New B2920. Will I like a backhoe?

John, 1st off a BHoe is nearly impossible to cost justify in home owner/estate useage. There simply isn't enough work for a BHoe that costs roughly 5K extra. One can rent a larger industrial sized BHoe to do the limited jobs and save $$$.
That said, I have the smallest OEM TLB offered in my BX23 and even tho I've yet to cost justify the small BHoe on it, haveing it ready and onsite when I need it has proven to be priceless. I've installed a thumb on it and now use it way more for wood processing than digging, but again, it's the strong silent helper I've always needed and it's at my beck & call
The BHoe offered for the new B series are bigger and more powerful than the one on my BX23 but it's still not an industrial strength TLB. It'll work hard and all day long for you but Kubota makes an industrial strength TLB in the same size, that should tell you something.

When your doing heavy FEL work, you should have some kind of counter balance on the rear of the tractor to keep it from overloading the front axle/wheels. Many folks use a ballast box or other large implements to provide ballast, a BHoe is probably the best counter ballance you can get.
I have no experience w/the new B's but I can mount the same implements on my BX23 w/the Bhoe removed that can be mounted on the non TLB version of my BX (the BX2230). the BHoe subframes on the BX & B's are design so as to not limit 3ph useage. you shouldn't have any problems.
Kubota designs their quick attach BHoes & FEL's to be mounted/dismounted w/minimal effort and without tools. With experience you can probably mount/dismount them inless than a couple tooless minutes. Thats all it takes me.

I'm glad I purchased the TLB version I did. My BHoe rests on it's stow dolly about 85% of the time now but, when i need it, I need it and thats priceless to me.

Good luck
Dave

welcome to the site John.
the bx25 surprises me all the time with what it can do. Sometimes really hard packed clay is tough, but it'll dig with a bit of patience and the right technique
If you just have a few big stumps to remove and maybe a trench to dig, it would be more cost effective to rent, but if you see the need rising periodically it's a nice thing to have around.

watercarving said:

I know this has been asked a ton but I can't quite make up my mind....

I am going to be getting a B2920 with FEL and a few basic attachments. I have several projects that I can use a backhoe for but I don't know if it's a good thing to buy. Is it really useful at this size... So I have a few questions.

1. Can I leave it on and still use the FEL without the BH being in the way? Does it affect the balance, etc.?

Yes and no. Anything out behind the tractor will cut down on manoeuvering ability, but you learn to live with it. Yes. Don't take the FEL off while the hoe is still attached.

2. How easy is it to take off and put on? How long does this take?

3. Can I still use my 3-point attachments with the brace on? I've read yes but what's the real world experience?

4. Can I do real work with this? I know it's not a true excavator but it's surely not a toy either. Does it bog down in clay or hard pack soil?

Yes. The small hoes are limited to reach and reaction weight, but they will get the job done with perseverence. Not as much as you might think. Making the initial penetration can be a chore, but after that it usually goes smoothly.

5. Are you truly finding that it's worth the money? Do you ever wish you'd put the money elsewhere?

No, and NO!!! As has been stated, you will unlikely ever see a return on the money spent, but then hunters have the same problem with their hobby. (4wd truck, 4 wheeler, rifles and shotguns plus ammo, camper etc. For how much meat for the table?) Hobbies do not respond well to cost/benefit analysis. The value is in having it available when the job is at hand and having the pleasure and pride of doing it yourself. Not to mention the lack of a sore back from digging that 80' trench for power to the garage in 3 hours, instead of 3 days as time permits.

Thank you!

John

Click to expand...

:MTF_wel2: , watercarving!!

I have a MF GC2310 so I can't answer all your questions.

A TLB gives the oportunity to lessen the costs of ownership by taking on the occassional small digging job for friends and neighbours. I have over 500 hours on mine and it has not cost me a penny other than the original purchase price.