Share a bh90 between 2 tractors?

[watchdawg]

I'd like to buy a L3940 and add the required components to use a friend's bh90 backhoe from time to time. There's been some confusion at my local dealership about what's required to make this work. They initially quoted just a BH4998 Sub Frame Kit as all that's required, but now they say that kit only includes the hydraulics and I have to also buy 2 other components(1 for each side) that cost $720ish wholesale or $900 retail. That would make just the mounting kit for the bh90 cost between $1700 (wholesale) and $2100 (retail), both prices include the sub frame kit(BH4998).

Does this right? That takes a lot of the value out of using a bh90 on multiple tractors if so. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I've seen the subframe kit on my friend's L5030 and I know it's 2 stout pieces of steel, but the prices seem fairly high to me.

 

[TalonDancer]

My BH90 (with hydraulics and sub-frame and 12" bucket) cost perilously cost to $7,600 in Aug '07. So using your prices, the actual BH90 back-hoe (the part that can be detached and shared) cost me somewhere between $5,900 or $5,600 depending on whether we assume I paid retail or wholesale for the whole unit.

FWIW the $1,700-2,100 you'd pay to be able to "use a friend's bh90 backhoe from time to time" seems pretty reasonable to me. As you already know, the BH90 sub-frame replaces the GL40's standard sub-frame with two honkin' chunks of metal, at roughly axle level, that add a lot of stiffness/strength to the whole tractor _even with the back-hoe not attached_.

BTW If I had a friend that would lend me his BH90 from time to time, I'd make sure to buy him a lot of beer "from time to time"

Talon Dancer

 

[watchdawg]

Thanks for the reply Talon Dancer. I knew how big of a job the installation of the mounting kit would be so I was shocked and even questioned it when the dealer quoted me $400 for the whole shooting match. The Salesman called Kubota when he wrote up the quote and he even questioned his contact right in front of me when the price was so low.

I remembered how big of a deal it was when my buddy got his 5030 several years ago, so I wasn't surprised when the Salesman called today to tell me the bad news. The good news is that he called Kubota, they owned up to their mistake had heavily discounted the sub frame sections. The dealer delivered my new 3940 tonight and he'll pick it up and install the kit for me when it's delivered at no charge. It's hard to beat service like that.

Unfortunately it was too dark to take pictures when it arrived, but here's what I bought.

L3940HST+
L724 FEL w/ quick attach
Hooks for the FEL
Rear work lights
Box Scraper

I can't wait to put her to work. I fixed a problem in the driveway in the dark just because I couldn't resist it!

BTW, I'll make sure to buy an extra case of beer or two when I go to pick up the bh90! I just don't have enough work to merit buying my own bh90 and that's just a shame!

 

[TalonDancer]

Congrats on your new Grand L3940! Looking forward to your pictures, when it gets light

The heavy duty BH90 sub-frame will make your GL3940 much more balanced. Even without loaded tires, I can easily carry a full FEL bucket with only my Rhino BX72 Box Blade as rear ballast

Your beer budget may be a bit higher, but no where near the cost of full BH90

Talon Dancer

 

[art]

The mounting kit that you refer to is only to complete the unit to the particular model tractor that you have. It doesn't do any more then attach the subframe rails to the loader and tractor. There are four supports pieces that you need at a minimum and the prices sound but right.
Kubota was one of the first tractor companies to use this system which seems to be catching on with the other manufacturers because of the increased ground clearance and the support that they give the total tractor chassis. That's just the beginning of the pluses as they also go on and off trailers far easier then the lower subfarmes do.
Just going between brands a little, after you add the subframe under many of the compacts it brings a reality back, many have little more ground clearence then the BX!!!!!!

 

[teg]

Please, LOTS of photos (Especially of the subframe!)



.

 

[watchdawg]

The mounting kit that you refer to is only to complete the unit to the particular model tractor that you have. It doesn't do any more then attach the subframe rails to the loader and tractor. There are four supports pieces that you need at a minimum and the prices sound but right.
Kubota was one of the first tractor companies to use this system which seems to be catching on with the other manufacturers because of the increased ground clearance and the support that they give the total tractor chassis. That's just the beginning of the pluses as they also go on and off trailers far easier then the lower subfarmes do.
Just going between brands a little, after you add the subframe under many of the compacts it brings a reality back, many have little more ground clearence then the BX!!!!!!

Interesting. I'll have to check the ground clearance before and after they add the sub frame.

Thanks for the input.

 

[watchdawg]

Please, LOTS of photos (Especially of the subframe!)

.

I plan to snap some this weekend or sooner if I have daylight to work with. I'll take some detailed photos of the subframe when it comes in too.

It will be dirty in the pics though, I just couldn't let her stay clean any longer!

 

[art]

Watchdog, that doesn't apply to the BH90. It applys to those tractors that have to have them added underneath the tractor chassis. It costs less to do it that way but is really a hinderence. There are some manufacturers that are offering some cheap copies of the Kubota design but in a universal world they are mounted further back then I like to see them for strength of the chassis but fit more applications so they make more $$$ and then down the road after a few yeas of use will cause more problems.

 

[watchdawg]

Watchdog, that doesn't apply to the BH90. It applys to those tractors that have to have them added underneath the tractor chassis. It costs less to do it that way but is really a hinderence. There are some manufacturers that are offering some cheap copies of the Kubota design but in a universal world they are mounted further back then I like to see them for strength of the chassis but fit more applications so they make more $$$ and then down the road after a few yeas of use will cause more problems.

Copy that. I guess I confuse easily! ;-)