Hey guys, looking for some advise here. I am getting ready to buy a new backhoe for my L3200. What is the difference between the kubota and wood hoe? Is one better then the other? It seems like the prices were close. I dont know much about them.
Which backhoe for L3200
- Thread starter rparkinson
- Start date
A new backhoe attachment is a substantial investment. Have you considered getting an older Case or Ford full size backhoe? Used attachments come up on Craig's List around here from time to time, that's another option. Depends of course what you plan to dig.
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Yeah, that is a good thought. I did think about that. Part of the reason I bought a new machine is that I am a full time mechanic, and got sick of tinkering all the time. And it always breaks when you really need it... and just having a whole different machine to maintain. It is a lot of money but I think it will get used a lot. I live on a long private road I can think of a lot of uses for it.
I'm not intimately familiar with your machine but I can offer my experience:
You'll be much happier if you pay the extra and get a frame-mount backhoe (generally, based on machine, still removable as desired) instead of a 3-point lift-mount type hoe.
Investigate carefully both types as pertains to your machine.
If you choose 3-point type the brand makes little difference. If you go with frame-mount I'd stay with Kubota. Like loaders, aftermarkets just don't always fit and behave correctly. You'll also have better resale with matched Kubota eqpt.
In either case you'll find it takes longer to install / remove than you think it will and you'll always have the wrong implement on for what you plan to accomplish in the time allowed.
Please post back your decision and how you proceed so we may all learn.
You'll be much happier if you pay the extra and get a frame-mount backhoe (generally, based on machine, still removable as desired) instead of a 3-point lift-mount type hoe.
Investigate carefully both types as pertains to your machine.
If you choose 3-point type the brand makes little difference. If you go with frame-mount I'd stay with Kubota. Like loaders, aftermarkets just don't always fit and behave correctly. You'll also have better resale with matched Kubota eqpt.
In either case you'll find it takes longer to install / remove than you think it will and you'll always have the wrong implement on for what you plan to accomplish in the time allowed.
Please post back your decision and how you proceed so we may all learn.
gpreuss
New member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3200DT w/FEL, K650 Backhoe, 5' Rotary, 40" Howard Rotavator, 6' Rhino blade
I bought a Kubota backhoe for my L185 about 35 years ago. It was a 3PH mount. After it bent up my 3PH arms, I had to rebuild the whole mount system. It had really poorly designed stabilizer feet (no longer the case on newer ones) so I had to re-design and build new ones. In the first year EVERY ONE of the hoses burst, so I had to replace them as well - keep in mind that they always burst in the field, in the hole, never the garage. Bolts kept working loose, so I ended up pinning the plates together for alignment. And It used a chain & sprocket for the swing mechanism, which has broken a dozen times through the years, and is waiting for repairs just now.
What I'm trying to say is that just because you buy new, and for the Kubota, does not mean you won't be mechanicing on it.
MagKarl has a great point. You can often find a pretty good older tractor/backhoe for the price of a new attachment, generally with some assurance that it basically works. You won't have to redesign it. And if it is sitting there ready to go, you will use it more than the attachment there in the field that takes an hour (really) to attach, then another half hour to remove.
If you go for the attachment Stubbyie also has really valid comments. Go for the frame mount. Go ahead and buy Kubota. They have learned a lot in the past 35 years, and appear to have a pretty nice hoe now.
Keep the hoe on a concrete slab big enough for it and at least the rear wheels of the tractor. Keep the hoe propped upright. It is a major PITA when you head over to your backhoe attachment only to find it sunk into the ground on one side and flopped over because a valve or cylinder leaked (mine had its own reservoir, so the valves had a place to leak to). And the rule of thumb is that you ALWAYS have the wrong attachment on the tractor.
Just MHO. Gil
What I'm trying to say is that just because you buy new, and for the Kubota, does not mean you won't be mechanicing on it.
MagKarl has a great point. You can often find a pretty good older tractor/backhoe for the price of a new attachment, generally with some assurance that it basically works. You won't have to redesign it. And if it is sitting there ready to go, you will use it more than the attachment there in the field that takes an hour (really) to attach, then another half hour to remove.
If you go for the attachment Stubbyie also has really valid comments. Go for the frame mount. Go ahead and buy Kubota. They have learned a lot in the past 35 years, and appear to have a pretty nice hoe now.
