Backhoe Need opinions on adding 3-point hitch backhoe

[tman1020]

I don't think there's much cost savings By skipping the subframe it's not the most expensive part usually only adds couple hundred dollars. The main cost is in the backhoe itself. The quality ones cost more than the cheap ones just like anything else. However the backhoes that offer a subframe have normally been of the higher quality which puts the price at the higher end of the spectrum. However A subframe can be built for any of them most likely. if it's not offered by the manufacturer you could have one custom-made there's generally not that much to them.

 

[newbury]

I don't think there's much cost savings By skipping the subframe it's not the most expensive part usually only adds couple hundred dollars. The main cost is in the backhoe itself. The quality ones cost more than the cheap ones just like anything else. However the backhoes that offer a subframe have normally been of the higher quality which puts the price at the higher end of the spectrum. However A subframe can be built for any of them most likely. if it's not offered by the manufacturer you could have one custom-made there's generally not that much to them.

Have you actually PRICED a sub frame?
Like I tell my wife - a couple means TWO. If you say "ready in a couple of minutes" and you mean FIVE then the next time this married COUPLE gets in bed we can invite THREE more people.

A quick ebay check shows a subframe for $650.
When I bought my Woods BH70-X in 2009 the Woods kit cost about $1,000.
Here is an email I rec'd when buying:

I have checked my listings for your Kubota B7610 Tractor; and you are correct on the 4 point mounting.

My listing is shown the Models B 7410, B 7610, and the B 7610, requiring the Woods Part Number:1020800.

My price listing is for 2006 and shows a Suggested List Price of $ 1,150.00.

Most Kubota Dealers are Woods Equipment Dealers. I also have a listing of current Woods Dealers.

Recently when I was looking into adding my BH70-X to my M4700 I was told by Woods that it used an "upgraded/heavy Duty top link attachment" or "3 point hitch saf-t-lok kit", (as shown on the left side of the picture) not a sub-frame.

I was quoted $900, still a lot more than "a couple".

If YOU can find the 3 point hitch saf-t-lok kit, or a sub-frame for my Kubota M4700, or know someone who will build one for "a couple of hundred dollars" please pass the information along.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't think there's much cost savings By skipping the subframe it's not the most expensive part usually only adds couple hundred dollars. The main cost is in the backhoe itself. The quality ones cost more than the cheap ones just like anything else. However the backhoes that offer a subframe have normally been of the higher quality which puts the price at the higher end of the spectrum. However A subframe can be built for any of them most likely. if it's not offered by the manufacturer you could have one custom-made there's generally not that much to them.

I agree the subframe is not the most expensive part of a BH but they do cost more than a couple hundred bucks. Just the weight of steel involved would cost more than that.

 

[Mad Mac]

Well then, if a person has a choice between frame mounted or 3-point hitch mounted backhoes, everything else being equal, how much more is it worth to get a frame mount?

 

[IslandTractor]

Well then, if a person has a choice between frame mounted or 3-point hitch mounted backhoes, everything else being equal, how much more is it worth to get a frame mount?

Fair question if everything else was indeed equal. I'd personally feel safer with the frame mount (why else have manufacturers moved in that direction????). No question many folks have good luck with their 3PT BHs but the industry is really moving towards subframe mounted. I'd put it kind of in the same category as ROPS except that it is for tractor safety not operator safety. Tractors without a ROPS are fine until they're not.

I'd pay the grand or whatever for a factory subframe. Hurts just once.

 

[BlessedMess]

I'd pay the grand or whatever for a factory subframe. Hurts just once.

x2... after digging tree stumps, rocks and bamboo, I'd never chance a 3PH mount. Also, believe it should be possible to get a LS branded J-series BH cheaper than that... may be worth shopping around, as I would assume they are charging full MSRP plus a grand or more in labor/shipping.

 

[tman1020]

Have you actually PRICED a sub frame? Like I tell my wife - a couple means TWO. If you say "ready in a couple of minutes" and you mean FIVE then the next time this married COUPLE gets in bed we can invite THREE more people. A quick ebay check shows a subframe for $650. When I bought my Woods BH70-X in 2009 the Woods kit cost about $1,000. Here is an email I rec'd when buying: Recently when I was looking into adding my BH70-X to my M4700 I was told by Woods that it used an "upgraded/heavy Duty top link attachment" or "3 point hitch saf-t-lok kit", (as shown on the left side of the picture) not a sub-frame. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/ls-tractor-owning-operating/442317-need-opinions-adding-3-point-bh70x-hookup-jpg"/> I was quoted $900, still a lot more than "a couple". If YOU can find the 3 point hitch saf-t-lok kit, or a sub-frame for my Kubota M4700, or know someone who will build one for "a couple of hundred dollars" please pass the information along.

Yes I actually have priced subframes and I have found they vary substantially from brand to brand and for size of machine. My prices are slightly out of date but should be close enough. These prices are based on a 25 to 30 hp frame size tractor when I checked with in the last year and a half. Kelly Backhoes said between 2&3 hundred depending on style of subframe. Ansung ( OEM for Kubota) added 400.00. Bradco added about 1200.00. Woods was all over the place I got two prices in the range of 500.00 and one of 1500.00. Can't remember exactly but I think Rhino wanted around 500.00 and I priced a cheep Chinese made model I cannot remember what brand but it had the Italian valve on the Internet sold as a three point mount with a subframe option they wanted 275.00 but only had select models available. These prices were for at time of purchase not after-the-fact. So yes more than a couple (2). But in the realm of things for the most part in my opinion well worth the extra money especially if it's what the manufacturer recommends.

 

[IslandTractor]

For $500 a subframe is IMO a no brainer.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Other than the time I broke a lift arm on my 3pt bh, and the other time where I ended up face down in a deep hole when the factory supplied top link broke on my 3 pt bh, I disliked the way the hoe swung back and forth on the 3pt arms as I could never get the arms tight enough not to move side to side a bit.

Even a little side to side motion in the lift arms translates to a lot of movement at the working end of the hoe, especially when you have to really reach out to max length. If you dig a big hole, the movement doesn't really make much difference, but trenching is another story... trying to get that bucket in a hole only as wide as the bucket can be frustrating.

The solid mounted hoe on my Mahindra 3016 makes digging a pleasure.

 

[Mad Mac]

This is a very useful thread, thank you one and all. Let me ask another question. How difficult is it to change out the subframe mounted backhoe compared to a 3 point hitch. We would be changing out our Mahindra 5555 (the old 30 Series) at least twice a year.