FIXED - Vague control feeling in BH77 Backhoe

dexterous

Member

Equipment
B2650
Apr 30, 2019
55
0
6
Grove City, PA
Guys,

I recently purchased my second Kubota, a brand new 2019 B2650 with the BH77 backhoe. My previous machine was a fairly new, 2017 BX23S. I purchased both machines primarily for the backhoe to do ditch work around my property so I have lots and lots of prior backhoe experience at this point.

The old BX23S backhoe felt really good but the new one felt really vague and inaccurate. Needless to say, I was very disappointed with the poor feel of the BH77. However, after watching a number of videos and reading a few things on various forums, I learned how to inspect the control linkages and I discovered why I was having the problem. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the control links inside my new B2650/BH77 with less than 15 hours were ready to fall apart!

I made this video so that everyone could see exactly why I had this issue and how I fixed it. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHYgzXUnQAk
 
Last edited:

TedBull

New member

Equipment
L3301, LA525, BH77, 48" forks, 60" Brush hog. Titan stump bucket.
Jun 16, 2019
3
0
0
Snohomish, WA
Thanks for posting the video. I will keep an eye on my linkage. When I first got my machine the BH77 felt sluggish and awkward to run. 9 hours on the machine now and it feels smooth and quick.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
546
83
USA
I would have just added insert (nylock) nuts instead. Surprised they weren't installed in the first place.
 

nbryan

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650 BH77 LA534 54" ssqa Forks B2782B BB1560 Woods M5-4 MaxxHaul 50039
Jan 3, 2019
1,161
705
113
Hadashville, Manitoba, Canada
Checked out the linkages on my 2017 BH77 (on B2650) after seeing your post and sure enough 3 of 4 lower links were loose. The right hand pair - bucket/dipper - were very loose, I took them off easily by hand. Cleaned, thread-locked, and re-tightened, now the controls have much better feel.

Thanks Dexterous!
 

leoric

Member

Equipment
B2650 since 2018. BH77, LA534, Forks, 60" Bucket, 60" Mid mount mower
Mar 13, 2019
76
0
6
Indianapolis
This actually happened to me as well. The linkage fell off as I was using it in the field. All of my linkages were loose. I also punched the last thread on the bolt so the nuts won't come off. Tightened and went on my way. I'm surprised it's so common.
 

DeepWoods

Active member

Equipment
B2650HSDC Woodland Mills WC68 Wood Chipper
Apr 10, 2019
325
247
43
Bigfork Minnesota
Ok, since I also just got my b2650hsdc with the BH77 backhoe on May 6th. I thought I would go out and check my control rod bolts. I don’t know if was done at the factory or dealer, but all the nuts were secured with red thread locker. None were loose. I do think I will add some grease where the rods go through the guides, as there doesn’t seem to be enough there.
 

Attachments

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
4,807
1,575
113
Mid, South, USA
The newer ones will have thread locker on them. There was a run of them that had plain nuts and no thread locker
 

dexterous

Member

Equipment
B2650
Apr 30, 2019
55
0
6
Grove City, PA
OP, just curious, where did you get your tractor? I'm in same general area.
From M&R in Butler. I was at the dealership the other day and showed the video to the guy who assembled my tractor and he was shocked. He said that they will be adding this to the checklist for all BH77s that come through the shop now. While it was a factory assembly issue, I am surprised that they didn’t notice it.
 

PA452

Active member

Equipment
B2650
Nov 8, 2015
312
40
28
Western PA
From M&R in Butler. I was at the dealership the other day and showed the video to the guy who assembled my tractor and he was shocked. He said that they will be adding this to the checklist for all BH77s that come through the shop now. While it was a factory assembly issue, I am surprised that they didn’t notice it.
Figured it might be that dealer. That's where I was looking at buying as well.