Backhoe 3pt hitch Backhoe takes it's toll

[Herkypilot]

I had my Woodmax 8600 backhoe hooked up to the L3540. It weighs about 1,000 lbs. While it was mounted I dug out 5 medium to small stumps and various large rocks. I dismounted the backhoe this past weekend and this is what the toplink pin looked like - Thankfully it's an inexpensive part to replace and I believe it's designed as a wear item.



I took the lower arms off also to examine the attachment pins. Those looked fine. Passing along for those who are considering a 3pt backhoe.

I have been in the slow process of converting to a subframe mount. After looking at this pin, I don't think I'll use the backhoe again until I complete this conversion.

HP

 

[Code54]

Wow - at least it is a minor and cheap part. Shows the force it is applying!
I been taking down a lot of decent sized trees with my mini ex (20-25" across) and I can tell it makes it work ripping roots. I can certainly see how it would put a lot of stress on a top link pin on a tractor mounted backhoe. I also would guess the Woodmaxx unit is fairly strong for its size.

I want to say on my old Kubota tractor my top link pin was replaced with a hardened pin when I got the factory backhoe.

 

[Herkypilot]

.

I want to say on my old Kubota tractor my top link pin was replaced with a hardened pin when I got the factory backhoe.

The tractor toplink itself is not used. The backhoe has a solid piece of steel rod that connects to the tractor. This pin is used to make the connection. You can just see the pin in on the far right of this pic. Different tractor in this pic by the way.

 

[mapper]

The warranty on my tractor stated specifically that it would be voided if a 3 point BH was mounted on it, the only kind allowed was a subframe mount. They are really hard on the 3 point hitch.

 

[Herkypilot]

The warranty on my tractor stated specifically that it would be voided if a 3 point BH was mounted on it, the only kind allowed was a subframe mount. They are really hard on the 3 point hitch.

I can see why - you are right, its very hard on the equipment if you are doing anything more then digging in topsoil.

 

[Code54]

The tractor toplink itself is not used. The backhoe has a solid piece of steel rod that connects to the tractor. This pin is used to make the connection. You can just see the pin in on the far right of this pic. Different tractor in this pic by the way.

View attachment 503738

Yes Sir, not the top link itself, the actual pin was hardened - would work the same as your pin but a bit tougher. My concern would be instead of the pin bending the top link bracket may let go and that would be bad, very very bad.....

 

[jenkinsph]

I had my Woodmax 8600 backhoe hooked up to the L3540. It weighs about 1,000 lbs. While it was mounted I dug out 5 medium to small stumps and various large rocks. I dismounted the backhoe this past weekend and this is what the toplink pin looked like - Thankfully it's an inexpensive part to replace and I believe it's designed as a wear item.

View attachment 503734

I took the lower arms off also to examine the attachment pins. Those looked fine. Passing along for those who are considering a 3pt backhoe.

I have been in the slow process of converting to a subframe mount. After looking at this pin, I don't think I'll use the backhoe again until I complete this conversion.

HP

I think waiting to complete the subframe mounting is a wise choice. No point in stressing the tractor between now and then.

 

[jabelding]

I had a Kelly B10 3pt Backhoe with an interesting system. It had a set of adjustable arms that attached from the top link position down to a plate that bolted to the drawbar in conjunction with the standard top link, so it added another triangle brace so none of the prying or pulling motion would pull much on the top link. I would say it was just as strong as a frame mounted unit. Had it for many years and no issues, granted it is only a 6ft unit. It was a challenge to install the first time, but once i had it adjusted correctly it wasn't bad to install and you could easily lift the rear of the tractor with it.

 

[Oldoak]

Apparently not all compact Kubota tractors are built alike. There was no warning in the warranty I received with my Kubota about using a 3-point hitch backhoe.

I have been using a Woods 750 3-point hitch mounted backhoe on my Kubota L4200 for nineteen years without a problem. And believe me our area has a lot of hardpan and rocks. It has seen a lot of trench digging for laying drain tile and such. So a 3-point hitch mounted backhoe can and will dig more than top soil without a problem for some compact tractors. A blanket statement to the contrary is not accurate.

Though, I do believe frame mounted backhoes built for specific series of tractors is the best way to go. Those backhoes are beefier and have a lot more digging power. And a lot more expensive.

 

[Herkypilot]

A blanket statement to the contrary is not accurate.

True - your results may vary. When you start with a thousand pound BH and then add the pulling power of the hydraulics, the weak link is going to show if there is one. The problem with the assumption that You haven't had a problem is you can't predict where that breaking point will be for components on your tractor. I'm convinced that my combination will lead to a bigger failure unless I change the way I mount the BH to the tractor.

The backhoe Jabelding posted above looks much lighter and I like the idea of bracing to the drawbar.

HP

 

[RandyT]

If I remember correctly there was a upgrade kit that was used on some of the Kubotas because the 3 point hitch backhoes where actually breaking the transmission housing where the top link connects.

