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A couple weeks ago I was asking about a small bucket for my Kubota B2150. The Kubota dealer told me 10" was the smallest they offer, as I already have a 12 that wouldn't be much difference. Someone suggested a Woods/Gannon bucket is available in 8", and it may fit the 'bota. Well I got it in today through my local farm implement dealer who turns out is a Woods dealer on the side.
I am real impressed with the quality, while my 'bota 12" bucket and hoe has held up well under pretty severe use (lots of rocks) the Woods is even heavier duty. I now understand the posts I've read about the robustness of the Woods implements, price was a little over 300 bucks delivered, cheaper then I thought it may be. If their complete backhoe is anything like their 8" bucket it'd be my choice if buying a new backhoe. Now I'm ready to tackle that 240' of conduit trenching in my rocky soil, digging wise a 8" trench has to be quicker/easier then a 13" (actual width of the other bucket). Oh yeah, it fit right up, but I needed the supplied pivot pins, glad I bought them also, complete with zerts. But I did have to shim up a bit with 1" flat washers as the attach points are slightly wider, that won't effect performance.
Tom

small bucket
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 4 Post by buster

Jeff, is the 8" bucket you mentioned for the Prairie Dog hoe? If so, would it fit the Kubota factory hoe/dipperstick linkage? Any idea as to cost?
I see the point about the skinny buckets, 18" deep by 6" wide would be a pain to work in, but a trencher leaves a similar sized trench and depending on the soil type (not sandy ever around here, usually rocky sometimes good black dirt depending if you're in the mountains or in the valley). Renting is a real pain due to the distance to the rental yards/town. 2 days from now I have 140' of conduit trench to dig, next week 250'. The B2150 makes it fun and easy no matter the bucket size.
Tom

small backhoe bucket
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 14 Post by buster

Anyone know if a smaller then 10" backhoe bucket for my Kubota B/L 4520B is available? I'm doing a lot of trenching with my B2150 for electrical lines (18" deep") I bought it used with a 12" bucket (maybe 14", depends what part you measure from) and would like to avoid buying a trencher since I already have the hoe. It looks to me that a bucket as small as 6" could be used without mods to the dipperstick. I'm on the verge of making one, and will if I have to but it sure would be nice to just go buy one.
I'm aware of the middle buster technique of trenching, but we have a lot of rocks here and feel the hoe is the way to go. Thanks for any help

Buster

back hoe buckets
Kubota Tractors
Replies 1 Post by buster

Lars,
I too am a builder, and I use my Kubota B2150 w/6 1/2' Kubota backhoe often. Last week another contractor hired me to dig 8 piers for a big deck (2 foot square holes, 4' deep), tight quarters and on a hillside. Before that I had a small addition, 10 by 30, no basement but here in Idaho we go 3' to footing depth. Again, tight quarters and the Mighty Kubota did great. I tow it with my 351 Ford on a light 2 axle trailer and its a good match. Around here full size hoes and their operators are a dime a dozen, and I don't attempt to compete with them. BUT, I have the only Kubota type outfit around, and some of the full size guys refer work to me they don't want to mess with, or places they can't get too. I also use the post hole auger (6" and 12" augers) a lot also. I also do a lot of landscaping/grading etc with the 6' back blade.

So I guess my advice may be to get a smaller rig, and leave the big jobs to the big machines. The smaller outfits will come out the loser when head to head with a full sized machine (obviously), but its great to be able to do things the big boys can't.
Tom

Compact backhoe or Full size backhoe
Loaders Back Hoes
Replies 13 Post by buster

I just installed a block heater in my 2150 last week. And yes you do cut the small hose coming out of the radiator and permanantly plug it. Secure the remaining length of the hose with a zip tie. The fitting is on the lower right side of the block, and is a pipe thread fitting, about 1". It is NOT a allen wrench type fitting, it has a raised boss on it, with the nipple for the small hose in it. It is tight to get to, you can't quite get a pipe wrench on it, and channel locks don't do it either. After cogitating on it for some time I took a cold chisel, and with a hammer tapped on the fitting boss, counterclockwise of course, it loosened up and pliers did the rest. The heater itself is a pipe thread fitting with a little heater element, real simple, and very effective. Not knowing your level of mechanical expertise I don't know how alarmed you'll be by the thought of beating on your 'bota's block with a cold chisel. In my case, after wasting time making a special wrench to work on the oddball fitting (which didn't) I went to the cold chisel method, well known by shade tree mechanics as a last resort for stubborn nuts, all it took was a few taps to jar it loose, and a couple minutes later the job was complete. Piece of cake!
Tom

Block Heater for B2150
Kubota Tractors
Replies 15 Post by buster

So I'm to understand I can get a block heater from a Kubota dealer? I'll go that route, didn't think of that. I agree the lower rad heaters are pretty ineffient thermally, and the warm oil isn't really the answer either. As I mentioned it starts fine as is, but I like the warm engine approach, its gotta be better for long term health of same. Thanks all for the tips.
Tom

engine heater
Kubota Tractors
Replies 9 Post by buster

Thanks! Will do... have already started learning more...

Kubota BX2200- Fair Price
Kubota Tractors
Replies 5 Post by Buster