BX1500 and Woods BH6000

Lockport · May 22, 2005

The 230 lbs. difference between the BX2230 and the BX23 is all in the frame, then? I also heard the D902-E-BX engine in the BX2230 is heavier than the D905-E-BX in the BX23 so a little more extra steel there. Where on the frame did they reinforce?

Woods · May 22, 2005

I got just plain lucky to find an 8 hour BX2230 with the loader and 60" mid mower for $10.5K. Add in the back hoe and tax and I was at $15.2K...a no brainer. Granted, not everyone will find deals, but I would imagine new BX1500 owners could realize some savings over the BX23 as well with the Woods BH6000 back hoe ??? What do the BX1500's go for? Keep in mind, Woods recomends a loader must be installed on the front. Don't know if front counter weights could offset the 700lb. hoe in the back. Probably not.

blackmajicwoman · May 23, 2005

First off, sorry for the long post. To purchase a BX23 was not an option for me last year, at least financially speaking. After researching my needs and comparing that to my budget, the BX1500 was suited fine for me. I really wanted a BH, but just couldn't afford it. In fact, I just barely scraped enough for the tractor, FEL, and MMM. Here's the quick cost breakdown when I was purchasing: BX23 w/ 60" MMM = $17k, BX1500 (FEL, 48" MMM) = $10k...then adding the Woods BH6000 in March was an additional $4.6k. I didn't have the $17k to start with, or I would have just bought the BX23!

Secondly, my dealer "must be OK" with installing the Woods BH6000 on the Kubota BX series, because he sent all of his BX owners a Woods BH6000 brochure in Feb. He was more than happy to install the BH on my BX1500. Also, Woods would not have manufactured the BH6000 without doing extensive engineering to make sure the BX series tractors could handle it. In fact, I even spoke to one of the engineers at Woods who told me the Woods engineering team specifically designed the BH6000 for the Kubota BX series. He also said they put much more engineering into the subframe than the BH itself!

The subframe supplied with the Woods BH6000 looks like it actually strengthens the frame beyond the BX23 frame. The subframe bolts along the side of the tractor frame and is integrated right into the FEL front frame mount. I have put this to the test with over 20 hours of digging on the BH with no flexing at all. But lets keep in mind that this is a 15hp machine with a small BH mounted...I would attempt to be excavating large 24"+ oak stumps or trying to dig up concrete! I know the limitations of my machine and am happy with the performance.

I do agree that it isn't the easiest to attached and dismount, but after taking it on and off a few times, use of my hammer, and some grease, it actually mounts pretty easy now. I have finished my digging projects for now and keep the BH dismounted, as I don't think there's a need to have 700#'s hanging off the back for no reason. When I do have it attached, I lower the boom and let the dipper out a bit to rest the bucket on the floor, which takes some of the weight and strain off the rear axle while the tractor is not being used.

As far as warranty issues, I don't abuse my tractor. I use it in a safe manner and don't try to do things it was not designed to do. With that, I don't expect to have any major warranty issues, but then again, the the warranty is only for 3 years! If you are weighing everything on a warranty that is only meant to address component manufacturing and assembly defects, then take an insurance policy out on your machine!!! Also, if this is your issue, than you should ONLY use Kubota manufactured 3PH implements!

Now, let me get off my soapbox. I hope this answers some questions out there.

bxbuster · May 23, 2005

Completely redesigned tractor from square one, not hardly. 200 lbs in additional weight from reinforcement alone? C'mon, the whole frame doesn't weight that much... The differences between the 23 and the 2230 are very minimal. Could a 2230 frame be made equal to a 23? Surely, can you say welder? After market tractor accessories are no different to me than after market parts for any other equipment. Most often the market drives demand for superior to oem performing parts and accessories. The temptation to go with a 23 out of the chute is there but if the woods out performs it at less money than what's the debate. By the way, I'm not saying that it does, I'm just making a statement from what I have read over the past few months.

Av8r3400 · May 24, 2005

I agree. I'd like to see where the 230 lbs difference is on the BX22/23 frame. I see little difference from the 22/23 frame to the sub-frame that Woods supplies. Possibly the ENTIRE 22/23 frame weighs 230 lbs?

Blackmajicwoman-- How much would you estimate the sub-frame and mount of the Woods hoe weighs? Is there 200 lbs of steel there?

Does anyone have any pics of the difference? (22/23 to 2200/2230)

blackmajicwoman · May 25, 2005

I would estimate that each side piece that make up the subframe are about 30#'s each.

vchandler · May 29, 2005

I just did my own installation of a woods BH6000 on my BX2230 and I was curious of the added weight so I weighed what went on and what came off and here is what I found. Rt subframe bracket is 35 lbs, left subframe bracket is 37.5 lbs, rest of added parts (seat bracket, loader braces, bolts, hydraulics, etc.) is 50.5 lbs, so total added weight is 123 lbs. So if you add the 30lbs for the BX23 brush gard, the 50 lbs or so added for the foldable ROPS and you can see where the 230lb difference is between the BX2230 and the BX23.

cokeman · May 30, 2005

Sorry if I'm a bit late contributing to this thread but my dealer has a new BX1800 with Woods loader and backhoe on his lot right now. The package looks very nice I might add.

Dean

tjkubota93 · Feb 18, 2016

Does anyone know why I cannot see the pictures that the OP posted? Is the thread too old? I know it's an old thread, but I am considering a woods backhoe, so this is (or would be) good info.
Oops I guess because I'm stupid! I was on the Internet and couldn't see them. But with the tapatalk tractor by net app, it works!