3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection

   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #1  

rbargeron

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L5450, L48, L3250, L345
One of my side projects is helping a friend put 3-point Woods 750 on a Kubota L3130. The backhoe does not have a subframe (I know, I know) but it has a quite robust set of top link bars for the high-point connection. The top bracket on the tractor is not very rugged looking so I'm thinking of adding a couple flat bars - (thicker & wider than those on the photo markup) running from the ROPS brackets out to the center link. The tractor gets generally light use - as will the backhoe - but it seems this would help it be stronger. Comments welcome.
Hoping dfkrug will chime in.....
 

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   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #2  
Well, I've been running that backhoe on 3-point compact tractors with no modifications for some 15+ years with absolutely no issues. It had dug out more than its share of oak stumps and other tough work. I'm not a pro but I've run backhoes for a good many years. If you don't abuse it and work within its capabilities it will not have an adverse effect on the tractor. If used as you say there is no need to make any modifications.
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #3  
Hoping dfkrug will chime in.....

Got your PMs, Dick. I think what you describe can add some strength....were you
going to weld the center (toplink) connection, and make a bolted connection
for the ROPS bracket?

Also consider that you can use the drawbar for additional support. The drawbar
bracket is quite strong and can take a lot of vertical load.
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #4  
Kubota sells an HD top link bracket for some of their tractors (possibly just the B series). Usually consists of a couple brackets that just catch more of the bolts in the top cover..... would this be possible? If not, I would think anything you can do to stiffen things up could only help.
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #6  
Kubota sells an HD top link bracket for some of their tractors (possibly just the B series). Usually consists of a couple brackets that just catch more of the bolts in the top cover..... would this be possible? If not, I would think anything you can do to stiffen things up could only help.

Last year when I purchased my used 3pth backhoe I checked with the dealer and Kubota did not have a reinforced toplink bracket for any of the GL series.
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #7  
I have never forgotten that blown-out rear end on an L4610 just like mine that you posted years ago. If you are thinking of keeping the existing top link setup and supplementing it with the additional connection to the ROPS brackets, you might also drop the top link hookup into the lowest of the 3 holes instead of the highest one. Having the toplink loading applied nearer to the vertical center of the rear axle instead of higher up should help limit how much force was concentrated at the top.

You wouldn't be able to raise/lower the 3pt mechanism, which should not be an issue with a backhoe.
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection
  • Thread Starter
#8  
...... you might also drop the top link hookup into the lowest of the 3 holes instead of the highest one.......
Hank - the top link is now down in the center hole, and the BH is 3" closer-in by moving the bottom pins. Dave has me thinking about tying into the drawbar to reduce the rattle. Thanks to Steve, Opti-Mist and Ductape too. I'm getting a lot of good ideas from all - TBN is the best!
 
   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection
  • Thread Starter
#9  
....were you going to weld the center (toplink) connection, and make a bolted connection for the ROPS bracket?....Also consider that you can use the drawbar for additional support. The drawbar bracket is quite strong and can take a lot of vertical load.
To keep backhoe attachment and removal easy, I'm thinking bolted joints for the added links instead of welded. To make the links, my thought is to raise the 3ph slightly to take up most of the pin rattle - and then mark/drill the holes in the added links. That should cut down on the operating play. It won't be as tight as a full sub frame, but it should be decent.
 
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   / 3-point Backhoe - Reinforcing Tractor Connection #10  
As Ductape mentioned Kubota does/did sell a heavy duty toplink bracket for the B-series and standard L series (maybe the older GL's too, IDK). I doubt you'd find one to fit that tractor, but some searching on TBN should pull up a few pics Kubota's solution to this problem. Looks like an easy bracket to make and wouldn't interfere with any other functions.
 
 

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