Backhoe backhoe for L3010

[Anonymous Poster]

I would like to hear from those of you who have used a backhoe on your L3010 or similar Kubota. What brand are you using? Have you been happy with your choice or do you wish you had a heavier duty unit? What types of work are the hoes on these tractors capable of? Can they dig rocks out of heavy soil, etc? Are they easy to remove so as to switch to a mid mount mower? I'm considering a TC33D or a Kubota L3010 for backhoe work as well as a multitude of other chores and am trying to figure out which is the best tractor for a hoe. I know either one will do the other tasks I have in mind. I appreciate the replies!

 

[jfakerj]

Dave

What ever tractor you get and what ever b/h you get make sure you get the b/h frame mounted. It's really the only way to go if you don't what to break your tractor in half. My jd 4300 w/47 b/h is fantastic. The b/h comes off or goes on in less than 5 min. I was in a hurry today putting the b/h on and I think I made it in about 3 min.
When I was looking at the kubota 3010, the back hous I was down to was the bradco and the great bend (both frame mount). The Bradco is probably the top of the line but I think I'd have bought the great bend just because it was about $1000 cheeper and still a great hoe.

Jerry

 

[hayden]

I have to disagree with the statement about 3PH backhoes breaking tractors. I just don't buy that a properly rigged 3PH BH is any more at risk of breaking either the BH or tractor than any other mount.

ALL of the kubota BHs are 3ph mount except for the B21/35/45 series. There is no way they would not be engineered to be safe and servicable.

It IS essential to check with the tractor manufacturer to see if the use of a 3PH BH is supported, and to understand what accessories are required for proper rigging. Some of the smaller kubota's, for example, require the addition of braces and reinforced upper 3PH brackets to support a 3PH BH, but once they are installed it's absolutely fine to use it.

It IS essential to not fit too large a BH to a tractor. That could cause structural failure regardless of the mount. Check with the tractor and BH manufacturer to get their recommended BH sizes for your tractor.

I think the choice between a "frame" mount and a 3PH mount should be made on the real differences where they really exist. For example, the original poster asked about switching between BH and belly mower. With the smaller kubota's (not sure about the 3010), a woods BH with "frame" is NOT compatible with a belly mower. You have to unbolt and rebolt various sub-frame brackets etc. to switch between the two. That's a real basis for choosing between the two. A dismounted "frame" BH (like a woods) has a frame that sticks out 4-5 feet and takes up more storage space. This could be a significant factor in choosing.

I can't comment first hand on which is faster to install/remove because I've only done one of them, but from looking at them I can believe that a "frame" mount could be faster to install/remove than a 3PH. I can also believe that a "frame" mount will allow less movement between the BH and tractor when operating than a 3PH. Depending on your values, these may or may not be significant factors.

I don't mean to get religious about this, but I think it's most important to pick based on the real differences, and as always be sure you rig your tractor properly for whatever attachment you use.

Peter

 

[jfakerj]

As far as belly mount mowers and back hoes, some brands allow you to use a belly mount mower with the sub frame and some don't. I wasn't interested in the belly mount mower so I really didn't pay attention to this. I do know jd does. As far as the sub frame sticking out 4-5 feet, on my jd4300 the frame is hardly noticable and is well inside the rock shaft. As far as the tractors breaking in half, I'm only repeating what a Kubota salesman told me when I was looking at the 3010. He said they had several tractors come in with severe damage to the tractor from 3ph back hoes and highly recomended a sub frame if buying a 3ph b/h. In fact there was a 3410(same frame as the 3010) in the shop when I was there for just that(broken by 3ph back hoe). Now lets get to safety. The sub frame mount is by far safer than the 3ph mount. There is a solid mount compared to adjusting links and making sure you get it right. I consider safety, ease of install and less likely to hurt the tractor real deferences. I'm only repeating what I've been told by what I consider qualified people in the business and what I've seen for myself. Maybe I'm not seeing straight, I do need glasses. For me, after hearing all of the above and more, the choice was simple(sub frame). But like I said I do need glasses and I don't hear so well either.

Jerry

 

[Tinmann]

Myself, I bought a 3710HST but also purchased a Bradco back-hoe. I bought it because I was led to believe that a frame mount was stronger. I really don't know if that is correct or not but am sure of one thing, I would buy another in a heart beat. really please with it's performance and power! I can pull up rocks the size of garbage cans with no effort at all. Just be sure you look at all models and make a judgement to your best ability and not the price.

 

[tralderman]

Peter, I have to respectfully disagree with your assesment of the WOODS sub-frame mounted backhoe. The entire subframe comes right off the machine when the backhoe is removed making the tractor compatible with any belly mower. I recommend the WOODS sub-frame mounted backhoes because they are more sturdy and will not void the factory warranty. However, the main reason I recommend the sub-frame mount is that it makes it much easier to remove from the tractor.
This is a very easy process.
1. Put the stabilizer feet on the ground and get the weight off the rear bracket
2. Remove the 2 rear bracket pins.
3. Remove the long front bracket pin.
4. Put the bucket flat on the ground and lower the dipper stick slightly
5. Remove either the hyd hoses or the PTO pump
6. Drive away from the backhoe

I hope this help make your decision.

 

[hayden]

Interesting. A neighbor has a B2400 that was equipped with a woods 6500 frame mount BH. He had to trade it for a Kubota 4672 3PH because there was a bracket that bolted to the tractor frame that took the BH subframe. This bracket prevented the belly mower from being mounted.

Not the case with the L series? If so I stand corrected.

