KUBOTA L3800HD 4WD HST

[YARRA VALLEY]

I am thinking of buying a L3800HD and seeking feedback from anyone who has a L3800 HD with 4 in 1 FEL and BH77 and how strong the BH is compared to others. All opinions are welcomed.

 

[5030]

Whatever you decide on, make sure the backhoe is a sub frame mount

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

Whatever you decide on, make sure the backhoe is a sub frame mount

Thank you for your response 5030 Do you mean what the dealer is adding ...BH4988 Sub Frame Kit for L3200/3800? Do you believe the BH77 us a useful BH?

He is also offering BT1976 Six Position Mech Thumb suit BH77 but not sure how it would work effectively. Can you advise?

 

[Tomtint]

I have a L3700SU..Basically the same tractor as the L3800.The BH77 is decent..But you will find out quickly that the tractor itself could be heavier so that it dosent get thrown around by the ho. The seating on th BH is tight..im 6-2 and I'm uncomfortable in it.

 

[scootr]

I have a L3700SU..Basically the same tractor as the L3800.The BH77 is decent..But you will find out quickly that the tractor itself could be heavier so that it dosent get thrown around by the ho. The seating on th BH is tight..im 6-2 and I'm uncomfortable in it.

I think that is a problem all across the asian tractor market. They build for smaller people.

 

[Tomtint]

I am thinking of buying a L3800HD and seeking feedback from anyone who has a L3800 HD with 4 in 1 FEL and BH77 and how strong the BH is compared to others. All opinions are welcomed.

Also, I don't have the 4/1 bucket but i do have a grapple that i use frequently. That setup works well.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t think I’d add a 4-1 bucket to that setup. 4-1s are expensive. Likely more so than a dedicated bucket plus a separate grapple. They’re also heavy and they aren’t very good at grappling. A Kubota tractor backhoe is the best in the industry IMO. That being said it’s still a tractor backhoe. It’s a long ways from being a mini excavator.

 

[pokey1416]

I use the heck out of my BH92. Get the mechanical thumb. It’s not anywhere near a mini X in capabilities but most of us aren’t digging to 10’. You’ll find all kinds of useful projects. My BH stays on from June-Sept. and it’s a beast! On the 92 you can relocate the seat back a little to gain some room, not sure on the 77.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I had a BH77 on my old L3430 and found it to be a decent hoe. It was considerably better than the Woods 3pt hoe I had on my L3010. I use a BH92 now behind my MX5800 which is a bit stronger than the BH77.

No experience with the 4 in 1 bucket though. Too pricey for what it does IMO.

 

[Fallon]

I had a L3200, same machine minus 6hp. It was a good machine for what it was. I've since upgraded to a L4060 for a cab. I came to appreciate the extra weight. Double the price, so not really a fair comparison.

A L3200 was a good match power to weight up here in Colorado, where we suffer a 20% oxygen & HP penalty. A L3800 will have more power than traction. Great for mowing & PTO work, overkill for anything relying on traction.

A 4 in 1 bucket is heavy & expensive. Cuts into your lift capacity a lot & pocket book more. A small loader doesn't doze or push well. You'd be better off going with a grapple if that's what you need. Get a box blade or back blade for moving dirt. You'll need a 3rd function or diverter on the loader for either, which adds a fair bit cost wise.

The economy Ls are light. The limiting factor on how much they can lift is ballast. I nearly rolled mine, lifting big square bales. Had a rotary cutter & and a couple of 50lbs bags of something on the back. Was still not enough weight. Every machine has a weak point, so just be mindful.

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

Which is the cheapest Kubota a BH92 Backhoe Hydraulic Thumb could be used on as im thinking Id refer a hydraulic to a mechanical thumb, but it seems the L3800HD does not accommodate a hydraulic. ​

 

[bdhsfz6]

Which is the cheapest Kubota a BH92 Backhoe Hydraulic Thumb could be used on as im thinking Id refer a hydraulic to a mechanical thumb, but it seems the L3800HD does not accommodate a hydraulic. ​

I'm not sure why you say the L3800 won't accommodate a hydraulic thumb. These thumbs operate via a foot control valve on the hoe hydraulics for both the BH77 and BH92 models.

Since I don't use the thumb on my BH92 much, I opted for the manual. When I do use it, I find I can set the thumb position and just grip with the bucket for most of what I do. Yeah, it does require dismounting the tractor to adjust but it isn't much of an inconvenience for me anyway. I suppose it depends on the work you do with it though.