 

[TMGT]

If I remember correctly there was a upgrade kit that was used on some of the Kubotas because the 3 point hitch backhoes where actually breaking the transmission housing where the top link connects.

Yup, it was a larger top link mount on the B series, tied into a few more bolt holes. That was when kubota was offering 3pt BHs, I haven't seen them listed so I'm guessing they got away from them now that they offer sub frame mounted on pretty much every model.

 

[Grandad4]

Yup, it was a larger top link mount on the B series, tied into a few more bolt holes. That was when kubota was offering 3pt BHs, I haven't seen them listed so I'm guessing they got away from them now that they offer sub frame mounted on pretty much every model.

There are/were reinforcing kits for both B and L models. I added reinforcement on my L4610 because we were using a logging winch, which can also put heavy loads on the toplink attachment point on the rear end. The later Grand L's underwent a complete redesign of the 3 point hydraulics; the new design did not need reinforcing, but it looks like there are still some models with the old 3 point design (For example: L4701, MX series, maybe others). Dunno if there are still reinforcing kits offered.

There are stories of operators being injured or killed when something broke in the toplink connection on a 3 point hoe, as the operator is in a very exposed position should that happen.

 

[Soundguy]

definately add a sub-rame. I have a 3pt backhoe on an old ford 850 and welded up my own sub-frame. it is for sure needed.

 

[sixdogs]

When I had a Woods 3pt backhoe there was a big warning to only use their special toplink pin and no other. Also, there was a warning to, I think, either not have a ROPS or to make sure you had sufficient clearance so you weren't crushed if the pin let go. .

I have a JD 790 TLB and got a special Deere ROPS extension that raised the height of it about a foot. That has a subframe.

 

[zmansmac]

I bought the Woodmax 6600 about 2 1/2 years ago for my Kubota B7500. The 6600 is listed as weighing in at 995 pounds (the 8600 is 1150). Before I installed it the first time I did purchase the heavy duty top link bracket and the support frame kit from my dealer. I have dug up over 30 tree stumps and never had a problem; it is a powerful backhoe for it's size. But I do recall that my Woodmax hoe did not come with a pin to make the top point connector on the tractor, you had to supply your own. I'm thinking that the OP likely had a cheap (think Chinese) top link pin to have it bend that much. The problem would further be exasperated if the pin were longer than necessary. I use the same short top link pin for the backhoe as for all of my other 3 point attachments and it is not bent in the least.

 

[Jay4200]

AI have been using a Woods 750 3-point hitch mounted backhoe on my Kubota L4200 for nineteen years without a problem. And believe me our area has a lot of hardpan and rocks. It has seen a lot of trench digging for laying drain tile and such. So a 3-point hitch mounted backhoe can and will dig more than top soil without a problem for some compact tractors. A blanket statement to the contrary is not accurate.

My subframe-mount Woods BH9000 throws my L4200 around like so much tissue paper. I could imagine the beating it would give to a 3pt. OTOH, the subframe mount still uses a toplink and pin, and the topmost receiver hole on the tractor was well-elongated when I got it, I assume from using the backhoe, although I've moved the connection to the middle hole, and haven't seen any additional wear.

 

[rScotty]

I had my Woodmax 8600 backhoe hooked up to the L3540. It weighs about 1,000 lbs. While it was mounted I dug out 5 medium to small stumps and various large rocks. I dismounted the backhoe this past weekend and this is what the toplink pin looked like - Thankfully it's an inexpensive part to replace and I believe it's designed as a wear item.
View attachment 503734



I took the lower arms off also to examine the attachment pins. Those looked fine. Passing along for those who are considering a 3pt backhoe.

I have been in the slow process of converting to a subframe mount. After looking at this pin, I don't think I'll use the backhoe again until I complete this conversion.

HP

That sure looks like the classic case of what can happen when a 3 pt. backhoe is used without first disabling the 3 pt's draft control lever. If so, you are one very lucky guy. A kid at my JD dealer wasn't.
rScotty

 

[Oldoak]

That sure looks like the classic case of what can happen when a 3 pt. backhoe is used without first disabling the 3 pt's draft control lever. If so, you are one very lucky guy. A kid at my JD dealer wasn't.
rScotty

Good point! :thumbsup:

I recall having to do that years back when using my Woods 3 pt. backhoe on my IH 354 tractor. Had to disable the 3pt's draft control.

 

[rogerius]

I just bought a WoodMaxx 8600 3pth backhoe for my L3940 tractor. Reading the threads, I see people are mentioning about a heavy duty top link bracket and the support frame kit for Kubota tractors. Could somebody post a picture or a link how these look installed? Just want to confirm if I need one for my tractor as in one of the post somebody mentioned that the Kubota already redesigned that for L series tractors and don't need it.
Thanks.