Make my JD4520 a Kubota L48

[BoulderBob]

Alas I have had to part with mt Kubotal L48 when I sold a property and the buyer made it part of the sale. I miss the equipment more than the real estate!

But I have moved on to greener pastures and purchased a 2004 JD 4520 as part of the new ranch. I am trying to get over my Orange envy and set up the JD with a backhoe and a proper front bucket but Deere does not seem to play well with others like Kubota did. The front bucket attachment setup is proprietary making accessories expensive. Anyone have any experience with the John Deere to Quick Tach Skid Steer Adapter Bobtach Bucket Latch to make access to cheaper front attachments?

That brings up the other end of the tractor - the backhoe. Best thing about the L48 was the quick attach backhoe that could be operated from inside the cab with a swivel of the seat. I've been looking into backhoes for the 4520 and looks like I'm going to be climbing up and down some stairs with a change of seats to use the backhoe. Not sure if I want to go the 3-point route and have to be careful about twisting the connection between the hoe and the tractor but the subframe mounts are expensive and hard to find used.

Any thoughts or reassurance that Green is better than Orange or are they just 2 different animals and I should just be happy with what I have.

Thanks,

Feeling Green

 

[nybirdman]

Hard to compare a dedicated TLB to a back hoe added to any tractor.I would not use any three point connected BH,no way.

 

[jb1390]

Alas I have had to part with mt Kubotal L48 when I sold a property and the buyer made it part of the sale. I miss the equipment more than the real estate!

But I have moved on to greener pastures and purchased a 2004 JD 4520 as part of the new ranch. I am trying to get over my Orange envy and set up the JD with a backhoe and a proper front bucket but Deere does not seem to play well with others like Kubota did. The front bucket attachment setup is proprietary making accessories expensive. Anyone have any experience with the John Deere to Quick Tach Skid Steer Adapter Bobtach Bucket Latch to make access to cheaper front attachments?

That brings up the other end of the tractor - the backhoe. Best thing about the L48 was the quick attach backhoe that could be operated from inside the cab with a swivel of the seat. I've been looking into backhoes for the 4520 and looks like I'm going to be climbing up and down some stairs with a change of seats to use the backhoe. Not sure if I want to go the 3-point route and have to be careful about twisting the connection between the hoe and the tractor but the subframe mounts are expensive and hard to find used.

Any thoughts or reassurance that Green is better than Orange or are they just 2 different animals and I should just be happy with what I have.

Thanks,

Feeling Green

Can you weld?
JD_200-400_BRACKET

You could convert to SS style but unless you remove everything already on the machine, the adapter adds some significant length and unnecessary weight. It'd be easier, cheaper, and better to build your implements to fit your current setup. If you have a SS or something that you'll be sharing implements with, that might affect your decision however.

With regards to the backhoe, stay away from 3PH units, get one with a subframe.

 

[dusty3030]

Sell the 4520 and put it towards another Kubota TLB or a JD 110.

What it would cost to buy the subframe and Deere hoe you still wouldn't like it compared to what you have.

Better yet buy a Mini Ex.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a 4520 and a 110tlb and would say they are different animals. I purchased the 110 first and later added the 4520 for dedicated 3 pt usage. You might consider an L45 or an excavator for digging rather than an add on hoe on the 4520.