Kubota backhoe or woods??

[RoninMaine]

So here it is, I have a kubota L3200 and am getting ready to buy a new backhoe. Does anybody have any preference over which is better built, or just all around a better rig? Either one will be subframe mounted. I am a little disappointed I can not get a hyd thumb on the bota hoe. Any thoughts?

 

[Grandad4]

I haven't looked at the backhoe models you would be comparing, but generally the Kubota factory hoes have always seemed to me a bit better engineered to fit and work well with the tractor design than the non-OEM models. More closely tucked into the back of the tractor, better integrated subframe, better ground clearance... things like that. Also the OEM backhoes seemed a little heavier built but they probably cost more as well. I bought the Kubota backhoe for my tractor years ago and have not been disappointed. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to go with a Woods hoe if it met my work requirements and budget parameters. They are a good outfit that makes quality equipment.

 

[mguitas]

I agree with the fit also. I notice on woods when boom is all the way up, the hoe is still hanging out a little bit. the kubota is not is not like that. But for most people not a big deal.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I got the BH77 when I bought my tractor and couldn't be happier with it. As was mentioned, it tucks in much tighter to the back of the tractor which leaves more ground clearance when driving up onto a pile before the hoe starts to dig in. I also have the single reversible seat which I find to be much nicer to work with than having dual seats, from either seating position I can reach around behind me and still reach the opposite set of controls. Woods and Wallenstien both make great backhoes, either of them would be just as good as the Kubota as far as quality goes.

I wouldn't let not having a factory hyd thumb be a deal killer. Several of us have successfully converted the mechanical thumb to hydraulic. There's 3 different ways to do it that I can quickly think of. As I have additional remotes, my conversion cost me only $250 or so.

Looks like you switched from the B3300 to the L3200. I'd looked at the L when I was shopping and really didn't like it compared to the B. What do you find better with the L?

 

[RoninMaine]

Wow, all great and fast replies! Thank you! I did just run into a customer of mine at the shop (I am a vw mechanic) that has a Kubota with a BH80X which is great, he said I could come over and check it out and try it anytime, which is great because my dealer has plenty of BH77's set up none of the woods stuff is. CDN Farm Boy, dont get me wrong, I loved the B3300SU but after using it some I realized it was not really heavy enough for what I needed- and after I ran it some up near pto speed I noticed a nasty almost harmonic type of engine vibration. It would make your *** go numb after a while. Maybe it is just the mechanic in me but it made me nervous. As it turns out Kubota knocked the injection pump timing back for emssions reasons, and that is what made the vibration as I understand it. I am capable of re-timing it but it would void the warranty. So, away it went, which was too bad because I did get stung when I bought the L. I did add all the goodies, ssqa, rear remotes, adjustable lift arms etc.

 

[dickfoster]

I got the BH77 when I bought my tractor and couldn't be happier with it. As was mentioned, it tucks in much tighter to the back of the tractor which leaves more ground clearance when driving up onto a pile before the hoe starts to dig in. I also have the single reversible seat which I find to be much nicer to work with than having dual seats, from either seating position I can reach around behind me and still reach the opposite set of controls. Woods and Wallenstien both make great backhoes, either of them would be just as good as the Kubota as far as quality goes.

I wouldn't let not having a factory hyd thumb be a deal killer. Several of us have successfully converted the mechanical thumb to hydraulic. There's 3 different ways to do it that I can quickly think of. As I have additional remotes, my conversion cost me only $250 or so.

Looks like you switched from the B3300 to the L3200. I'd looked at the L when I was shopping and really didn't like it compared to the B. What do you find better with the L?

So show me. I have a new Mahindra 1538B hoe with a mechanical thumb and I have the rear remote in place already. It looks to be a little space constrained for a hydraulic thumb which is why I think they aren't often offered on smaller hoes.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have a Woods BH-90x on my Kioti DK40se. Excellent BH.

One thing to consider is what type of subframe you want. I honestly don't know anything about the Kubota BH subframe but the Kioti subframe is attached to the BH with only a few slots of steel on the tractor. That makes for quicker mounting but a larger BH mass to store when off tractor. The Woods has a four point mount (which I think is what Kubota BX has) and it is fussier to mount but leaves virtually no extra mass on the BH for storage. After eight years of using the Woods it has held up very well and I'd buy it again without question. It does however take me longer to mount (still) than it ever took to mount a Kioti BH I had previously. It wouldn't be such an issue if I was mounting on a very flat hard surface but I typically store the BH on grass so small variations in tractor position make it more of a challenge to get all four points oriented at the same time in three dimensions.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

So show me. I have a new Mahindra 1538B hoe with a mechanical thumb and I have the rear remote in place already. It looks to be a little space constrained for a hydraulic thumb which is why I think they aren't often offered on smaller hoes.

My conversion:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/264920-bh77-has-anyone-considered-converting-9.html#post3411941
I couldn't ask for the cyl to fit much better than it did once I made the very minor mods to the cross tubes

dfkrug's conversion:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/125912-custom-hydraulic-backhoe-thumb.html

22 pages of conversation on the subject which includes the above 2 and a couple other options:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/264920-bh77-has-anyone-considered-converting.html

The same theory would apply to any hoe, regardless of brand.

 

[art]

Things that might make a difference and they might not! 1, the controls on the Kubota's are more consistant and easier to judge as to where you are going and when to stop.
2, over hang, If you are going to transport when off loading with trailers the Kubota is tighter to the trailer and higher then the woods so you don't scrape driveways! Also when in the mud you have more clearance.

 

[IslandTractor]

Things that might make a difference and they might not! 1, the controls on the Kubota's are more consistant and easier to judge as to where you are going and when to stop.
2, over hang, If you are going to transport when off loading with trailers the Kubota is tighter to the trailer and higher then the woods so you don't scrape driveways! Also when in the mud you have more clearance.

Regarding controls, I haven't used Kubota BHs but the Woods is one of the few that has an adjustable swing speed. I've never thought the actual controls were any different than what I was used to with my Kioti BH.