Backhoe for B3030 - Kubota or Woods?

[bigballer]

Has anyone that has recently bought the BH75 had cylinder problems? I just spoke with my dealer and he said one contractor had issues last summer and they preemptively called all the other people that had bought them and replaced them. He said in the last 9-10 months they have not had a single one come back with a bent cylinder (or any other problems). He said Kubota blamed it on a bad batch of steel.

He is quoting me $6300 plus around $400 for the thumb option out the door.

On a side note, he also said they used to carry the Bushhog BH but their mounting kit was so jacked up the shop guys had to make custom changes to get them to fit properly. He didn't speak to highly of them but did say does not reflect on any other bushhog attachments they've carried the past 25 years.

cheers,
bigballer

 

[Devildog]

I have read all the horror stories on the bh75 and I keep waiting for mine to break. But on the other hand in the almost 2 years I have had it (and im not easy on equpment by no means) it has taken a beating. Here in my neck of the woods rocks just seem to multiply under the ground I cant even remember how many stumps I have dug up. But I guess Im just one of the lucky ones. I dont know how the woods hooks up, but the kubota 4 point hook up is easy. I do how ever like the curved boom better of the woods. Now mind you this is on a 2630. IMHO i think with all the problems I hear about the 75 you might be on the right track with the woods but also there are bh75's out there like mine with now problems. See if the dealer will let you try both and then make a decision. Good luck, Jim

 

[Evaluator]

Sounds like you guy's know some stuff about Woods backhoe's. I am considering buying a Woods 70 or 80 series for a new L3130. I am being told that I can get a four point mount. When evaluating the Bush Hog brand, they offer a full sub-frame that I understand runs the length of the tractor. It requires a Bush Hog FEL to make the subframes work properly. I would think I am being fed a line except the Bush Hog FEL is much cheaper than the Kubota 723 being quoted.

Does the Woods backhoes have an option for a subframe? If so, does it provide similar support to the tractor as other brands with full subframes?

I have yet to see either mounted on a tractor. I may be misunderstanding the purpose behind the subframe.

Please advise...

 

[BlacknTan]

I just purchased a B-7800. No backhoe. However, my dealer stated that the Woods is so far superior to the Kubota unit that there was no comparison.

 

[curt1]

I called Woods last week about the BH-90X for my L3130 and they told me Woods has a 4 point mount for the L3130. I will be buying a Woods backhoe instead of Kubota. Too many negative posts on the Kubota and haven't heard any negative on the Woods. The Woods BH90-X has the modern curved boom, optional quick attach bucket, mechanical or hydraulic thumb, swing speed control and better bucket and dipperstick digging force.

 

[DiezNutz]

Does the Woods backhoes have an option for a subframe? If so, does it provide similar support to the tractor as other brands with full subframes?

Yes, Woods has a 4-pt mount subframe that runs the full length of the tractor, and it is some serious steel. The 4-pt mount is roughly the same concept as Kubota's, but instead of pins at the top there's large bolts. The way the Woods 4-pt mount is designed I think makes it a little bit trickier to install than the BH75, but with practice anything becomes easy. I've attached a picture of how it looks on my B3030. They even give you a "ride-along" wrench for the top bolts, you can see it in the one picture (black).

You do need a FEL, but not necessarily because of the subframe. A FEL is a must because it acts as the counterweight against the backhoe. When digging you plant the front of the front end of the tractor firmly on the ground using the FEL bucket. Otherwise the backhoe is just going to throw the tractor around like a rag doll, and possible even upend the tractor. Not to mention all of the hundreds of handy uses for a FEL.

So FEL first, then Backhoe. For your L size tractor, you shouldn't consider anything smaller than the BH80-X. It would be perfect for it. You'd forever kick yourself if you got the "little" BH70-X. It's better suited for a B7610.

 

[Bedlam]

Does anyone know if you need to remove the 3 point hitch lift arms with the wood backhoe, and sub frame? Maybe it depends on the tractor model itself?
Thanks
Allan

 

[Devildog]

In Diesnutz pics I do see that you can leave the 3pt hitch on. That is one thing you can not do with the bh75. Although I have gotten pretty quit at switching everything out it would be nice to just leave it on

 

[Evaluator]

DiezNutz,

Thanks for the response and the pics. Really helps to see it to understand how it connects. Dealer couldn't tell me if it had a sub-frame or not. He wanted to talk to an installer later this week. If the sub-frame is in the deal, it looks like it will be a BH-80X for me.

All...thanks for the information.

NB