 

[hayden]

I'd love to know what BHs were on those tractors that were damaged and whether they were properly mounted. Maybe I need to eat crow and crawl under a table. No doubt that you can easily mount too large a 3PH BH and do damage, but that's part of my point - you need to stay within bounds. I certainly buy that it's harder to match the wrong BH (e.g. too big a BH) to a tractor with a sub frame since you probably can't buy a subframe that will work for the bad combination, hence it's much harder to do things you shouldn't do.

 

[jfakerj]

hayden

If i did know what kind of back hoes these were I don't now-memory lose you know. I don't know if it really makes much diference any way. I believe they all hook up in about the same manner. I think it's just the nature of the beast-3ph b/h. I understand what your saying about staying within bounds though. I do remember the kubota salesman telling me that if I were to buy a specifec b/h(can't remember what it was) I would need to go with a sub frame or probably damage the tractor. Also, some loader have heavy conecting straps or what ever they're called to distibute the load and connect the tractor together and some don't. If you have one that doesn't then there are heavy straps that have to be added and they are what sticks down. I think that's the way it goes. Any way, with my jd ldr and jd b/h I can use a mid mount mower - Upps, forgot I don't have a mid pto. Well if I did I could.

Jerry

 

[Snell]

Would you be putting a Kubota loader on the tractor? If so then the loader frame goes all the way back to the rear axle and there are no worries about the tractor splitting in half. Have you looked at Kubota's backhoe? (BL4690A) It is a 3 pt hitch backhoe which not only is quick attach/detach but you do not have to take the 3 pt hitch links on and off when taking backhoe on and off. The subframe (like in the Woods) greatly reduces your ground clearance and the extention on the back reduces your departure angle (if you are going to be taking your tractor traveling on a trailer). Another consideration is maintenance... Replaceable bushings? Seperate hydraulic pump? Availability of parts? Sounds like you are going to be doing a lot of work with the backhoe so you need to make sure you will be happy with your new toy. All L3010's have a mid PTO so if you have decided on the mid-mount mower, the Kubota backhoe looks even better.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

TIM,
I HAVE A WOOD'S BH 7500 ON MY B2710.THE ONLY THING I WOULD HAVE ADD TO YOUR DISCUSSION IS WHEN THE FRAME IS REMOVED YOU ARE STILL LEFT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKET IN THE CENTER OF THE TRACTOR THAT HOLDS THE FRONT OF THE BH FRAME. THIS BRACKET HANGS DOWN A FEW INCHES FROM THE TRACTOR BODY. SINCE I DON'T HAVE A MID MOUNT MOWER I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD INTERFERE.
FRED

 

[patton]

There are some safety issues with the 3 pt hoes also. The hoe must be mounted correctly to avoid the operator getting slammed head first into the ROPS. The 3 pt hitch does not by itself prevent this from happening. It is designed to supply a lifting force only, wich is why we worship the weight of implements and buy special downforce kits.

As long as the hoe is installed correctly everytime, it's no problem. Getting sloppy could be and has been fatal.

Pat

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My B2710 has a Kubota BL4690 3ph mounted hoe. As I spent about 23K for this (from a Kubota dealer who set it up and Kubota who warrants it), I would like to think it is not prone to catastrophic axle failure. I have 150 hrs, almost exclusively digging with hoe, and no problems so far. It is hard for to believe Kubota would besmirch their reputations by selling something that was going to cause such an expensive failure. Then again, it would not be the first time I looked like a smacked ass. Total time to change from hoe to Danuser auger - 20 to 30 minutes. 3 point implements are not pleasant to change but comes easier with practice. For medium duty excavating, I would not be worried about a 3 ph hoe.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a Woods 7500 frame-mounted b/h on an L2900. As others have said, you remove frame and all. It takes time but unless it's winter, it's not difficult. Drawbacks: no mid-mounts with b/h attached; will not pull mountainous boulders but does a damn good job; sgl with chain, not double-cylinder rotation; it does reduce ground clearance. Plus side: it's safe; does NOT require a separate hydraulic pump (tractor hydraulics go to max b/h pressure specs). In one or more of the ancient Kubota discussions, hydraulic pressure adjustment was discussed. Look it up. I had my dealer tune up my hydraulics to the top end of the specs and it made all the difference in the world in b/h power. I cannot comment on other makes as I have no experience with them but the Woods 7500 is fine. By the way, much as I would like the 9500 (9-1/2 foot dig depth), it is out of the spec range for the L-series Kubotas.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

With all the talk of tractors breaking in half because of backhoes, on this and the "other" message board, there has only been one time that I recall that this was reported by someone that it actually happened to. That one time was a JD4100 that bent the frame and JD does not recommend a backhoe for that machine. The person gave specifics of the equipment and the use.

Every other time I have seen a tractor breaking in half report (at least with Kubota) it has happened to someone else. There has never been information available like which tractor, which backhoe, if it was mounted properly and if it was being used correctly.

If a dealer had several tractors broken in half after he mounted hoes on them, then the dealer is doing something wrong. Maybe selling the hoe with the biggest profit margin rather than the one that fits the tractor best. Lots of buyers want a hoe that is to big or powerfull for their tractor, the dealer should know better.

Many of the compacts that were reported to break in half have steel frames that would bend long before breaking in half. The tractors that have the engine/transmission case as the frame may actually break.

Andy

 

[foz]

I have a Kubota L3600 GST which I have been using a Woods BH7500 hoe on for two years. Pulled stumps, stones, dug ditches & haven't had any trouble with it yet. The user needs to remember the size of the tractor and not try to overwork the unit, takes a little longer but the 3pt hoes are great machines.