L3901 Backhoe attachment Cost/Worth it?

[Patt Swilling]

I have a new L3901. I have several projects on my land that require a backhoe. I am wondering what the cost would be for a backhoe package. I hate to pay for someone else to do the jobs i need. Any info is appreciated.

 

[Fordtech86]

I have a new L3901. I have several projects on my land that require a backhoe. I am wondering what the cost would be for a backhoe package. I hate to pay for someone else to do the jobs i need. Any info is appreciated.

I added the BH77 to mine about 2 years ago. Price the was around $8500 for the hoe and subframe. I installed myself so there will be labor charge if you have the dealer install it

 

[old and tired]

There are other aftermarket hoes out there... this is MSRP for Kubota: (not installed)
7.7 FT BACKHOE $7,263.00 (BH77)
1 SUBFRAME KIT FOR BACKHOE $788.00 (BH4988)

Depending on the size of the project, renting a trackhoe (much more power) might make more sense if there is a rental company nearby.

 

[greg86z28]

I have the smaller BH70 on my B2601.

For 90% of people who have backhoes I doubt they economically make sense (versus renting).

I like my tractor and running the backhoe is fun. I find extra things to do with it that aren’t mission critical or I could have probably done with a shovel previously.

It’s typically hard to lay out the numbers and “justify it”. But if you’ve got the money laying around it’s a really fun attachment to have.

 

[bird dogger]

I have a new L3901. I have several projects on my land that require a backhoe. I am wondering what the cost would be for a backhoe package. I hate to pay for someone else to do the jobs i need. Any info is appreciated.

I've had a backhoe on my compact JD750 since new in 1985/86. It has paid for itself many times over in all kinds of ways. Deciding to get the Kubota B2650 a few years ago....the BH77 was on the list without hesitation. And making a dolly for it allows it to be put on/taken off in just a few minutes with ease.

It's kinda funny that when it comes to buying a tractor everyone says go bigger to save time because your time is so valuable. But when it comes to a backhoe they all say to rent because it's hard to justify having your own backhoe. (Maybe many of those naysayers have not actually had their own?) I found (and others have said the same on OTT also) that once you have a backhoe at your disposal you don't put off jobs to wait for the right time. Just go get the backhoe on and proceed. just about any job big or small can be done so much quicker and easier. The only drawback is possibly storage.

If you live on a smaller lot that will be fully groomed in just a year or two without major landscaping it might be wise to rent. On a larger plot where things change or get added and having the convenience of a backhoe is a real time saver then it becomes a toss up and then advantageous to have your own backhoe. Especially when you add up both the rental costs and your own time that you have saved. It's hard to run completely out of projects for your backhoe. You can always sell it afterwards if by chance you do. And then there's always that Fun Factor.

 

[mcfarmall]

The $8051 not including tax that you pay for the backhoe and subframe could rent a capable mini excavator for 26.8366 WEEKENDS before it pays for itself. That's over 6 months of WEEKENDS of mini excavator use!

Seems like renting is the way to go, at least for me an my projects.

 

[bird dogger]

Your location also plays a very big factor into your decision. How far are you from a rental location? Do you have a vehicle/trailer to haul the rental unit? Will the rental unit be available for every weekend or week day that you want to use it? It's also 4 trips to/from that rental location every time you want to rent.
All are things to consider.

 

[random]

For me, that weekend rental requires taking off half a day from work Friday afternoon to go pick it up, and renting a trailer to haul it, then repeating that on Monday morning.

Not sure I would spend the money separately, but I got mine rolled into the initial purchase. I've found all sorts of uses for it that I never imagined when I got it - which I suspected would be the case.

Probably haven't made back the investment, but for me it's worth the initial expense to have it on-hand when I want it.

YMMV - @bird dogger laid it out pretty succinctly IMO.

 

[bird dogger]

I have a new L3901. I have several projects on my land that require a backhoe. I am wondering what the cost would be for a backhoe package. I hate to pay for someone else to do the jobs i need. Any info is appreciated.

I thought there was a thread on this topic not too long ago. If you haven't seen this one, Patt, here it is:
B2650 / BH77 Backhoe worth it? | OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

It's another interesting conversation with both pros and cons. Everyone has to consider what's best for their personal situation.

 

[ctfjr]

On my last tractor, an L3400, I did order the backhoe with it. When you need it, its an awesome accessory. When I was shopping for a replacement last year I never considered it. My needs had changed.

