backhoe attachment
- Thread starter mikek450
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grandad
Platinum Member
A 7.5 ft. BH on that tractor is going to look mighty puny /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. Beyond how it looks, you may find it's not the most productive setup because of the limited reach of such a small hoe. You end up having to re-position the tractor a lot.
If you only need the BH for occasional projects, that's something you could probably live with, but if you expect any kind of major projects or frequent use, you could find yourself wishing for something bigger. Your MX5000 should handle a 9 or even 11 ft BH.
You can sometimes find a good deal on a used BH on E-bay, etc. With some of the major BH brands like Woods, Bradco, Bush Hog, etc., the manufacturer builds a generic backhoe unit and offers subframe attachments specifically designed to mate up with each model of tractor. So you buy a used hoe, and get the subframe kit for an MX5000. Total package is still much less than a whole new backhoe. Just something to consider.
Sorry, I don't know anything about the Mazzotti brand.
If you only need the BH for occasional projects, that's something you could probably live with, but if you expect any kind of major projects or frequent use, you could find yourself wishing for something bigger. Your MX5000 should handle a 9 or even 11 ft BH.
You can sometimes find a good deal on a used BH on E-bay, etc. With some of the major BH brands like Woods, Bradco, Bush Hog, etc., the manufacturer builds a generic backhoe unit and offers subframe attachments specifically designed to mate up with each model of tractor. So you buy a used hoe, and get the subframe kit for an MX5000. Total package is still much less than a whole new backhoe. Just something to consider.
Sorry, I don't know anything about the Mazzotti brand.
I picked up a used L4560 on e-bay last week for $3500. It has a nine foot digging depth. That is a lot less than a new one. I will have to put in a cylinder kit or two but thats not much work. Just keep looking on e-bay.
Many thanks to grandad & rossibob for your thoughtful replies. This backhoe will be a group gift to a friend who owns the tractor. The group of us know next to nothing about the subject. But we're told that the Kubota has a 3 point hitch-is it the case that once you go to a 9' BH you should use a subframe rather than a 3 point hitch? And does that make it a lot harder to connect & disconnect the BH? Is the subframe something that will have to be mounted on the tractor separately, welded on? Does it stay on the tractor (obviously yes, if welded) whether or not the BH is attached? Should the BH have its own pump & tank? Thanks a lot!
Boone
Gold Member
This backhoe will be a group gift to a friend who owns the tractor.
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Wow, what great friends /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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Wow, what great friends /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
txdon
Super Star Member
Mikek450, I can answer a few of the questions. I have the Kubota BH90. It has a sub frame that is bolted on to the tractor and the front end loader. The frame stays on when the backhoe is easily taken off and does not get in the way of other 3 point hitch rear implements.
You can use a 3-point hitch for a 9 ft digging depth backhoe, but it will put a lot more stress on the tractor. If you are digging sand in Fla. no problem. But if you are digging stumps or rocks out of the ground I would go with the subframe mounted BH. The subframe sells for about $675 plus shipping and mounting. You guys can save money by mounting it yourselves. Dealers charge about $60 an hour and will tell you that it takes about 6 hours. Good luck and keep asking ?s
grandad
Platinum Member
Just adding to what txdon said, most people say that a subframe type of backhoe is actually easier to put on/take off than the 3pt variety, which is sort of contrary to what one might assume, considering how easy most other 3pt implements go on and off.
What's different, I guess, is that a backhoe must be REALLY attached to the tractor, because the forces involved in using a backhoe (i.e. digging and prying like there's no tomorrow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) are much more stressful than just lifting a 600lb brush mower. The 3pt variety of BH is really only good for so much of that; the subframe type is much better. So, I think it's possible to buy a larger bh with 3pt mounting, but that's sort of asking for trouble, in my opinon.
Since you are doing this for a friend (where does one sign up for friends like you guys?), and if time allows, I'd suggest you cruise around Ebay to see if something comes up. In my area (mid-Atlantic states) there is a bi-weekly Heavy Equipment Trader publication that sometimes has such deals also.
This could turn into something of a quest, but you will have something of much greater utility if you come across the right item. The factory backhoe for an MX5000 is the model 4560 mentioned in one of the other replies. It has its own PTO-driven pump and reservoir, so it does not need to be plumbed into the tractor hydraulics. I have that same backhoe on my tractor... it's a very sturdy, capable unit. If you can get a good used one for the price the other fella mentioned, jump on it!
Other comparable models to look for would be Bradco 509, Woods 9000, Bush Hog and Rhino (don't know specific models). Remember, you'd probably have another $1-2k involved in getting the right subframe, etc. besides just the hoe itself. They could be self-contained like the 4560, but it's more likely they would be set up to run off the tractor hydraulics (something to be sure you find out when buying used!).
What's different, I guess, is that a backhoe must be REALLY attached to the tractor, because the forces involved in using a backhoe (i.e. digging and prying like there's no tomorrow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) are much more stressful than just lifting a 600lb brush mower. The 3pt variety of BH is really only good for so much of that; the subframe type is much better. So, I think it's possible to buy a larger bh with 3pt mounting, but that's sort of asking for trouble, in my opinon.
Since you are doing this for a friend (where does one sign up for friends like you guys?), and if time allows, I'd suggest you cruise around Ebay to see if something comes up. In my area (mid-Atlantic states) there is a bi-weekly Heavy Equipment Trader publication that sometimes has such deals also.
This could turn into something of a quest, but you will have something of much greater utility if you come across the right item. The factory backhoe for an MX5000 is the model 4560 mentioned in one of the other replies. It has its own PTO-driven pump and reservoir, so it does not need to be plumbed into the tractor hydraulics. I have that same backhoe on my tractor... it's a very sturdy, capable unit. If you can get a good used one for the price the other fella mentioned, jump on it!
Other comparable models to look for would be Bradco 509, Woods 9000, Bush Hog and Rhino (don't know specific models). Remember, you'd probably have another $1-2k involved in getting the right subframe, etc. besides just the hoe itself. They could be self-contained like the 4560, but it's more likely they would be set up to run off the tractor hydraulics (something to be sure you find out when buying used!).
Many thanks to all of you who took the time to reply to my questions. The answers have all been very helpful. I AM certainly getting an education regarding this stuff! Now I'll continue the search with a much better idea of what works. Thanks again!
I own a 2005 MX 5000. I bought a backhoe last fall. I was going to buy the Great Bend 9ft unit with 3pt hitch hookup, but we (dealer and me) decided to scale back to the Great Bend 7.5ft unit for the 3pt. hitch hookup. I (we) didn't want to snap the back of the tractor off while using the backhoe. I've pulled stumps, did some ditching, and other stuff with the smaller hoe. I'll say that you put alot of strain on the 3pt. hitch using the 3pt. hitch mount. I really want to trade up to a 9ft. hoe now. I work part time using my tractor on weekends and get somewhat frustrated having to reposition the tractor often because of the smaller hoe. Also, as you go up in size of the hoe, the power of the hoe increases considerably. That will allow you to use a larger bucket to get more done faster. If it's just a few projects around the house, the 3pt. 7.5ft model will work fine. If he's planning on doing alot of backhoe work, the larger hoe with a subframe is by far the best way to go.
Howard
Howard
