Which backhoe for B3030?

[Fjord]

Thanks for the information.I already have a rubber block I put in the lever slot for the 3pt to prevent raising it too fast when not at the 1/4" ( first detent ) position. I could easily make another longer one to put in when BH is installed to prevent accidentally hitting the lever and raising it.Of course first I have to actually buy the BH. Thanks again.

 

[Stef]

Thanks for the information.I already have a rubber block I put in the lever slot for the 3pt to prevent raising it too fast when not at the 1/4" ( first detent ) position. I could easily make another longer one to put in when BH is installed to prevent accidentally hitting the lever and raising it.Of course first I have to actually buy the BH. Thanks again.

There's a quicker way to prevent the operation of the 3pt hitch when the backhoe is mounted: turn the lowering speed knob to the "lock" position. That way the hitch cannot be moved.

 

[Stef]

The heavy mainframe is bolted to the tractor all the way up to the FEL's mainframe. The torque to mount the bolts is high, however occasionally it probably is wise to check the torque, but no different than checking the FEL's mainframe's securement.

I'm with you on this one. I check, from time to time, the torque of the loader and bakchoe mainframe bolts and it happens that a bolt needs to be retightened. It's normal but it could dangerous if the owner don't check that kind of stuff once in a while. It's part of the "have fun and be safe!" using your tractor.

 

[dfkrug]

I'm with you on this one. I check, from time to time, the torque of the loader and bakchoe mainframe bolts and it happens that a bolt needs to be retightened. It's normal but it could dangerous if the owner don't check that kind of stuff once in a while. It's part of the "have fun and be safe!" using your tractor.

Yeah, getting people to check bolt tightness is hard. I have lost count of
the times I have seen loose bolts on tractors owned by people I help.

My experience is that new equipment, including newly mounted FELs or
hoe subframes need bolt tightening, almost for a certainty.

That said, I am happy to see that Woods has made the trade-off between
fast removal of pinned subframes and tighter mounting of bolted subframes
in their newer 4-pt subframes. They even provide the wrench for the
1" bolts, with a wrench holder pocket. Their earlier pinned-on subframes
had some wiggle to them.

 

[bialecki]

Attached you can see the Woods BH subframe and how it connects up with the FEL frame and the tractor subframe. The beauty of the design is that I can have the FEL attached, the BH attached and the MMM attached. I can see it now, cutting the lawn with all the attachments on and having the neighbors think I lost my rocker, Heck if the dandelions crop up I can dig them up while mowing with the BH.

 

[ats64mod]

Bialecki,

What brand/model of lights are you using on your ROPS? Did you install an alternator as well, or do you just use the existing electrical system?

Thanks.

 

[Jim Nelson]

O.K. guys I just got my B-7800 back from the dealer this afternoon with a new BH-75 hoe and in the short time I had to play it seems great.One real big problem that I found after checking it out a little closer is the hydraulic filter has very little clearance from the sub-frame.It looks to me like you might have to at least loosen the sub-frame to change the filter.Anyone else run into this?
Thanks
Jim

 

[Stef]

O.K. guys I just got my B-7800 back from the dealer this afternoon with a new BH-75 hoe and in the short time I had to play it seems great.One real big problem that I found after checking it out a little closer is the hydraulic filter has very little clearance from the sub-frame.It looks to me like you might have to at least loosen the sub-frame to change the filter.Anyone else run into this?
Thanks
Jim

No, you should have enough room to change the filter. I had the backhoe and the tractor at the same time and I do all the maintenance myself. No problem except, on a B3030, the middle part of the loader's frame (beneath the tractor) runs right beneath the engine oil drain plugs. It's a real PITA the first time you do an oil change.

 

[bialecki]

Bialecki,

What brand/model of lights are you using on your ROPS? Did you install an alternator as well, or do you just use the existing electrical system?

Thanks.

The halogen lights shown on my tractor are Hobbs, Case Tractor part # ZAA7786149 They have a built in switch and have a flood pattern. I bought them from Bob Wolff at Woodbury Tractor, Woodbury Tractor Company, LLC and the cost where $29.84 each. He can UPS them to you.

I did not find the need to upgrade to an alternator, the OEM dynamo is working satisfactorily. I use the lamps only about 20% of the time and never had an issue with draining the battery. If in the future if I find the drain to be too much on the battery I can upgrade to the Kubota alternator kit.

 

[dfkrug]

Hey Bialecki, what is that grey member just below the arrowheads
in your photo? A MMM mount? A custom-built skid plate perhaps?

 

[bialecki]

Hey Bialecki, what is that grey member just below the arrowheads
in your photo? A MMM mount? A custom-built skid plate perhaps?

The subframe for my Kubota front snow plow blade, This is Kubotas frame for their front blade, sweeper and front mounted snow thrower. I need to remove this to mount the MMM each Spring, say mid July for us in the North east.

 

[Fjord]

There's a quicker way to prevent the operation of the 3pt hitch when the backhoe is mounted: turn the lowering speed knob to the "lock" position. That way the hitch cannot be moved.

