Backhoe/Excavator Question

[kubotafan]

Perhaps this is a poor question to ask here, but as this is really a tractor forum (and I have found it very helpful). Is there some other forum where I should be looking for help on excavators?

[Ken45101]

As to other forums, there is the construction subforum here on TractorByNet.

Also arborsite.com and heavyequipmentforums.com have subforums that I find very useful for construction equipment.

I've had a B-21 TLB for about 5 years and 400 hours of use. It's a small unit with backhoe. Good little machine for what it is, small.

This spring I bought a Kubota KX-121-3 (9000# mini ex). I love it! But it was expensive, of course.

As others mentioned, a backhoe can only dig in one spot and dump 90 degrees from there. They are also awkward to move a few feet as you are digging (at least eh B-21 is).

A backhoe can move the excavated material with the front bucket. A mini ex can only bulldozer dirt if you need to move it beyond the swing of the unit.

As for adding a BH to a small tractor, be sure it is rated for the backhoe. A lot of them need subframes to support the BH, you can't just hang it on the 3pt hitch.

Ken

[amigauser]

Originally Posted by kubotafan

I see where there are KX41-3 and KX41-2 machines. I think the KX41-3 is a newer model. Can someone can give help as to the difference between the two?

Like you stated the higher number is the "newer" model. So a used KX41-2 would be older than say a KX41-3. I am not sure what the later revisions provide over the older ones.

You may want to try here -
Heavy Equipment Forums - Powered by vBulletin

[Ken45101]

I don't know about the KX-41, but in the KX-121, the -3 indicates the swing blade, which is extremely useful. I specifically bought a new -3 to get the swing blade instead of a used -2. Very much worth it.

Ken

[20 20]

Originally Posted by kubotafan

Perhaps this is a poor question to ask here, but as this is really a tractor forum (and I have found it very helpful). Is there some other forum where I should be looking for help on excavators?

Try searching heavy equipment forums. That forum covers everything construction, from heavy duty to mini's{trucks dozers skidsteer excavator etc...}. There are a couple here that I see over there every now and then. The site helped me with some of my mini ex questions.

[Botabill]

If you can afford it get the excavator especially since you already have a tractor. I have a KX41-3. It's relativily easy to transport as it is only 2 tons and for trenching it is ideal. A larger excavator is better for depth and reach. TLBs offer some minor advantages (like a swiss army knife) but for real digging an excavator is what you want.

[kubotafan]

How gentle is a KX-41 on grass? Would it leave much of a footprint getting in or off a lawn? Do the rubber tracks rip up the grass? Would a tractor (BX23 or small B with a backhoe) do less damage?

[Ken45101]

Originally Posted by kubotafan

How gentle is a KX-41 on grass? Would it leave much of a footprint getting in or off a lawn? Do the rubber tracks rip up the grass? Would a tractor (BX23 or small B with a backhoe) do less damage?

The issue is turns. My KX-121 leaves the grass undisturbed if I go straight. Sharp turns, however, will tear up the grass if the ground is soft.

Yes, in general, a tractor will do less lawn damage unless the ground is soft. Then a tracked machine going straight is better, but a tired machine would be better for turns.

Ken

[powerstroke444e]

I have a b26 and its great it does everything but a mini excavator is better @ diging and getting around stuff in a tight yard, and for trenching but we have a small trencher 4"-8" and large on 8"-16" that really trenches. If I had the tractor I would just add a mini excavator like the kx91? I may have the model wrong but a 4-6000lb machine that was used would be a great machine to use with a small loader tractor.

The one thing that I find priceless is the small trencher as it makes more money than anything else we have and gets used the most.