Backhoe Kubota BH90 Backhoe Questions

[Evaluator]

I have the chance to purchase a new Kubota L3130 with a 723 loader and a BH90 backhoe. The price from the dealer is good and he only sells Kubota backhoes. I have been looking at Woods and Bush Hog backhoes as the initial quotes on the Kubota backhoes were out of my league.

I was pretty excited to be quoted $6600 for the BH90 until I spent part of the night reading all of the past issues with the BH90. One guy said that the BH90 was redesigned with bigger cylinders in the mid 2004 time-frame. Is this correct? Is anyone having bent or broke cylinder problems with the newer BH90's?

Also, I read that the 3-point hitch arms get bent due to contact with the subframe. I assume that this is when the backhoe is removed and the subframe stays. Is this still an issue with the newer models?

Finally, for those of you that have BH90's, I have been told that the BH90 is slow and does not move well simultaneously. Can anyone comment on this?

May backup and get a Woods or Bush Hog yet...

Thanks,

NB

 

[machmeter62]

EVALUATOR: It would be hard for me to believe that Kubota would manufacture a backhoe with inferior characteristics, but anything is possible? They do their homework on anything they build. If the tractor has the hoe on it, it would be worth your while to get a demo of it's performance. The backhoe on my L-35 is awesome, and built by Kubota, without any short comings after 11 years of hard use! If the deal is a good one, I would jump on it; I think their tractors, loaders, and backhoes are all top quality like any of their products. Remember, it's backed by a warranty! I think some of these issues you hear or read about, the unit may have been used beyond it's limits; I have seen others do it in the field, when common sense is disreguarded!

 

[machmeter62]

Another point in your purchase; by keeping it pure Kubota, I am sure it will retain more resale value if you ever decide to sell the tractor. In my view, anytime one purchases something that has been customized to anothers liking, it loses some of it's value. The same thing happens with used vehicles. Just my thoughts.

 

[jazzdaddy]

The hitch arms bending is just an issue of paying attention and making sure that the 3pt hitch is pinned wide enough apart that they don't impact the subframe when raised. I've bent the stabilizer arm twice in the last four years. It's a $75 part. It's a pain to have the sub-frame in the way but I wouldn't want to have a backhoe without one.

Also, don't put on the backhoe on with the rollover bar down. It can impact the bar and bend the seat.

I feel these are minor issues and regarding the BH90 backhoe itself, I feel it is top notch. Mine is a 2003 model and I've had no issues with bent cylinders or any similar thing. It's performed like a champ for me.

 

[Evaluator]

Thanks for the information.

I had the idea of calling the service departments of two local Kubota dealers. I asked the service managers specifically about the bending cylinders issues and was told that these issues had been repaired. The cylinders on the new models were increased in size to handle the stress.

Concerning the 3-point hitch issue, I was told basically what JazzDaddy said. Both service managers stated that they would choose the Kubota BH90 anytime over the Woods BH80-X or Bush Hog.

They had good things to say about the Woods BH80-X and the Bush Hog BH750, but they did express concerns about the Bush Hog. Apparently, there is a problem with the cylinders leaking after some hours of work.

Both also stated that it is much better to match the brand of loader with the brand of backhoe. Although both the Woods and Bush Hog are supposed ot work, there have been minor issues making the subframes match.

This helps as I will likely proceed with the purchase of a BH90.

NB

 

[TractorTodd]

This info is a little late but may help others. Kubota increased the rod diameter on the dipperstick and bucket cylinders from 35 mm to 40 mm.

 

[Evaluator]

TractorTodd,

I bought that L3130 with the BH90 backhoe. I could not be happier. The backhoe is very strong, is not slow as some reports indicated, and is much bigger and stronger than the BushHog 750 I was comparing against. I have no complaints with the tractor either.

Good to know that the BH90 issues were resolved.

Thanks,

NB

 

[laser_on]

BH90 has a lot of problems. I am on my third dipper cylinder now.
Seems to be an engineering problem. Kabota knows about and replaced original
cylinder free "out of warrentee " but not the others.
I am looking for a different backhoe now, anything but Kabota.

Good luck.

 

[Vandoman]

Anyone attach a older ( 2009 ) BH90 to a L series 5240? Found a sweet deal of a back hoe, but do they make a sub frame to mate the two?

 

[5030tinkerer]

Old thread, I know.

I have a BH90 on my L5030 with an 18" bucket and a 36" (!) bucket. It is a GREAT tool, though difficult to change between 3 point and the backhoe - about an hour for me. Line up can be tricky, but worth it when you need it. The frame does get in the way of the 3 point arms, which has resulted in me bending mine twice. The first time I was able to straighten with a sledge. The second time required a welder. If there is a third time, it would likely be time for a replacement $75 part. Do I regret the BH90 as a result of these flaws? No way. It is SOLID.