Backhoe Adding a Kubota hydraulic thumb to my BH 92

[Thirsty]

Do you think you're going to like the foot controlled valve? I didn't know that's how it worked when I ordered my tractor. I happened to just get the manual thumb because I couldn't justify the price of hydraulic, and I'm kind of glad because I think I would just hate the foot controlled valve on the already cramped platform. After minimal use I knew I needed to convert to hydraulic and started to look at how I could add a valve. I wound copying others on this site by teeing in the bucket lines and adding a solenoid valve on the thumb's cylinder line, which is controlled by a push button switch I put on the joystick. Total cost was less than just the OEM thumb cylinder. Might not be the best operating thumb but it works well enough, and definitely much better than the manual version. I've already used it a lot for picking up blocks to set on the log splitter and digging stumps.

Well, let me put it this way... I watched a numer of u-tube videos to know how the thumb worked before I deceided to go with the Kubota option. While I have yet to learn the foot control, it has to be easier than learning to use the backhoe.

 

[FatTire]

Well, let me put it this way... I watched a numer of u-tube videos to know how the thumb worked before I deceided to go with the Kubota option. While I have yet to learn the foot control, it has to be easier than learning to use the backhoe.

I haven't had any problem with the foot control, it seems pretty intuitive once you start using it. Just be sure on the BH92 never to use a rear remote while you have the BH connected to the Power Beyond port, if you make that mistake (like I did) you will trash one or more seals on the BH control stack.

 

[Thirsty]

Here are some pictures of what the final thumb install will look like.

 

[Thirsty]

I haven't had any problem with the foot control, it seems pretty intuitive once you start using it. Just be sure on the BH92 never to use a rear remote while you have the BH connected to the Power Beyond port, if you make that mistake (like I did) you will trash one or more seals on the BH control stack.

I use my rear remote all the time with the backhoe connected with no problems. I've routed the rear remotes to the front for use in angling my snow plow. This is the first I've heard about not using the rear remote with the backhoe connected. Other than learning by having seal failures, is this bit of information included in any of the Owner's manuals?

 

[kennyd]

My other Orange toy...

View attachment 498318

But I digress......

You have some very nice orange toys!

 

[FatTire]

I use my rear remote all the time with the backhoe connected with no problems. I've routed the rear remotes to the front for use in angling my snow plow. This is the first I've heard about not using the rear remote with the backhoe connected. Other than learning by having seal failures, is this bit of information included in any of the Owner's manuals?

Yes, there is a note that mentions this in the BH92 manual, but I didn't see that until someone mentioned it here on TBN a few weeks ago, and by that time it was too late for me. Same as you I have a snowplow running off a rear remote. The hoe is fantastic for plowing, but you have to disconnect the PB lines and use a strap to support the stabilizers. This isn't merely hypothetical, I have a disabled BH sitting in the snow right now, and its already been repaired once but I had no idea about the failure mechanism so I kept doing what I always did and wrecked the seals again. Painful lesson.

 

[Grandad4]

Maybe my next project will be to see how I can attach my mower from my BX 2230 to my L 5460... I could then mow in air conditioned comfort. Sounds like a lot of hot sweaty work for little payback.

Once you get the thumb mounted, maybe you could just start the BX, put it in neutral with the mower running, grab hold of it with the hoe and thumb and drag it along behind the 5460 Seriously, good luck with installing that thumb!

 

[Baby Grand]

Yes, there is a note that mentions this in the BH92 manual, but I didn't see that until someone mentioned it here on TBN a few weeks ago, and by that time it was too late for me. Same as you I have a snowplow running off a rear remote. The hoe is fantastic for plowing, but you have to disconnect the PB lines and use a strap to support the stabilizers. This isn't merely hypothetical, I have a disabled BH sitting in the snow right now, and its already been repaired once but I had no idea about the failure mechanism so I kept doing what I always did and wrecked the seals again. Painful lesson.

Thirsty - Will be reading this thread with great interest.
Have L3240, which has BH92 already installed and want to add a thumb.
Also have an old Fisher that I plan to adapt to the front frame & want to make sure I get the hydraulics right.

FatTire - Do you use check valves to prevent shock loads (generated by the plow hitting "stuff") from being transmitted back to the remotes? Just curious about how the overload that blew the seals originated.

-Jim

 

[FatTire]

Thirsty - Will be reading this thread with great interest.
Have L3240, which has BH92 already installed and want to add a thumb.
Also have an old Fisher that I plan to adapt to the front frame & want to make sure I get the hydraulics right.

FatTire - Do you use check valves to prevent shock loads (generated by the plow hitting "stuff") from being transmitted back to the remotes? Just curious about how the overload that blew the seals originated.

-Jim

Jim- That's a good point, I don't have a cross-over valve, but the warning from Kubota is even more general than that:
It is necessary to have the backhoe detached when using rear remotes, the 3-point hitch or any other valves that are downstream of the backhoe valve. Failure to do this may cause the exceeding allowable back pressure to break the seal or case of the backhoe valve.

Dave

 

[Thirsty]

Jim- That's a good point, I don't have a cross-over valve, but the warning from Kubota is even more general than that:
It is necessary to have the backhoe detached when using rear remotes, the 3-point hitch or any other valves that are downstream of the backhoe valve. Failure to do this may cause the exceeding allowable back pressure to break the seal or case of the backhoe valve.

Dave

Dave, I found the statement you quote in the Backhoe Operators Manual (Page 6 Under the Operation Section). I will be disconnecting the Backhoe Hydraulics before I use the remotes again. Thanks. I do have the check valves installed. Don't know if that saved me or not.

However, my favorite is still the Ballast section right before the Operating section. It states "While BH 92 backhoe is installed on the tractor, liguid ballast in the rear tires should be removed." Yea, I'll get right on that one! I brought this one to the attention of my dealer who delivered the tractor with both the rear tires filled and the BH92 installed.