I am interested in purchasing B7500 with a backhoe for light duty such as trechning and digging holes to a deph of about 40 inches in rocky CT soil. Several dealers told me that the 7500 was not suitable for backhoe use and if a subframe was installed for a Woods B.H., there would be little ground clearance beneath the B.H. Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.
Backhoe Kubota B7500 & backhoe
- Thread starter jz111
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jz111,
I'm not sure if we have anybody on TBN who has a backhoe on their B7500, though there are a few who have them on their B2410s (and more as you go up in tractor size). I think the main question is whether you want to use it for occasional homeowner tasks, or whether you are using it in your work (and/or will be using it hard). If you want it for the occasional task around your place, I don't have any doubts that either the Kubota hoe or the Woods hoe would work fine. Otherwise I'd look at a bigger tractor, maybe even a B21 if the backhoe is that important and you don't plan to mow with the machine. There have been a lot of debates about backhoe mounting methods for compact tractors here, the archives should turn up some interesting stuff. My take is that they are pretty hard on the smaller compacts (20-25 hp) and that they are not very cost-effective. Of course I still want one for my tractor./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
By the way, what part of CT are you in? Saying that the soil is rocky doesn't narrow it down too much./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Maybe Rocky Hill or Rockville??/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rob
I'm not sure if we have anybody on TBN who has a backhoe on their B7500, though there are a few who have them on their B2410s (and more as you go up in tractor size). I think the main question is whether you want to use it for occasional homeowner tasks, or whether you are using it in your work (and/or will be using it hard). If you want it for the occasional task around your place, I don't have any doubts that either the Kubota hoe or the Woods hoe would work fine. Otherwise I'd look at a bigger tractor, maybe even a B21 if the backhoe is that important and you don't plan to mow with the machine. There have been a lot of debates about backhoe mounting methods for compact tractors here, the archives should turn up some interesting stuff. My take is that they are pretty hard on the smaller compacts (20-25 hp) and that they are not very cost-effective. Of course I still want one for my tractor./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
By the way, what part of CT are you in? Saying that the soil is rocky doesn't narrow it down too much./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Maybe Rocky Hill or Rockville??/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rob
GlueGuy
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I bet "someone" on TBN has a backhoe on their B7500, but I don't recall who that mightbe.
That said, I think the B7500 is the smallest Kubota that you might be able to use a backhoe on, as long as the work was not continuous, and as long as it was light duty.
40 inches doesn't seem too deep, but that also depends on what you are calling rocky. Here, there are many places where rocky kinda translates to solid rock. If that's what you're talking about, even a B2910 might not work.
The GlueGuy
That said, I think the B7500 is the smallest Kubota that you might be able to use a backhoe on, as long as the work was not continuous, and as long as it was light duty.
40 inches doesn't seem too deep, but that also depends on what you are calling rocky. Here, there are many places where rocky kinda translates to solid rock. If that's what you're talking about, even a B2910 might not work.
The GlueGuy
bigrazor
New member
I've got a B1700 & Woods 6500 w/subframe. I'd agree that there's little clearance with the BH attached. I only find it to be an issue when I trailer it, never when I'm digging or moving the tractor around. Other than that, this combo works very well. I've dug all sorts of trenches and holes 48+ inches deep. And if you think CT soil is rocky, you should come up to NH. They don't call it the Granite State for nothing. I wouldn't want to have to use it everyday for work though. If that was the case, I'd go with the B21.
Rick Jay
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jz111
Hi, I've got a B2910 with a Woods 7500 backhoe and live in MA, right next to Suffield, CT. Our soil is hardpan clay with a good assortment of rock.
My backhoe is subframe mounted. I've only used it a couple of times, and most of those were just to get the feel of it.
Let me summarize my first experience with it. I had never used a backhoe before and within 20 minutes my first time out dug a 48" deep hole about 3 feet long with my 16" bucket...and the Kubota was only running around 1200 rpm (I also have a separate PTO mounted pump for the hoe.). It might not seem like much, but in our soil, that easily would've taken hours with a shovel and pick-axe. And that was my first time. Most of the rocks in our soil are less than 8" across, and the backhoe didn't seem to have any problem with them.
I will echo the comments of others though, and suggest that if you are going to make extensive use of the hoe, to look at a B21 or maybe even a used larger machine like an L35 or Case 580, if you can find one and if that isn't too much of a machine.
I guess it all depends upon your other tractor requirements.
Good Luck,
Rick
Hi, I've got a B2910 with a Woods 7500 backhoe and live in MA, right next to Suffield, CT. Our soil is hardpan clay with a good assortment of rock.
My backhoe is subframe mounted. I've only used it a couple of times, and most of those were just to get the feel of it.
Let me summarize my first experience with it. I had never used a backhoe before and within 20 minutes my first time out dug a 48" deep hole about 3 feet long with my 16" bucket...and the Kubota was only running around 1200 rpm (I also have a separate PTO mounted pump for the hoe.). It might not seem like much, but in our soil, that easily would've taken hours with a shovel and pick-axe. And that was my first time. Most of the rocks in our soil are less than 8" across, and the backhoe didn't seem to have any problem with them.
I will echo the comments of others though, and suggest that if you are going to make extensive use of the hoe, to look at a B21 or maybe even a used larger machine like an L35 or Case 580, if you can find one and if that isn't too much of a machine.
I guess it all depends upon your other tractor requirements.
Good Luck,
Rick
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
if u plan a lot of backhoe work, then u need a bigger tractor, and if it is only a small task then u need to hire it out. i have a b2400 and would not subject it to the wear and tear of a backhoe. i personally don't think that small compact tractors are big enough to handel a backhoe. + they are very expensive for just a few times of use.
Rick Jay
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frank f15,
Sounds like you're letting rational thought get in the way of a lot of fun. If I had to rationalize my purchase strictly on whether or not it made good economic sense I wouldn't have my tractor.
I'm the type of guy that likes to be able to work on my own schedule and not have to depend on others. For my small property and numerous projects I've got planned over the next few decades, if I amortize the cost over thirty years, it really isn't that expensive. (Of course, the payments are every month for 4 years, but I keep the longterm view alive.)
So, to each his own. I'm very happy with my purchase and think it's money well spent. My wife, however, would probably agree with you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rick Jay
Sounds like you're letting rational thought get in the way of a lot of fun. If I had to rationalize my purchase strictly on whether or not it made good economic sense I wouldn't have my tractor.
I'm the type of guy that likes to be able to work on my own schedule and not have to depend on others. For my small property and numerous projects I've got planned over the next few decades, if I amortize the cost over thirty years, it really isn't that expensive. (Of course, the payments are every month for 4 years, but I keep the longterm view alive.)
So, to each his own. I'm very happy with my purchase and think it's money well spent. My wife, however, would probably agree with you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Rick Jay
Anonymous Poster
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I have a B7100 with a backhoe attachment and live in CT. I have been very impressed with how it deals with soil and rocks. I dug a 2' to 3' deep, 350' long drainage ditch this spring with it. It probobly took me 5 to 6 hours to dig it. As long as you don't mind going around a big rock every now and then you will be fine.
Anonymous Poster
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jz111,
I decided to get a B7500 w/ Woods subframe, also decided to run it off the tractor hydrualics. This was after much thought and input from others at TBN. I did have one ordered but canceled due an uneasy feeling with the dealer. I'm interested in knowing what your getting for quotes for the package. Maybe we can exchange notes. IBOATRI@aol.com
I decided to get a B7500 w/ Woods subframe, also decided to run it off the tractor hydrualics. This was after much thought and input from others at TBN. I did have one ordered but canceled due an uneasy feeling with the dealer. I'm interested in knowing what your getting for quotes for the package. Maybe we can exchange notes. IBOATRI@aol.com
RayBee
Gold Member
I have a B2710 with a Woods 7500 and I also live in rocky CT. My subframe is approx. 8-9" above gound level and have
not yet hit any rocks with it.The backhoe is fantastic and can't believe the size of rocks I can dig out or bury.
I worried that the subframe might be a problem in the woods
or off road and almost got the 3pt version. Glad with what I got.1250-1400 rpm's is the correct speed for my use. My largest stump about 14" white oak.I never feel like the tractor or hoe is overworked. Also never ran a backhoe before this one and have about 78 hrs. on the tractor.Absolutely go with the subframe for more tractor integrity.
RayBee in NE/CT
not yet hit any rocks with it.The backhoe is fantastic and can't believe the size of rocks I can dig out or bury.
I worried that the subframe might be a problem in the woods
or off road and almost got the 3pt version. Glad with what I got.1250-1400 rpm's is the correct speed for my use. My largest stump about 14" white oak.I never feel like the tractor or hoe is overworked. Also never ran a backhoe before this one and have about 78 hrs. on the tractor.Absolutely go with the subframe for more tractor integrity.
RayBee in NE/CT
