Price Check BH 77 Backhoe

[TX Chris]

I tried to find a 'rules' thread and couldn't find one so I'm not sure if we're allowed to post "what's it worth" threads.

I have a Kubota L3901 with a BH77 backhoe (both purchased new in 2015). I won't go into any detail yet, but the tractor caught fire yesterday and I'm working with Kubota on a replacement. I'm strongly considering jumping up to an L4701 but the BH77 hoe won't work on the L4701 so I'd need to sell the hoe and get a BH92 with the L4701.

Having said all that, I'm curious what the BH77 and subframe are worth. None of the hydraulics from the tractor are salvageable. The hoe is in excellent condition, very low hours. It was not on the tractor when it burned. I also have a brand new BXpanded 6" trench bucket and quick-connect that arrived a few days ago. If they won't work on the BH92, they'll go with the BH77 or get sold separately.

For anyone curious, the fire was not a Kubota problem. I'll share more in another thread eventually.

 

[beckmurph]

New, BH77 is $7500 - $8000.
At least $5000 used.

 

[s219]

I'd love to buy that backhoe from you but I imagine it would be a heck of a project getting it from TX to VA.

 

[s219]

Actually, I am also looking for the front loader quick-attach frame (picture below) if you are able to salvage that (it could be shipped UPS). I'd also take the front bucket, but that would have to be freight.

 

[Peter 315]

I see a road trip........

 

[TX Chris]

New, BH77 is $7500 - $8000.
At least $5000 used.

I've searched online and OEM Kubota backhoes are hard to find. The two I found had me figuring roughly $5,000 as well.

I'd love to buy that backhoe from you but I imagine it would be a heck of a project getting it from TX to VA.

I figure it's going to be easy to sell. Every time I see someone looking for one, all you read is how hard it is to find an OEM unit. Might be worth a road trip if I end up selling it.

Actually, I am also looking for the front loader quick-attach frame (picture below) if you are able to salvage that (it could be shipped UPS). I'd also take the front bucket, but that would have to be freight.

I don't know how this is all going to work yet. I'm all but certain that the tractor will be a total loss. If so, I don't know if they'll let me take anything from the tractor. Regarding the front loader QA frame specifically - the fire started at the front of the tractor. It's not here with me but my recollection is that the bucket and very front end of the FEL actually didn't get damaged. The tractor is a total loss from the cockpit to the front grill though.

 

[s219]

I don't know how they handle total losses but you may have to turn the whole thing over to them, at least anything that was "attached" when the fire happened. Don't know if that logic includes loader attachments or 3-pt implements that were on the ends of the machine, as technically they are separate and can be used on other tractors. If you can part those items out and sell them separately, I think you would come out ahead.

Sadly, I would expect them to scrap most of the metal parts of the loader frame even if they were something that could be refurbished and painted for reuse.

If you are able to part out that QA frame, definitely let me know. New ones are on back order due to COVID so I have been looking for used ones and they are scarce too. It's 75#, easy to remove (4 pins) and small enough to ship UPS, so it may be the only thing easy for me to buy off you. I doubt it could be damaged by a fire, so at worst I expect it would just need some TLC and painting.

The challenge with a backhoe is that it's not really something that can go on a standard flat pallet for long distance shipping. And you need special handling capability on both ends. So I suspect that one will have to be sold to a local. You won't have any problems finding a buyer, as they are in demand. They also fit a couple other model Kubotas besides the standard L models.

Your front bucket would be easy to sell too, since it will fit any machine with a QA frame on the loader (including construction equipment).

Good luck!

 

[hdmyers]

I'd love to buy that backhoe from you but I imagine it would be a heck of a project getting it from TX to VA.

You'd be surprised what it would cost to ship this ...probably some good deals on it. I ship 300kg (600+ lbs) from Carson City, Nevada, to Toronto, Canada for 500 dollars all the time...
cheers

 

[RickB]

They might very well call the tractor a total loss and leave you with the loader and backhoe rather than bearing the cost of totaling them and paying out those dollars. I saw exactly that happen with a tractor rollover loss.

 

[TX Chris]

The backhoe was not on the tractor so it's obviously not going to be part of the claim. The backhoe subframe was charred on one side so I'm guessing they'll just send a new subframe.

The FEL arms were burned pretty bad and the FEL controls were completely destroyed, melted into a pile of goo along with the rest of the tractor controls (dash). The fire didn't get the bucket and QA assembly out front though.

