Backhoe Kubota VS Woods Backhoe

Mainah · Apr 9, 2003

I want to put a backhoe on my L3710. Dealer sells Woods and of course, Kubota. Dealer recommended Woods as they feel it's more 'hoe' for the buck. Woods 7000 I think VS comperable sized 'bota hoe.
I'd appreciate the group's thoughts and comments....thanks!

Anonymous Poster · Apr 9, 2003

I wanted to do the same thing but the dealer talked me out of it. Reason: the Woods is a much better buy and a lot cheaper. Kubota's is overpriced. For the difference buy a few cans of Kubota Orange and paint it.

hayden · Apr 9, 2003

For the 3710 I'd get a Woods 9000, not the 7500. It's bigger and more powerful. If you want to move up from there, look at Bradco hoes. Much better mounting and more powerful still, but you will be approaching $9k

grandad · Apr 9, 2003

I've been looking at doing the same thing, so here's some additional info... hope it's helpful.

The 2003 'Bota hoes are the BH90 and the 4690. BH90 is a 9' subframe unit that competes with the Woods 9000. Runs on tractor hydraulics. Won't fit on the Grand L 10 series... only goes on new L 30's. Kubota still sells the prior model subframe hoe for the L 10's, but the price is prohibitive... my dealer mentioned $8500+ before I changed the subject.

4690 is a continuing model, a 7 1/2' 3pt unit that competes with the Woods 7500, and fits both the L10's and L30's. Has its own PTO-driven hydraulics. Runs something like $6000. Regardless of whether you go Kubota or other, if you get a 3pt hoe, be sure to get a reinforced toplink bracket.

Even though the 7 1/2' hoes are a bit undersized for your 3710 or my 4610, I have kind of settled on the 4690 for my amateur use. If the application were commercial, the 9-footer would make more sense. I favor staying with the factory unit for a 3pt hoe, rather than one that is generically designed and adapted to different tractor platforms. Woods does make excellent equipment... their 9000 is probably my second choice. You can get it configured as a subframe, pto-driven model, a combination Kubota does not offer (and you can order it painted orange!).

Rick Jay · Apr 9, 2003

I don't think you could go wrong with either the Kubota or the Woods (probably a 7500). I personally prefer (and own) the Woods 7500 with subframe and pump on my B2910. Others have the Kubota and are equally as happy. IF you have a mid-mount mower, the bracket the Woods subframe mounts to might interfere with the mower, so in that case you might wish to go with the Kubota hoe. If you don't use the MMM, it's probably not much of an issue.

My suggestion, however, is to check the price on the Woods 9000 IF it can be put on your tractor. I don't think the price is that much more (what's a thousand bucks among friends) than the 7500 but is considerably more hoe.

As someone else pointed out, Woods can paint their backhoes in Kubota orange.

Good Luck,

~Rick

rdln · Apr 10, 2003

I would buy a woods again too, but I have a subframe mount and find that it ruins ground clearance even with out the hoe on.

If you dont already have rear remote hyd., buy the pto pump.

Not sure if all dealers are the same but mine sold me the first bucket as part of the backhoe (So I got the widest and most expensive) and bought the smallest (8") which seems to be the best for stumping and frost breaking. If I was just gonna buy one bucket it would be a 16".

happy digging

chrisjbell · Apr 10, 2003

For what it is worth, I chose the Woods over Kubota. Mine's a lot smaller /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, but still a lot of fun /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I like the subframe, especially for my lil' tractor. Also, if you can swing a larger hoe, go for it. Especially when digging trenches extra length is a Good Thing - reduces the number of times you have to move.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2003

I just got a Woods 7500 with pump and subframe on my B7500. Glad I went with the bigger hoe. I would suggest you get the biggest hoe for the model tractor you can. Just my 2 cents.

Boondox · Apr 11, 2003

Jim -- I looked at both and ended up with a Woods 7500 with sub-frame tied to my tractor's rear remote. Absolutely love it, though you'd want to go with the next size up with your larger tractor.

If you find yourself coming to northern VT this summer look me up. Once the snow is gone I'll be remounting my hoe and would be willing to let you dig some trenches for me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete

Mainah · Apr 14, 2003

Thanks to all for your input! Best news is the CFO gave me her blessing to get a hoe this past weekend ....gotta love her eh? So I'm going with the Woods 9000. Thanks to all again! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Mainah · Apr 14, 2003

( If you find yourself coming to northern VT this summer look me up. Once the snow is gone I'll be remounting my hoe and would be willing to let you dig some trenches for me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Pete )

Would love that Pete...but it's soooo hard getting out of the tractor seat dontcha know? Of course, I could plan a road trip and drive it there...hmmmmm..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

AndyR · Apr 18, 2003

Congrats on your new purchase! I have the 9000 on an L3710 and love it. It has the seperate hydro pump and has pulled some mighty big "nuggets" out of the bony soil around here. If you are ever passin' by southern New Hampshire swing by and we can "practice" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Mainah · Apr 21, 2003

( Congrats on your new purchase! I have the 9000 on an L3710 and love it. It has the seperate hydro pump and has pulled some mighty big "nuggets" out of the bony soil around here. If you are ever passin' by southern New Hampshire swing by and we can "practice" /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )

Thanks Andy...I hope to get my hoe this week. What size bucket do you have or recommend?
And I am in southern NH often /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. #1 son and his family have a condo in Raymond, and I own and rent my parents house in Hampton where I grew up...gotta LOVE that beach /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif and the inlaws/outlaws are spread out through Epping, Deerfield, Kingston, and Atkinson...so when we do get down there we make the rounds.
Thanks again neighbor! or I should say neighbah....

AndyR · Apr 26, 2003

I've got the 16" bucket - that's what came with the slightly used 'hoe. Action shots are here. I originally was going to go with a bigger bucket but considering the soil types I work with the 16" is fine.

Jibber · Apr 27, 2003

I have a 3130. Got the loader with the tractor but I figured I'd wait on the backhoe until I can better afford it. I had been looking at the Kubota model that has it's own hydraulics driven by the PTO. I like the idea of being able to put it on and take it off when I don't need it.

My questions.

first.. you mention a reinforced top link bracket.. is that something Kubota offers? I would think they would engineer the standard model to be able to deal with the stresses provided by their own hoes. I have heard some horror stories though regarding other tractors and backhoe setups.

second.. how easy is it to put these PTO 3ph type hoes on and off. Is it like any other implement or is it a half hour or more of work?

also.. With the PTO 3ph model.. are there any other changes that have to be made to the tractor itself to prepare it for the hoe. I don't really want to mess with my ground clearance by adding any subframe.

thanx!

grandad · Apr 27, 2003

Reinforced toplink bracket... offered separately by Kubota for the L10 series. Check with dealer, but I don't think the new L30 tractors need a stronger bracket since the 3pt lift and toplink were redesigned in the new models. (suggest you update you TBN profile... it indicates you have a 3710... congrats. on new 3130, though!).

Maybe some of the backhoe owners (vs. an owner wannabe like me /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif) can better comment on whether the 3pt or the subframe hoes are easier to put on and take off. I had the apparent misconception that the 3pt variety would be easier, but my dealer opines that the subframe hoes are actually somewhat easier.

With most of the hoes available of either type, you do have to actually remove the lower arms to install the hoe. So, putting on the hoe is not quite the same as hooking up your boxblade.

I've also learned the obvious point that ease of installation varies between makes and models of backhoes. I think some or all of the Bradco hoes let you leave the lower links on, for example.

A subframe mount is certainly stronger than the 3pt ones, but as you say, it does reduce ground clearance, and stays with the tractor even when the hoe is removed. Again, some manufacturers apparently do a better job with this than others. Just going by what others have said, though, if you plan on heavy use, better go with the subframe type.

Rick Jay · Apr 28, 2003

grandad,

( A subframe mount is certainly stronger than the 3pt ones, but as you say, it does reduce ground clearance, and stays with the tractor even when the hoe is removed. )

I have a Woods 7500 with subframe. The subframe stays with the backhoe when removed. With the backhoe removed, all that remains on the tractor is a small "receiver bracket" for the subframe mounted to the loader frame.

It's this piece that can interfere with mid-mount mower use.

~Rick

AndyR · Apr 29, 2003

From the viewpoint of protecting the tractor, I wouldn't consider anything BUT a subframe mount unless it was a very small backhoe digging in light-load conditions.

AndyPitts · Apr 29, 2003

I'm way late in this thread, but to add my two cents, I have a Woods 9000 with subframe on my L3010. It works great, and I dug my basement with it, including digging up 25 or so stumps (not small ones here in Eastern Virginia). I would not use this powerful BH without subframe -- if you are not careful, it can pick up the rear end of the tractor, with anti-freeze in the tires. But with careful use, the BH on the L3010 can do a great deal of work.

Dozernut · Apr 30, 2003

I have a Great Bend backhoe on a subframe with a Kubota L 4610. The hoe stays with the frame and when you remove it you lose no ground clearance. I had the 3pt. mount and absolutely hated it, I was ready to buy a dedicated machine. Then I got the subframe, it is a completely different hoe and easy to hookup and remove. This setup eliminated the attachment to the top bracket (Great Bend subframe). There is room to get in between the hoe and the tractor to hookup the hydraulics now. The subframe is definitely the way to go.