Backhoe update. I'm making progress (Video included)

[chad22]

Here's a few pics of the trailer I'm gonna use the axle from. It's the trailer I only gave $10.00 for. I did have to put new tires on it but still $10.00 was a steal.

The trailer is just sitting around and not really road worthy anymore and I don't want to put anymore money into it. So figure why not transplant the axle and use it for a backhoe.

I got the other new rim for it but have to get a new tire and mount it. I pulled that trailer from Cove Arkansas to Turon Kansas with the pickup it's hitched to in the photo. And I had that trailer overloaded too. It was loaded to at least the top of the cab of the truck.

When the weather clears up, I'm gonna go out there and cut the welds holding the bed to the frame and axle and lift the bed off using my dads tow truck.

Chad

 

[Gary Sweat]

When you get the repairs done, post some pics. Like to see how it's coming along:thumbsup:

 

[chad22]

When you get the repairs done, post some pics. Like to see how it's coming along:thumbsup:

I'll be sure to do that. Hopefully I'll have the new welder by June. Then I can start repairing the broken welds.

I kept trying with the welder I currently have and it was only half working as for a second it was penetrating and then the next second not.

So I gave up trying until I get the new welder. This is the welder I'm gonna pick up at homedepot. --->> Lincoln Electric AC225S Arc Welder - K1170 at The Home Depot

Chad

 

[chad22]

Here are some photos I took today of the backhoe with valve and hoses hooked up. I was able to dig by dragging the bucket, but unable to curl it at the moment until I get the hoses for the bucket cylinders.

I broke some of my temporary teeth off. I'm gonna add some stronger teeth anyway so that's not a big deal.

I thought I would add, a city about 12 miles from here gave us an old fire hydrant with some scrap metal we picked up from them. We were gonna sell it for scrap, but I thought of another idea. We have a puppy who will turn 2 July 5th. I thought I would bury that in his fence for a Birthday Present. :laughing:



Chad

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I admire your get 'r done attitude and perserverance. You are definately learning things that you will not easily forget.

 

[chad22]

I admire your get 'r done attitude and perserverance. You are definately learning things that you will not easily forget.

Thanks. That's true this sure is a learning experience. I was able to fix my welder to get some welding done today. I didn't notice but one of my wires on my jerry rigged switches had come loose. And that was causing erratic voltage and not allowing me to keep the arc going.

I reattached that wire and it worked. I'm still gonna get that new welder though.

If the wind isn't too bad tomorrow I'll video it digging a bit by dragging the bucket.

I disassembled the boom, stick, and swing mechanism to completely re weld the parts easier. I also had forgot to weld the dipper stick bushing in. No wonder I noticed a lot of play in that part. :ashamed:

Chad

 

[chad22]

I thought I would update you a bit again. The welder crapped out again and once again not putting out enough heat to penetrate. I thought it was penetrating but it fooled me everytime. Every time I would go to use the backhoe, the thing started falling apart at the welds.

One other thing, when I went to swing it to clean up some sheetrock from the old house were tearing down, it twisted part of it when the boom leaned over and dropped to the ground due to the weld. Once again -->

I've given up. Nah I didn't really give up, but I have given up on making it on the riding mower. One reason is it twisted and tore apart "part" of the mower body.

I think it would have worked, if I could have gotten strong welds.

Also the transaxel is just about gone on that mower. It never did back up when it was purchased for $25.00. But now it's slipping on forward in all gears so I'm sure forward is gonna go out soon too.

And it's not the belt slipping I checked it and it was fine.

So what I'm gonna do is take the motor and use it on my newly designed hydraulically driven backhoe.

I'll have to wait until I get the new welder purchased and then start building the new "stronger" designed backhoe. "Technically will be a front hoe".

So it may be awhile before I can post a digging video, as it may take awhile for me to get the new one built.

It may take awhile, but I WILL get that backhoe I wanted. I WILL NOT give up. "Insert evil laugh here". lol :laughing:

Chad

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I thought I would update you a bit again. The welder crapped out again and once again not putting out enough heat to penetrate. I thought it was penetrating but it fooled me everytime. Every time I would go to use the backhoe, the thing started falling apart at the welds.

One other thing, when I went to swing it to clean up some sheetrock from the old house were tearing down, it twisted part of it when the boom leaned over and dropped to the ground due to the weld. Once again -->

I've given up. Nah I didn't really give up, but I have given up on making it on the riding mower. One reason is it twisted and tore apart "part" of the mower body.

I think it would have worked, if I could have gotten strong welds.

Also the transaxel is just about gone on that mower. It never did back up when it was purchased for $25.00. But now it's slipping on forward in all gears so I'm sure forward is gonna go out soon too.

And it's not the belt slipping I checked it and it was fine.

So what I'm gonna do is take the motor and use it on my newly designed hydraulically driven backhoe.

I'll have to wait until I get the new welder purchased and then start building the new "stronger" designed backhoe. "Technically will be a front hoe".

So it may be awhile before I can post a digging video, as it may take awhile for me to get the new one built.

It may take awhile, but I WILL get that backhoe I wanted. I WILL NOT give up. "Insert evil laugh here". lol :laughing:

Chad

Definately keep going on this project. You've seen how not to do it, and it seems like you know the right way now. All you have to do is get the right tools and you've got it made.

 

[chad22]

I got to looking on ebay and calculating the cost to build another excavator and with the cost of the parts and shipping everything in. As well as an engine in the $6,000.00 dollar range to give me enough weight.

The cost to build the other one is gonna be in the range of 8 to $9,000.00

On ebay peoples got good used mini excavators for around that price and a bit more. I think I may just go that route. Even if I have to make the drive to go pick it up with my dads trailer.

The mower hasn't got much damage done to it when it twisted and I think I can repair that once I get my new welder. I think I'll brace it really good and get it going and still keep it to use.

And then save the money and maybe in a few years or so go shell out on a used mini excavator. I always wanted one of those anyway.

But I'll still keep my current home made backhoe and get it fixed and welded up. (After all I got already $1,000.00 invested in it.) The thing broke due to the welds. I also might be able to spot another transaxel for the home made backhoe sometime.

Chad

 

[NormL]

I just discovered this thread while looking for ideas to help me build a BH for my garden tractor. Chad, your experiences will be a big help for me when I get started. I'm glad to note you plan to keep your hoe mounted on the tractor. Hopefully I will get to see what you do with it in future.

One thing I noticed in your pictures; you don't seem to have stabilizers on your machine. Would having them not have prevented the twisting of the tractor frame you wrote about? I plan to build mine with stabilizers in the back and a dozer blade up front to anchor my machine when in operation