Thumb BH-90X - To Thumb Or Not To Thumb... That is the Question

[clvickers]

Just spoke with woods this week about their BH-90X.

I was originally looking at getting a 90X with both 18" and 36" Buckets plus a Hydraulic thumb. The plan was to use the 18" bucket and thumb for trenching power/water, digging and moving a few stumps, and picking up and burying dead things as needed. The 36" bucket was to be used for redigging and/or cleaning out ditches as the dirt refills them.

Woods told me that if you go with the Hydraulic Thumb you cannot use the 36" bucket at all as it won't even mount on the BH. The largest bucket that will mount with the thumb installed is the 24" bucket.

So, the dilemma I have is do I drop the thumb and keep the 36" bucket or do I drop the 36" bucket and get an 18" and 24" bucket with the Thumb?

Anyone have any opinions??

Carl

 

[shaley]

The thumb should come off by pulling 2 pins if you want to only use it on the 18". I also think the 36" is allot of bucket for that hoe. I guess with FLA sand you will be OK.

 

[Catman1]

On Friday, I talked to my dealer about getting a BH-90X for my Kubota M8540 that should be arriving sometime here in April. I plan on getting the 24 and 36 inch buckets and also the Hyd thumb. I will ask him to check on the limitations. As Shaley stated, you can always remove the thumb.

The dealer was also going to check, but the BH-90X also has a Quick disconnect option for the bucket and that should make it easie for bucket changes. I wonder if there is a QD for the thumb?

What kind of price did the dealer quote for that setup and the two buckets? I will find out Monday what my dealer quotes and will let you know.

 

[clvickers]

Most of the quotes have been 10K - 11K for the configuration I was originally ask for. It's going to be used on a L3830 with LA723 FEL.

 

[john_bud]

I would get a second opinion from Woods directly. I am having trouble with my mental image of the mounts for the 18/24" buckets VS the 36" and why it would interfere. It seems like it should work. On my old ford, the mounts are the same for 12" - 36". Maybe it's obvious once you see it?

jb

 

[CJ4]

I have the BH-90X and it's an awesome backhoe. I have the mechanical thumb and a 12" bucket. I'd like to get the 18" or maybe the 24" bucket. I agree that the 36" is probably too much bucket imho.

 

[Catman1]

Thanks clvickers for the info on the pricing. I will know what to expect from my dealer now.

 

[MadDogDriver]

Just spoke with woods this week about their BH-90X...

...Woods told me that if you go with the Hydraulic Thumb you cannot use the 36" bucket at all as it won't even mount on the BH. The largest bucket that will mount with the thumb installed is the 24" bucket.

Carl,

There are some close photos of the thumb in a separate thread that might be useful.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/97414-woods-bh90-x-hyd-thumb.html

I have the thumb and an 18" bucket and can't imagine life without the thumb, but could not find any reference to restrictions of buckets over 24" with the thumb. I've attached the hyd thumb install manual for your reference.

http://www.woodsequipment.com/Manuals/manuals/SubFrames/MAN0540.pdf

I agree with CJ4, a 36" bucket is a MONSTER and you'd have to have some pretty loose soil to work that size.

 

[clvickers]

Here is a copy of the email that I sent directly to Woods regarding info on the setup I was looking for and what I received back from them

-=-=-=-=-
To: WoodsInfo
Subject: BH-90X questions

I currently have a Kubota L3830 with an LA723 FEL on it. I’m planning on purchasing a Woods BH-90x with quick attach bucket option, 18” and 36” buckets, and a Hydraulic Thumb. I expect to use your 4-point sub frame system to mount the unit on the tractor.

Kubota states that the total hydraulic flow for the tractor is 13.2GPM and 8.3GPM for the Implement Pump. From what I understand the BH-90x would operate off the tractors “Total Hydraulic Flow” and not the implement pump. Is this correct?

I also understand that is an issue with the Hydraulic Thumb in relation to the 36” bucket. Is there an issue with having a Hydraulic Thumb if I have a 36” bucket or is the only issue that I cannot operate the thumb when the 36” bucket is on the BH?
-=-=-=-=-
Their response to me:

The hose kit #1006901 connects the back hoe into the tractor implement system, but does not just plug into the quick couplers. The implement system is used to power the backhoe. We have attached a manual on the mounting and hydraulics for your reference.

The 36” bucket attachment brackets interfere with the hydraulic thumb on this BH90X so the 36” bucket cannot even be installed when the backhoe is equipped with the thumb. The thumb can only be used with the 16”, 18” and 24” buckets on the Bh90X.

Let us know how we can be of assistance.

Thank you,
Steve Wells
Special Accounts Coordinator
-=-=-=-=-

Tks
Carlie

 

[MadDogDriver]

...The 36” bucket attachment brackets interfere with the hydraulic thumb on this BH90X so the 36” bucket cannot even be installed when the backhoe is equipped with the thumb. The thumb can only be used with the 16”, 18” and 24” buckets on the Bh90X.

Let us know how we can be of assistance.

Thank you,
Steve Wells
Special Accounts Coordinator
-=-=-=-=-

Tks
Carlie

Carlie,

You're email got me interested as to why the 36" bucket wouldn't mount. I just got off the phone with a Woods Tech Rep. He explained that the reason they do not recommend the 36" with a hyd thumb is the teeth of the thumb and the 36" hit each other rather than mesh. He stated that there's no other physical restriction and that as long as you left the thumb retracted and not used you could use the 36" all day long. There is no problem with the install of any bucket with the hyd thumb installed.

Sooo???? Whose correct, Steve Wells, Special Accounts Coordinator, or (guy on phone, Bill I think), Woods Tech Rep? The Tech Rep's explanation made sense to me, because I couldn't envision why the 36" would mount any differently than any of the other size buckets.

Steve and the Tech Rep agree that you can't use the thumb with the 36".