Bradco BH on Kubota

   / Bradco BH on Kubota #1  

JimMorrissey

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2001
Messages
1,804
Location
Southern Maine (now)
Tractor
'05/'06 L39 TLB
Does anybody have any experience with Bradco BH on a L series Kubota? What model do you have? How easy is it to install / uninstall?....build quality and capability? I'm buying a BH and still not completely convinced the Kubota BH90 is the way to go.

Thanks, Jim
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #2  
Do a search on Bradco. Look for posters TV372 or Red Dog. TV has a Bradco 509??, I think. I have the BH90. The subframe on mine does hurt ground clearance a bit. TV has some good pictures up there on his setup. The BH90 is fine for my intended use but I'm not convinced it would fair that well in pseudo commercial environment over time. The boom tubing seems a wee light to me. Probably not in any way a durability issue but...the cylinders seem designed more for my limited residential use than a day-in day-out grind. I'm guessing it's engineered for my type of use. From what I read the Bradco may be a bit beefier. TV chime in here and get us straight... again.

Others with more BH90 experience may quell some of my doubts. We'll see. To be fair; the welds, the pin bushings, and the tractor/subframe connection on the BH90 look to be stoutly engineered/ real solid. However, nothing's perfect or so strong that we can't possibly hurt it. No matter the manufacturer.

Good Luck,
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #3  
I had my dealer price brado and woods when I got mine last Nov. Woods was a lot less, just a thought.
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Bug,

When did you get yours? I heard that Kubota updated the hydraulic cylinders recently.

Jim
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #5  
Jim, Got mine about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Wasn't aware of a cylinder upgrade but as I'm new to this I wouldn't unless I read it. Don't have anything to compare them to (old vs. new).

Haven't really had the weather to put the BH to the test but it does seem to function well in some limited play sessions. If your looking for routine hard work I was just commenting the that Bradco is certainly worth a look. IMO the BH 90 is more than adequate for my needs and it's going to do the initial dislodging of much of the soil on a slope I'm rearranging over the next year or two. Phasing it to keep erosion to a minimum. Maybe 1,000 yards total. It's should be up to that and that's more than allot of the CUT users have ever moved.
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #6  
Not on a Kubota. I have the Bradco 509 mounted on an Allmand TLB535, not a 3 pt. setup. So far, I have not had any problems with mine. And, by reading some of the other TBN posts, I would probably be classified as an "equipment abuser". I use mine to lift the rear of the machine to "hop trenches", crane stuff, etc. One feature I do like is the swing speed control. Compared to a JD 48 backhoe, IMO, I like the bradco. I have never used a kubota, so I can't compare to that one, sorry.

Just because:
Bradco

BH90
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #7  
I shopped and bought my BH last year... here's some tidbits that may be helpful.

Bradco makes heavy, commercial-duty hoes, with a price to match. Sounds like you need something like that, so the Bradco is definitely something to consider. I came close to buying the 509 last year, but finally went with the OEM hoe from my Kub dealer due to dealer support concerns. My hoe (4560) is an older design for the L10 tractors, but it's every bit as heavy-duty as the Bradco... actually seems closer to the larger Bradco 609, so I have no doubt it would stand up to severe duty. Just from looking at it, the boom and dipper on the BH90 seem a bit lighter than mine, but I wouldn't have a concern with working it hard.

Both Kubota and Bradco have a close, solid subframe setup for the L series. Part of the subframe kit for my tractor was a whole new fixed ROPS assembly, which is 6 inches taller than standard, so the BH operator does not have headroom issues under the ROPS. Added height probably also increases rollover protection. Don't know if this carries over into the L30 - BH90; if so check any garage door heights for clearance.

I think Bradco lets you keep your 3 pt arms attached when installing the hoe, although it's a simple 5 minute job removing them with the Kubota.

Bradco will give more options such as pto pump or tractor hydraulics operation; the BH90 is only available run from quick connects.

Bradco may have better resale if you ever decide to dispose of it... with another subframe, the same hoe can fit another tractor. The BH90 is only for Kubota.

My 2 cent opinion is that you can't go too far wrong with either choice.
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I put a deposit down on a Woods 9000, then got cold feet and cancelled the order.

A bright orange Bradco 509 should be mounted on the L38 soon! I got a 18" "severe duty" bucket and a static thumb. I have a feeling the subframe is not going to be as easy to install as the dealer said. We'll see....About two weeks for delivery.

I can't risk a potential lack of performance from either the BH90 or the Woods 9000. I'd rather pay more and be happy, than pay less and be wondering if I made a mistake....especially with the hours of use the hoe will get over the next couple of years.

I'll post some pics when I get it installed.
 
   / Bradco BH on Kubota #10  
jim i just got a 511 because of the same felling. I'm spending big bucks and i do not want any ? in my mind /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif i wish you good seat time

j
 
 

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