Looking for backhoe attachment recommendations

[northernsierras]

Please forgive my ignorance here. I have the kubota L4701 & am looking to buy a backhoe...kubota's bh92 is around $10k, which is a lot more than i want to pay. I came across woodmax which is selling a comparable backhoe for $5k. Whats with the massive prize difference? Im going to use the backhoe to dig fence post holes, 100's of yards of water line, footers etc. The soil is fairly rocky but soft. If anyone can share their knowledge i would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[spitter]

The correct subframe is probably 3 k alone I'm not shure but a 92 is a 8" and anything around 5 k is probably a 5 or 6 footer. Don't mount a hoe without a subframe !!!:drink:

 

[Diggin It]

The soil is fairly rocky

Don't mount a hoe without a subframe !!!

!!!!!!!

 

[3Ts]

... Don't mount a hoe without a subframe !!!

Even if your soil is not rocky, don't mount a hoe without a subframe. There are many posts on this forum about broken tractors because it wasn't mounted with a subframe.

 

[northernsierras]

Thanks for the advice on the subframe. What do you guys recommend for the subframe and backhoe? Should i try to buy used? There are several brands of backhoe, some twice as expensive as the others and both claim the same capability as far as digging depth, digging pressure, etc.

 

[ericm979]

Besides the subframe, the Woodmaxx is made in China. Which is fine if it's speced and QCed properly. Woodmaxx has a lot of experience doing that. The valve stack may not be as good as Kubota valves (they're known to make good valves). That will make a difference in how easy the BH is to operate. The subframe is specific to the tractor and the BH. Woods used to make some BHs with Kubota subframes but I don't know if they still do or if they did one for the MX series.

Check dealers for a used BH. I got a lightly used one from my dealer. It was roughly 2/3 the new price.

 

[Diggin It]

Im going to use the backhoe to dig fence post holes, 100's of yards of water line, footers etc.

You don't dig post holes with a BH. Too much to backfill. A Post Hole Digger is $500 or so usually.

Hundred of yards of trenches will take forever for the inexperienced. If you have a rental yard close enough, look at renting a trencher or other machine. Having a tractor mounted back hoe is fine for small jobs like planting or moving trees. Some people on here that have them have done foundations and footing or bigger jobs, but they've had more experience than I do.

 

[spitter]

You could pick up a used BH 92 for 3-4 k the hard part is finding one close to you at the right time. Usually after you buy a new one a used one comes up.:drink:

 

[mikester]

You get what you pay for.

Id put that 10K towards an older used full sized construction backhoe and consider yourself lucky you didnt abuse the tractor. If you are tired of your tractor and want an excuse to give the wife for buying a new one, buy the cheap BH attachment.

 

[Everhard]

Totally agree with waiting till you find something cheaper. They will come up. In the meantime if you have a job that needs to be done right now rent a mini-x. I waited and found a hoe (Different brand then my tractor - I modified the subframe/made brackets for approx $100 in steel plus my time) and that cost me half as much as a new hoe.
I also totally agree that while it's a great tool to have (It's on my tractor a surprising amount of time) it's no where near as effective as something like a mini-x or a "real" backhoe. But for the odd jobs I'm doing around my property it's awesome. Including post holes btw! I'm currently putting up a fence which is primarily running thru a forest - tons of roots and stones - I originally thought of renting a post hole digger, but decided to give the hoe a chance - glad I didn't rent anything, the hoe makes short work of roots that would have been a royal pain in the butt. Ya, it's a little bit more back-filling but for 30 plus holes I'm not bothered.
A strong subframe/solid tractor attachment bracket/points are the most important thing really. That is what will protect your tractor from the forces of the hoe. The hoe whether cheap or expensive will exert the same force on the tractor so it's how it's attached and ultimately how you use it that will dictate whether the tractor gets abused or not. Personally while I'm happy to hook the hoe up at any time, if a job came up that was going to require days of hard work I'd go rent a mini-x/backhoe - they will at that point be much more efficient and quicker. The rental will be money well spent.

E.