Dan,
I have the B4672A on my B7610. Of the 40 hrs on this TLB maybe 15 have been on the BH. So far no regrets.
Prior to purchase I read many of the posts on this board RE: 3pt vs. subframe. For that reason I too considered the Woods 6500. In comparing specs, I found the 4672 to have greater digging force:
Bucket - 2950# vs 2600#
Dipper Stick - 1740# vs 1280#
While I don't know for sure, I believe the "matched set" may have better resale in the future (but cost me ~$200 up front).
I don't have a MMM but have been TOLD that it can be mounted w/ the 3pt BH in place and pinned up for transport (FWIW). Perhaps a member w/more experience can amplify on this.
IMHO, I doubt you could go wrong either way.
In regards to the MMM - I think the BH subframe interferes with the mounting of the MMM. I know for a fact that there are "connecting links" from the lower arms of my 3PH that connect to the linkage under the center of the tractor - these are what lift the MMM. I'd think that one issue is that these connecting links MUST be removed when the 3PH backhoe is mounted.
I wonder if I could mow with the MMM just in the "down" position?
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When I asked the dealer about the BH - THEY asked me if I had the MMM - and (I assume) that's why they pointed me at the 3PH model.
It would make sense if at least the Kubota subframe model WERE compatible with the MMM...
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I do remove my FEL for mowing - I would also leave a BH off - as I said - this wouldn't be a "daily use" attachment...
The dealer said if I went subframe on the Woods - that I'd have to remove it to use the MMM...not exactly what I had in mind....
edski - thanks for the Kubota vs Woods specs - I hadn't even considered the capabilities. I know where you are coming from re: resale - and I remember someone else commenting that if Kubota designs a 3PH BH - then the CUT should be capable of dealing with its' forces.
I think I'll ask about the Kubota BH pricing as well - don't mind spending a *little* more - especially if the 'Bota has improved performance.
I have a MMM. Thats why I went with the 3PH BH. I can leave the MMM on the tractor with the BH on. But must pin it in the up position. I cannot lower the MMM if BH is on tractor.
I find the BH can be a pain to put on tractor. It has gotten easier after doing it a few times and making a dolly to set it on when not using it.
As for power it does everything I planned on it doing.
Make sure the BH you buy has the separate pump. The <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> has a sperate pump.
I paid what you are being quoted for the B6500 2 1/2 years ago, for my B4690. Prices sure have changed.
First a qualifier: I don't have a mower of any type.
I haven't ever paid any attention to the fact that my backhoe is on a 3 pt mount. I use it more that any other implement. 60 hours total on the tractor and about 40 of 'em on the 'hoe. I've used it for some fairly tough excavation work. I've dug up boulders that took me longer to roll out of the hole than it did to dig it free. Some I couldn't even lift with the loader.
I've not done much tree root ball digging, like some folks here on TBN have, which is probably tougher than boulders. I've only attacked one root system (an oak) that took me more than an hour to dig up. The longest non-productive digging I've done is trying to break up some [not yet decomposed] granite shale. I've found I can dig through the shale when it's wet. But when I tried it was dry and hard as the rock it had become. Lots of bucking and seat time but not much progress.
Absolutely no regrets about getting a backhoe. I've been even thinking about a new B2630 with the longer reach BH75. But, the price difference will likely keep me where I am.
When digging with the 'hoe, I put the front bucket cutting edge down and raise the front of the tractor to where the front wheels areonly carrying part of the weight. Same with the outriggers and the rear tires. A firm stable platform makes digging easier. Some others have suggested I shouldn't do this because of the 3 pt mount. I used to raise the tractor tires completely off the ground. My compromise is now I just take a bunch of the weight off the tires.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I find the BH can be a pain to put on tractor. )</font>
This is part of the reason I like my Woods subframe. It goes on and off easier than 3PH implements.
Money can be saved by using the tractor hydraulics rather than a PTO pump, and may give a better response from the backhoe. You will need to compare your tractor's specs to the PTO pump. On a B7800, the tractor hydraulics win by a nose. But there are benefits to a PTO pump, including reducing risk of contaminating the hydraulic fluid.
Kubota B2910, Cub Cadet Pro Z 154S, Simplicity 18 CFC, Cub Cadet 782
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Question for you: since you both seem to be using a 3PH backhoe - do you have any regrets / worries / "wish I'd bought a subframe mount instead.." )</font>
I have a 4690 on a B2910. I think I'd prefer a 4 point mount like the BH 75 or BH 90 over the 3 PT. However having said that, I think I really would have preferred a used mini-excavator, although I'm not too sure on how good of a unit I could have gotten for what I paid for the backhoe ($6500.) The main advantage the tractor mounted unit has is it can be moved around fairly quickly to different locations. In any case, I wouldn't want to be without one or the other.
Thanks for the comments. From what I've read here - the "4 Point" (ie subframe) mounted BH's are pretty simple / quick to mount / attach (as aloha pointed out too).
My main "concern" was the "usability / effectiveness" of a 3PH vs subframe mount one. If I had backhoe-ing as a "primary function" - then it wouldn't be a question: subframe.
However, my B7610 is a "mower" first - and a flexible yard-work machine second - so any other attachments have to *work around* the MMM. I think everyone's feedback (especially v8Daves - I've seen the pics of the major work you did next to your shop) - proves to me that the 3PH is still able to perform some hard work.
Now I just need to make my case to the *CFO*.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
