Backhoe purchase after tractor purchase

[chesternator]

I am considering purchasing the backhoe for my RK37 which I purchased months ago however I don't want my Rural King to install it. They still don't even have an oil filter for it yet and after 2 weeks they still dont know how to order a block heater so no way I will let inexperienced hands all over my expensive machine. Anyone know how hard it is to install the sub frame? Does anything have to come off? Not sure I could even handle taking the rear tires off. Any drilling required? I'm handy enough to swap engines on a car but I don't know that I even have a way to handle the weight/cumbersome back tire. First tractor and I don't have another one to help.

 

[RTBee]

I'm not with my tractor at the moment, but I think the RK37 and RK55 subframes are similar for the backhoes. On the 55, there are 2 contact points. The one up front requires (I believe) 4 bolts and I'm thinking about the same for the rear attach point. I would not worry about mounting one myself. It doesn't seem too complicated at all. Just my thoughts.

And Welcome to TBN!

 

[Diggin It]

They still don't even have an oil filter for it yet and after 2 weeks they still dont know how to order a block heater so ...

This is one for the board rep to jump on. This is exactly the kind of thing people have been mentioning might be a problem and it will need to be addressed if they want people to be confident in buying there.

 

[RTBee]

I'm not with my tractor at the moment, but I think the RK37 and RK55 subframes are similar for the backhoes. On the 55, there are 2 contact points. The one up front requires (I believe) 4 bolts and I'm thinking about the same for the rear attach point. I would not worry about mounting one myself. It doesn't seem too complicated at all. Just my thoughts.

And Welcome to TBN!

Sorry, didn't read the edited part. I don't think any drilling is required. It all looks as though it just bolts up to the subframe. Pretty heavy bolts. And I don't see any need to remove the rear tires. It bolts up between them. Not sure if any of this helps, and I'm only going by what I have seen on mine. I bought it with the backhoe installed already. But I really don't think you'd have any problems, especially if you're somewhat mechanically inclined, which it seems you are. :thumbsup:

 

[chesternator]

Thanks. I called the store yesterday. (Actually returned a missed call where the salesman told me he doesnt know when he can get a block heater) but honestly didnt expect him to know. #1 he's the salesman. #2 he just started, already replacing the salesman that sold me my tractor just a few months ago. #3 The store just started selling tractors late this year. He seemed to actually know and his response was inline with yours. No need to remove tires, no drilling. He would rather I let the store do it but made it sound easy. He said they remove some existing plate up under and replace it with one that has hooks for the backhoe. I should wait to get the backhoe but I'm going to kick myself if they stop selling and then I cant.

PS he mention it was just a magnet heater so I picked one up on Amazon

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thanks. I called the store yesterday. (Actually returned a missed call where the salesman told me he doesnt know when he can get a block heater) but honestly didnt expect him to know. #1 he's the salesman. #2 he just started, already replacing the salesman that sold me my tractor just a few months ago. #3 The store just started selling tractors late this year. He seemed to actually know and his response was inline with yours. No need to remove tires, no drilling. He would rather I let the store do it but made it sound easy. He said they remove some existing plate up under and replace it with one that has hooks for the backhoe. I should wait to get the backhoe but I'm going to kick myself if they stop selling and then I cant.

PS he mention it was just a magnet heater so I picked one up on Amazon

With respect to the block heater, we do not carry them online and only a few stores still maintain inventory as it has been discontinued. It is a simple magnetic heater that can be purchased in any number of places. With glow plugs, the magnetic heater would have a marginal benefit. If you would like a true-in block Yanmar heater, just send me a private message and I will tell you how to buy one. With respect to installing the backhoe, we will not sell you one unless we install it. Three customers have tried, three customers were not able to manage it. We won't sell them loose any longer. Our assembly team and mobile techs do an amazing job with this. If you'd like to proceed with the purchase of a backhoe, send me a private message and I will assist.

 

[chesternator]

With respect to the block heater, we do not carry them online and only a few stores still maintain inventory as it has been discontinued. It is a simple magnetic heater that can be purchased in any number of places. With glow plugs, the magnetic heater would have a marginal benefit. If you would like a true-in block Yanmar heater, just send me a private message and I will tell you how to buy one. With respect to installing the backhoe, we will not sell you one unless we install it. Three customers have tried, three customers were not able to manage it. We won't sell them loose any longer. Our assembly team and mobile techs do an amazing job with this. If you'd like to proceed with the purchase of a backhoe, send me a private message and I will assist.

Thanks but that's unfortunate since I don't have means to pull my tractor back to the store. My store indicated I could order it an do it myself, I guess I would be disappointed again when I found that's not actually true. Not trying to slam RK here but based on my experiences with my store, I have zero confidence in my RK store to do any work on my machine unless they let me watch them do it. I would have to go hours away to the next RK store but again I have no way to transport. I nearly purchased my tractor from this other store and paid them to transport it if that tells you anything.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thanks but that's unfortunate since I don't have means to pull my tractor back to the store. My store indicated I could order it an do it myself, I guess I would be disappointed again when I found that's not actually true. Not trying to slam RK here but based on my experiences with my store, I have zero confidence in my RK store to do any work on my machine unless they let me watch them do it. I would have to go hours away to the next RK store but again I have no way to transport. I nearly purchased my tractor from this other store and paid them to transport it if that tells you anything.

Sorry that you feel that way. Suggest that you purchase a trailer for your tractor so you have the flexibility to move it to other locations for use and to bring it in for service when needed and getting attachments that require professional installation handled. You can find a used one for a good price. Our warranty policy and that of every other tractor brand requires the customer to bring the tractor in for warranty repair, so it is always good to be prepared. The backhoe for the RK37 weighs 1500 lbs. It requires a lift infrastructure such as a crane or forklift to handle just to transport, and then to manipulate it during the installation process. As mentioned, we did sell loose backhoes to three customers, all of which could not complete the installation, and required us to come to their location, which we did at no cost. That's actually a pretty responsive company. We won't have a 4th instance, that is why we will handle the installation of all after-market backhoes. Hope that your tractor is working well for you.

 

[chesternator]

Sorry that you feel that way. Suggest that you purchase a trailer for your tractor so you have the flexibility to move it to other locations for use and to bring it in for service when needed and getting attachments that require professional installation handled. You can find a used one for a good price. Our warranty policy and that of every other tractor brand requires the customer to bring the tractor in for warranty repair, so it is always good to be prepared. The backhoe for the RK37 weighs 1500 lbs. It requires a lift infrastructure such as a crane or forklift to handle just to transport, and then to manipulate it during the installation process. As mentioned, we did sell loose backhoes to three customers, all of which could not complete the installation, and required us to come to their location, which we did at no cost. That's actually a pretty responsive company. We won't have a 4th instance, that is why we will handle the installation of all after-market backhoes. Hope that your tractor is working well for you.

The tractor is great, if it was just a trailer that would be no problem. I cant buy a big truck to pull it any time soon though. I do have a 1ton gantry crane but I understand the position based on experience with other customers. If I want it bad enough I will either work it out or I wont.

 

[Tennsawdust]

Maybe you could suggest that RK have a competent tech meet your tractor at your local store for the install? That way you could have confidence it would be handled correctly and not have to pay a large tow bill.