 

[Peter 315]

I'm guessing the insurance company will take everything and sent it to the auction to recoup some of their money..........

 

[TX Chris]

I'm guessing the insurance company will take everything and sent it to the auction to recoup some of their money..........

Agreed. I don't see them letting me remove anything from the tractor. They'll recover what little they can.

 

[RickB]

I'm guessing the insurance company will take everything and sent it to the auction to recoup some of their money..........

We shall see. I'm betting they leave the backhoe with Chris as there is no loss associated with it and they will balk at paying out its value. Tractor, loader, QA and bucket will go to salvage / auction.

 

[Peter 315]

We shall see. I'm betting they leave the backhoe with Chris as there is no loss associated with it and they will balk at paying out its value. Tractor, loader, QA and bucket will go to salvage / auction.

Maybe .. Hope Chris lets us know.........

 

[TX Chris]

I spoke to the guy handling my claim at the Kubota dealership this morning. He's been through this many times before and says it should only take a couple of weeks. I'll definitely reply here with the outcome.

I'm praying everything he told me is correct. If so, this will be a fairly painless transition for me.

As an update to my first post, I'm no longer considering an L4701. I've been reading a lot and the L4701 just isn't much of an upgrade over the L3901 and the L4701 is just not a popular machine, quite probably with good reason. It's not worth changing backhoes and whatever else for that tractor. I'm looking at the MX5400 and plan to go discuss it with the dealer tomorrow. It's quite probably more tractor than I 'need' for my property, but I feel the L3901 was a bit too small. There were too many times when I wished for more tractor, whether using the FEL or the backhoe. Plus I figure I'll own this tractor for the majority of what time I have left on this earth and I don't want to buy another tractor.

 

[RickB]

Interesting. We sell as many L4701's as L 3901's I'd guess. But I'm a fan of the MX tractors. Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[s219]

Interesting thing about the L4701 is that it's halfway between the basic L models and the Grand L models in terms of sophistication when you look at some of the features like the HST, PTO, etc. I believe Neil Messick said it was based on an older Grand L generation. It's an improvement over the L3301/L3901 for the features, but when I looked at the L4701, I felt like it wasn't much bigger than the L3301/L3901 even though it has bigger specs on paper.

 

[TX Chris]

Interesting. We sell as many L4701's as L 3901's I'd guess. But I'm a fan of the MX tractors. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Reading back over my post about the L4701, I guess it sounds more harsh than I intended. Basically, the L4701 isn't a big enough improvement over the L2901 to warrant changing backhoes. The MX brings significantly more power all around (FEL, PTO, BH) and, from everything I've read, a much more generous cockpit. Being 6'-3" tall, I'm all about more room plus more stability from the longer, wider and heavier MX.

Interesting thing about the L4701 is that it's halfway between the basic L models and the Grand L models in terms of sophistication when you look at some of the features like the HST, PTO, etc. I believe Neil Messick said it was based on an older Grand L generation. It's an improvement over the L3301/L3901 for the features, but when I looked at the L4701, I felt like it wasn't much bigger than the L3301/L3901 even though it has bigger specs on paper.

That's the ticket for me. The MX seems to be a much more significant improvement over the L3901. The question is: how much more $$ will I spend on an MX than an L4701? It's not the only factor, but obviously has to be considered.

I intend to price the hydraulic thumb for the BH, a third function up front for a future grapple and maybe a few other niceties that I never thought about when I bought my L3901 (first tractor).

 

[TX Chris]

I'm compiling a list of tractors compatible with the BH77.

So far I have: B2650, B3350, L2501, L3301, L3901, L3200, L3800, L3560, LX2610, LX3310

If you know of any others, please reply and I'll look into it.

 

[TX Chris]

I'm figuring $6,000 for the BH77 (with 16" bucket and manual thumb) and I'll throw in the brand new never-installed QA coupler and 6" trenching bucket from BXpanded (5 week lead time) for an extra $450 (paid $700 and change). I need to get some pictures of everything so I can make a formal listing, but there have been a few interested parties so I'm just putting this out there for now.

I'll make a separate listing for the BH and QA coupler and trenching bucket but would gladly make a package deal.

I'm in Rowlett, TX roughly 20 miles east of downtown Dallas. I have no intentions of shipping it myself but will obviously help someone load it up, whether in person or with a hot shot or whatever. The only stipulation there is that my MX5400 has arrived and I can lift the roughly 900 pound (?) backhoe with it.