3-point Hitch Backhoe Top Link Buckled: A Cautionary Tale

[Mad Mac]

We are brand new to backhoes. Not sure exactly when or how we fouled up, but the side plates on the top link folded after the operator had been using the backhoe for less than an hour. He was learning and practicing making a shallow hole in soft dirt and then refilling it. Evidently, the lift arms were responsible.

One thing I read elsewhere that probably would have prevented it is that after hitching up, we should push the lift arm control lever down so the arms have no lift pressure. Feel free to chime in, offer constructive criticism, condolences or heap on abuse.

 

[Btown]

Looks to me to be that the metal is too weak. That should not bend like that. How thick is that top link. It looks from the picture a little small. I happen to have my hoe on right now. I'll take a pic of mine

 

[hawkeye08]

It takes some time to get my 3pt backhoe completely connected correctly. I used it last weekend without having it completely connected (an optional bracket left off). There was much play in it when digging, putting extra stresses on things, I finished what I was doing with FEL. I will finish setting backhoe up before I use it again. I am not familiar with your tractor or backhoe, but I know my backhoe can easily abuse my tractor. I have to constantly remind myself to take it easy. If I was going to use my backhoe often, I would consider fabricating a subframe mount to reduce risk of damaging my tractor.

 

[Btown]

Mad Mac since you are new to backhoes, when you hook it up to the 3 point hitch. Once you hook up the top link ( which should be last) you should not touch the three point lever, until you disconnect the top link. In the last picture you show it appears that the top link goes up from the tractor as if you raised it. Your three point is very strong and you have a solid top link with only one pivot. If you raise it something has to give. Looks like it might have been the top link. Not sure if this is what you did.

 

[AchingBack]

Aren't the lift arms supposed to be removed when installing the hoe?

 

[hawkeye08]

Aren't the lift arms supposed to be removed when installing the hoe?

Often the lift arms are removed when installing a subframe mounted backhoe, this is a 3pt mounted backhoe. It needs the lift arms to hold it.

 

[tman1020]

I seriously doubt the three point lift arms are strong enough to bend that metal with the backhoe on. I think it's much more likely that the out riggers sank in loose dirt or were not fully down when the backhoe was an operation.

If you lose footing on your out Riggers all of that down pressure is directly on your hitch. It can be very substantial. Probably very fortunate you didn't break something on the tractor itself. Keep a close eye on your out Riggers. If they start to sink readjust and never operate without them down.

 

[RickB]

That type of failure is what kills and injures operators of 3pt mounted hoes. Underdesigned; that bar should be sized to take any forces the hoe or hitch can transfer to it when the hoe is properly connected.

 

[Rustyiron]

The operator should have been able to hear the tractor under strain trying to lift the hitch deadheading against that rigid top link. I also would be surprised that the lift arms have enough snot to bend the top link bars, it may have been a combination of lift arm pressure along with down or digging pressure of the hoe at the same time. That would put the proper strain on it.

 

[ovrszd]

My neighbor has a Woods hoe on a JD4440. Clearly marked with warnings about the 3pt levers. Says to lower 3pt lever. Raise Draft Control Lever. This allows the tractor to "Draft" the slack out of the system but not overload the top link. Not sure that applies here....