Backhoe Kubota VS Woods Backhoe

Mainah · Apr 14, 2003

( If you find yourself coming to northern VT this summer look me up. Once the snow is gone I'll be remounting my hoe and would be willing to let you dig some trenches for me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete )

Would love that Pete...but it's soooo hard getting out of the tractor seat dontcha know? Of course, I could plan a road trip and drive it there...hmmmmm..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

AndyR · Apr 18, 2003

Congrats on your new purchase! I have the 9000 on an L3710 and love it. It has the seperate hydro pump and has pulled some mighty big "nuggets" out of the bony soil around here. If you are ever passin' by southern New Hampshire swing by and we can "practice" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mainah · Apr 21, 2003

( Congrats on your new purchase! I have the 9000 on an L3710 and love it. It has the seperate hydro pump and has pulled some mighty big "nuggets" out of the bony soil around here. If you are ever passin' by southern New Hampshire swing by and we can "practice" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Thanks Andy...I hope to get my hoe this week. What size bucket do you have or recommend?
And I am in southern NH often /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. #1 son and his family have a condo in Raymond, and I own and rent my parents house in Hampton where I grew up...gotta LOVE that beach /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif and the inlaws/outlaws are spread out through Epping, Deerfield, Kingston, and Atkinson...so when we do get down there we make the rounds.
Thanks again neighbor! or I should say neighbah....

AndyR · Apr 26, 2003

I've got the 16" bucket - that's what came with the slightly used 'hoe. Action shots are here. I originally was going to go with a bigger bucket but considering the soil types I work with the 16" is fine.

Jibber · Apr 27, 2003

I have a 3130. Got the loader with the tractor but I figured I'd wait on the backhoe until I can better afford it. I had been looking at the Kubota model that has it's own hydraulics driven by the PTO. I like the idea of being able to put it on and take it off when I don't need it.

My questions.

first.. you mention a reinforced top link bracket.. is that something Kubota offers? I would think they would engineer the standard model to be able to deal with the stresses provided by their own hoes. I have heard some horror stories though regarding other tractors and backhoe setups.

second.. how easy is it to put these PTO 3ph type hoes on and off. Is it like any other implement or is it a half hour or more of work?

also.. With the PTO 3ph model.. are there any other changes that have to be made to the tractor itself to prepare it for the hoe. I don't really want to mess with my ground clearance by adding any subframe.

thanx!

grandad · Apr 27, 2003

Reinforced toplink bracket... offered separately by Kubota for the L10 series. Check with dealer, but I don't think the new L30 tractors need a stronger bracket since the 3pt lift and toplink were redesigned in the new models. (suggest you update you TBN profile... it indicates you have a 3710... congrats. on new 3130, though!).

Maybe some of the backhoe owners (vs. an owner wannabe like me /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) can better comment on whether the 3pt or the subframe hoes are easier to put on and take off. I had the apparent misconception that the 3pt variety would be easier, but my dealer opines that the subframe hoes are actually somewhat easier.

With most of the hoes available of either type, you do have to actually remove the lower arms to install the hoe. So, putting on the hoe is not quite the same as hooking up your boxblade.

I've also learned the obvious point that ease of installation varies between makes and models of backhoes. I think some or all of the Bradco hoes let you leave the lower links on, for example.

A subframe mount is certainly stronger than the 3pt ones, but as you say, it does reduce ground clearance, and stays with the tractor even when the hoe is removed. Again, some manufacturers apparently do a better job with this than others. Just going by what others have said, though, if you plan on heavy use, better go with the subframe type.

Rick Jay · Apr 28, 2003

grandad,

( A subframe mount is certainly stronger than the 3pt ones, but as you say, it does reduce ground clearance, and stays with the tractor even when the hoe is removed. )

I have a Woods 7500 with subframe. The subframe stays with the backhoe when removed. With the backhoe removed, all that remains on the tractor is a small "receiver bracket" for the subframe mounted to the loader frame.

It's this piece that can interfere with mid-mount mower use.

~Rick

AndyR · Apr 29, 2003

From the viewpoint of protecting the tractor, I wouldn't consider anything BUT a subframe mount unless it was a very small backhoe digging in light-load conditions.

AndyPitts · Apr 29, 2003

I'm way late in this thread, but to add my two cents, I have a Woods 9000 with subframe on my L3010. It works great, and I dug my basement with it, including digging up 25 or so stumps (not small ones here in Eastern Virginia). I would not use this powerful BH without subframe -- if you are not careful, it can pick up the rear end of the tractor, with anti-freeze in the tires. But with careful use, the BH on the L3010 can do a great deal of work.

Dozernut · Apr 30, 2003

I have a Great Bend backhoe on a subframe with a Kubota L 4610. The hoe stays with the frame and when you remove it you lose no ground clearance. I had the 3pt. mount and absolutely hated it, I was ready to buy a dedicated machine. Then I got the subframe, it is a completely different hoe and easy to hookup and remove. This setup eliminated the attachment to the top bracket (Great Bend subframe). There is room to get in between the hoe and the tractor to hookup the hydraulics now. The subframe is definitely the way to go.