Kubota Mystery Backhoe - does anyone recognise this?

California · Jan 19, 2008

valley said:
California, It isn't connected to a tractor, it was mounted on a aircraft cart for transportation. valley

Oh. Ignore my question then, I didn't understand what I was seeing.

The last owner installed a small engine to test it, each time he tried to dig the engine died. I think the pump was turning too fast as it was hooked directly to the engine.

Does yours have the warning tag that says maximum 850 pto rpm?

I tried both hi and standard pto gears (1,000 or 540) and turning the pump about 400 rpm gives nice smooth operation, suitable for my amateur skill level in tight quarters where I don't want to smash stuff.

I tried driving it about 650 using the higher gear and the motions of the hoe are a little toward violent - I think I might break the hoe by slamming the swing to the end of its stop, or other such damage, at that speed. Either gear loads down the engine to what I guess is 4 or 5 horsepower needed; when digging the exhaust gets a little louder but the governor easily holds rpm.

valley · Jan 20, 2008

Yes! The warning tag says I think: must not turn faster than 650 or 850 and warned of injury. Valley

valley · Jan 20, 2008

One tag if not that one mentioned the need for a limiting device. The manual I have thanks to you made it clear what that was refering to.

valley · Jan 20, 2008

Who made these backhoes? I have thought they were made here in the USA. Kubota got a little quiet when I asked for info about them.

valley · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks for the info re:speed. as I said I, at this time plan to drive it with a small engine and mount it on a sure footed vehicle for the steeps I have here. I plan a zig-zag road up the mountain. I don't know that the pump is a kubota but at a reasonably slow speed it should be right.

California · May 3, 2008

I'm going to add a photo here, responding to a question in another thread about my K650 that would be off-topic for that thread. Hopefully this thread will be helpful for anyone thinking about buying this model hoe.

The photo shows the unusual stabilizers and swing-chain design, features that are apparently unique to this manufacturer. The tip of the swing chain and its adjuster visible here, are driven along the slot rails by a piston behind the slot.

Also - I don't know if this is unique - the restrainer (round pipe near the 3-point pin) is described in an addendum to the operator manual as a mandatory upgrade, intended to prevent the hoe seat from rising and driving the operator's head into the ROPS when the bucket pushes down.

Jon Bainbridge · Feb 3, 2010

California said:
Does anyone recognize this?

View attachment 80193

The seller says she was using it on a 19 hp Kubota without a subframe kit and it weighs 800 lbs.

She has manuals showing it is a Kubota K650 backhoe intended for a 31 - 50 hp tractor, but I can't find any reference to that number here or on Google. The local Kubota dealer says he has no record of anything with that number.

I was considering buying it for my 24 hp Yanmar but if it needs a subframe kit than fabricating that is over my head.

I think it's too big for my application, but the price too good to walk away.

Any comments?

Yes, it is a Kubota L-650. I have one myself that I just got from my neighbor, and even have the original manual. If you want a copy, I can Xerox it and send it. They are not terribly complicated, but if the hydraulic seals and hoses are still good it is a great little machine. When I got this one from her it wasn't in working order, because it had sat outside for 6 years. I have had to replace the seals on the hydraulic cylinders, some of the hoses, and take all the pins out to be cleaned and greased. There were some grease zirks missing so I have also replaced them. In other words I have pretty much torn the whole thing apart and put it back together again. Not a hard job, just tedious.

Jon

Jon Bainbridge · Feb 3, 2010

Yes, it is a Kubota L-650. I have one myself that I just got from my neighbor, and even have the original manual. If you want a copy, I can Xerox it and send it. They are not terribly complicated, but if the hydraulic seals and hoses are still good it is a great little machine. When I got this one from her it wasn't in working order, because it had sat outside for 6 years. I have had to replace the seals on the hydraulic cylinders, some of the hoses, and take all the pins out to be cleaned and greased. There were some grease zirks missing so I have also replaced them. In other words I have pretty much torn the whole thing apart and put it back together again. Not a hard job, just tedious.

California · Feb 4, 2010

Jon Bainbridge said:
Yes, it is a Kubota L-650. I have one myself that I just got from my neighbor, and even have the original manual. If you want a copy, I can Xerox it and send it.

Thanks for the offer! After posting all my dumb newbie questions when I started this thread two years ago, I learned quite a bit about it. And I'm happy to report I have run it 150+ hours since then with no problems. It has needed no work at all beyond the initial fluid and filter change, one seal on the 'curl' cylinder, and of course daily greasing. Not bad for 30 year old equipment.

This one is a K-650. The original Operation/Parts manual came with it. Someone also gave me a pdf L-650 manual which looks identical except Kubota switched to a new parts number system with all new numbers for the same parts, so far as I can tell.

Here's the tag on mine showing K-650.

I have learned the same hoe was sold as a Yanmar-USA dealer implement for my model tractor, and I have seen a couple on Ebay in the Yanmar colors with a Yanmar ID tag. So aside from the paint color I have a perfectly matched 1980 TLB.

Thanks for your comments! Have you had a chance to use yours after you got it set up?