CK20hst backhoe installation advice sought

[BTF]

Having exhausted myself considering alternatives to the purchase of a backhoe for my CK20HST I'm moving into purchase choices. Closest dealer is new and is not what I consider a tractor dealer(Snowmobiles, ATV are their main focus).

All other dealers are a good drive away. So the first thing to consider is a self install. I don't have single remote hydraulic. Did my 50 hour service without incident if that factors into your advice.

Anyone install one yourself? Would you advice for or against having done it?
Could I find a used one assuming someone was sure they had to have one but didn't?

Please note that I reserve the right to ignore good advice and do something stupid. Seriously, I do heed the experiences of others and appreciate your thoughts.

Bruce

 

[Coyote machine]

Have you decided on a BH brand, Kioti or something else? FWIW, I have a Kioti 2485 on my DK-40se/hst and it has been great! Bought it with the tractor. If Kioti offers a hoe with sub-frame, that is the easiest install/ uninstall. Check Kioti's web site to see what BH's are available for your specific tractor, then check with a dealer who has some experience with these hoes and ask your question of them.

 

[BTF]

I'm only going to consider a sub frame mount Kioti 2465. It looks like a substantial unit. I wish now that I had bought it with the tractor. I expect the sum or the parts will greatly exceed the whole package.

 

[somguyss]

If the dealer you are questioning Profile RV, they are a awesome dealer, very willing to please their customers. You could indeed install the backhoe yourself but for warranty reasons i would let a dealer handle it if it were me.

 

[wallace]

Put a Woods 70X on it!:thumbsup:
Much better sub frame design.
Easier on and off. Better warranty.
Thumb option on the 70X.
Financing available.

 

[Mike Gibson]

I have a Woods backhoe on my CK 27 and love it. It has worked very well and is a substantial unit.

 

[Coyote machine]

BTF, Not to worry; whether you get a Kioti or a Woods, you'll be happy with your purchase. Wallace knows his stuff, so you might want to give him a call and compare specs and costs of both units, then decide. He was a Kioti dealer, now a Bobcat dealer but either way he knows what fits either machine and what can do what for you as far as features/ cost, etc. Shouldn't be a big deal to install it yourself but again ask, and as far as not having bought when tractor was purchased, that's a horse gone down the road.

 

[VictorW]

Being that you completed your 50 hour service without incident and I'm sure you could follow some written instructions, the rear remote install won't be a problem for you. I did both rears on my CK30hst and it's a fairly straight forward install. Nothing tricky. Used remote...they don't usually leave the tractor once installed.

Wallace knows well both the Kioti and Woods backhoes. I'm not saying the 2465 is not a good bh, I have a Kioti KB2375, but the Woods is very nice also. If Wallace believes the Woods would be better, frame-warranty-on and off, I'd take his advise and see how the dollars work out between the two. If your not close, maybe he could have it shipped to you. I believe the Woods has a flow control for the swing cylinders. My Kioti doesn't and you have to learn to feather gently or it does swing fast. You can add a thumb to the 2475 but it will have to be an aftermarket kit where Woods has theirs ready to go if you want it now or add later.

 

[IslandTractor]

Put a Woods 70X on it!:thumbsup:
Much better sub frame design.
Easier on and off. Better warranty.
Thumb option on the 70X.
Financing available.

Hard to disagree with Rick but I would point out that "easier on and off" has not been my experience with the Woods BH90x which is pretty much the same as the 70x with regard to mounting I believe. I don't dispute that the subframe design is better and it has no penalty with regard to clearance while the BH2465 subframe costs a few inches.

My experience with the Kioti BH2365 on the CK20 was that it would take me only a few minutes to dismount and maybe 10 to mount. It is not exactly a precision type mount you just need to line up the tractor, back over, hook up hydraulics, use the BH hydraulics to tilt up the front of the subframe, back the tractor into the subframe then use the BH hydraulics again to lift the back end (business end) of the BH up and let it slide into a slot then pin it. Sounds more complicated than it is and the main point is that there is nothing precise about it, a half inch here or there doesn't matter as the final pinning holds everything tight.

I love my BH90x (sold to me by himself:thumbsup but the mounting is considerably more fidgity in my experience and I often spend 30 minutes getting it to link up properly. The key issue is that the four point hitch with the Woods requires more precise positioning in three dimensions which can be a bit tricky using the BH hydraulics. I don't doubt that for someone who does it all the time (eg Rick) that you get real good at it and then it would be faster than the Kioti as you don't need to move the tractor once it is lined up. For someone who mounts/dismounts the BH three or four times a year the muscle memory just isn't there to quickly move the BH mount up/down and pivot at the same time. Instead of drop in tapered pins, the Woods uses threaded 1 inch bolts with a castle nut. You don't want to strip those threads so the mounting has to be "exact" before you pop them in. Others may be more efficient but I have always found it a bit of a hassle. Even dismounting requires using the hydraulics to take pressure off the big bolts (not too much not too little or it will stick). Again, it ain't rocket science but it does take practice and doing it once every six weeks or less makes it tough to do quickly.

I liked my KB2365 and the KB2465 is much nicer. I love my Woods BH90x (once it is mounted) too. No wrong choice here.

 

[BTF]

Wow! Thanks for the replies.. It's really great to have more choices. I've already contacted Wallace and we'll see what we can work out.

My guess is the changeover will be a seasonal thing. Blade or Box blade in the spring to do the driveway. Rear snowblower for the winter. and the BH summer through fall.

Knowing I wouldn't go wrong either way is good to know. Best combination of price and convenience will make the decision for me.

Thanks again.