Backhoe DK65 cab, would backhoe work?

[FLHayman]

I have a new DK65, love it, but was thinking about getting a real subframe backhoe for it. I have a 30hp Belarus with a 3pt Rhino 65, but it has bent up the center link attach pt. I got the cab tractor to slow down a little skin cancer while I do some grappling and sundry chores, (less U.V. should give less growth).
Never thought about a backhoe on the DK when I bought it, but I've since seen some cab tractors with backhoes. How do you do that, jump out the door and run around each time? Open that back window and climb through? Or does having a cab that wasn't designed specifically for backhoe mean it's going to be too much of a pain?
By the way, the cab is fantastic, and seals way better than my pickup did when it was new. Great dealer, which really clinched the sale. They can set me up with the Kioti backhoe and subframe, but it's not going to be given away, so I'm wondering if anyone has tried backhoeing with a cab?
thanks.

 

[psuedofarmer]

I have a DK55 cab with a Rhino 8.5 BH (subframe mount). You can put a BH unit on your DK65, but you'll need to exit the tractor to jump on the BH.. haven't tried going out the rear window, not sure if it's feasible or not (don't think the rear window opens far enough).

I do (and have done) a considerable amount of BH work. No issues with the cab (tractor has 715+ hrs and I figure I've done about 100+ hrs of BH work.

pf

 

[FLHayman]

Thanks, pseudofarmer, for the reply. With your subframe mounting, are you able to keep the 3pt arms attached? I assume that if you did, you would have to make sure to not move them accidentally, because something would surely hit the backhoe. But is there a position that allows you to leave them on while your backhoe is attached? And also, how long does it take to position, attach, detach the hoe with the cab tractor? I'm full of questions, since I've yet to see an installation in person of what I want. Thanks.

 

[psuedofarmer]

Thanks, pseudofarmer, for the reply. With your subframe mounting, are you able to keep the 3pt arms attached? I assume that if you did, you would have to make sure to not move them accidentally, because something would surely hit the backhoe. But is there a position that allows you to leave them on while your backhoe is attached? And also, how long does it take to position, attach, detach the hoe with the cab tractor? I'm full of questions, since I've yet to see an installation in person of what I want. Thanks.

My 3pt arms are attached w/ the BH on the tractor. I keep them fully raised to stay clear of the BH mount. With practice (and key word there is PRACTICE), I'm able to hook up the BH in less than 5 minutes. When I first started, it would take 2x that to line everything up. It's actually rather easy once you get the hang of it..

I can take some pics and post them to this thread, should be able to get to that later today (the BH is currently on the tractor).

More than willing to help out another Floridian - I'm a former cracker who got fed up with the changes in Central Florida, and moved north. Too FAR north!

pf

 

[FLHayman]

Thanks, pf. You know, every summer, everybody still left in Florida dreams about a nice place like you're at.

It's a relief to know that it's possible to keep the 3pt rig as is. I looked (online) at a Woods bh mount for the DK55/DK65, and if I remember correctly, it was more of a bracket attached to the rear axle than the type of subframe that I envision going up to the loader subframe.

Can't find any Kioti online pics of the subframe that they sell, so it's sort of a guessing game without a forum like this. I'm gone travelling for my job all the time, so that's when I try to research things.

The man that actually does the hay work on my place is a real American hero farmer, and he really knows his stuff. But, backhoes on Korean cab tractors fall out of his area of experience! I've got a hundred trees that are down/leaning from the last big hurricane, and I am plenty glad for the grapple rake on my Kioti already.

The backhoe on a nice solid frame is what I've always wanted, but had never seen the easy detach, subframe ones before. I had a 10' 3pt hitch model years ago, but it was absolutely too heavy for my 70 hp tractor without a FEL. Am I right in thinking that the subframe mount backhoes sit up closer to the rear wheels, thereby lessening the leverage to lighten the front wheels?

 

[psuedofarmer]

The backhoe on a nice solid frame is what I've always wanted, but had never seen the easy detach, subframe ones before. I had a 10' 3pt hitch model years ago, but it was absolutely too heavy for my 70 hp tractor without a FEL. Am I right in thinking that the subframe mount backhoes sit up closer to the rear wheels, thereby lessening the leverage to lighten the front wheels?

If I remember correctly, the subframe mount goes all the way beyond the cab, just behind the front wheels (by ~2+ ft). I'll take a few pics tonight and post them for you.

pf