Woods vs kubota BH or a mini-ex

[RadarTech]

hey folks,
I am rapidly learning that I need a backhoe.
I am not sure if I should go for a tractor version, or a small mini-ex..
Our property is on the side of a mountain, and the L3400 was bought just to maintain the road and do other tasks.
However, recently the weather has dealt me a few blows..
Culverts blocked.. Ditches overflowing with DIRT..
and a 5 ft wide bucket just can't do it.. and when it can... well it is too WIDE...


so what I would like to see are:

1. thoughts of each woods vs kubota
2. thoughts on stability.
3. just how easy is it to remove a backhoe?
4. is it worth it to buy a mini-excavator?
if so, which one-- price?

thanks!

Jim

 

[RadarTech]

I should have added price to my list..

but ya know, it is late..

Thanks,
J

 

[wushaw]

A mini-ex will out maneuver/out work any tractor mounted backhoe anyday in the digging department. You can use the FEL on the 3400 to move the material where ever needed.

Mini-ex 8500.00 - 25,000.00 used 1989 - 2004. Thes prices are just from the first site I found.
BH75 6500.00 new

Mounting/dismounting the BH is pretty easy after you have done it a couple of times.

 

[bandit67]

Unless you plan on doing a TON of backhoe digging, a mini-ex would be overkill. If you've got a lot of cash to spare and just want one, then go for it. But for occasional backhoe work, a tractor mounted unit should be fine.

Pricing on Woods vs. Kubota hoes seems to vary quite a bit around the country, so you'll need to do some checking locally. The BH75 is a plenty capable hoe (I've logged at least 40% of my 114 total hours on the BH75), though I personally feel that it is on the small size for an L3400. If the Woods BH80X is close in price where you are, I think you might like that a little better. The Kubota BH90 is not recommended for the L3400 because it is too much for that machine.

Take a look at my pics to see some of the rock I've dug with my BH75. I had a chance to use my machine at a lower elevation in non-rocky soil last week, and it was like digging through butter. These compact tractor hoes are pretty impressive - nothing like a mini-ex, but impressive none the least.