Back Hoes for RK tractors

[RTBee]

I've got an RK55s with a BH8.5 backhoe. I'm looking to add a thumb and wondered if anyone knows what kind or size would be appropriate. RK doesn't, as yet, sell a thumb specific to their backhoes. And not sure if it could be outfitted with a hydraulic one or only manual. It does have a bracket of sorts on the dipper arm which would suggest the mounting of a thumb. Any thoughts?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I've got an RK55s with a BH8.5 backhoe. I'm looking to add a thumb and wondered if anyone knows what kind or size would be appropriate. RK doesn't, as yet, sell a thumb specific to their backhoes. And not sure if it could be outfitted with a hydraulic one or only manual. It does have a bracket of sorts on the dipper arm which would suggest the mounting of a thumb. Any thoughts?

Thank you very much for your purchase of the RK55 and BH8.5 backhoe. We now have a thumb kit for the BH8.5. You can order it from the same location that you purchased the tractor, it is SKU 212160054 and the price is $599. Please send me a private message and I will have the store place an order for you. Thanks again.

 

[kkilli]

Thank you very much for your purchase of the RK55 and BH8.5 backhoe. We now have a thumb kit for the BH8.5. You can order it from the same location that you purchased the tractor, it is SKU 212160054 and the price is $599. Please send me a private message and I will have the store place an order for you. Thanks again.

That’s great to hear as I’ve been wanting the same thing.

Is there one available for the 7.5 on my RK37?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

That’s great to hear as I’ve been wanting the same thing.

Is there one available for the 7.5 on my RK37?

Yes sir, it is the same kit, same price. Please send a private message if you'd like to order one and I can assist.

 

[ning]

I'm not an RK customer, just snooping this thread, but I have to say I'm impressed by this on-line support!

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I'm not an RK customer, just snooping this thread, but I have to say I'm impressed by this on-line support!

Very kind of you to say that. We are trying to become a different kind of tractor brand.

 

[RTBee]

Thank you very much for your purchase of the RK55 and BH8.5 backhoe. We now have a thumb kit for the BH8.5. You can order it from the same location that you purchased the tractor, it is SKU 212160054 and the price is $599. Please send me a private message and I will have the store place an order for you. Thanks again.

Thanks for the quick response! Now what can you do about a grapple bucket. I see that Mike w/Outdoors with the Morgans has an RK by TopDog Granite Grapple. But I've not seen it advertised anywhere. Even on Top Dog web site they don't show one that matches what Mike is using. Does RK sell them now or will they in the future and what would it cost? Both for the grapple and the extra hydraulic remote needed to operate it?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thanks for the quick response! Now what can you do about a grapple bucket. I see that Mike w/Outdoors with the Morgans has an RK by TopDog Granite Grapple. But I've not seen it advertised anywhere. Even on Top Dog web site they don't show one that matches what Mike is using. Does RK sell them now or will they in the future and what would it cost? Both for the grapple and the extra hydraulic remote needed to operate it?

Thanks for the question. We have the 72" Granite grapple that Mike uses in stock at our Waverly OH and Williston FL tractor assembly centers. The price is $2499 and the 3rd function valve kit is $749. Installation of the valve kit is $225. We are about to feature it on rktractors.com, we wanted to get enough inventory in first to meet demand. We also have a 60" grapple in stock ($2,299), and the 54" version is being built now. We have not priced that one yet. It weighs just over 200 lbs and will work perfectly on our RK19 and RK24s, which will have skid-steer compatible loaders standard beginning with our August inbound shipment. If you want a grapple, please send me a private message and we will have one sent to the store of your choice.

 

[RTBee]

I was wondering if the thumb kit for RK backhoes is mechanical or hydraulic or will they have both? Also prices? Doug mentioned that a thumb kit runs $599. I'm assuming that's probably for a hydraulic thumb with the extra valve kit and such? But on the DPF thread he mentions a mechanical thumb. Anyone able to shed some light on this?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I was wondering if the thumb kit for RK backhoes is mechanical or hydraulic or will they have both? Also prices? Doug mentioned that a thumb kit runs $599. I'm assuming that's probably for a hydraulic thumb with the extra valve kit and such? But on the DPF thread he mentions a mechanical thumb. Anyone able to shed some light on this?

