BL4690B BH question

[RayH]

Hi everyone,
Im in the market for a backhoe for my L3130. Im considering the Kubota BL4690B but I havent been able to see one or see exactly how it mounts, specifically the tubular stabilizer bar, thats what the salesman at the Kubota dealer called it. I suspect its more of a limiter to keep the 3PH arms from raising. He didnt know too much about how it worked so Im coming to the experts. Anyone got any good closeups of it or know exactly what its for.
I know theres lots of discussion in the search about the good, bad and ugly of 3PH BHs but Im still finding it hard to decide exactly what it is that I should have since I cant seem to find any of the options Ive been looking at (Woods, Bushhog, Bradco and Kubota) mounted on a tractor in my area. Heres a description of my needs. Im starting up a parttime landscaping bus. I will be doing occational trench and footer digging and wouldnt mind digging graves if I can get that work. I dont have or plan to have a belly mower. Im doing mostly landscaping work with it so I will be switching the BH for other 3PH implements often. Ive read that Woods and Bradco subframe BHs dont require the removal of the 3PH arms. Im open to using either the tractor juice or PTO power but prefer the PTO pump.
Thanks, Ray

 

[Mikemas]

Ray,
Welcome to the board. I believe the name given to the tubular bar is the "three point hitch safety limiter" (or something thereof) as described in the BL4690 owners manual. It has a pivot point opposite of the three point lower arms so it can be raised into place after connecting the backhoe to the tractor. There are hole patterns which you slide two bolts into (one on each side) to hold it up in place. It is a simple, but effective way of not being a casualty of a three point hoe malfunction. That being said, I would take a good look at what type of set up you want for your application. From what you describe, you have some valid reasons for a subframe hoe. ( no mid mount mowing, commercial landscape use, easy on and off) I have a three point mount, PTO pump BL4690 that I am very happy with, but I have some different circumstances for needing a three point hoe.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[Henro]

RayH,

I thought the L3130 took the BH90 backhoe, rather than the BL4690B.

The BH90 is a much nicer setup than the BL4690B that I have on my B2910. It has a 4-point hook up and if I had a choice, that is what I would want if I went with a Kubota hoe on a L3130.

I don't recall if the BH90 uses tractor hydraulics or a PTO operated pump...

But compared to the BL4690B, the BH90 is the sure winner in my eyes... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[grandad]

I think an L3130 can take either the 3pt BH4690 or the subframe BH90 hoe.

The Kubota subframe hoes are very substantial and look like they were designed for heavy, commercial duty. BH90 looks to be a great value, particularly in a new tractor deal.

Unfortunately for me at least, it's not compatible with the L10 series, so my choice ended up being a BH4560 subframe hoe - predecessor to the BH90 - for my L4610. The 4pt subframe assembly on mine looks very similar to the new BH90, but mine runs from a pto pump instead of tractor hydraulics.

 

[RayH]

Im also considering the BH90 but at 7 to 8 thousand, its more of an investment than Im comfortable with. But then again, so was a new 3130. Ive read most of the old posts concerning some of the available BH options and I agree that one would be hard pressed to beat a BH90. For me its really just a matter of will it pay for itself with the little bit Im probably going to use it. As soon as I decide to go with a 3PH BH and maybe selling it later and upgrading once I know how much I will use it, I immediately sway back to getting the BH90 and then when I think of all the other options, my brain starts to sizzle and I must go take a nap. If I can just get through this stage of gathering info, I'll feel better about what I need. I really wish the dealers in my area had some mounted examples to look at or I could see some good pics of the different subframes and mounting systems.
BTW, thatnks for the replies so far.

 

[MarkV]

RayH,

Just to get that brain sizzling some more, have you looked into the cost of insurance when using a backhoe commercially? Around here you can get landscapers insurance that is pretty reasonable but when you use the word backhoe….. it about triples the insurance cost. Guess it makes sense when you think of the cost to repair fiber optics, gas lines or foundation damage.

Many of the landscapers here just bring in a sub to do trenching. Most utility trenching can be done with a ditch witch type trencher, which leaves less of a mess to fix than a backhoe.

Just a few more things to think about.

MarkV

 

[RayH]

Holy Cow. Thats an aspect of owning a BH that I hadnt considered. Now I have to wonder if the insurance co. will consider a 3PH Bh different than a frame mounted hoe or if I even what to mention anything at all if Im not specifically asked about a hoe.

 

[RayH]

I got a chance to see a 4690 mounted yesterday. I went to my Kubota dealer to get some prices on a BH90 and he basically talked me into the 4690 for my needs and tractor. He said he thought the BH90 is too big and heavy for anything but the biggest compact and made it feel unstable when movng it. I looked at a BL4690B that they had just mounted up for a customer and I was impressed with it. I didnt expect that it would mount so ridgedly. Just for everyones info, all the limiter bar does is go laterally across the lower lift arms to lock them in the lowest position. the upper ridged mount assembly on the 4690 is huge compared to the other 3PH mounted BHs Ive looked at and it felt studier than the New Holland subframe BHs that I checked out the day before.
Anyway, Im all but sold on the BL4690B. The BH90 is definately a nice unit but I think its $1700 more BH than Ill need right now. If I find later that its just not cutting it, I can sell it to anyone with a 3PH and get the 90.

 

[Rick Jay]

RayH,

Being one who likes to spend other peoples money (as well as my own /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) I have to recommend the bigger hoe. Kubota says it'll fit. For $1700 additional, I say go for it.

The first time you use the BH90 you'll say to yourself...boy...I'm glad I got the bigger hoe.

I have a 7 1/2 foot hoe (Woods 7500) on my B2910 and I wish I had more reach. I guess it depends upon your situation, but the extra reach means you don't have to maneuver the tractor as close which can be an issue in tight quarters.

You'll love either unit, but my recommendation is to get the largest backhoe recommended by the manufacturer.

It's only money! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

~Rick

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Just for everyones info, all the limiter bar does is go laterally across the lower lift arms to lock them in the lowest position. </font>

Ray,

My understanding is that it is a safety device there to protect the operator in the event that the top link connecting point would fail.

A while back there was a write up on the Carverequipment.com site that described how a 3PH backhoe operator was killed when pinned between the ROPS and the backhoe seat, when the tractors top link failed and that cross piece was missing. The lower arms do not hold anything down...take a look at the carver site, maybe that article is still there. It is well worth reading.

I thought there was more detail, but this is what I was remembering...

Relatively speaking, the BH90 on the L series tractor is proportionally about the same as the BL4690B is on the smaller B series tractors. So I am not sure the L series tractor would feel unstable with that backhoe on the back. My B2910 does not feel unstable with the 4690 on it and it weighs a lot less that the L3130.

I would get the BH90 myself, knowing what I know after owning the BL4690B. Why? Like Rick says, more reach, and also I believe more power to break roots when digging stumps out. I am guessing about the more power, but it sure looks like there should be more power with the BH90.

Also, it sure looks like the BH90 would be a lot easier to put on and off, as compared the the 3PH type. Not that the 3PH backhoe is that bad...

Why don't you see if the dealer will show you/let you put each of them on/off once before deciding? It could make a difference to you, or might not at all.

Another advantage of more reach is you can dig a longer flat-bottom section of trench each time, before you have to switch seats and move the tractor.

It's your money and you needs though. Only you know best what you should do in you own case. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif