Buying new B2620- did I get everything I need?

tractchores · Jun 7, 2013

Finnster said:
Re: 16" bucket

Has anyone with the 16" bucket built French drains? One of the main things I want to do w/ the backhoe.
I had been doing reading regarding bucket sizes, some had said the bigger is better as its easier to get into the bottom of trenches if you have to work in them. Others said the 12 is better as its less fill. I did talk to the dealer way back when and he didn't think the soil would stick bad. IDK if he really knows tho. Sounds like plenty of power w. both.
can see both sides, but went with the smaller figuring I could always cut bigger but not smaller holes.
Other than a lot of fill, the 16" bucket does sound better. Maybe I should switch...
Are the Kubota lights any good, are they work the $100 rather some aftermarket lights?

I have put in a few hundred feed of french drain with mine. My soil is all clay with a ton of rocks and big boulders. The only issue I had with the wider bucket is that with a wider trench the odds of hitting a boulder go way up, though if they're not tractor or car sized I can generally move them or get them out enough. You will use more gravel in the drain with a 16" VS a 12, I don't think the width makes it any easier or harder to work on and the additional fill isn't huge. I did mine 2 - 3' deep, lined with cloth, filled with gravel then with PVC in cloth. The big issue with them is disposing of the dirt, I only had a tiny dump trailer on another tractor so it filled with just a few scoops... the FEL is great for back-filling with gravel.

I also burried a lot of PVC for drainage and electrical conduit and while 16" is a bigger hole in the lawn than I'd prefer it's still easier than digging. I may get an 8" bucket at some point for electrical conduit. If the bucket gets clay stuck in it they say waxing it or spraying it with WD-40 will help.

Finnster · Jun 13, 2013

I did change to the 16" bucket based on feedback. I think I will be happy for that. I also ordered a Piranha toothbar from BXpanded also. Reviews seem good and I'd really like a toothbar. Look forward to getting that and I'll post back about it when I get to use it.

Should be here in time for Father's day and I'm taking two days off next week to play and hopefully not cause too much destruction with it. I'm supposed to be building a shed foundation. Have sod to strip and dig, then 6 yds of stone to lay. Also going to move a few yrds for my neighbor for his shed foundation also (got a group buy.)

I'll try to pack up a carry all from TSC soon too. Looking to build a platform for that. Also would like to build a dolly for the BH too. Saw some great DIY ones here. Already have a good set of casters waiting.

rider0 · Jun 13, 2013

Finnster said:
Re: 16" bucket

Has anyone with the 16" bucket built French drains? One of the main things I want to do w/ the backhoe.

I had been doing reading regarding bucket sizes, some had said the bigger is better as its easier to get into the bottom of trenches if you have to work in them. Others said the 12 is better as its less fill. I did talk to the dealer way back when and he didn't think the soil would stick bad. IDK if he really knows tho. Sounds like plenty of power w. both.

I can see both sides, but went with the smaller figuring I could always cut bigger but not smaller holes.

Other than a lot of fill, the 16" bucket does sound better. Maybe I should switch...

Are the Kubota lights any good, are they work the $100 rather some aftermarket lights?

I recently cut a 200' long French drain, 6.5' deep at the far end, with the 12" bucket. You're going to waste a lot of rock filling a 16" wide trench. The biggest disadvantage of the BH65 to me is the 150 degree swing. It makes it difficult to position spoils in some situations.

Finnster · Jun 13, 2013

rider0 said:
I recently cut a 200' long French drain, 6.5' deep at the far end, with the 12" bucket. You're going to waste a lot of rock filling a 16" wide trench. The biggest disadvantage of the BH65 to me is the 150 degree swing. It makes it difficult to position spoils in some situations.

Wow, that's a deep drain.

Its a tough call, ideal world would be to have multiple buckets for an assortment of projects. I could see having an 8" too. At least I'm getting the most expensive one now, and getting a smaller one later if I really need is less out of pocket. Should serve well for a number of projects. I think I'd have to have quite a bit of fill i'd want to save to justify the cost of the bucket. I can get the stone cheap enough and the projects will be spread out over a while.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 13, 2013

The BH is for as long as you own the tractor. French drains are one job. The 16" is better for most all around use so get the one that is the best all around one and get more specific use ones as you can afford them, if you later think you still need one.

Finnster · Jun 13, 2013

JOHNTHOMAS said:
The BH is for as long as you own the tractor. French drains are one job. The 16" is better for most all around use so get the one that is the best all around one and get more specific use ones as you can afford them, if you later think you still need one.

Basically my thoughts. Can't wait to go play

tractchores · Jun 13, 2013

A furniture dolly works well for the carry all, especially if you build a deck for it

deathtoblackberries · Jun 13, 2013

Finnster said:
Basically my thoughts. Can't wait to go play

Pics of BH65 destruction in 3...2...1...

deathtoblackberries · Jun 13, 2013

Before - This mess of 10 vine maples, multiple trees, blackberries, and about a foot of dead limbs and brush was my back yard.

After - I got to work with the BH65 and only the three largest stumps survived the battle. I was able to rip out all their roots and wiggle the stumps about 1/4 inch but that's all the B2920 had. I'm leaving them for the stump grinder. I gave the battle field a taste of a 50 inch reverse tine Landpride tiller yesterday just before the rain started. The blackberries they went AHHHHH AHHHHH, yeah die you mothers!

94BULLITT · Jun 13, 2013

deathtoblackberries said:
Before - This mess of 10 vine maples, multiple trees, blackberries, and about a foot of dead limbs and brush was my back yard.

After - I got to work with the BH65 and only the three largest stumps survived the battle. I was able to rip out all their roots and wiggle the stumps about 1/4 inch but that's all the B2920 had. I'm leaving them for the stump grinder. I gave the battle field a taste of a 50 inch reverse tine Landpride tiller yesterday just before the rain started. The blackberries they went AHHHHH AHHHHH, yeah die you mothers!