I hope some forum members with experience of compact backhoe attachments will be able to provide me with some advice.
I have a Kubota R520, and I want to put a suitable size backhoe attachment on this CWL.
Examples of this combination are thin on the ground (backhoe equipped CWL's are like unicorns no matter where you look).
Last R520 with a backhoe AND canopy that I saw for sale was in Australia (and sold shortly before I inquired about shipping costs).
My girlfriend, being a VERY keen gardener, frequents every nursery within 50 miles – ALL have R520's – none with a backhoe!
Kubota offered sliding carriage backhoes on their older "seat over engine" R310/410/510/520 models.
But when Kubota changed their CWL design to a rear mounted engine with the R530 they quit offering a backhoe option.
Does any forum member actually own (or use) a Kubota R510/520 with the optional backhoe? If so, is it as handy as it seems?
Any forum member know of an R520 with a backhoe AND a canopy (I need to make the ROPS fold) for sale anywhere in the States?
Kubota R520 relevant specs –
Weight – 8,980 lbs (canopy)
Aux hydraulic flow – 15.4 gpm @ 2,988 psi
Rear Counterweight – 1,500 lbs (standard) / 2,020 lbs (optional)
Kubota CWL backhoe –
Reach from kingpin – 146"
Digging Depth (2 ft flat bottom) – 107"
Digging Force – Bucket – 4,100 lbs
Digging Force – Dipperstick – 2,755 lbs
Lift Capacity – Boom Cylinder – 1,005 lbs
Lift Capacity – Dipperstick – 896 lbs
Note: Kubota never listed the backhoe weight – I assume it's in the 1,500 lb range based on the performance figures
The OEM Kubota backhoe mounting system was a hook-on design secured to the frame with 2 pins (as pictured in manuals).
Whether I stay with the Kubota hook & pin design, or use a quick attach system (SSL or Telehandler type), remains to be seen.
From perusing photos, fabricating a mounting system that allows a backhoe to be removed or installed in minutes seems possible.
Regarding (assumed) installed weight and quoted performance, the Kubota R500/520 OEM backhoe seems most similar to the –
Bobcat 8709 (old) – 1,740 lbs / 9BH (new) – 1,487 lbs
Bradco 9 (old) – 1,425 lbs / 509B (new) – 1,425 lbs
John Deere Worksite Pro BH8 – 1,610 lbs
Woods Groundbreaker BH90-X (1,365 lbs + bucket + hydraulic thumb system)
Backhoes of these sizes are successfully used with sub-4,000 lb tractors, so they shouldn't overwhelm a 9,000 lb CWL. Right?
TractorByNet forum member "Industrial Toys" has, I believe, a Bradco 13MB (1,728 lbs) on an R510 with calcium loaded front tires, and he says the (assumed) 13MB "is just a bit much for this machine", but he raves about the reach it has!
I don't know if "Industrial Toys" comments are based on the backhoe weight, or center of gravity considerations, or both.
Currently there are a few Bobcat 811's (2,012 lbs) for sale within a day's drive. Likely these are a bit too heavy for an R520. Rats!
I don't want to compromise slope stability, and I want to do as much useful work with a compact backhoe on an R520 as possible.
I could always regain some cross slope stability by relocating the wheel rim center plates, or by fabricating say 6" wide spacers.
Or some version of "suitcase" type weights might well help to offset any loss of balance cause by a mounting a backhoe.
So; what size compact backhoe would forum members feel is prudent for use on "non-flat" terrain with a 9000 lb CWL?
What brands would forum members suggest, or what brands would forum members caution against? And why.
I'm ONLY looking at used backhoe attachments, although performance comparisons to current models should still be relevant.
Suggesting I "get a mini excavator" is NOT helpful – I have 3 excavators (6,500 lbs to 21,000 lbs) – but having a backhoe on my R520 would give me many more useful options for renovating the 2 (and soon to be 3) "farms" we have that date to the 1780's.
MANY thanks to any forum member who takes the time to share their knowledge about compact backhoe attachments and CWL's.
