Backhoe Woods BH90-X Backhoe

[Charles Billings]

I am looking to buy a backhoe for my NH TC45DA and find that the Woods BH90-X has the best specs. I have an installed price from one local dealer of $8700 with 18" bucket, subframe and mechanical thumb. Is that a reasonable price or should I continue to shop? Has anyone compared this backhoe to the new NH 930GH? Do you agree that for my tractor this Woods hoe is the best value? Thanks for any advice or comments.

 

[Foozle]

Charles,

I'm very new to all this, but have learned to rely on TBN searches and internet searches. You may want to check out Hayden's thread regarding his setup -- he was touting the Bradco backhoes. Here is the link http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/111269-wow-now-thats-tractor.html.

Took me a bit, but I looked up your tractor and it appears to be highest end Boomer model available (man after my own heart!). You'd have to check out if your tractor is compatible with the BradCo stuff, but you might check out the BradCo 509/511 and 609/611. I'm attaching the spec sheets for both of those.



The quick specs on the Woods and BradCo are:

Digging depth: Woods - 9' 1", BC509/609 - 9' 8", BC511/611 - 11' 1"
Digging force: Woods - 5070 lbs, BC509/511 - 5676 lbs, BC609 - 5908 lbs, BC611 - 6167 lbs
Operating weight: Woods - ?, BC509 - 1425 lbs, BC511 - 1594 lbs, BC609 - 1702 lbs, BC611 - 1847 lbs

It appears that the BradCo stuff has a bit more capacity, but I think it is more pricey as well. I think Hayden mentioned that the BC511 setup was around $11,000, including mechanical thumb.

I may be trying to make the same decision as you are sometime soon, so let me know what you go with and how you like it. Best of luck with your decision!

Dave

 

[Charles Billings]

Foozle,

Thanks for the information. I had searched the Bradco hoes about a year ago, but forgot how good their reported specs were. It would need to be either the 509 or 511 for my tractor, looking at GPM of hydraulic flow. I remember people saying they were costly, and if the cost is $11K then I would need to opt for the Woods at more than 2K savings--"see Honey I saved $2300 by going with the Woods."

I am going to an open house at the local tractor dealer this weekend so may be able to get some more opinions. Hopefully, some more people will weigh in here, too.

Thanks again,

Charles

 

[mikim]

I've got the 80X on my TC45 and really like it. One of the things I like about it is the way it connects. I've only actually taken it off and on once so far but it was about as easy as it gets. 2 big bolts & 1 hyd QD. The toughest part was lining the tractor up to it. I plan on fixing that with a dolly for the bh. I bought 2 buckets, an 18" and a 9", and I'm very glad I did. I use the 9" for trenching and digging stumps and the 18 for moving dirt. I had 2 options for the hydraulic, a pto pump or a power beyond connection. I went with the power beyond so I could use it for ....I dunno .... a log splitter maybe? or whatever.....the pump would of stayed with the bh.

 

[IslandTractor]

I have the BH90x with mechanical thumb and really like it. It is a well built BH and well designed. I've used it mostly for digging stumps so far. Other than a couple of difficult to reach zerks, I have zero complaints about the BH. Not certain I could buy the thumb if I were to do it again however. Nothing wrong with the thumb and if you don't have a grapple or grapple bucket it is certainly useful for moving stumps and rocks around but I find I don't use it as I have a grapple which is much more efficient for that purpose.

I think the price quoted is reasonable too.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I would recommend the thumb, (I have the 80x with thumb) though I have the excellent millonzi grapple on Island Tractor's recommendation. The reason is, when I have the backhoe on, I usually have the bucket on full of logs or stones to counterbalance the backhoe, so I don't have the grapple.

I'm looking into getting a hydraulic setup for the thumb, which I think will improve the utility considerably, as well.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would recommend the thumb, (I have the 80x with thumb) though I have the excellent millonzi grapple on Island Tractor's recommendation. The reason is, when I have the backhoe on, I usually have the bucket on full of logs or stones to counterbalance the backhoe, so I don't have the grapple.
quote]

What you really need then is a bigger heavier tractor so you can have your grapple mounted at the same time as your BH!!!

