Backhoe Backhoe with cab???

patrickg · Jun 9, 2001

OK, OK, I may be slow but Im not stopped! Been hanging out reading/posting for months, today I registered. Coming up on 50 hrs on new Kubota Grand L 4610 with cab. As per Kubota, cab and backhoe are mutually exclusive. My wife would not accept a family tractor without a cab, so I went along, after all not every day your wife forces you to buy a bigger better toy. Now, I'm begining to have pangs of remorse or something like it. She would have been happy for me to get a backhoe but not at expense of losing the cab. So, "Good morning Mr. Phelps, your assignment is to find some sort of workable, safe, effective, economical means of my using a backhoe." I have even seen DIY backhoes run from the back of a pickup truck so I have confidence there should be a way even if I must settle for a smaller unit. There are things that just require a backhoe (or a long bout with picks and shovels but that flys in the face of the TRACTORIN' CREED.)

Thanks in advance to the cooperative community brain trust,

Patrick

Driver · Jun 9, 2001

Patrickg,

I have asked this same question in the past without a strong answer. I think for me I will get along without a cab initially, and then add a Curtis cab later. The back window of the Curtis can be removed without much trouble and allows backhoe use.

That said, I saw a factory cab L4310 with backhoe at the dealers the other day. I didn't get a look at the brand of the backhoe. I assume it was a 3ph unit. It had a separate outside seat for the backhoe operator.( I can imagine two people doing foolish things operating the tractor and hoe simultaneously). If it is still there next time I go to the dealer, I will take a closer look.

Driver

radman · Jun 10, 2001

You might try contacting Bradco backhoes. Some of their backhoes have an extension kit for mounting their subframe/backhoe to obtain the necessary clearance for different tractors. They said my L3710 without cab would require the extension kit. I dont know if this would be the same for a cab L4610. Bradco makes a great backhoe.

patrickg · Jun 10, 2001

Hmmm, regarding the 4610, the Kubota brochure says, "cab or backhoe, take your pick." Well not worded like that but same meaning. I'll look into your suggestion, thanks. I was thinking I would probably have to go brand x rather than Kubota to "get around" their limitation. Yeah, two operators, some fun. Maybe I could get a cheap used R-2 unit in decent condition.

Patrick

patrickg · Jun 10, 2001

I think I may have got my verse visa.. Anway in response to suggestions regarding L4610 with factory cab and wanting a backhoe. I will explore the third party suppliers. I wanted the Kubota cab because it has excellent visibility, good A/C, and good isolation. I have heard some horror stories regarding after market A/C.

Patrick

Driver · Jun 10, 2001

Patrickg,

I stopped by the dealer after work yesterday. (they were closed) The L4310 with factory cab has a Woods model backhoe. No obvious model number visible. It said something like "groundbreaker" under the Woods name. It was frame mounted and has a PTO driven hydraulic pump for the hoe. It looked quite stout in construction.

Driver

patrickg · Jun 10, 2001

Driver,
I'll check into the Woods backhoe compatibility with Kubota L4610 cab. I have never operated a backhoe but unless it is a lot more difficult than using the FEL I should get the hang of it easily enough. My guestimate (I've watched in earnest as backhoes have been used.) is that I spent the better part of a morning doing with the FEL what the backhoe would have done in 20-40 minutes.
I was just diging a simple straight trench but had to move inordinate quantities of dirt in multiple passes to get down 18-20 inches to put a water pipe below the frost line. The FEL did make a trench with a nearly vertical wall on the side toward the implement. The other side is essentially at the angle of repose for the dirt I'm in. I think the depth limit is about 20 inches unless you make a really wide ditch which requires moving much more dirt.
Convergence: I'm at 49 hrs and am taking delivery of my new tractor hauling trailer Monday morning.

Patrick