JD 46 vs. Woods BH70-X/BH80-X

[jdbower]

Currently I have a John Deere 46 backhoe that I'm very pleased with - except that I need to remove my mower independent lift to mount it. One solution to this is to replace the 46 with a Woods BH70-X or BH80-X which mounts to the 3PH. While I'd be losing the big subframe that I like with the 46, would this cause any real world issues? I notice that on paper both Woods 'hoes look better than the Deere plus have the neat thumb option, don't make me flip up the driver's seat to use, and have the benefit of allowing me to more easily loan it out to a neighbor with a non-Deere tractor. Would I lose anything (other than a significant chunk of change) by trading in the 46 on a Woods?

Assuming the answer is "nothing I care about," is there a reason not to go with the BH80-X instead of the 70 on a 2520 with Power Beyond (except price, of course)? Would you recommend the PTO aux pump with either model?

One last question, how do I justify to the wife another expensive toy?

 

[ducati996]

I would think that you need to go with the subframe mount - i think they call it a 4-pt mount. Now does that interfere with the MMM that needs to be confirmed. Can you use the 80-x on the 2520 series? I think you can, but its a big hoe. I think they fit on the B2630/B3030 series Kubota, so maybe you can.
If you sell it privately that would be your best bet. I suppose you have a woods dealer near you, so that helps.

I dont have to flip my driver seat up while using the Hoe - Im not a small skinny weakling either

Have you pressed your dealer on what deere is doing about the MMM and BH issue?

 

[jdbower]

Thanks for the input!

I would think that you need to go with the subframe mount

While I only quickly looked, I didn't see a manual for a subframe mount for a 2520. I figured that rather than risking further incompatibilities with my many toys a 3PH mount may be easier to deal with - but I can discuss with the dealer if there is a 4-point attachment available for the 2520. Luckily the nice thing about living in central NJ is that there's a dealer for just about everything fairly nearby (not as close as my Deere dealer but only 20 miles away).

Have you pressed your dealer on what deere is doing about the MMM and BH issue?

Not yet, but I'll bring it up when I go in for service soon. He'll be happy that another of my thoughts is to trade in the mower components of the 2520 for a ZTR, but my wife already doesn't like the idea of another machine in the stable...

 

[kennyd]

I think a 3PH mount will tear your tractor apart! You need the subframe for support.

 

[jdbower]

I'm not feeling much love for the 3PH-mounted backhoe (which is better than ending up with a mangled tractor, I guess). Is this because the 2520 is too small for these particular 'hoes or just a general concern? Would dropping down another notch to a BH6000 alleviate these issues? I guess I could just practice removing the lift cylinder, but that won't get me any new toys

 

[ducati996]

I'm not feeling much love for the 3PH-mounted backhoe (which is better than ending up with a mangled tractor, I guess). Is this because the 2520 is too small for these particular 'hoes or just a general concern? Would dropping down another notch to a BH6000 alleviate these issues? I guess I could just practice removing the lift cylinder, but that won't get me any new toys

problem is universal between most tractors and hoes this size..using a hoe can be a violent action/reaction type of energy. Its got to go somewhere, and if not dispersed correctly, it will weaken the weakest link

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I'm not feeling much love for the 3PH-mounted backhoe (which is better than ending up with a mangled tractor, I guess). Is this because the 2520 is too small for these particular 'hoes or just a general concern? Would dropping down another notch to a BH6000 alleviate these issues? I guess I could just practice removing the lift cylinder, but that won't get me any new toys

I had a 4115 w/46 hoe that I used for removing stumps up to 14" and the way I was bounced around I could not imagine just having a 3pt. mount hoe...