Backhoe Woods BH90-X question

[Hammy]

I have a buddy who just bought a John deere 3120 with a backhoe. I was at his place and he showed me how the down riggers don't extend very far therefor barely lifting the rear tires off the ground. It looks like the majority of the weight is off the ground but I was wondering if this is pretty common for backhoe attachments?

I'm looking at possibly getting a Woods BH90-X for my MX5000 and wondering how it will do with my machine. Anyone with some pictures or video's of theirs would be great to see.

One other question, which is the best way to situate the front bucket/loader when using the backhoe? Bucket curled all the way upside down or bucket flat on the ground? How high is it recommended to get the front end off the ground or is it just enough to take the stress off?

These might be elementary questions but we are a couple of newbies to the backhoes.

Thanks

[Zebrafive]

For the bucket, I would use flat, some loaders do not dump enough to to even use dumped. Get the weight off the front axle, with the front axle no longer able to pivot you have a much more stable platform to dig from.

Contruction backhoes use the hoe to pivot on the bucket with the front axle off the ground. They can get into and out of places you can't easily drive into, such as crossing trenches. Not sure if a homeowner backhoe can do this, but should be able to.

[MessickFarmEqu]

the 90x can be fit to hundreds of tractors, so there are bound to be limitations like the lift height on some models. I'm surprised it would be an issue on a 3120, thats not a big tractor for that hoe.

[Hammy]

My buddy's backhoe is a John deere hoe not a Woods. I'm looking at the Woods and was wondering if that was common for them all.

Thanks a lot

[dfkrug]

One other question, which is the best way to situate the front bucket/loader when using the backhoe? Bucket curled all the way upside down or bucket flat on the ground? How high is it recommended to get the front end off the ground or is it just enough to take the stress off?

Our compact tractors are not industrial TLBs, like the JD110/210,
Kub L45, M59, etc. Those bad boys have very substantial additional
frames to support lifting the tractors fully off the ground, front and rear.

Generally for CUTs with subframes, you can take most of the weight off
the wheels, but don't lift the tractor off the ground.

You can stick the cutting edge of the loader bkt into the ground to
keep the tractor from being dragged by the hoe. I just set it flat unless
I am getting dragged.

[Ductape]

Our compact tractors are not industrial TLBs, like the JD110/210,
Kub L45, M59, etc. Those bad boys have very substantial additional
frames to support lifting the tractors fully off the ground, front and rear.

Generally for CUTs with subframes, you can take most of the weight off
the wheels, but don't lift the tractor off the ground.

You can stick the cutting edge of the loader bkt into the ground to
keep the tractor from being dragged by the hoe. I just set it flat unless
I am getting dragged.

Agreed. In fact my Woods manual clearly states NOT to jack the tractor off the ground using the stabilizers..... including the downhill side of uneven ground. They say to level the spot where the tractor sits so that even the tire on the low side is on the ground.

[RickB]

Most any backhoe attachment has a specified dimension for frame-to-ground clearance. This spec determines the stabilizer's angle of repose when the pads contact the ground, and the theoretical amount of lift the stabilizers can generate if at full extension. As stated, it is not recommended for the rear axle of CUT's with backhoes attached to be raised off the ground. The primary results of doing so are the reduction of the maximum digging depth and undue stress on the tractor chassis components.

[galaxie428]

I don't have a 90-X but I have an 80-X and it definetly says not to lift the tractor off the ground with either the stabilizers or the bucket. Just make sure both are making good contact to the ground.

[Hammy]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot!