Comparing BH90 to BH75

[Chuck K.]

Anyone had the opportunity to run both these BH's? I currently have the BH75 it does a fair job for a small hoe, I am curious as to how much an improvement the BH90 is in power, reach, operator comfort, etc...
The BH90 would be on a GL3940 or 4240..
Thanks for any input, Chuck.

 

[TalonDancer]

I got the BH90 for my L3240 for the following reasons...
1 - Reach - not so much for digging depth, but for side to side and behind without repositioning.
2 - Weight - the BH90, with its heavy sub frame, nicely balances my L3240 w/LA724 and 66' HD bucket _without_ any additional weights (e.g. loading the tires).
3 - Operator comfort - The BH90's operator station is still crowded but you get a little more leg room.

IMO the BH90 just looks like a better fit for the Grand L40's. The BH90's sub-frame is very stout. It dwarfs the standard sub-frame and strengthens the whole tractor whether or not the BH90 is attached.

FWIW I'm amazed that Kubota put the pictures of the tall guy using a BH75 in it's Grand L sales brochure.

Talon Dancer

 

[bigballer]

yeah that guy in the pics dwarfs the bh75. i am only 5'8" and i feel it fits me well but if i were any bigger it would be tight. i do wish i could get more dig time (especially when trenching) without repositioning but all in all i am very happy with it now that i have the control down. the bh75 actually looks a bit small for the L3400, i wish the bh90 was an option i would have bought it. of course if money were no object i would have bought a mini-ex because swapping out the bh for the 3pt is a bit of a pain and it's a given the mini would be much faster at digging.

 

[bigballer]

talon - i just noticed your signature, curious what made you decide to go with the smaller bucket?

 

[machmeter62]

Anyone had the opportunity to run both these BH's? I currently have the BH75 it does a fair job for a small hoe, I am curious as to how much an improvement the BH90 is in power, reach, operator comfort, etc...
The BH90 would be on a GL3940 or 4240..
Thanks for any input, Chuck.

CHUCK: TalonDance summed it; however, unless you have other work for it besides digging small stumps, fence posts, and other small chores---- the cost to upgrade the tractor and the hoe, will be a big factor? I think it's main benefit is more power, bigger bucket capability, deeper trenching, less positioning of the hoe, and the ability to reach in confined areas where the BH75 is unable.

I opted for the 9' hoe 30 years ago now, and have no regrets. You can also place the spoils farther from the tractor too. It would be a good match for the tractors you are considering. I have my original one on a 78' 30 hp Kubota L295DT, and the second one is on a L35 Kubota. The additional reach is good for many other things also, in a construction type environment!
LEE

 

[TalonDancer]

talon - i just noticed your signature, curious what made you decide to go with the smaller bucket?

Assuming you mean the BH bucket...
I decided not to "compromise" with a single 16" bucket. This 12" bucket is meant for trenching electrical, water and gas lines for the new house. I expect to buy a 2nd, probably an 18" or 24", BH bucket later. Currently I'm thinking it will be a 3rd party bucket with bolt on teeth that can be _completely_ removed. But I'm not sure exactly what to get yet, because I 'm not sure how I'll use it.

Talon Dancer

 

[Chuck K.]

Thanks all for the replies, the larger BH is only part of the reason for wanting to upgrade. I want more lift capacity from the FEL, this for the most part is the only area I have been disappointed in the L3400.. Also a heavier machine should dig better in the hard gumbo soil I have to deal with where I am at.. I should have done more homework before buying instead after..

On the subject of buckets, what is the blade/plate device that fits over the teeth of the BH bucket enabling you to dig smoothly on hard surfaces? We have one here on the BH at work but it is welded on. I am trying to find if a detachable version is offered but I dont even know what its called , maybe a "toothblade"

 

[TalonDancer]

...On the subject of buckets, what is the blade/plate device that fits over the teeth of the BH bucket enabling you to dig smoothly on hard surfaces? We have one here on the BH at work but it is welded on. I am trying to find if a detachable version is offered but I dont even know what its called , maybe a "toothblade"

Good question! I'd love to find something like that too.

The main reason I started with the 12 inch bucket is because ALL of the Kubota BH90 buckets come with teeth that pin on to welded stubs. I knew the 12 in would be used mainly for trenching. So it really didn't really matter that I couldn't easily convert it to a "finish" bucket with a smooth leading edge. But I'm not buying a larger bucket with out that option. It will either have teeth that can be _completely_ removed or an easily installed/removed "tooth blade" like you describe. I'm not talking about finishing the bottom of a trench. I'm talking about finishing the surface of shallow "dry creek" drainage swales, pulling gravel etc. out of a trailer without tearing up the floor, etc..

FWIW the B26's back-hoe comes standard with a bucket quick connect and the buckets with teeth that can be _completely_ removed. If Kubota can do this for the B26 back-hoe why not offer some "finsh" bucket options for the BH75 and BH90.

Talon Dancer