how to build your own custom backhoe subframe

[magicheater]

That's very fortunate. Since you got rid of the Prairie Dog, what hoeare you going to use?

Sorry for the slow response, modem went and had to wait For them to UPS it to me. Picked up a Bush Hog 850 in Kubota orange, couple of years old but still strapped to the delivery pallet.

 

[shaley]

I had issues with the BH scraping the ground when unloading from a trailer because the turf tires on the rear of the tractor. I added a 3" lift to the BH when I constructed this frame. I have the CAD prints somewhere. It's for a Woods 9000 and a NH 2120.

 

[dfkrug]

I added a 3" lift to the BH when I constructed this frame.

Yes, with some tractors, if your subframe is of the ladder style, it hangs
too low for ideal hoe mounting. You need to put such a jog in the
frame to bring it up. I hope you use a toplink to triangulate the forces.

Some factory undermount frames do that, too, as you can see with this
subframe on a Kioti CK20. It is for a 2365 hoe. The CK20 is a small
2000# tractor and IND tires make it sit extra-low.

The CK20 is one of the few tractors I have run into that have their fuel
tanks mounted up high behind the driver's seat. This makes it difficult
when making the hoe seat mount, limiting how close you can mount the
hoe. The Kubota B2150 also does that.

 

[magicheater]

Yes, with some tractors, if your subframe is of the ladder style, it hangs
too low for ideal hoe mounting. You need to put such a jog in the
frame to bring it up. I hope you use a toplink to triangulate the forces

I noticed this on my frame and will see if I have to change it. I plan on using a top link stiffener on mine.

The CK20 is one of the few tractors I have run into that have their fuel
tanks mounted up high behind the driver's seat. This makes it difficult
when making the hoe seat mount, limiting how close you can mount the
hoe. The Kubota B2150 also does that.

My L4350 has the fuel tank there as well, another limiting factor for how much legroom you have when in the seat.

 

[dfkrug]

The next subframe I built was for my Kioti CK30. This time I wanted
to make a 4-pt subframe with full encirclement of the rear axles for my
daily use tractor. I planned to make the biggest part of the subframe
(photo) permanently attached to the tractor VERY securely. The other
section stays attached to the hoe, and connects with four 1" bolts.
I published the thread here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/95092-yet-another-custom-backhoe-subframe.html

In general, I would say that 4-pt subframes are superior to the ladder
style, and offer easier removal and mounting. I also incorporated some
alignment aids to make it easier to get the hoe on. The 3-pt hitch is
not affected at all. I also used, and will continue to use, channel steel
that I have recylced from tractor shipping crates. Bolted connections
may not be the fastest to attach, but I will continue to use them as the
most secure structural attachment method. There certainly are tradeoffs.
Fortunately, my use allows me to keep the hoe on at all times, leaving
my loader for other attachments. It has worked well, but I do have to
monitor bolt tightness.

Next, I will get into the 4300 effort.

 

[dfkrug]

Now back to my JD 4300.

I had always planned on building a subframe for this tractor, but once I
got out my measuring tape and started figuring, I can see that there is
no way that I can surround the rear axle castings. (1st photo)

I positioned my hoe up as close as possible, using the hydraulics to set
up the correct height, and the second thing I noticed was the wheel
track is so narrow that I cannot get the hoe in close enough to satisfy me.
One of my goals was to make it so that the hoe was as close-coupled as
the outriggers would allow, with an inch or so of clearance. Well, my
hoe footrest hits the tire before my outriggers do. Even my 955 with
AGs was not this narrow.

Although I can reverse my IND wheels/tires, I don't think I will gain much,
if any, clearance to the tires. JD uses 13" wide wheels with their 15-19.5
tires, instead of the more common 12" wide wheels. If I had AG tires,
then clearance would be no problem. My 2nd photo is of a 4400 with
AGs, set at the widest position. There is so much clearance that I could
design a subframe that wrapped around the axles, on the OUTSIDE of the
ROPS foot. Not an option for me, however, as I will not buy new wheels
and tires. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.

 

[dfkrug]

As mentioned earlier, I will hang the full weight of the backhoe and
subframe on the lower ROPS bracket. This is also how Bradco does it.
The 8 ROPS bolts are Grade 10.9 and about 3/4" diameter, so they are
plenty strong enough for the tension forces involved.

Here is the ROPS bracket and the 1/2" A36 steel plate I used. The
biggest piece is 5x6". When all welded up, I reinstalled them so I
could position them with the rest of the subframe before marking for
the holes I will drill.

 

[KubotainNH]

I really enjoy reading your posts and envy your playground. Do you need a new neighbor?

 

[mjncad]

Dave:

As usual, you do fantastic work.

 

[dfkrug]

Do you need a new neighbor?

We do love our 19 wooded acre mountain retreat. We have two
neighbors, who drive our private road, right between our two buildings.
That's a drag, but we could not have afforded the land if it were not
the case. We do look forward to a day when one of the neighbors does
get replaced!

Thanks for the support, guys.