CT235 backhoe purchase PLEASE ADVISE

Slowtorque · Dec 10, 2011

Well, I am now wanting a backhoe for my 09 CT235. I've got all of 17 hours on her so far and no troubles (outside of having to replace the battery with a $200 Optima unit).
I did a search, and there is very little discussion (and nothing helpful) on the questions I have, so here goes:

Is the Woods BH80X preferable over the Bobcat offering?
Does anyone have either that they could comment on?
Also, I do not have the rear hydraulic remotes installed; can I do this myself ordering the parts from the dealer or is it best to just take the tractor in? My mechanical skills are well above average.

Thanks so much.

galaxie428 · Dec 10, 2011

I have the Woods BH80-X and I am very happy with it. I purchased mine a few years ago so things may have changed since then but when I was researching backhoes the specs on the Woods was better as far as digging depth, bucket force and so on. I put a spreadsheet together will all of those things and then compared them.

I ended up getting the best price through a place called Rosseell's farm and garden in MI. They used to have a listing on EBay and they had reasonable shipping rates that still allowed me to get it cheaper there than anywhere else.

If you search a little in the attachments forum, you will find several of us that have them.

Woods also offers a PTO pump to run the BH if you did not think you would want the rear remotes. Of course you will probably find some additional uses for the rear remotes.

I am very happy with my Woods. It seems to be very well built and I have used it for various projects and have been very happy with the results. I have dug some very large stumps out with it, several trenches, lots of concrete and I have been very happy with it.

Good luck in your search, I am sure both backhoes are very capable.

SSdoxie · Dec 11, 2011

The rear remote kit is not difficult to install. I would also suggest getting the dual valve kit so you have one extra set of remotes, it is less expense to get both valves in 1 kit than to add the other valve later.

Canada_CT230 · Dec 11, 2011

I installed a single set of rear remotes on my CT230. The most difficult part was removing the heavy deluxe seat without scratching anything. From there it is just a couple of studs, new valve components and finally the hydraulics tubes to the rear.

SSdoxie · Dec 11, 2011

Canada_CT230 said:
I installed a single set of rear remotes on my CT230. The most difficult part was removing the heavy deluxe seat without scratching anything. From there it is just a couple of studs, new valve components and finally the hydraulics tubes to the rear.

Ye, and the second set is no more difficult, just longer studs and slide both valves on then end cap and tighten.
A tip when removing seat, fasten the seat belt tight over the seat then it won't be flopping around while trying to handle it and keep from scracthing a fender.

Canada_CT230 · Dec 12, 2011

Yes...I used a tie down strap myself. It is still an awkward piece and trying to dismount the tractor by yourself with the heavy seat and fear of scratched paint.

Martian · Dec 12, 2011

Be sure to go with a thumb if you get the Woods backhoe. Indispensable, even though its not a hydraulic and just mechanical you will find a lot of use out of it:thumbsup:

Have no experience on a Bobcat though so I can't help you there.

lilranch2001 · Dec 13, 2011

You may want to read the thread on the Kioti forum, someone put a woods hoe on a Kioti, and the subframe broke both axle horn castings, and Kioti doesnt want to warranty it since it isnt their hoe

Slowtorque · Dec 20, 2011

Thanks so much guys. Seems like both the Bobcat and Woods are similarly priced. The Woods even has a hydraulic thumb available. Tempting. How long will it take me to get proficient with this thing?

galaxie428 · Dec 20, 2011

I have the hydraulic thumb on my BH-80X but to be honest, I have not used it over a half dozen times in the two years I have had it. I guess if you were picking up rocks and stuff like that it would be handy but I don't pick many rocks up.

As far as getting proficient, the more you use it the better you will get. It is not hard to get used to, I thought I picked it up pretty easily but I go long times between using it so it takes me a bit to pick it up again.

Did you check out Rossells for the Woods? They by far had the best price and very reasonable shipping if you can send it somewhere that has a loading dock. The subframe will cost you an extra $1k but with the force the hoe has, I feel a lot safer with the subframe than I would having it on my 3pt.