 

[hayden]

Yes, the Bradco 511 ran about $11k, but that includes a hydraulic thumb (not mechanical), and an integrated foot-peddle control of the thumb. It also includes a adjustable swing speed control which I find very useful. There's no question that the Woods is less expensive and is still and excellent hoe, but it's not an apples-to-apples with the Bradco.

Good luck with your shopping, and I'm sure you'll be happy whichever way you go.

 

[2003Pilot]

Charles:

I have a BH 90-X that I bought last fall. It's on my Kubota L3130HST.

I really like the hoe, although I only used it for a few weeks before I removed it fo the winter (to mount my backblade).

I paid around $7,800 complete with subframe and 16" bucket. I bought it from Bob Wolf at Woodbury Tractor in CT. He is a really good guy to deal with. I bought my tractor form him (although I live in NJ).

I recommend that you give him a call.

Woodbury Tractor Company, LLC

 

[highplanesdrifter]

Hi

I was asking similar questions on another forum ...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/nh-buying-pricing/118806-woods-bh90x-backhoe-tn75da.html

... another unit that was recommended to me (by AndyMA, endorsed by LarryRB) was the Woods 1050, although if the Bradco 611 exceeds your available capacity, perhaps this one could as well ... as I recall, some machines might require a subframe mount to handle the more powerful hoes like the 90-X or 1050 or 611, but the word on the forum was that a good 1050 might go for less in the used market than a 90-X ...

Happy Hunting

John

 

[Foozle]

I was quoted $8,650 for the Woods BH90-X, including 18" bucket, subframe, mechanical thumb and installation. I'm likely going to go with that, even though the BradCo is very tempting. Can't justify the extra $ at this time, but something to keep in mind for the future.

 

[IslandTractor]

I was quoted $8,650 for the Woods BH90-X, including 18" bucket, subframe, mechanical thumb and installation. I'm likely going to go with that, even though the BradCo is very tempting. Can't justify the extra $ at this time, but something to keep in mind for the future.

That would get you one of these: (photos)

Looks like we have the same taste in both flail mowers and backhoes.

 

[Foozle]

That would get you one of these: (photos)

Looks like we have the same taste in both flail mowers and backhoes.

Considering many of my ideas came from tbn, not too surprising! This is a great forum, but I must say I probably ended up spending much more than if I had remained ignorant of all these great gadgets!

Dave

 

[IslandTractor]

Considering many of my ideas came from tbn, not too surprising! This is a great forum, but I must say I probably ended up spending much more than if I had remained ignorant of all these great gadgets!

Dave

I know what you mean, I was happy (!) with a Craftsman riding mower and a DR brush mower when I stumbled upon TBN. Now my barn is so full of tractor gadgets I can hardly get in or out. I'm having fun though!

 

[Charles Billings]

Hi, and thanks to everyone that has replied!

I think I am getting closer to a decision. The most difficult part is getting over having to shell out about $9.3K after taxes. It is enticing to consider the dealer in CT at a price under $8K before taxes (did that include hoe, mechanical thumb, subframe and installation?). But, then I would need to pay shipping or even get my tractor there & back for an install. And, that would be a long way to go to get service, if my more local dealers have a problem taking care of someone else's sale. If anyone has other thoughts on going that far to save some money, I hope you will weigh in.

I was interested in the 2 bucket approach, 9" and 18". What does a 9" bucket cost? My soil has some roots, rocks, and bolders. I expect to do some stump digging, but not a lot. If I can only choose one bucket is the 18" a good compromise between volume per dig and digging force?

Also, does it make any sense to buy the mechanical thumb and add the hydraulic option later? If later, then should I consider a third party hydraulic and install it myself, or take it back to the dealer to install it?

Sorry for so many questions. Any help would be appreciated.

Charles

 

[hayden]

What would you use the 9" bucket for? At one point I was tempted to get a smaller bucket for trenching, at least until I dug my first water line trench. To prep the trench and lay a water line, you need to get down in the ditch. Unless you have a really slim waist lineo rreally long arms, you won't be able to get into or reach the bottom of a 9" wide trench. I had a 16" bucket at the time and was very happy I didn't go smaller.

