Wallenstein 3pt. backhoe questions

[afoster]

I need some information on the Wallenstein GX720 3pt. backhoe. Most forums seem to make a point, of saying "stay away from 3pt. hitch backhoes" because they seem to break the 3pt. hitch. However when I've gone looking for documented evidence that this actually occurs I'm just not having much luck finding any (it almost seems like it could be something similar to an urban myth).
My question is this, people seem to say; that what fails on these 3pt backhoes is the top-link anchor on the tractor, because the hoe creates to much stress on the fitting. Which seems very plausible!
What I've noticed on the Wallenstein backhoes is, as well as having the top-link attachment point they also run another link down to the draw-bar of the tractor such that there are two points now taking the forces generated from the backhoe. So if anyone has one of these backhoes does this methodology seem to work or are they still having failure problems with the attachment points on the tractor.

 

[Baby Grand]

Where's dfkrug when you need him?

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/171760-how-build-your-own-custom.html

 

[afoster]

I've read pretty well all the information that I can find on 3pt and subframe mounted backhoes. What I'm hoping for is someone with experience, with the Wallenstein backhoe to give me some helpful information on this brand.

 

[afoster]

I thought that there would be some Wallenstien backhoe owners out there, that could answer my question, but I guess not.

 

[afoster]

Thought I'd try to get some comments on the Wallenstien backhoes one last time, before I give up on them.

 

[Luremaker]

Thought I'd try to get some comments on the Wallenstien backhoes one last time, before I give up on them.

I was at the London Farm show last week and did visit the Wallensten display. I thought the rep said they used a proprietary 4 point hitch on their backhoes. I may have photos if you are interested. Nice looking backhoes. Other than that I know very little about them

 

[afoster]

I've seen quite a few pictures of these backhoes, but none actually showing the top-link attachment to draw-bar that I'm wondering about. I only became aware of this attachment link by reading their on-line operator's/installation manual. I've sent several inquires to the company asking specific questions about the attachment link as well as trying to get confirmation that the backhoe would actually fit on my tractor. But to date have had no response from the company regarding these inquires. Which to me is starting to indicate that company does not have a good support/service structure in place.

 

[Luremaker]

I've seen quite a few pictures of these backhoes, but none actually showing the top-link attachment to draw-bar that I'm wondering about. I only became aware of this attachment link by reading their on-line operator's/installation manual. I've sent several inquires to the company asking specific questions about the attachment link as well as trying to get confirmation that the backhoe would actually fit on my tractor. But to date have had no response from the company regarding these inquires. Which to me is starting to indicate that company does not have a good support/service structure in place.

I've emailed them in the past and and never received a reply. I don't think they really know what email is all about. Call them with your questions. Let me pull and resize a few pictures.

 

[afoster]

If you have pictures of the 3pt hitch assembly for the backhoe that would help. I have tried phoning them, but got put on hold then disconnected. If their support structure is poor as the impression that I'm getting from them, then I probably shouldn't consider one of their backhoes located were I am.

 

[Luremaker]

Here are a few pictures. Not as clear as I remember. These were taken at a farm show last summer.

 

[afoster]

Thanks for the pictures. I was hoping they would be for the GX720 backhoe but they are for the GX620 which has a different mounting kit than one I was inquiring about. Its interesting that the price they are quoting for the units is considerably less than what I've seen them listed at in western Canada even when you take into account the freight.

 

[Luremaker]

Thanks for the pictures. I was hoping they would be for the GX720 backhoe but they are for the GX620 which has a different mounting kit than one I was inquiring about. Its interesting that the price they are quoting for the units is considerably less than what I've seen them listed at in western Canada even when you take into account the freight.

If I remember correctly this was a GX920.

 

[dfkrug]

What I'm hoping for is someone with experience, with the Wallenstein backhoe to give me some helpful information on this brand.

Well, I have never owned or used a Wallenstein hoe, and I have only seen
one in person (a GX700 in Nebraska). They don't seem to make it out
here to the left coast from Ontario, Canada where they are made.

That said, I see the newest GXx20 series of hoes has a very extensive
offering of subframes, and there even seems to be one for the CT335/DK35.
They have both 4-pt subframes and "belly" subframes.

Note that these hoes are pretty light duty, and seem to still be limited to
only 2250psi hyd pressure. I think it is an error in the spec docs, but
the GX920XT is listed at only 980lb. The old GX900 was 1200lb, according
to my old literature.

As for subframe vs. 3-pt attachment, the problems are not only broken
3-pt components, but broken tractors. Several have been posted in the
past on TBN. Sorry, I don't have any pix handy.

 

[Glen Watkins]

They look pretty good to me. What are you trying to find out about them?

http://www.embmfg.com/File.aspx?id=299cadb9-9008-4c01-b48d-ec6d1f2094d5

 

[afoster]

I sent a request to Wallenstien regarding their GX720 backhoe several weeks ago asking the following information.

Will this unit fit on a Bobcat CT335 with cab using the 3pt hitch mount and not interfere with the cab or require any cab parts to be removed. Every backhoe I've looked at so far will not mount correctly on this cab tractor without some modification to the cab.

The same question as above but instead of the 3pt hitch mount using the your subframe mount or your 4 point mount option.

The owners manual for the GX720 shows mounting bracket (part 13) that gets attached to the tractor's drawbar when using the 3pt hitch mount option. I want to know does this attachment to the drawbar significantly reduce the amount of stress being put on the tractor's toplink attachment point. My understanding is the most common failure point for 3pt mount backhoe is caused by the backhoe's toplink putting to much stress on this fitting causing the the tractors casing to crack and pull apart.

I've tried to get these answers out of their dealers as well but with no luck so far. The best way to see what I'm talking about in regards to their 3pt mount is to go to their website and download the operator manual for the GX720 and take a look at their 3pt mount assembly on page 20. http://www.embmfg.com/File.aspx?id=dd209a08-7274-42b3-9290-10d518d4d543&display=full

 

[Luremaker]

Call Boyd's Farm Equipment in Owen Sound at 800-475-2693, ask for Jim. He is a Kioti / Kubota dealer and sells a lot of Wallenstein backhoes. Your Bobcat is a rebadged kioti if I am not mistaken.

 

[Glen Watkins]

Just wondering if Bobcat/Kioti sells a backhoe to fit your specific machine?

 

[afoster]

Yes Bobcat does make a backhoe for this unit. Which was what I initially planned on purchasing for the tractor. But when I started to doing more research on the hoe I was told by Bobcat that for the backhoe to mount on the tractor with a cab I would have to remove the back window of the cab. Well a cab with no back window kind of defeats the purpose of the cab. So I started researching other brands of backhoes to see if they would fit on my tractor without having to modify the cab. So far I have had no luck finding a backhoe that will fit with the cab in place, until I happened to see a picture of one of the Wallenstein hoe's mounted on a small tractor with a cab. Thus the reason I've been trying to get some information about these hoes.

 

[galaxie428]

I have a Bobcat CT230 and if I had a cab, my seat is the only thing that would interfere with it. It seems like if you wanted one bad enough that with some minor modifications to the seat or possibly the subframe would remedy your problem. It would kind of stink to have to modify your subframe but by adding some material to it to move it out just far enough where the seat would clear your cab might do the trick. If you are handy with a welder, you could probably do this easily. If you are not, get a professional to do it because that is something you don't want to do half a$$ed.

Did you check with Rick Wallace on mounting a BH to your 335? Surely he has done it with a cab.

 

[Baby Grand]

I sent a request to Wallenstien regarding their GX720 backhoe several weeks ago asking the following information.

...

I've tried to get these answers out of their dealers as well but with no luck so far. The best way to see what I'm talking about in regards to their 3pt mount is to go to their website and download the operator manual for the GX720 and take a look at their 3pt mount assembly on page 20. http://www.embmfg.com/File.aspx?id=dd209a08-7274-42b3-9290-10d518d4d543&display=full

It makes me wonder how responsive they will be after they have your money, should you have a problem. Sounds like customer service is not their thing. For what you would be spending I think I'd consider another brand.