Kubota B4672A, BL4690A 2002 Operators Manual
If you’re wrenching on a Kubota B4672A or BL4690A backhoe and you don’t have the factory 2002 Operators Manual, stop what you’re doing. I’ve seen more stripped bolts and bent pins from guys guessing torque values than from wear. This 73-page document is the one Kubota printed in March 2002 – Form 70000-73822 Rev. 3/02 – and it’s not a reprint or a third-party hack job. You get the original safety warnings, the exact hydraulic circuit schematic, and the torque tightening chart that tells you what each fastener needs. No guesswork, no shortcuts. Just factory data.

What the Manual Covers – Safety and Specs
Section one starts with safety precautions – before operation, during operation, and maintenance. Page 3 lays out what not to do with hydraulic pressure and swing chains. Then the specification section on page 8 gives you the numbers: bucket capacity, dig depth, reach, and hydraulic system pressure. It also has a backhoe terminology diagram so you know the dipper from the boom. If you’re setting up a B4672A on a tractor that it wasn’t originally paired with, you need this spec data to avoid overloading the mounting frame.
Setting Up the Backhoe – Tractor Groups and Mast Charts
The setting up instructions start on page 23 and break tractors into groups – Group 1, 2, 3, Special Group 4, and Group 4. Each group has a mast chart that tells you which bracket kit and mounting hardware fits. Page 29 covers Group 1, page 30 Group 2, and so on. This is the part where most DIY guys screw up: they bolt a backhoe onto a tractor that needs a different ROPS bracket, then wonder why the stabilizers don’t sit level. The manual includes the Set to ROPS Adjustment procedure on page 39 and the Swing & Boom Locks on page 40. Follow those steps in order.
Lubrication and Maintenance – Do It By the Book
Lubrication & Maintenance section (page 19) lists every grease fitting location and frequency. The hydraulic system service on page 20 tells you the correct fluid type and how to purge air. Then the swing chain adjustment procedure – that’s a common failure point. If the chain tension is wrong, the swing cylinder binds and you burn seals. The hydraulic circuit schematic on page 21 shows the flow path, which helps when you’re chasing a pressure drop. Torque Tightening Chart on page 22 gives you fastener specs in foot-pounds. I’ve seen a B4672A come into my shop with a boom bolt torqued to 150 ft-lb when the factory says 90. That’s how you crack castings.
Parts Illustrations – Order the Right Stuff
Starting on page 43, you get parts illustrations for every major assembly: mainframe, seat & mast, reinforced 3-point top link brackets, boom, dipper, stabilizers, hydraulic controls, control valve fittings & hoses, pump hydraulics, and cylinder service parts. Each exploded view has part numbers. You don’t need to call the dealer and describe what a “swing cylinder” looks like – you point to the diagram on page 68 and read the number. The numerical index on page 70 cross-references everything. This manual saves you the headache of ordering the wrong seal kit because you guessed the bore size.
3 Reasons to Use OEM Documentation Instead of Aftermarket
Aftermarket manuals copy the layout but they resize diagrams, crop torque charts, and sometimes omit hydraulic pressures. I’ve tested this: a generic manual for the BL4690A listed the wrong PTO speed for the pump. That’s a $2,000 mistake if you spin the pump too fast. OEM documentation from 2002 has the original revision – Rev. 3/02 – and it matches the machine as-built. When you’re bolting a backhoe onto a tractor that’s not listed in the mast charts, you need the exact Group data. The factory manual is the only source for that. If you’re working on a newer Kubota mini-excavator, check out Kubota KX057-4, U55-4, U48-4 2010 Operators Manual – OEM Specs or Kubota L3540 L5240 L5740 L3240 2011 Operators Manual – OEM Specs. For older tractor setups, the Kubota B4672A BL4690A Operator’s & Parts Manual is the one you want. And if you’re dealing with a Manual Transmission that needs specs, check the OEM transmission manual. For general transmission theory, see this Manual Transmission article.
Does This Manual Cover the Fuel System?
No. This is a backhoe attachment manual – it covers the backhoe itself (boom, dipper, stabilizers, hydraulics, mounting) and includes the tractor preparation steps. It does not cover the tractor engine or transmission. If you need tractor specs, you need the tractor’s own OEM operator manual.
Who Should Buy This Manual?
Any owner of a Kubota B4672A or BL4690A backhoe, whether you’re a farm operator, a landscaper, or a hobbyist restoring an older attachment. Also anyone who is planning to mount this backhoe on a tractor that isn’t the original Kubota – the setup instructions (pages 23-41) give you mast charts that match to tractor groups. Without these pages, you’re welding brackets blind.
Source Validity – Factory Print, No Compromise
This is a direct scan of the original 2002 Kubota Operators Manual. It’s not a condensed version, not rewritten by a third party. The page count is 73, the file is the original Kubota PDF with bookmarks. Every torque spec, every part number, every hydraulic pressure comes from the factory. I trust factory documentation because I’ve seen the damage from aftermarket errors. A buddy of mine used a reprinted manual that listed the wrong swing chain tension – snapped the chain on the first job. Don’t be that guy.
- What torque specs are included?
- The torque tightening chart on page 22 lists fastener sizes and torque values in foot-pounds for standard bolts and cap screws used on the backhoe. It includes both Grade 5 and Grade 8 equivalents.
- Does this manual include parts numbers for the boom cylinder?
- Yes. See the cylinder service parts section on page 68 – it gives part numbers for swing cylinder, boom cylinder, stabilizer/crowd cylinder, and curt cylinder. Each assembly is split into a seal kit and structural parts.
- Is the hydraulic circuit schematic in color?
- No. It’s a black-and-white line drawing on page 21. But it’s clear enough to trace the flow from pump to control valve to cylinders. Color would be nice, but the important thing is the line paths and port labels are correct.
- Can I use this manual to install a B4672A on a tractor not listed in the mast charts?
- You can use the mast chart data to determine if your tractor falls into a Group (1,2,3,4) based on dimensions. But if your tractor is not listed, you need to measure the three-point hitch clearance and compare to the chart. The manual gives the mast dimensions for each group – you’ll have to decide if it fits. That’s beyond the scope of the manual – you may need custom brackets.
Bottom line: if you own a Kubota B4672A or BL4690A backhoe, this 2002 Operators Manual is the only document you need to properly maintain, set up, and repair it. Everything from daily lubrication to major mounting instructions is in here. Don’t risk a hydraulic failure or a broken housing because you used a generic PDF. Download the Factory Manual.















Charles W. –
Five stars! It is easily zoomable on my tablet without losing quality. Contains clear wiring diagrams for Kubota. Saves me a lot of time.
John D. –
Superb resource! The scan is high-quality and easy to navigate. Contains detailed schematics for Kubota. Great value for money.