Any Woods backlhoe owners here??

[jymbee]

Love my new BH90-X backhoe (on Massey 1652). Dealer installed it when purchased and assured me that un-re connecting would be a "5 minute job". Well ok, figured that was pretty optimistic (dealer-speak) but the first time I tried to hook it back up alone I finally gave up after about an HOUR and had to get my wife to help guide me. Even then it took another 20 minutes or so.

If you're even a quarter inch off or not *exactly* squared up, no joy. After that first time I had the brilliant idea that I could rest the hoe frame on some 6x6 timbers, lift the outriggers and use a pry bar to nudge it one way or the other. Yeah, right. Sounded like a good plan anyway. What a PITA.

So is it just me? Does it get easier with practice? Are there any "tricks"? I seem to remember seeing a video where some guy actually rigged up a rolling dolly of some kind that he could just roll up to the tractor to connect. I'm just about frustrated enough to try something like that myself...

 

[chopped]

I wonder if its a subframe or a 3 pt hitch model?
I have a 30 year old Woods, 3 pt hitch model. It does get easier with time..and once things wear in a bit.If its the 3 pt hitch type I usually back up and hook the lower links on..Mine has a pto pump so that goes on first.then at idle I can 'jockey' it around a bit with the controls.I built a wood box on 2x6 for it to set on instead of the outriggers.Once the lowers are on i can then lift it up some and use the boom and dipper to move the top link into place..
Sometimes its real easy and other times its a pain...
as other say pictures would help..
looking at them online now I bet you have the subframe...

 

[jymbee]

Hi Chopped,

Yep, it's a subframe setup.

Since posting I did come up with some sites showing different kinds of dolly configurations. But all I've seen so far look to be designed for quite a bit lighter hoes. I'll probably need to dismount it later this week and will take/post some pics of that operation. But if I took video of my attempts so far to connect youtube would have to kill the audio-- or add an x-rated "adult language" type warning.

I wonder if its a subframe or a 3 pt hitch model?
I have a 30 year old Woods, 3 pt hitch model. It does get easier with time..and once things wear in a bit.If its the 3 pt hitch type I usually back up and hook the lower links on..Mine has a pto pump so that goes on first.then at idle I can 'jockey' it around a bit with the controls.I built a wood box on 2x6 for it to set on instead of the outriggers.Once the lowers are on i can then lift it up some and use the boom and dipper to move the top link into place..
Sometimes its real easy and other times its a pain...
as other say pictures would help..
looking at them online now I bet you have the subframe...

 

[Hill-Billy]

jymbee, you are correct with it being a major PITA. I have the Woods ground breaker 6000 on my Kubota B7510, with sub frame. It usually takes me about 30-45 minutes to install, with alot of colorful language. I have however installed the backhoe in less than 5 minutes. I did this one time a couple years ago and never again. I installed the sub-frame and backhoe myself, so I know everything lines up correctly. As far as the dolly is concerned, I made one of those to and it is great for storage purposes, but it doesn't help me when installing. I have learned over time to try and get the lower "hooks" connected first using the out riggers to position them and then try to roll the backhoe up with the bucket and slide the bolts in. Easier said then done, I usually get the hooks in and can't get the bolts in without the hooks jumping out. I just have to take my time and gently move the controls. Once it's on, it is a really good backhoe.

 

[chopped]

Jymbee,
Its good to see your giving it a little humor....Il add that when you said youd have to delte some language if you did a video. well I thought you were going to say it would be to long a clip for u tubes limits lol
Even though your is different than mine I look forward to seeing the setup and what your dealing with..The fact the previous posted say it took 45 minutes one time and one shot at the 5 minutes indicated to me that its a difficult one to attach.
As far as the dealer saying the amount of time, well so many variables involved.

 

[brown40]

I have a woods 7500 (since June) had it on & off three times, and the "way I leave it" can triple the time it takes. First time took about 20 minutes, next 7-10, third time under 5...
Keeping the rear axle close to on plane with the hooks (level area) then having the backhoe storage position only about an inch below the axle plane there's less opportunities to be out of alignment: only have to make sure the rear wheels of the tractor match their location when you drop it; using blocks then leaves you only the side to side plane to have to nail (which you must because even an inch off is too far for it)... I think I'll make an "L" to set on the ground to have as a guide for the rear axle & one wheel so I can take that variable out...
It is tough to put on but the closer you can start (to the ending position from before) the less room for error there'll be... I do use about a 6 foot persuader bar to shift it if I'm close to on. Good luck!

 

[sixdogs]

This is exactly how you do it.
You can get your time down to just minutes--most days--if left exactly how you will hook it up. It took my ordeal and frustration of 45 minutes or more down to just a few minutes. There are days, however when things just don't go right but that's not vey often,

I have a woods 7500 (since June) had it on & off three times, and the "way I leave it" can triple the time it takes. First time took about 20 minutes, next 7-10, third time under 5...
Keeping the rear axle close to on plane with the hooks (level area) then having the backhoe storage position only about an inch below the axle plane there's less opportunities to be out of alignment: only have to make sure the rear wheels of the tractor match their location when you drop it; using blocks then leaves you only the side to side plane to have to nail (which you must because even an inch off is too far for it)... I think I'll make an "L" to set on the ground to have as a guide for the rear axle & one wheel so I can take that variable out...
It is tough to put on but the closer you can start (to the ending position from before) the less room for error there'll be... I do use about a 6 foot persuader bar to shift it if I'm close to on. Good luck!

 

[newbury]

I too had difficulties the first few times and probably will again. I look forward to having it rest on a dolly on a concrete pad but now I still wrestle with putting it on concrete blocks (which sink in over time) on clay soil.
Precision line up is the key.

 

[Furu]

I have a BH90X as well, on a JD 4720 subframe. It goes on easy some days and not so much others. Since I park it where it is not that level that is a big contributing factor. Use the BH hydraulics to move the BH around to help. Somewhat good initial alignment with the tractor is useful but if within a couple of degrees of straight is quite doable. I have never put a clock on my hookup time but would say that 10 minutes is pretty close most of the time. Doubt that I have done it in much less than that very often. Un-hooking it of course is a bit faster. Practice and doing it multiple times will increase your familiarity with the tricks of how to use the BH hydraulics to help out.