Woods BH6000 or new tractor

[bxkubota]

I currently have a BX1500 with a loader 54"deck turfs and 175 hrs on the clock. The dilemma I am wrestling is I have several jobs to do at my house and my in-laws where a backhoe will save many man hours of digging, retaining walls, 300 feet of water line, etc.

Should I add the Woods backhoe to my little BX1500 and hope it performs to my satisfaction or should I trade or sell to step up to a BX25. I have talked to some local Woods and Kubota dealers who won't sell me a backhoe for my tractor.

I have read blackmajicwomans threads with the backhoe on his BX1500 and the success he has had with the machine.

If I should sell the BX what is a good starting price for western PA.

 

[K10]

It would seem to me that the Kubota dealer would have little incentive to sell you a BH for a machine originally not intended to have one. On the other hand, there has been a least one member who has had great success in modifying the BX1500 to accept the Woods BH. I would imagine a decicated machine like the BX25 would have only modest advantages over a properly set-up BX1500. If you can find a Woods dealer to do the work and warranty it, your overall cost should be significantly less. For home landscape non commercial work, the modification would provide likely all you ever need. Otherwise you would looking at a bigger more powerful machine. Good luck.

K10

 

[Tom_H]

This thread will answer all your questions and the proof is in the pics:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ods-bh6000.html?highlight=BX1500+Woods+BH6000

 

[KeithInSpace]

Don't know. Obviously, the BH6000 can be attached to the BX1500. It'd seem a real shame to get rid of your otherwise splendid tractor just out of fear.

To me, it would come down to a money thing. No question that adding a BH is spectacular, especially considering your projects. Had you been thinking about replacing your tractor before? If not, I'd roll with the BH6000. If so, this would probably be a good time to do so.

You could probably get some $6,500 or $7,000 for your 'perfect' BX1500 (just a guess), making the upgrade cost about $10,000. Of course, you'd get a larger tractor, more HP, 3 cylinders, larger tires, and many other benefits to boot.

The BH6000 will cost you $5,500 assuming it attaches to your BX1500 without any issue.

This is, therefore, a $4,500 question.

I can't say if there is any difference between mounting a BH6000 on your machine or my machine...I figure a slightly smaller hydro pump would give something up somewhere...just can't say if you'd notice or not. But I can say that anything a BX22, 23, 24, or 25 can do, I can do with equal vigor on my BH6000 equipped BX2230. Ruthless backhoe capable of tremendous abuse. Even with a smaller pump and perhaps slightly lower capacities, I would be quite comfortable saying that the BH6000 would still dig dirt without a problem. The only time I 'stall' my backhoe is when digging up stumps.

For me, it would come down to what my wife would say. If I had the money to spend, I'd probably lean toward a new tractor, as much of a shame as that would be.

Hope that helps. Fell free to ask any other questions that come to mind.

 

[TheFlatlander]

Don't know. Obviously, the BH6000................ to mind.

Keith, excellent post and great advice-very objective. I could not of said better.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Have you thought about just buying a backhoe read to work and then selling it when your digging projects are completed.

Go to Ebay and search just using the word BACKHOE to get your options in your region. The last owner of our JD 310B owned it for three years then sold it to go with a FEL and tiller behind a large Kubota.

You will have digging power and a stong FEL and will not be abusing your like new tractor.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've pondered getting a BH for years and felt I could never justify the additional cost. Due to some changing needs I traded my B3200 to a BX25 which comes with a BH. I really like the BH. Dig a hole for any thing. Digs out Pampas grass and other grasses so easy and digs the hole to put them in so easy. Dig a stump and it's a big disappointment. Dig a trench and it's alot of trouble and takes alot of time moving and digging and moving and digging. Hit a rock and it stops. There is a learning curve and a small BH doesn't come close to a dedicated BH. I really like my little BH but is it worth $5000 to $7000? One time jobs are often times better done in one hour to your ten by someone that's a pro and has the proper equipment. I've had a BX1500 and it would never enter my mind to put a BH on one unless it was under $1000. The BX1500 is a fairly light machine in the tractor world and really heavy compared to a riding lawn mower but your talking about the tractor world. I think you'll be disappointed with it for the purposes you stated unless you have much money and tremendous amounts of time that you need to kill. For doing on going landscaping on a personal property over the years, they are great, if you got the money. For serious digging the time consumption and the frustration of it's lack of power in my rocky soil would kill me.

 

[LBrown59]

I like my solution :
A bx23 and 2 BX1500s.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I like my solution :
A bx23 and 2 BX1500s.

Big help and great answer. Sure he can now make an informed decision.

 

[bxkubota]

I like my solution :
A bx23 and 2 BX1500s.

How is the front end loader between the BX1500 and BX23 differ. Is there a noticable difference when it comes to digging, lifting, etc.

I may nix the BX25 idea and get a BX2660 with a loader. It would definitely take up less room in my garage.