Owner operator of a 32 piece heavy equipment company, engaged in road and highway construction based out of N. Calif. A few years back I decided to add two small, heavy duty wheel tractors, loader backhoes. I had previously used the Cat track steer and Bobcat skid steer for small loading, my two Case backhoes for digging where the excavators weren’t a good fit. I shopped the market for a few months, looked at several brands. My key objectives were value, performance and service track records. Hands down the B26 was the choice. At auction, I purchased two B26s with 450 hours each for $23,000 each. I now have 2000 hours on them, work the pair almost daily. My due diligence really paid off. I have had zero issues. Routine maintenance, nothing pricey or out of the ordinary. Operational costs are dismal, as the B26 just sips the fuel. The amazing thing is the power, both in the forward loader power, traction and the power of the backhoe. Digging trenches in hard clay is a simple task, loading heavy gravel and rocks into the loader is seamless. The breakout force of the backhoe bucket is more than enough to tear through root systems, dislodge boulders and punch through hard packed soil. My two came with the quick attach front bucket, so I’m able to utilize several of the skid steer attachments, the front hydraulics support the auger, grapple., forks and 42” brush mower. I see that there is a DIY market that supports the light duty BX series, but I couldn’t imagine paying more for the BX considering it doesn’t come close in comparison. Hands down the B26 is a superior tractor in virtually every aspect. Take this from an owner that truly works his equipment in some of the toughest environments. Forget the fancy upgrades to other models. Buy utility, buy performance. Want fancy guages? Then buy the newest greatest. Want a tough badass , inexpensive to operate compact tractor ? Get a B26.
Really like that BS26 backhoe loader tractor. At around 70 k CAD + financing it is not cheap and unfortunately not feasible for us at the moment but we will keep at eye on it. My neighbour has one and he is really happy with it.
I agree. But they are already almost 80k CAD here so with a cab they might be close to 100k. We would love to have even the one without the cab but it is not doable at the moment (and hard to justify to spend 80k for a tractor that doesnt make us any money).
You certainly could call it dated but considering that Kubota is essentially the only player in the pocket backhoe market there isn't a driving force pushing them to constantly update the platform. The machine is marketed primarily toward professional users rather than homeowners who might consider it when comparing size but would avoid it at the price point. Dated or not consider that Kubota was making compact tractors long before the other well known brands ever began re-labeling other manufacturers import machines. There's also some comfort in knowing you are working with a proven platform that hasn't been plagued with recurring issues that each model year had to address.
Owner operator of a 32 piece heavy equipment company, engaged in road and highway construction based out of N. Calif.
A few years back I decided to add two small, heavy duty wheel tractors, loader backhoes. I had previously used the Cat track steer and Bobcat skid steer for small loading, my two Case backhoes for digging where the excavators weren’t a good fit. I shopped the market for a few months, looked at several brands. My key objectives were value, performance and service track records. Hands down the B26 was the choice. At auction, I purchased two B26s with 450 hours each for $23,000 each.
I now have 2000 hours on them, work the pair almost daily. My due diligence really paid off. I have had zero issues. Routine maintenance, nothing pricey or out of the ordinary. Operational costs are dismal, as the B26 just sips the fuel. The amazing thing is the power, both in the forward loader power, traction and the power of the backhoe. Digging trenches in hard clay is a simple task, loading heavy gravel and rocks into the loader is seamless. The breakout force of the backhoe bucket is more than enough to tear through root systems, dislodge boulders and punch through hard packed soil.
My two came with the quick attach front bucket, so I’m able to utilize several of the skid steer attachments, the front hydraulics support the auger, grapple., forks and 42” brush mower.
I see that there is a DIY market that supports the light duty BX series, but I couldn’t imagine paying more for the BX considering it doesn’t come close in comparison. Hands down the B26 is a superior tractor in virtually every aspect.
Take this from an owner that truly works his equipment in some of the toughest environments. Forget the fancy upgrades to other models. Buy utility, buy performance. Want fancy guages? Then buy the newest greatest. Want a tough badass , inexpensive to operate compact tractor ? Get a B26.
Thank you for this insight, I drove a b26 today and was comparing the upgrade price over a bx23.
Please fix your audio. The last video was bad too. Thank you.
I had to shut it off...
Really like that BS26 backhoe loader tractor. At around 70 k CAD + financing it is not cheap and unfortunately not feasible for us at the moment but we will keep at eye on it. My neighbour has one and he is really happy with it.
Any idea why they use the BT820 vs the BH77?
I was at a equipment auction last weekend that same tractor with 170 hours 2017 model sold for over 22,000
Very nice piece of equipment. They're tough as nails those little B26s, they hold up to the abuse.
How do you rotate the seat?
You said M59. We stopped making the M59 in 2015. The new model is the M62.
Dose this have a front locking differential
Would love to see these come with a cab version with heat and ac come on kubota give consumers the option on these great machines
I agree. But they are already almost 80k CAD here so with a cab they might be close to 100k. We would love to have even the one without the cab but it is not doable at the moment (and hard to justify to spend 80k for a tractor that doesnt make us any money).
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it ! Lol
You certainly could call it dated but considering that Kubota is essentially the only player in the pocket backhoe market there isn't a driving force pushing them to constantly update the platform. The machine is marketed primarily toward professional users rather than homeowners who might consider it when comparing size but would avoid it at the price point. Dated or not consider that Kubota was making compact tractors long before the other well known brands ever began re-labeling other manufacturers import machines. There's also some comfort in knowing you are working with a proven platform that hasn't been plagued with recurring issues that each model year had to address.
Very good points, Thanks for watching and the great comment
Can you take the backhoe off and hook up a post hole digging or brush cutter?
yes you can
How big of a bush hog can I run on that B26?
Damn bro your audio pretty much ruined the video
agreed, got new mics right after this video
@@HuckabonesEquipment how much does a good b26 cost?
You guys really messed up on the audio recordinf
What!? Bad audio. Hard to hear you bud. Your lavalier mic is rubbing alot.