How much droop is normal on a small backhoe?

[drizler]

I got this rig last summer 1736 Massey with a CB20 hoe. Works nice and all that . Problem is that when I started letting it sit a few days to few weeks begging last winter the arm and stabilizers began to settle a bit. Around 100 hrs on tractor then 15 hrs use. No big deal. The last couple weeks it seems to settle more . Now last night I left it and this morning it was all the way down. This has only happened once but if it has any issues I want it fixed before the warranty runs out. I already had two Massey loader hoses begin to slow leak from the inside and got new ones from the dealer. Any opinions on this droop thing ?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The seals in the cylinder could be bad but I doubt it. It really sounds like there is a leak in the valve manifold some where. In reality, if you are going to let equipment set, you should really set all your equipment on the ground unless there are mechanical locks to take the load.

 

[JerryK]

My Bradco built hoe leaks down some... maybe a half inch a week or two... Most older hoes are parked with the bucket on the ground and the stab's all the way down. Safer that way, too... Maybe you have a critter rubbing on the controls or some kids [ or the wifey ] exploring..... [ or a jealous neighbor.. ]

 

[4570Man]

My Kubota hoe will settle about half way down over night, but I usually lower it down before leaving.

 

[Fawken]

I got this rig last summer 1736 Massey with a CB20 hoe. Works nice and all that . Problem is that when I started letting it sit a few days to few weeks begging last winter the arm and stabilizers began to settle a bit. Around 100 hrs on tractor then 15 hrs use. No big deal. The last couple weeks it seems to settle more . Now last night I left it and this morning it was all the way down. This has only happened once but if it has any issues I want it fixed before the warranty runs out. I already had two Massey loader hoses begin to slow leak from the inside and got new ones from the dealer. Any opinions on this droop thing ?

Dust. Your backhoe doesn't get used enough to keep dust wiped off the rods. My Liberty which I've had nearly 4 years (PTO driven) does this from nearly day one on the stabilizers only, but it takes several days before you notice it. Don't sweat it unless you see Hyd fluid. My unit is stored in the shop so I always put the safety pin in it anyway.

Solution: Get a cable or strong rope with hooks just the right length to go from right stabilizer to left stabilizer to keep them up when not in use. Also, tie a rope to that with your boom safety pin on it and route that same rope up with a loop to where you can loop it over one of your control levers. That serves as a reminder to remove the pin and hooks before you go to work.

 

[drizler]

Thanks all. I'm glad to hear it's pretty much normal. I have a lock which I rarely set unless it's going off running all about with no hoe use which is rare. I'll just get in the habit of laying it down line I always do the bucket and let it be. For some reason I got it in my head that it was better having the piston retracted out of the weather and it stuck there. Must have been a Homer Simpson moment. "Duuhhhhhhhh":duh:

 

[Gary Fowler]

My Kubota B26TLB which is supposed to be a commercial grade machine leaks down on the boom overnight if not pinned. The stabs also leak off a bit over time and even when extended and digging I have to occasionally jack them back up due to leak down. I think it is bad quality valves used by all manufacturers.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I don't worry about the cylinders being exposed to normal weather conditions. I was raised on a farm and our equipment with hydraulic cylinder stayed outside all the time and got more hours on them in a year than most TBN member put on in a lifetime and we never had the chrome on the cylinder rods damaged by rust or pitting. I have seen folks throw an hydraulic cylinder in a scrap pile because of a bent rod and they don't rust even after years of exposure to weeds, leaves etc while in the open air.

I keep my tractors under an open sided shed more for sunlight protection than anything else but I sure don't worry about the cylinders being retracted. My backhoe boom gets locked in up position as soon as I finish digging. I always store it locked up.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks all. I'm glad to hear it's pretty much normal. I have a lock which I rarely set unless it's going off running all about with no hoe use which is rare. I'll just get in the habit of laying it down line I always do the bucket and let it be. For some reason I got it in my head that it was better having the piston retracted out of the weather and it stuck there. Must have been a Homer Simpson moment. "Duuhhhhhhhh":duh:

You should use the boom lock whenever the hoe isn't being used for digging. I agree with Gary too, I don't worry about chrome cylinder rods rusting, never been a problem and have bigger things to worry about. When parking over night it is best to leave the stabilizers, fel bucket on the ground and the boom pinned in place. You can option to have the hoe on the ground too.