I could always convert the manual thumb to hydraulic by adding the valve and cylinder if I ever have the need.

 

[LD1]

The BH77 is almost too strong for the machine size. It will drag and pull the L3800 around with ease, so a stronger hoe on that machine really gains nothing, because it wont stay planted.

The L4701 is probably the cheapest machine that the BH92 goes on. But I dont think there is much cost difference between a MX and the L4701. ANd you get a bigger frame, more weight, and a stronger loader.

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

The BH77 is almost too strong for the machine size. It will drag and pull the L3800 around with ease, so a stronger hoe on that machine really gains nothing, because it wont stay planted.

The L4701 is probably the cheapest machine that the BH92 goes on. But I dont think there is much cost difference between a MX and the L4701. ANd you get a bigger frame, more weight, and a stronger loader.

Thank you for your honest comment.

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

I use the heck out of my BH92. Get the mechanical thumb. It’s not anywhere near a mini X in capabilities but most of us aren’t digging to 10’. You’ll find all kinds of useful projects. My BH stays on from June-Sept. and it’s a beast! On the 92 you can relocate the seat back a little to gain some room, not sure on the 77.

I appreciate your comments on backhoe strength and use. Im looking at a mini excavator as an option as the tractor prices seem low to start with then quickly move to $53,000 + level in Australian $$$ by the time the add bucket, bh, and other items. I m starting to think a mini excavator might have better value. Safety in the big question and id like to use a brush cutter for blackberry cutting


=

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

The BH77 is almost too strong for the machine size. It will drag and pull the L3800 around with ease, so a stronger hoe on that machine really gains nothing, because it wont stay planted.

The L4701 is probably the cheapest machine that the BH92 goes on. But I dont think there is much cost difference between a MX and the L4701. ANd you get a bigger frame, more weight, and a stronger loader.

thanks for your comment. Whats your view of a [AFFILIATE=1, nofollow=true, newwindow=true, title="Kubota"]KUBOTA[/AFFILIATE] MINI excavator's usefulness and strength compared to BH92?

 

[YARRA VALLEY]

I don’t think I’d add a 4-1 bucket to that setup. 4-1s are expensive. Likely more so than a dedicated bucket plus a separate grapple. They’re also heavy and they aren’t very good at grappling. A Kubota tractor backhoe is the best in the industry IMO. That being said it’s still a tractor backhoe. It’s a long ways from being a mini excavator.

Thank you for your opinion as you made me realize the 4- in 1 bucket has its limitations true from my use on the MX5100 and a grapple would indeed be a better option.

Have you had any experience with the [AFFILIATE=1, nofollow=true, newwindow=true, title="Kubota"]KUBOTA[/AFFILIATE] MINI excavator's usefulness and strength compared to BH92?

 

[Ricn]

I have the 2501 tractor, my friend has the 2501 with a backhoe, it works fine but in that size tractor has it's limits. I have here on the farm a U-35 that runs circles around the small tractor with hoe attachment. If not in any hurry any of the smaller tractors will dig, but will never do the work of a Mini. The frame kit is a must on tractors if getting a hoe attached..

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have the 2501 tractor, my friend has the 2501 with a backhoe, it works fine but in that size tractor has it's limits. I have here on the farm a U-35 that runs circles around the small tractor with hoe attachment.

I had a small hoe on my B7100 and it certainly wasn't good for large jobs. However, I was able to get it into places a small mini ex wouldn't fit. This was back in 1979 when SCUT tractors & hoes weren't all that common. I did a lot of work for electricians & plumbers in tight spaces and homeowners who wanted minimal landscape damage.

Small hoes have their place.

 

[Ricn]

I had a small hoe on my B7100 and it certainly wasn't good for large jobs. However, I was able to get it into places a small mini ex wouldn't fit. This was back in 1979 when SCUT tractors & hoes weren't all that common. I did a lot of work for electricians & plumbers in tight spaces and homeowners who wanted minimal landscape damage.

Small hoes have their place.

Agreed. One of my tractors, a 4x4 made in Japan under the name of Satoh, later Mitsubishi, has a Blackhawk backhoe with undercarriage frame, I bought this unit new in 1978 digging lots ditches as I owned an electrical contracting business then. Also used it all over the farm here for just about anything you might think of needing a tractor or hoe. These little Japanese tractors are very impressive for their size and weight, lots of cast iron in them and the Satoh engine has been bullet proof. Have retired it now and when getting the Mini but still runs great and ready to work!