Slowtorque · Dec 20, 2011

Yes, I did check out Rossell's and they do have a good price. I will likely have it shipped from them to me here in NC. I will probably go ahead and get the hyd thumb. I need to order the dual valve kit for my rear hydraulics and install that first. Say, how difficult is it to remove/reinstall the hoe? I'd likely not use it too much and would like to park it under my shed when I don't need it. Thanks

galaxie428 · Dec 20, 2011

In my experience, one person can hook it up but it is difficult. From the tractor seat, you really can't see where the hoe hooks to the tractor and it is also not easy to align everything up. By myself, it has taken me 20 min. With someone to drive the tractor while I guide them, I can do it in about 10 min.

Once you get it close, you can move it around a little by the controls on the hoe to finish lining it up the rest of the way. My barn where I store the hoe does not have the best light either so it may help if I could see better.

rimshot · Dec 21, 2011

I'm not sure if Bobcat uses the Kioti backhoe but that's a good hoe. Just looking it over they have a good hydraulic system and are real handy. They are real beefy with thick steel plate and an arched boom. I have dug more than 50 stumps with that CK-20 of mine in the 800 + hours on my Kioti.

Just check out his web site for all the custom fabricated traactor attachments for stuff like backhoe thumbs and snow removal equipment. Several members on the Kioti forum have ordered attachments or custom built accessories from them and he ships all over N. America:

Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer

as far as lining up my Kioti Backhoe for removal or reinstall, I have a little secret so it does not take but 10 minutes. The first year I dropped it off in 10 minutes but took probably 30 trying to line the tractor up of reinstall in the Spring. Next year I got three furniture dollies (HD) at Home Depot and ran the outriggers on top of a furniture dolley and dropped the bucket on top of a third dolly. Now I can be off by a mile when I back up to reload the hoe in the Spring because I can roll that 1500-2000 lbs anywhere I want. Of course this application needs a concrete floor to work out.

rimshot

Gil Case · Dec 22, 2011

You need a concrete floor and you need the bucket hydraulics to not leak down so the under mount is not sticking up in the air. If the mount lifts up you cannot get the tractor close enough to hook up the hydraulic hoses. I fixed that by getting 4 ft extension hoses- long enough to hook up the tractor hydraulics before you have to back over the under mount. Then you can hook it up single handed in 10 minutes or less.

rimshot · Dec 22, 2011

Gil Case said:
You need a concrete floor and you need the bucket hydraulics to not leak down so the under mount is not sticking up in the air. If the mount lifts up you cannot get the tractor close enough to hook up the hydraulic hoses. I fixed that by getting 4 ft extension hoses- long enough to hook up the tractor hydraulics before you have to back over the under mount. Then you can hook it up single handed in 10 minutes or less.

]

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That happened to me last year. I just took a 2 x4 or bar and got some leverage to teeter the bucket and slip some wood blocks beneath adjust the frame to level. I also ran a chain from the base of the boom to the hinge plate on the bucket and that keeps the boom and dipper from spreading. It was no big deal. It works well for me and it's nice sometimes to move that thing around in case I want to get at something behind the backhoe. The pictures were a couple of years old.

I also learned to keep the outriggers more in the up position so it does not take up as much reale state by shimming the flat part on the hinge. This operation comtinues to evolve.
rimshot

rambo7 · Dec 30, 2011

I find the Woods BH80X to be pretty excellent with rocks. Just my opinion

Slowtorque · Dec 30, 2011

Looks like the BH80X is the way to go, price-wise and performance-wise IMO. Will let you know and post pic when it is ready. Thanks to all for the advice.

rambo7 · Dec 30, 2011

Good luck!

dfkrug · Dec 30, 2011

lilranch2001 said:
You may want to read the thread on the Kioti forum, someone put a woods hoe on a Kioti, and the subframe broke both axle horn castings, and Kioti doesnt want to warranty it since it isnt their hoe

That thread is almost 4 years old, but I went back and read it again. It
was a Kioti hoe and subframe on a CK25:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/116184-friends-ck25-broke-two.html

....unless you are referring to another thread?

lilranch2001 · Dec 31, 2011

dfkrug said:
That thread is almost 4 years old, but I went back and read it again. It
was a Kioti hoe and subframe on a CK25:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/116184-friends-ck25-broke-two.html

....unless you are referring to another thread?