BH65 first impressions (B2920)

deathtoblackberries · Apr 4, 2013

I hacked the first big bush down to size and went at it today with the BH65. This thing was about 20' tall, that's the debris pile off to the left. Branches up to about 3.5" in diameter. I started digging right next to the bush, it ripped most of those roots right out but I hit a deep one that wouldn't budge, I moved out a bucket, loosened it some but still no go. Move another bucket out and it ripped loose, then I moved back in towards the bush until the whole pile of roots pulled free. You can't see it in the picture but I found another about 2.5 inch diameter root that's now covered over with dirt, it took about 3 bucket curls to chomp through that. Pretty happy with it so far. Still learning, man you need a light touch on the controls to keep the movements smooth and not jerking around. I have the bucket curl move down now, coordinating the other two movements is still a work in procress. Sadly after only about 20 minutes of fun a big black cloud came over and went SPLOOOSH, I'm talking a Florida in July rain it dumped buckets so I made a dash for the garage.

Dislikes

1. There's no easy way to get seated in the backhoe position. Trying to climb on from the rear is way too easy to bump the backhoe controls, I don't want to be anywhere near that backhoe when its moving, it moves fast. There's not enough leg clearance to sit in the seat while you spin it around to the backhoe. I ended up standing up, spin the seat around, then grab the ROPS bar and step out on the rear tire to get into the seat. Just curious what Kubota was thinking in terms of how someone would get in the seat of this thing.

2. PTO shift lever needs a lock I have already bumped that thing into gear on accident several times already.

Question: When operating the backhoe HST what's your opinion leave it in gear or put it in neutral, obviously I had the parking brake on and FEL bucket on the ground.

sandyc · Apr 5, 2013

I put mine in neutral....just in case. I agree that you have to be careful with the controls. Good luck and enjoy!

BXpanded · Apr 5, 2013

When operating the BH, put the transmission in neutral, leave the brakes off. That way you can move the machine around by slightly raising the outriggers and loader bucket, then pushing or pulling with the BH as appropriate.

deathtoblackberries · Apr 5, 2013

Well I wounded it (right side of photo) before the rain shut me down again. I got the roots cut now on 3 sides about 2 feet deep and the whole stump is moving. Next weather break I'll dig out the top side and see if it will come out. Backhoe still working really well, soft dirt its easy digging except for breaking the roots. I'm still having a heck of a time trying to climb into the BH operators seat 'safely'.

ericher69 · Apr 5, 2013

If you find the movement too fast run it just above idle.

Hydraulics will slow as pump is not putting out as many GPM. Yet you will still have same pressure/strength.

tractchores · Apr 5, 2013

I always leave it in gear. If you get creative with a long stick you can move it forward by hitting the HST for trenching. The bh is strong enough to move the machine around pretty easily too. for getting on and off there should be a step on the bh frame. You can leave the pin in that prevents swing while getting on and off, it should have a long curled metal piece so you can easily remove it from the seated position, that way you cannot accidentally crush yourself. I place one hand on the rops and one on the boom cylinder to get in and out and that works pretty good.

To help with jerkiness you can run it at a lower Rpm as well until you get the hang of it. If the RPM is too low though the hydro flow will be too little to run multi functions at once (curl and lift for example). Its an amazing and very powerful tool and you'll have fun. I played with mine when I first got it in the driveway stacking rocks with the thumb and picking up a tin can trying not to crush it, took a lot of practice, but was fun and after an hour or so you start to get very good.

deathtoblackberries · Apr 6, 2013

ericher69/tractshores great tips. I was told to run it at PTO RPM for "full power" no wonder its touchy :laughing: Good tip for climbing into the BH position I wondered why they put a long handle on that pin.

deathtoblackberries · Apr 7, 2013

VICTORY!

unch: The tips a couple of you shared worked great, lowered the RPM's which slowed things down and I also appreciated the lower noise and fuel use. I also tried locking the BH swing with the pin, I still bump the controls a bit climbing into the seat but its not too bad. I had about another 90 minutes in the saddle before the rain started in again and finally broke the stump free. I had to drag it out of the hole, I was able to lift it with the backhoe but just barely and it lifted the front tires off the ground. I was able to drag it out of the hole then used the FEL to move it around. I spun the big rear tires for the first time even with the diff locked and the weight of the ballast and BH. They were packed with mud though and 4x4 got me moving again.

After I purchased the tractor someone told me "congrats now get it dirty" well mission accomplished it took over an hour to wash off all the mud with a garden hose. I'm glad I picked up a pressure washer a couple months ago I'm going to need it.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 7, 2013

I had a BX25 for a couple of years before getting a B2620 FEL BH so had some experience. Quite a bit difference between them. Since I had the BX25 longer I'm leaning toward preferring it but that may change after 2 years with the B2620.
I've had almost all of the issues you've mentioned with the seat changing. I've caught my pants leg on some of the levers, got my leg stuck between the side of the seat, etc, etc. I've also had a problem of the seat wouldn't lock back down after lifting and turning it., It just stayed loose and when I'd get up the seat would come up on it's springs. I saw where there is a catch lever that was supposed to hook and lock it down but it wouldn't catch. Finally went to Barlows and had Gary show me how to do it. Well, theirs did the same thing until he turned the knob that allowed enough clearance till the lever would catch and lock it down. So, back to mine and looked at it . I had my seat all of the way forward on the tracks. Slid seat back a bit and the lever catches then can slide the seat back forward. Tip for anyone with the same issue.

I operate my BHs mostly without turning the seat, just turnmy upper body in my seat or get on my knees in the seat. Did a 4 hour septic line dig one day without turning the seat and my ribs hurt for several days and now turn the seat for any prolonged digging.

A fellow BH owner here had mentioned not turning the seat, which I had never thought about, and that has become my normal mode of operation for most of the work I do with mine. Tree moving and digging new holes for trees and mostly short time digging. Sure beats a shovel. Currently have 4 pecan trees coming to plant and 3 small fruit trees planted last year need to be moved and my brother has a rock that he keeps mowing that I'm going to see how big it is and he needs me to remove the grass down the sides of his short drive. My B2620 is at my rental property so I'm bringing it home in a couple of days to do my home work.

tractchores · Apr 7, 2013

You certainly took the 'get it dirty' advice to heart! Nicely done. If you don't have a hose I've found I can clean my tires by driving fast in high range, which I usually do down the driveway after playing in the mud to keep it out of the garage. Plus it leaves cool tracks on the driveway. I don't do it much, but a bucket full of gravel will keep those front tires on the ground when doing heavy lifting with the BH.