 

[kubotafreak]

As other have said, It is available when needed. Time off from work renting vs available any time I want was worth the cost to me. I'm fairly young, and figure ill have it for the rest of my life. Digging out tree stumps, digging drainage, or even planting an ornamental tree is no sweat now. My health is worth the 10k for the BH92. Just friendly advice use the free locate service for utilities even when you "know" there is nothing there.

 

[TX Chris]

It's really hard to say with the limited info we have. If you're going to use it three times and never touch it again, it's not worth it. If you'll use it off and on every years because it's readily available, go for it.

FWIW, I recently sold a 4-5 year old BH77 with less than 50 hours on it for $5,500 WITHOUT the subframe kit. That was just for the BH77 itself. In case you're considering used (you should at least look around), that'll give you some sort of starting point.

 

[Tarmy]

My BH has paid for itself many many times over. Trenches for underground, grading driveways and the storm drainage lines. Digging out stumps, building rock walls, garage stem wall foundation work...

rocks...did I mention I got a lot of rocks...

 

[bird dogger]

FWIW, I recently sold a 4-5 year old BH77 with less than 50 hours on it for $5,500 WITHOUT the subframe kit. That was just for the BH77 itself. In case you're considering used (you should at least look around), that'll give you some sort of starting point.

The backhoe you sold seems to have really held its value well! That must have been close to its original purchase price at the time?

 

[Nicfin36]

I commented on the BH77 WORTH IT thread Bird Dogger put up and I guess I will on this one. I'm also very much in the pro backhoe group. Before purchasing, I had jobs I knew I wanted to do with it, but I have found other jobs since then. I know many say go rent a machine, but I simply have no way of doing that. I just have a small truck, so having the backhoe with my tractor makes sense. Some also say find a good used mini excavator and buy it. If you could find one at a reasonable price, that would be good. and the machine would be more capable. However, there are no such deals like that around here.

So, I say get it if you know you will use it. Take care of it, and if you ever decided to sell it, you will easily be able to get your money back as someone who never bought a backhoe will be looking for one with a subframe for their L series tractor long after Kubota is no longer selling them.

And, if you upgrade tractors later, selling your L3901 with a backhoe is very attractive to buyers. at least it is around here.

 

[leveraddict]

The backhoe for me was the ticket item even though ill be done with it in a few years. Rentals are expensive and you pay even if it pours rain the whole week and you cant use it! Having your own its there whenever you need it and no worries about hurrying up because it needs to be returned! If I didnt have so many projects for the BH it would have been different.

 

[BAP]

I have a backhoe for my B2920. I don’t use it a lot, but it is extremely handy to have when I need it. Owning one I can hook it up and use it whenever I want, for as long as I want, and I don’t have to wait for it to become available. Renting means you are at the mercy of the rental place, do they have one available when you need it. Plus you waste a lot of of time and money hauling it back and forth. Renting versus owning had it’s own place for each person.

 

[mikester]

I'd put the money towards a used full sized construction TLB. Will do more of what you probably want/expect.

Getting on and off the SCUT/CUT seat every 3 feet to get on the BH gets tiring fast. That and your ag machine isn't built to handle or operate a BH. Slow hydraulics suck unless you have all day, are retired and have nothing better to do.

On the other hand a BH attachment makes a nice garage ornament to impress the neighbours.

 

[TX Chris]

I'd put the money towards a used full sized construction TLB. Will do more of what you probably want/expect.

Getting on and off the SCUT/CUT seat every 3 feet to get on the BH gets tiring fast. That and your ag machine isn't built to handle or operate a BH. Slow hydraulics suck unless you have all day, are retired and have nothing better to do.

On the other hand a BH attachment makes a nice garage ornament to impress the neighbours.

Keep in mind this thread is seemingly geared towards the casual hobbyist. It's hard to go from "should I buy a backhoe for the back of my tractor or not because I might not use it enough to justify the cost" to "maybe I should spend even more money to buy a whole second piece of machinery to maintain because it's more impressive to the neighbors than my small backhoe that does everything I need it to do".

And every person that saw my L3901 with the BH77 was envious and very complimentary. That would've been a different story had I taken it to a construction site, but I don't think that's the point of this thread.

 

[TX Chris]

The backhoe you sold seems to have really held its value well! That must have been close to its original purchase price at the time?

I paid around $7,500 for the BH + subframe if my memory serves me correctly. I sold the BH for $5,500 and received an $1,100 credit from the insurance co for the destroyed subframe (tractor lost in a fire). So I figure the BH cost me roughly $900 for those 5 years I owned it. Even if it cost me double that, it was worth it for the number of times I used it.