Backhoe Attachment Project

[rbutterfield]

I would at least investigate a possible subframe for it.

It will be a 3 point however, I also plan on building a sub frame as well. The idea is so that I do not have to remove the arms on the 3 point everytime I wish to attach the BH. The 3 point will basically remain in tact while the BH is attached. Unlike the JD which requires you to remove the 3 point arms. Not sure how the Kubota attaches.

 

[David Devuono]

I am also working on a homemade backhoe project and will post pictures soon so this thread develops. I am using 3"x3" 3\16 wall tubing. Mine will attach to an old MF 135. I was thinking of building a FEL for the Massey but changed my mind to a backhoe recently as I have a FEL (I made) on my Kubota B4200 (12HP) minicompact. Not sure if this site allows larger images but closeups of the bucket attachment would be nice. I am concerned about your main boom joint and believe that you should sandwich some steel plates on either side as the 2" shoulder cylinder will push at about 7,000 pounds very close to that joint. I just bought a small horizontal bandsaw and looking forward to cutting some more metal without all the sparks and smoke......enjoy.

Dave

 

[rbutterfield]

I am concerned about your main boom joint and believe that you should sandwich some steel plates on either side
Dave

I agree that there will be quite a bit of stress at that location and I will be welding plate on each side of that joint once I determine the attaching point of another cylinder. Thanks for your input, I appreciate and welcome all suggestions.

 

[rbutterfield]

closeups of the bucket attachment would be nice.
Dave

Here are a few photos. Hope they help. Most welds are just tacked and the discolored metal is the result of "tweeking" with the torch. Thank goodness for paint, it covers a multitude of errors!

 

[jimgerken]

Looks good! I will be copying your idea for the bucket teeth. Thanks!

 

[rbutterfield]

Looks good! I will be copying your idea for the bucket teeth. Thanks!

Thanks Jim. The idea for the teeth wasn't mine, it was suggested on the plans. Used 1" bar stock. I drilled a hole then cut out with my band saw. Will try hardening by heating up then quinching.

 

[David Devuono]

Thanks for the bucket close-ups. I will have to shape those boomerang pieces at the wrist cylinder to bucket with a grinder (no torches). Since I was originally making a FEL I have a 36" stroke cylinder so I may be able to get away with straight pieces. Most comercial backhoes have those two pieces welded together (or forged) so they are an "H" shape. I like those teeth as well. Simple and if they wear you can always lay a few beads of weld and grind them to a point again.

Dave

 

[rbutterfield]

I will have to shape those boomerang pieces at the wrist cylinder to bucket with a grinder (no torches).
Dave

Actually, I cut them with a bandsaw then did a little grinding. I have since bought a plasma cutter that would have been handy in the beginning.

 

[Farmerford]

I don't know which I most admire: your workmanship, your clean shop, or your tools. Like Mike, I have too many unfinished projects laying around to have room for another. Last night I made a quick weld while standing on a portable cooler that my wife "stored" in the shop!

That is a nice looking project. I assume the bracket sticking off the lower side of the frame is for the swing cylinder. Will you use a single cylinder, and if so how much swing will you have?

 

[rbutterfield]

I don't know which I most admire: your workmanship, your clean shop, or your tools..... Last night I made a quick weld while standing on a portable cooler

I would say the safe bet is the tools. They aren't the best and most expensive but there are a lot of useful things laying around. As for the workmanship, I appreciate it but I would say I would fall in the average category. The clean shop, now that's a different story, my wife would probably say if you saw it a few days ago you wouldn't have said that, and she would be right. I have a bad habit of working until I get tired and therefore don't take the time to clean up. I need to knock off in time to straighten up, that would be a good habit for me to develop. I laughed when you said you had to weld while atop a cooler. I'm always having to climb over and on piles that I have created and not gotten around to cleaning up.
The bracket is for the swing cylinder. One to begin with, will add another if I feel it needs it. I'm guessing around 170 deg of swing.