Keep the hoe on a concrete slab big enough for it and at least the rear wheels of the tractor. Keep the hoe propped upright. It is a major PITA when you head over to your backhoe attachment only to find it sunk into the ground on one side and flopped over because a valve or cylinder leaked (mine had its own reservoir, so the valves had a place to leak to). And the rule of thumb is that you ALWAYS have the wrong attachment on the tractor.
Just MHO. Gil
Well, that is some good advise. I probably will stick with the attachment, but I will think about it. I will most defiantly buy a backhoe with a full subframe, I would not think of a 3pt hoe. I have a buddy that has a shop that works on heavy equipment and have heard a lot of stories about 3pt hoes and damage that has been done with them. I suppose if you use it 5-6 times a year to do some easy digging it would be fine. I guess the main reason why I posted this is to see if anyone would jump out and say no way dont buy the BH77 it has known problems, or one or the other is a much better unit. It makes sense, kubota has been in business a long time and they do a pretty good job at what they do. I guess I will run with the BH77 as long as between now and then I dont go for a whole different machine. Another factor is I really dont have room in the garage for another machine, and I personally dont leave my stuff out in the elements. Sun,snow, rain etc is pretty hard on them. Esp. here in Maine.
I don't think it HAS to be kubota brand, but a name brand. My dad has a bush hog that's been great. Built 2 houses and a large garage.
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Dan_R_42
Member
Equipment
B7100-D, w/ Sims Cab, B219 FEL, ARPS 70 Backhoe, Oversized R4 Tires, LX2610 Cab
Just to follow up on what Gil said: I don't know if things have changed over the years but I know the older Woods backhoes were chain drive for the side to side swing. Stay away from that setup. Make sure your side to side swing is by hydraulic pistons. Good luck on your choice.
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I have a 2012 model L3200 with a BH 77 backhoe. This works great. It has a 12" bucket with a manual thumb unit. The thumb unit is very helpful.
Before you have this backhoe mounted to the tractor please remove the drawbar underneath the tractor. When swinging the boom the hydraulic fitting going to the swing cylinder will contact the drawbar and unscrew itself.(yes, hydraulic fluid will make the grass real shiny. LOL)
The BH 77 unit has it's own operator seat. Not a big one but usable.
I cut a good bit of timber on my land and move some logs around with it.
My wife or sons drive the tractor and I sit in the back seat and clamp logs with the thumb and bucket. We move them short distances around the area.
This unit is very responsive and we have used it a lot.
As any other equipment, keep it well maintained and greased.
I hope this may have helped you. If you have any other questions about this I'll be glad to help.
Before you have this backhoe mounted to the tractor please remove the drawbar underneath the tractor. When swinging the boom the hydraulic fitting going to the swing cylinder will contact the drawbar and unscrew itself.(yes, hydraulic fluid will make the grass real shiny. LOL)
The BH 77 unit has it's own operator seat. Not a big one but usable.
I cut a good bit of timber on my land and move some logs around with it.
My wife or sons drive the tractor and I sit in the back seat and clamp logs with the thumb and bucket. We move them short distances around the area.
This unit is very responsive and we have used it a lot.
As any other equipment, keep it well maintained and greased.
I hope this may have helped you. If you have any other questions about this I'll be glad to help.
Dan_R_42
Member
Equipment
B7100-D, w/ Sims Cab, B219 FEL, ARPS 70 Backhoe, Oversized R4 Tires, LX2610 Cab
Found this online from Woods equipment.
This may help regarding the mounting attachment to your tractor.
http://www.woodsequipment.com/uploadedFiles/Products/Manuals/MAN0881.pdf
This may help regarding the mounting attachment to your tractor.
http://www.woodsequipment.com/uploadedFiles/Products/Manuals/MAN0881.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTidbgJOU-I
The backhoe part starts arount the 10 minute mark but the whole video is awesome. It compares the L3800 to the comparable Deere and the Kubota blows it away!
Dan_R_42
Member
Equipment
B7100-D, w/ Sims Cab, B219 FEL, ARPS 70 Backhoe, Oversized R4 Tires, LX2610 Cab
Great video. Thanks for posting. I would most definitely go with Kubota over the Woods after seeing that video.
Wow, thanks a lot for all the input here!! That video is GREAT. I will buy the Kubota attachment. I really appreciate you taking the time to post that link.