I have a Kubota R520, and I want to put a suitable size backhoe attachment on this CWL.
Examples of this combination are thin on the ground (backhoe equipped CWL's are like unicorns no matter where you look).
Last R520 with a backhoe AND canopy that I saw for sale was in Australia (and sold shortly before I inquired about shipping costs).
My girlfriend, being a VERY keen gardener, frequents every nursery within 50 miles – ALL have R520's – none with a backhoe!
Kubota offered sliding carriage backhoes on their older "seat over engine" R310/410/510/520 models.
But when Kubota changed their CWL design to a rear mounted engine with the R530 they quit offering a backhoe option.
Does any forum member actually own (or use) a Kubota R510/520 with the optional backhoe? If so, is it as handy as it seems?
Any forum member know of an R520 with a backhoe AND a canopy (I need to make the ROPS fold) for sale anywhere in the States?
Kubota R520 relevant specs –
Weight – 8,980 lbs (canopy)
Aux hydraulic flow – 15.4 gpm @ 2,988 psi
Rear Counterweight – 1,500 lbs (standard) / 2,020 lbs (optional)
Kubota CWL backhoe –
Reach from kingpin – 146"
Digging Depth (2 ft flat bottom) – 107"
Digging Force – Bucket – 4,100 lbs
Digging Force – Dipperstick – 2,755 lbs
Lift Capacity – Boom Cylinder – 1,005 lbs
Lift Capacity – Dipperstick – 896 lbs
Note: Kubota never listed the backhoe weight – I assume it's in the 1,500 lb range based on the performance figures
The OEM Kubota backhoe mounting system was a hook-on design secured to the frame with 2 pins (as pictured in manuals).
Whether I stay with the Kubota hook & pin design, or use a quick attach system (SSL or Telehandler type), remains to be seen.
From perusing photos, fabricating a mounting system that allows a backhoe to be removed or installed in minutes seems possible.
Regarding (assumed) installed weight and quoted performance, the Kubota R500/520 OEM backhoe seems most similar to the –
Bobcat 8709 (old) – 1,740 lbs / 9BH (new) – 1,487 lbs
Bradco 9 (old) – 1,425 lbs / 509B (new) – 1,425 lbs
John Deere Worksite Pro BH8 – 1,610 lbs
Woods Groundbreaker BH90-X (1,365 lbs + bucket + hydraulic thumb system)
Backhoes of these sizes are successfully used with sub-4,000 lb tractors, so they shouldn't overwhelm a 9,000 lb CWL. Right?
TractorByNet forum member "Industrial Toys" has, I believe, a Bradco 13MB (1,728 lbs) on an R510 with calcium loaded front tires, and he says the (assumed) 13MB "is just a bit much for this machine", but he raves about the reach it has!
I don't know if "Industrial Toys" comments are based on the backhoe weight, or center of gravity considerations, or both.
Currently there are a few Bobcat 811's (2,012 lbs) for sale within a day's drive. Likely these are a bit too heavy for an R520. Rats!
I don't want to compromise slope stability, and I want to do as much useful work with a compact backhoe on an R520 as possible.
I could always regain some cross slope stability by relocating the wheel rim center plates, or by fabricating say 6" wide spacers.
Or some version of "suitcase" type weights might well help to offset any loss of balance cause by a mounting a backhoe.
So; what size compact backhoe would forum members feel is prudent for use on "non-flat" terrain with a 9000 lb CWL?
What brands would forum members suggest, or what brands would forum members caution against? And why.
I'm ONLY looking at used backhoe attachments, although performance comparisons to current models should still be relevant.
Suggesting I "get a mini excavator" is NOT helpful – I have 3 excavators (6,500 lbs to 21,000 lbs) – but having a backhoe on my R520 would give me many more useful options for renovating the 2 (and soon to be 3) "farms" we have that date to the 1780's.
MANY thanks to any forum member who takes the time to share their knowledge about compact backhoe attachments and CWL's.
