Woods BH6000 new owner

rbarker · Apr 29, 2006

Well, I'm sitting here waiting patiently for my new backhoe to arrive for my BX2200. My Wife (bless her heart) bought me a Woods BH6000 groundbreaker as a surprise birthday gift. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif What was really cute was watching her go around telling everyone that she "got me a ho" for my birthday! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The tractor was supposed to be picked up on my birthday last Monday to have it installed but the frame mounts did not arrive. It will now be next Tuesday when the tractor goes for install. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So while I wait just a couple of questions for you folks that own one. Will the loader be sufficient counterbalance empty or will I need to add weight? Are the bh and the mmm mutually exclusive? I know it's not great to have the mmm mounted while doing excavation from a ground clearence perspective but its much more of a pain to take the deck on and off than the loader and (I assume) the bh. Since they don't mention anything about boom force in the brochure I assume that you only use the boom to position the dipper stick and never to lift or dig? Do you store your bh under cover or out when not installed?

Well, thanks for indulging me, you can tell I'm bored while waiting! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Tom_H · Apr 30, 2006

There are several BX22/23 owners who mow with the bh attached. I don't think I would, but that's just MHO.

I built a dolly for the 60" MMM on my BX2200. I cut a sheet of 1/2" plywood to match the exact form of the MMM bottom skirt and put 16 two inch dia. swivel casters around the perimeter. On the garage floor, I can now get the MMM off in 2 min. and back on in 3. No more of that silly wheel pivoting and I've learned that getting the PTO attached is a matter of delicate finesse, not force, so that part of the reattachment takes 10-15 sec. at most (usually).

Hootie · Apr 30, 2006

I am in the same "boat". Waiting on the install onto the 2200. I have questions too and will be eagerly watching this thread. We just built an in ground pool and I need to do some trenching for drainage and water lines, etc. Need it today, but good things are worth waiting for!!!

Boondox · Apr 30, 2006

Congratulations on scoring a sweet little ho! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I had a Woods BH7500 on my L3010. In the vast majority of situations I found the FEL with a bit of down pressure was plenty. But there were times, especially working on extricating big rocks or stumps on a slope, that I picked up a load of sand from the side of the road before going to work.

Not sure about your compatibility issues since I've never owned or driven a BX. There are plenty of BX owners who will chime in though. But one question on mounting/dismounting the MMM...my first tractor was a B1750 with an FEL and MMM. After wrestling with the MMM trying to slide it under the tractor, I broke down and read the owner's manual. It said th way to do it was to simply run over the MMM with the front end, that the MMM was reinforced to take the weight of the tractor. So I tried it and it was an absolute cinch! Is that method not recommended for the BX series?

Pete

NY_Yankees_Fan · Apr 30, 2006

( Is that method not recommended for the BX series?)

Only if you want to buy a new MMM each season. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The BX MMM is not designed to be driven over, it would make getting it on and off a bit easier. It is not that it is hard, just heavy to move around. Using the FEL to lift the front wheels makes it easier. Sometimes I use a jack to lift the wheels if I do not have the FEL on.

Hootie · Apr 30, 2006

I have had my 2200 bout 4 years and don't understand the advantage to lifiting the front wheels off of the ground. Does this help in hooking up the pto? Hope so, I have some difficulty with that. However, I will say that using solvent to clean the pto shaft and the coupler makes it so much easier. I used to try grease or oil, but the solvent makes it a bunch better. Try it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rbarker · Apr 30, 2006

( There are several BX22/23 owners who mow with the bh attached. I don't think I would, but that's just MHO.)

Oh, I wasn't thinking of mowing with the bh attached. I was more thinking if the mmm is installed and something comes up where I want the hoe will I have to remove the mmm first.

( No more of that silly wheel pivoting and I've learned that getting the PTO attached is a matter of delicate finesse, )

It's the pto that gives me the most trouble. It's tough to squeeze in under the tractor to get it clicked in reliably. Your dolly sounds like a great idea, though!

rbarker · Apr 30, 2006

( Congratulations on scoring a sweet little ho! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I had a Woods BH7500 on my L3010. In the vast majority of situations I found the FEL with a bit of down pressure was plenty. )

Thanks! I expect I'll get a feel for it once I finally get to use it. I asked this question because I think it was Blackmagicwoman who has a BX1500 with the same hoe and was looking for additional counterweight other than the loader. I wondered if the additional size and weight of a BX2200 alleviated the light front end syndrome that BMW wrote about.

rbarker · Apr 30, 2006

( I have had my 2200 bout 4 years and don't understand the advantage to lifiting the front wheels off of the ground. )

I find it makes it a bit easier to manuver the deck under the tractor this way. I drop it down before trying the pto shaft, though.

( However, I will say that using solvent to clean the pto shaft and the coupler makes it so much easier. I used to try grease or oil, but the solvent makes it a bunch better. Try it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Now that's a great tip! I will definately try that! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Scrounger · Apr 30, 2006

I have a BH6000 on a BX2230 and I've abused, I mean used, it for about a year now. I actually have more time digging and bucketing than mowing with the BX. Its a killer unit but you want to make sure you never:

-- Use the BH with the MMM installed. It will bounce it around and it will be damaged no matter how much you try not too. Get good at removing the deck and you wont have to worry about it.

-- Never and I repeat never use the BH without the FEL installed. You need to have the outriggers planted good and the front bucket down. I prefer to dig in my FEL teeth when I dig.

-- Dig with anyone never your hole until your REALLY comfortable with the BH. The end results can be ugly.

Other than that, have a ball and start digging. I layed over 700 foot of drain pipe recetntly in upstate NY on some trails with it. Just a sweet time in the woods digging a hole. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif