Backhoe Need opinions on adding 3-point hitch backhoe

[IslandTractor]

This is a very useful thread, thank you one and all. Let me ask another question. How difficult is it to change out the subframe mounted backhoe compared to a 3 point hitch. We would be changing out our Mahindra 5555 (the old 30 Series) at least twice a year.

Twice a year is no biggie either way. I could change out, that is disconnect, either my Kioti long subframe BH or my Woods four point subframe BH in about five minutes start to finish. Mounting the Kioti took about ten minutes and mounting the Woods takes 15-30 minutes depending on the cycle of the moon. The Kioti style subframe is not really a precision fine tolerance design and it responds well to "persuasion". The Woods requires lining the two sides of the mount up in three dimensions simultaneously by fiddling with the BH hydraulics to get everything within 1/8" or so before it all clunks into place. That goes faster with practice but I only do it a couple times a year generally so it takes a while.

 

[sgtboz]

The first time I put on my 3pt Kubota backhoe it took me about 1.5 hours! It was quite awful and quite a learning curve. Like IslandTractor said, there are several vectors that have to align in 3D space to get that sucker on there. But, like anything over time, I got to where it only took me about 15 minutes. My record was 9 minutes and, yes, I timed myself. :0 The real trick was in the discipline to really line up the tractor when backing it into the backhoe. If you only do it twice a year, you're probably not going to be terribly adept at whatever it is you do! But, that's neither here nor there if it's a tool you need and that's the only way to use it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

The first time I put on my 3pt kubota backhoe it took me about 1.5 hours!

Not quite that long for me, but I did work up the sweat of frustration ! Your whole post is dead on.


Mounting my Mahindra hoe takes me about 3-5 minutes now. Dismounting it takes about 1-2 minutes.

Mounting can be a hassle the first time you do it as it takes practice to learn the best sequence of front/back/tilt/lift, etc. But after a while it becomes second nature, like anything.

 

[newbury]

Yes I actually have priced subframes and I have found they vary substantially from brand to brand and for size of machine. My prices are slightly out of date but should be close enough. These prices are based on a 25 to 30 hp frame size tractor when I checked with in the last year and a half. Kelly Backhoes said between 2&3 hundred depending on style of subframe. Ansung ( OEM for Kubota) added 400.00. Bradco added about 1200.00. Woods was all over the place I got two prices in the range of 500.00 and one of 1500.00. Can't remember exactly but I think Rhino wanted around 500.00 and I priced a cheep Chinese made model I cannot remember what brand but it had the Italian valve on the Internet sold as a three point mount with a subframe option they wanted 275.00 but only had select models available. These prices were for at time of purchase not after-the-fact. So yes more than a couple (2). But in the realm of things for the most part in my opinion well worth the extra money especially if it's what the manufacturer recommends.

So, to summarize none for $200, correct?

 

[tman1020]

So, to summarize none for $200, correct?[/QUOTE.

Correct. None of the ones I priced were 200$ so I was incorrect with my my quote of a couple hundred. Sorry if that was misleading or troublesome to you or anyone else.

 

[IslandTractor]

Tman1020, you just scored a TBN hat trick. First time anyone has ever been wrong on TBN. First time anyone ever acknowledged being wrong. And definitely the first time anyone has apologized for being wrong! You'll end up in the hall of fame if you keep it up.

 

[brown40]

I have an old woods 7500 and its a snap; stored on cinderblocks its only an inch or two beneath the subframe. Lift it up into it's receiver, install 2 bolts and plug it in. 2-4 minute job. Takes getting the routine down and a good storage configuration to do efficiently... what a nightmare they can be at the start though!
I'm certain there was a time you could get a subframe for $200...

 

[California]

I find it pretty easy to mount my 3-point hoe using its hydraulics to align it.

But if I stored it on a furniture dolly, it would be even easier.

 

[buickanddeere]

Nobody ever claimed a backhoe or excavator arm and bucket had too much "power ". Likewise a backhoe bobbing around on a three point hitch is frustrating compared to rigid mount . Then again just about any three point hitch backhoe tops using a shovel and wheelbarrow .

 

[jhous]

So, to summarize none for $200, correct?[/QUOTE.

Correct. None of the ones I priced were 200$ so I was incorrect with my my quote of a couple hundred. Sorry if that was misleading or troublesome to you or anyone else.

