Backhoe for L3800

[Mac in PA]

I have many uses for a backhoe and have been considering getting one for my L3800. I use several rear mounted implements on this tractor as well.

Question is, how much work is involved to remove the hoe so the 3 point hitch can be used? Also what size bucket would you recommend?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

16-18" bucket. For me its about a 5 minute job to change back and forth. You can usually cheat on 4pt mount hoes and leave the 3pt on and drop the arms below the frame. It eats up all your ground clearance, and defentialy is not recomended, but if you need the hoe for a quick 5 minute job it usually works.

 

[Kyle241]

I have the Kubota BH92 on my tractor and it takes me a few minutes to remove, it's that simple. Getting it back on I say takes 3-5 minutes as long as I line the tractor up right. I find attaching and removing the 3pt arms. takes the most time as I have bolts/nuts to tighten/loosen. With only 22hrs on my tractor I've done this around 4-5 times already and love how easy the BH is to remove and put back on.

 

[redsox1]

Looks like I'm in the minority here, I've got a L3800 w/ the BH77 subframe mounted BH. I'm very glad I got the BH and use it much more than I expected to, but...... I find it is a PITA to swap out the BH for another implement. As mentioned, it's not too bad attatching/disconnecting the BH, but then you also have to do the same with the 3PT arms. I have a 3pt chipper and brush hog that I don't use as often as I'd like to because of the hassle in switching over. It's too bad they couldn't have dsigned the sub frame attatching so that you could keep the 3 pt arms on w/ the BH. Don't know if this helps, but that's my 2 cents worth.

 

[Mac in PA]

redsox1

Thanks for the reply. What size bucket are you using on the BH?

 

[zmjc]

I have a hard time sliding out the two pins that hold the BH77 in place, when removing the backhoe. There's not much room to swing a hammer at them, and they don't slide that easily on their own unless everything is aligned perfectly.

Anybody have any clever tips for making this work better?

 

[Jay4200]

I have a subframe-mounted Woods BH9000 (9') on my L4200. The rear subframe bracket is held by the lower 3pt arm pins. Once removed from the mount, the BH and subframe mount is dropped to the ground. Then, the mount must be removed by pulling the two 3pt pins. All in all not bad, except I have to squeeze in behind the backhoe to remove the mount - the mount hangs low enough that it does not clear the subframe mount, so I have to remove the mount before driving away. It only takes about 15 minutes to take it off. Putting on the 3pt arms takes another 15 minutes. So, call it an average of 30 minutes, 2 scuffed knuckles, and ~4oz of grease and sand stuck in my hair.

That being said, I really have to be motivated to use a 3pt piece of equipment to pull the BH. I'm on the hunt for a small machine for dedicated 3pt use - raking and blading and such - so I only have to remove the 'hoe once a season.

JayC

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I have a hard time sliding out the two pins that hold the BH77 in place, when removing the backhoe. There's not much room to swing a hammer at them, and they don't slide that easily on their own unless everything is aligned perfectly.

Anybody have any clever tips for making this work better?

Pull the pin while jiggling the control levers, at some point it will pop out and away you go. I almost never need a hammer to get a pin out, but occasionaly use one going in.

 

[Kyle241]

I have a hard time sliding out the two pins that hold the BH77 in place, when removing the backhoe. There's not much room to swing a hammer at them, and they don't slide that easily on their own unless everything is aligned perfectly.

Anybody have any clever tips for making this work better?

I'm assuming you're following the exact instructions in the Kubota manual? I was kind of surprised that they stated to lift the rear wheels off the ground but it definitely works. I guess it makes it have no pressure/binding on the pins. Also the dealer recommended 'greasing' the pins.

 

[redsox1]

I've got the 16" bucket, it's a good compromise. larger and I couldn't dig w/ all the rocks we have here, and smaller would not remove enough material w/ each "bite".

 

[redsox1]

If you go w/ a BH I strongly recommend getting the mechanical thumb at the same time. It will greatly increase what you can do with the bucket i.e. lifting rocks, logs, etc. IMO an absolute no brainer.

 

[Mac in PA]

I've got the 16" bucket, it's a good compromise. larger and I couldn't dig w/ all the rocks we have here, and smaller would not remove enough material w/ each "bite".

Thanks everyone for all the good info.

I was considering the the 16" bucket (and thumb) but didn't know how well the BH would handle it in rocky soil...........Thanks.

Mac

 

[Kyle241]

If you go w/ a BH I strongly recommend getting the mechanical thumb at the same time. It will greatly increase what you can do with the bucket i.e. lifting rocks, logs, etc. IMO an absolute no brainer.

Agree the thumb is nice but doesn't it add another $3-4k on the BH? That was my reason not to go for it. They are handy though got to admit.

 

[zmjc]

Agree the thumb is nice but doesn't it add another $3-4k on the BH? That was my reason not to go for it. They are handy though got to admit.

No, it adds a couple hundred dollars.

It's a mechanical thumb, not a hydraulic thumb. Just a piece of metal with a pin to lock it in place.

It's extremely useful.

 

[Kyle241]

No, it adds a couple hundred dollars.

It's a mechanical thumb, not a hydraulic thumb. Just a piece of metal with a pin to lock it in place.

It's extremely useful.

Gotcha. How does a mechanical thumb work then? The price is attractive. I have used the hydraulic one and really liked it but could not swing it along with the new tractor and other implements.

 

[zmjc]

Gotcha. How does a mechanical thumb work then? The price is attractive. I have used the hydraulic one and really liked it but could not swing it along with the new tractor and other implements.

You just swing the thumb out to the desired angle roughly, find the closest matching hole on the boom, and insert the pin to lock it in place. I forget how many positions there are - enough, anyway. Simple and effective.

 

[redsox1]

Ditto on the mechanical thumb, mine is from Kubota and has 2 positions. As mentioned the thumb is fixed in position by which ever pin you choose and then you just curl the bucket towards the thumb to grasp objects between the thumb and the bucket itself. You can then rotate the boom left/right and drop the object nearby out of the way or leave it in the grasp and drive it to another spot (for example I will dig out a stump, grab it and drive it to the nearest burn pile). I'm sure hydralic would be better but for the price difference the mechanical works great for this size tractor.