The mechanical thumb is now standard on all RK backhoes. The BH6.5 (RK24) is $4999 with complete subframe and 12" bucket, the BH7.5 (RK37) is $5499 with subframe and 16" bucket and the BH8.5 (RK55) is $5999 with subframe and 18" bucket. The BH6.5 uses the pivoting seat on the RK24 and the BH7.5 and BH8.5 have their own seat. All hydraulics, hoses/valves included. BH6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 is digging depth. For customers that already have an RK backhoe without a thumb, we offer at $499 for the BH6.5 and $599 for the BH7.5 and BH8.5. These are very stout thumbs. We ask anyone that is looking for a tractor with a backhoe to compare those prices to the other brands during their research, and to obtain quotes so you have the out the door prices. We do not currently have a hydraulic thumb in the offering, but may in the future.

 

[RTBee]

I've seen a lot of mechanical thumbs, from bolt on to weld on, and different lengths, for a lot less ($120-$250). What is the difference with the ones RK offers at more than double the price? I'd really like to have a thumb for my BH8.0 but $600 is a lot!

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I've seen a lot of mechanical thumbs, from bolt on to weld on, and different lengths, for a lot less ($120-$250). What is the difference with the ones RK offers at more than double the price? I'd really like to have a thumb for my BH8.0 but $600 is a lot!

Mahindra is $1,550 (yes, for a 2500 series backhoe, mechanical thumb) Kubota is $893, Deere $950 for that BH class. What you see for the low prices you mentioned is basically cheap, 3rd party products sold online. If you want a thumb that won't break, and have the mass to help grab good sized logs and rocks, don't go for the low priced ones. If you send me a private message, we can have an exchange to see if there is something we can do. We appreciate you as an RK Tractor owner.

 

[RTBee]

Lots to think about. Thanks for the reply. I don't really want to get something that's going to break first time I really need it.

Any ETA on when these items will make it to the website?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Lots to think about. Thanks for the reply. I don't really want to get something that's going to break first time I really need it.

Any ETA on when these items will make it to the website?

The thumbs are now at our tractors stores, mounted on the backhoes. If you'd like to see one before buying, suggest that you visit your RK Tractors store and see it actually mounted. That will give you the best perspective.

 

[RTBee]

The thumbs are now at our tractors stores, mounted on the backhoes. If you'd like to see one before buying, suggest that you visit your RK Tractors store and see it actually mounted. That will give you the best perspective.

I appreciate that. I'll check it out next weekend. On my way to Ohio, I pass the RK store in Maysville, KY. I bought my tractor in Ashland, KY. The 2 closest stores to me here in Indiana are in Martinsville and Greenwood and neither of them sell tractors yet. Any time frame set for them? That would make things much easier until we can retire completely and move to Ohio.

 

[idleman26739]

I have a TYM 554 2015 or so. I found a new RK 8.5 Backhoe. Does anyone know if this would fit my tractor? It was removed from a RK55.

 

[agjones]

I have an rk55 and bh. If not compatible, the mod should be very basic. There's not a lot to the frame, it's meaty.... Just not complicated.

 

[Old Salty]

Yes sir, it is the same kit, same price. Please send a private message if you'd like to order one and I can assist.

I realize this is a 5 year old thread, I was looking at the RK tractors and noticed that the backhoes look exactly like the Mahindra I own, made by Ansung. I have been wanting a smaller bucket than the 16 inch that is currently on mine for digging trench for 4 inch drain pipe, backfilling a 16 inch with drain rock seems wasteful compared to a 12 inch. Also interested in a thumb. Are RK backhoes made by Ansung? If so I will be looking to do business, if the dimensions for mounting are the same. Having trouble locating these through Mahindra and when you can the prices are extreme.