.........................................

Your figure didn't bother me in the least. You gave me useful information and your opinion and that's what I asked for. I knew on a national forum such as this any numbers given can vary significantly and exact numbers would be up to me to find with local inquiries. So, Thank you very much. You really helped me.

 

[jhous]

All you guys..... THANK YOU!:thumbsup:
You really came through for me and it has really helped me weigh all the pluses and minuses of both configurations. I went to the LS tractor dealership to day and looked at their subframe/backhoe setup. That was really the deciding factor. Their subframe is a hefty unit and it goes all the way forward and connects to the FEL. It is also a quick attach detach for the backhoe which makes any 3-point accessory easy to use. It's like the tractor has two frames with that setup.
So, I pulled the trigger and bought their unit. Hope to have it up and going in two or three weeks.
J.

 

[brown40]

Congratulations--they are great tools. Glad you went with the subframe. Pictures to come?

 

[tman1020]

Thanks and your welcome. I'm glad i was able to help. Sounds like a great setup and a real labor saver. Would love to hear how it works out for u after u get a chance to use it.

 

[Supraman0614]

jhous,
When you talk with your dealer again about the backhoe, would you ask them what the top link mounting holes under the seat post are supposed to be used for? My dealer didn't install the top link on mine (LS sub-frame BH) but there is plenty of room for it and it looks like it is supposed to be there. I was told that it isn't necessary. It seems to me it would help support the hoe assembly better but it isn't shown in any of the documentation.

 

[IslandTractor]

jhous,
When you talk with your dealer again about the backhoe, would you ask them what the top link mounting holes under the seat post are supposed to be used for? My dealer didn't install the top link on mine (LS sub-frame BH) but there is plenty of room for it and it looks like it is supposed to be there. I was told that it isn't necessary. It seems to me it would help support the hoe assembly better but it isn't shown in any of the documentation.

I've never attached mine on my Woods BH90x. I suppose it might add a bit of support but it's unnecessary for a BH with a subframe. Just look at the geometry of where it attaches to the seat post. Not really going to do much except bend the seat post if any serious bending forces are applied. It might be a good place to store/secure the toplink but that's about it IMO.

 

[TomSeller]

Congrats!! Pictures as soon as you can please. We like pictures.

 

[Supraman0614]

I've never attached mine on my Woods BH90x. I suppose it might add a bit of support but it's unnecessary for a BH with a subframe. Just look at the geometry of where it attaches to the seat post. Not really going to do much except bend the seat post if any serious bending forces are applied. It might be a good place to store/secure the toplink but that's about it IMO.

It's not actually attached to the seat post. There is a section of the lower frame that will accept the top link. If I have a few minutes to take pictures, I will show it with and without the top link. The BH is not hooked up right now so I'll start a new thread when I hook it back up.

 

[IslandTractor]

It's not actually attached to the seat post. There is a section of the lower frame that will accept the top link. If I have a few minutes to take pictures, I will show it with and without the top link. The BH is not hooked up right now so I'll start a new thread when I hook it back up.

I will be hooking mine up later this month and will check. I have hydraulic toplink so have just retracted it and secure it with a sling while the BH is mounted. In looking at some photos (below), it does seem that the slot for the toplink is mounted to the seat post on the Woods BH90x. The seat post is a roughly 2x2x0.25 square tube so is not a delicate item but the leverage that a rigid toplink would provide when the BH pulls or pushes on it while digging seems to me to be enough to worry about having it take the stress. Besides, the BH has a four point mount so why would it benefit from the toplink?

 

[DK35vince]

jhous,
When you talk with your dealer again about the backhoe, would you ask them what the top link mounting holes under the seat post are supposed to be used for?

Many of these backhoes can be sold as 3 point or with a sub frame. That is why the top link holes are there.
The top link is not generally used if you have a sub frame mount.

 

[BlessedMess]

It probably has the connection there because it could also be used as a three point mount if you take off the subframe.

I agree. Believe the OEM LS partners with for backhoes is Taesung (also Korean), and it is most probable that the same model is sold with/without brand-specific subframes to other manufacturers. Near as I can tell Kioti, TYM & Mahindra all sell the same model BHs as LS does for the XU and possibly the XR...