If you are trenching for electric, gas, or water in a warm climate and don't have to go deeper than 18" or 24" then the narrower bucket might work, but up here in NH and VT I don't think you will be happy with it for water lines or anything that has to go deep.

 

[IslandTractor]

I was interested in the 2 bucket approach, 9" and 18". What does a 9" bucket cost? My soil has some roots, rocks, and bolders. I expect to do some stump digging, but not a lot. If I can only choose one bucket is the 18" a good compromise between volume per dig and digging force?

Also, does it make any sense to buy the mechanical thumb and add the hydraulic option later? If later, then should I consider a third party hydraulic and install it myself, or take it back to the dealer to install it?

Sorry for so many questions. Any help would be appreciated.

Charles

Woods does not make a 9 inch bucket for the BH90x according to a local dealer I called. The 18 inch bucket is a good match for the 90x and is what I have. I dig up stumps mostly and my only complaint is that the holes are unnecessarily large. The BH has plenty of power to do stumps with the 18 inch bucket, I just don't wnat to dig a big hole every time I pull up a 6 or 8 inch stump.

I am investigating a ripper tooth. Woods doesn't make one. Brotek is willing to make one but their standard ripper is kinda small (meant for the BX24) and I haven't seen anything they've done for a bigger BH. Bradco stocks a ripper for Bradco hoes but I don't know if it is easily adaptable to Woods pin mount. Many companies make rippers for big excavators but no one seems to make one for the Woods.Going to a metal fabricator is a possibility but that could get pricey. Iron Horse (from down under) had a nifty one fabricated to his own design (see his photos on TBN) but he mentioned it cost about $900 to have fabricated. It would be a fun project to make one but I just don't have the time or skills to take that on. I think there is a market for an effective ripper design for tractor size backhoes, maybe some manufacturer like Markham, Millonzi, WRLong or even an aggressive dealer will take that project on (Rick are you listening?).

Regarding the thumb, I have the mechanical thumb but as I also own a grapple I don't use it much. I do think a hydraulic thumb would be more useful. I suspect it would be more expensive to try to add the hydraulic kit after taking delivery. It is not a trivial install (there is a control foot switch and a slew of lines to run). Personally, if I were to do it over I'd leave the thumb off but I admit that most people like them a lot.

 

[Charlesaf3]

ripper tooth... that would be nice!

****, it, Island tractor did it again! Every time he posts something I end up with new ideas to spend money. Granted, I'm really happy about them. I'm also really happy that my gf doesn't know about the inspiration this site can be. She already thinks I have a tractor problem.

I bet a ripper tooth for the bh80 would be great on oak roots. Island tractor - I find the thumb is great for root crushing. And removing rocks that an oak has grown around from a deep hole.

 

[weldonnewton@gmail.com]

I have the BH90x with mechanical thumb and really like it. It is a well built BH and well designed. I've used it mostly for digging stumps so far. Other than a couple of difficult to reach zerks, I have zero complaints about the BH. Not certain I could buy the thumb if I were to do it again however. Nothing wrong with the thumb and if you don't have a grapple or grapple bucket it is certainly useful for moving stumps and rocks around but I find I don't use it as I have a grapple which is much more efficient for that purpose.

I think the price quoted is reasonable too.

I had my Woods BH90-X installed last Friday on my DX50 Case IH tractor. I have a bush lot and stump removal was a significant reason for the purchase of the "power digging" bucket capacity. Well I don't find that it works very well. It likely is my technique, can you share some hints?

 

[IslandTractor]

I had my Woods BH90-X installed last Friday on my DX50 Case IH tractor. I have a bush lot and stump removal was a significant reason for the purchase of the "power digging" bucket capacity. Well I don't find that it works very well. It likely is my technique, can you share some hints?

Can you give us some examples of trouble you are having?

Have you used a backhoe before? Are you perhaps expecting the "power digging" feature (really just different pin settings on the bucket) to tear big stumps out of the ground in one bite? No way it will do that.

As I am sure you know if you have BH experience, the basic technique with digging stumps is to dig around the stump to destroy the lateral roots that stabilize the stump. You also dig down so you can apply force to push and pull the stump to loosen it up. Depending on the size of the stump this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours.