Luck with your purchase and enjoy it!

 

[garbageman]

I have a 6500 frame mounted bachhoe on a Kubota 7500, the price was 6,000.00 two years ago. Alot of money yes. Was it worth it Yes. Most of the time it sits in the barn, but when needed is is a great tool. If you have the money go ahead, you will love it. BTY I load up my front loader with rock, it keeps the tractor from dancing.
Ray

 

[MadDog]

I have a Woods 7500 and subframe mount on my B7800 and am very happy with it. Mine cost about $5900, but that was a year ago and I got it in a package with the B7800 and a bunch of other goodies. You get better prices that way.

You can dig out boulders bigger than what my FEL can lift and carry. I am sold on subframe mounting as the better way to go; can't help but save stress on your tractor frame and 3ph. You'll find a pile of uses for it. Beyond that, I think most of the debate was whether small backhoes are all that time-efficient. ...probably not for bigger jobs, but if you're working for yourself on your projects on your own property, what's the hurry anyway??

There is also major convenience, as many have observed, in being able to do work at odd hours or in small chunks when you have some time, rather than renting and feeling that you have to tear a whole day's (or weekend's) work off at once to justify the rental.

Bottom line: so long as you're comfortable with the cost, buy and enjoy to the fullest; life's too short not to.

 

[jd2210va]

Rodger,

My quote was from Crewe Tractor in central VA, who I purchased my tractor from. What dealer did you get a price from and what was the price (if you don't mind me asking)? Did it include dealer installation?

Good luck with your purchase. I haven't seen any complaints on TBN about Woods products. I have a Woods BB and landscape rake that are well designed and built. I've heard some good endorsements here about their backhoes too (in fact some more added in this discussion!). Haven't really heard much on the Bushhog brand backhoe but that doesn't mean much (maybe those owners are too busy digging holes with it!).

 

[jd2210va]

Clyde,

Thanks for your input. It helps to hear folks are happy with their purchase since a backhoe purchase is a "big ticket item" at least in my mind and having no experience with one its hard to completely envision just how much it will be able to do. I thought the quote might be in the ball park but was hoping it would cost a couple hundred less than that (its stretching my budget a little beyond where I wanted to be). The initial price quoted was $6990! I'll have to think about it a little more, I'm sure I would enjoy having the backhoe!

 

[jd2210va]

Appreciate your feedback. Its interesting to hear that even though you admit its only used a few times a year you still feel good about purchasing it! That reminds me that since I wouldn't be trying to earn a living with it, you don't really have to look at the purchase in terms of how quick is the return on your investment. Its more about the capabilities and freedom it gives you to do things on your own terms over the long haul.

 

[jd2210va]

You guys are offering way too much encouragement here! But I like it!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I had got a quote of $5900 on the 6500 Woods model. I liked that price but felt like I might have been left wishing for a little more backhoe that the 7500 model appears to offer and is within the specs of my tractor.

Since you say it is capable of removing fairly large boulders could I envision it being able to dig out 20"~24" dia. oak stumps? I'm sure it wouldn't be real quick about it but I wouldn't be in a big hurry. I just wouldn't want to be pushing it beyond its capabilities.

Like you and others have discussed, I'm not a big fan of going the rental route when I want to work on home projects........too much hassle/time pressure involved in most of my rental experiences.