I tried this when I was out playing today and I found that turning the knob to the "lock" position only prevents it from going down, but it can still be raised.

 

[bandit67]

OK, since I started this thread last year, I guess I should get back on with some more questions. I still haven't upgraded to a bigger machine because I have not yet sold my current house.

Plan is that once I sell the current house on 1 acre, we move up to another fixer upper on a bigger property. So I'm still doing research on potential future machines. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to buy another machine until we get the next property, and now I'm really in a difficult spot because I sold my little subcompact, so I am (sigh) tractorless, and may be for a while. Fortunately, my neighbor said I can come over and dig a little with his BX22 when I'm really having major withdrawl symptoms.

I have gotten a price on both the BH70X and the BH75 - the Woods hoe is $630 less, but I'm not sure I like the specs compared to the BH75. Unfortunately to me, it seems that the Woods 80X is a bit too big, and the 70X is just a tad too small. I'm not convinced I want the Woods 70X over the Kubota BH75, even for the $630 savings.

So, Stef, would you trade your BH75 for a smaller BH70X and an extra $630 in your pocket?

 

[hazmat]

I just ordered up a B3030 with the woods BH80-X hoe. Two larger dealers in my area had sold many of that combination. I don't have it yet, but will report as soon as it arrives.

As far as too much hoe? I'm not sure I buy that. It specs out a bit above the BH74, but not by much. It is less powerfull than the hoe on the B26 (granted that is a heavier duty machine).

Gotta go - plaster guy is here

 

[Stef]

So, Stef, would you trade your BH75 for a smaller BH70X and an extra $630 in your pocket?

I'm sorry for the delay, I missed this one. Here's your answer: no, I wouldn't want a smaller backhoe. IMHO, a backhoe is never too big (often, it's too small). Even for 630$, I wouldn't change my mind.

 

[Tom_H]

I have searched through the specs pages of Kubota and Woods and for the life of me, I cannot find the weight of any of these 3 backhoes. The specs pages seem to list everything except weight.

I am considering trading my BX2200 for a B3030. My tow vehicle and receiver hitch are rated at 3500 GVWR. The B3030 by itself is about 1900 lb. I think I will need to be able to tow the tractor and at least 1 implement at a time. The bh is the heaviest implement I would envision carrying. I am looking for the lightest trailer I can find that is 3500 GVWR, so I can get max. payload. I need the weight of the backhoes, though, before I can make the final calcs. 3500 lb GVWR - 1900 lb tractor = 1600 lb total for trailer and bh. I don't know if that's possible, but I am trying to find out.

Can anybody tell me the weights of: 1) Woods BH70X 2) Woods BH80X 3) Kubota BH75.

Also, are there any make/model suggestions for a trailer that's 3500 GVWR, but low trailer weight/ relatively high payload?

All assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[amigauser]

Tom,

I have no idea on the backhoe weights but I would not try towing a B3030 on a 3500 lb trailer, even if you can find one. Most if not all 3500 lb trailers that I have seen have a single axle and no brakes. Not a very good combo.

I can almost guarantee that a B3030 with FEL, Backhoe and full fluids is going to run over 3000 lbs. I own a B3030 cab model and I have been looking at 7000 lb double axle trailers with electric brakes. You would probably want something similar. You would need around an 18 - 20 foot trailer.

The trailer forum here on TBN is very helpfull.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/

Norm

 

[Tom_H]

I have tried the trailer thread, little response.

I appreciate the words of caution. My dealer/svc. cntr. is 18 mi. away. The roads are flat, straight, quiet country roads and I do not exceed 35 mph, no matter what. I will go for the elec brakes, but with the weight restrictions, I'll probably need to stick to single axle. I am appreciative of others encouraging me to think about safety. That being said, however, I will not be able to acquire a heavier duty tow vehicle. (I drive a compact; the tow vehicle is my wife's Sienna). I am limited to 3500 lb. GVWR. I would never carry more than the tractor and 1 implement at a time, and that would be to the shop. For the few trips that I would make, it'd be the tractor only. I will definitely stay within legal parameters and within my self-imposed 35 mph speed limit on these quiet rural roads, but I cannot afford to buy a really large trailer and another vehicle for towing. I need to get the weights on these 3 backhoes and try to find a 3500lb. GVWR trailer that's as light as possible.

 

[Fjord]

I inquired about the weight of the BH70X and here is what one dealer told me:
BH70X- 800 lb, 12"- bucket 80 lb, thumb 50lb, 3 pt mounting kit- 104 lb, hydraulic kit -20 lb. Unfortunately I didn't get the weight of the subframe kit , but I just mounted one on my tractor (instead of 3pt kit) and I would estimate it weighs less than 250 lb. Hope this helps.

 

[8561]

I would think your safest bet would be to contact your dealer. They must have shipping weights. Add in a factor for fluids, and I'll bet you'll be pretty close.