Looking for info / video for installing Kubota BH90 subframe on Kubota L3830

JohnB2 · Apr 26, 2016

Greetings, I am a new member but have viewed this site and used the info often. I just drove from Maine to Vt and picked up a BH90 hoe and subframe which was previously on an L3130. My research before buying indicated the 3130, 3430, and 3830 Kubotas all shared the same subframe. I am now learning I may need to buy a subframe mounting kit for over 300.00 but more concerning to me is that I can't find any decent directions or diagrams or u-tube video showing me how to install the subframe. I will also have to figure out live or direct hydraulic plumbing lines, but first have to get this subframe up off the barn floor. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. I have previously relied on the fordbarn site during a rebuild of my 1955 F100 and have a lot of respect for the knowledge out there. Thanks for your time.

JohnB2 · Apr 29, 2016

Well I got it figured out. An obvious first step was to remove the existing lower side frame supports or loader supports. I had a previous tractor which kept those on with the BH subframe beside it. Used a floor jack and wrestled the heavy sub frame pieces into place. Discovered that some of the brackets from the subframe are particular to my specific tractor. Even though a few models share a subframe they require their own offset brackets. It turns out Kubota doesn't really offer a specific clean hose kit for live or direct hydraulic feed to the BH. My Kubota dealer sold me a Woods hose kit for 350.00 and it was fairly simple. You remove the main hose with the green tag under the loader control and attach new hoses top and bottom in it's place so basically you are extending the cycle. I wish I had better info before starting this job, but it wasn't too bad. Hope this helps someone in a similar situation. Happy Tractoring - John

wngsprd · Apr 29, 2016

Glad you got it figured out. Welcome to the forum from a L3130 owner.

JohnB2 · Apr 30, 2016

JohnB2 said:
Well I got it figured out. An obvious first step was to remove the existing lower side frame supports or loader supports. I had a previous tractor which kept those on with the BH subframe beside it. Used a floor jack and wrestled the heavy sub frame pieces into place. Discovered that some of the brackets from the subframe are particular to my specific tractor. Even though a few models share a subframe they require their own offset brackets. It turns out Kubota doesn't really offer a specific clean hose kit for live or direct hydraulic feed to the BH. My Kubota dealer sold me a Woods hose kit for 350.00 and it was fairly simple. You remove the main hose with the green tag under the loader control and attach new hoses top and bottom in it's place so basically you are extending the cycle. I wish I had better info before starting this job, but it wasn't too bad. Hope this helps someone in a similar situation. Happy Tractoring - John

wngsprd said:
Glad you got it figured out. Welcome to the forum from a L3130 owner.

Thank you. Used the backhoe till dark and then a bit more with work lights. Dug a difficult foundation trench and loved it. What a great attachment. Very good reach and decent power. The seat is a bit cramped but the next rainy day I will bolt up a block of wood under the seat base and give myself a bit more leg room. Hope to add a root ripper for stumps next month. I won't own a tractor again without a backhoe. I am really pleased with the BH90. Luckily it just fits behind the Curtis Cab and makes it into my barn with the boom upright by about an inch.

Foxl3830 · May 8, 2016

Hello I own a L3830 I would love to get a backhoe like this on it some day.how do you like the tractor I have only had mine since last year got it on the 4th of July have no complaints so far more than I ever expected ok thanks.

JohnB2 · May 8, 2016

Well I really like this Bh90 a lot. I have owned two previous backhoes and liked them as well. I had a smaller Massey 1528 and it had a 7 ft hoe. Nice little rig. I then had a Massey 1533 with a great hoe Bh90X. That hoe had the curved boom and the extra PTO pump. That will cost you about 15 k these days. This 2005 Bh90 is older, with a few scratches, straight boom and no thumb. If you study the specs it shouldn't dig as well as my Woods, but I swear it does. Part of that is likely due to bucket size. The Woods had a big bucket, 24" and this has an 18. I got this one for 4 k cash. I recommend it. Good luck.

JohnB2 · May 8, 2016

Foxl3830 said:
Hello I own a L3830 I would love to get a backhoe like this on it some day.how do you like the tractor I have only had mine since last year got it on the 4th of July have no complaints so far more than I ever expected ok thanks.

I may have jumped the gun talking about backhoes. If you were specifically asking about the L3830, yes I like it. This is my fourth tractor, but my first hyd trans. I had to make the move because the constant clutching was really hurting my knee after some surgeries. I love the tractor. Really like the Curtis Cab with its warm heater when I'm using the quick switch hydraulic snow plow. The backhoe as I've said is great. I use quick attach forks and haul lots of firewood easily. No that I'm retired I find a reason to get on that tractor at least every other day. I just need to get used to it bogging down on hills in medium range. It is just a different feel than I am used to. So all and all I love the tractor. Maybe if I had money to burn I would go a bit bigger but would then have to build a bigger barn door. - John