3 point implements at the end of a backhoe - bad idea?

[robiewp]

Hey all - I have a fixed compact loader/backhoe (terramite T7 Diesel) that I'd like to do some 3-point work with. The machine is not designed for a 3 point but there are a couple of ways I could add one to the machine. My interest is really in using a box blade and back blade. Before I start fabricating I wanted to run my idea by you.

So, here's my first thought: adapt a 3-point quick hitch for the quick attach backhoe bucket and use the backhoe controls to raise, lower, and angle the implements. This would be extremely convenient and simple to fabricate... But, here's the question:

For an implement like a small box blade (4') am I putting potentially damaging stresses on the dipper hydraulics?

If you guys rule out this idea my next is to build lower-lift arm mounts on the frame and build quick-mount for the bucket ro actuate just the lift of the lower lift arms....

Thanks in advance,
Rob

 

[Jw5875]

DON'T:

You are trying to make a Toyota pickup into Mack dump truck in theory.
It was built with no 3pt. capability ---------- DON'T try to add it.
Respect the machine as it is and for its designed purpose.




JW5857

 

[kebo]

Agree with the above poster. Trying to set up the backhoe to attach a 3pt implement might sound "cool" at first, but I think it would be a bad idea. It was never designed for that, or intended for it. In fact, if it were truly a good idea, I think we would have already seen a bunch of them out there. Jmho!!

 

[robiewp]

I don't buy the, "it wasn't made for it therefore it can't". I have no doubt the machine construction is heavy duty enough to handle a 3-point. Backhoes exert a lot more force than just about any passive 3 point implement. The question is how.

So is the answer that the lift arms need to be attached to the frame because of those forces, or something else....

 

[Artisan]

I bet ya if you read the manual it tells you NOT to do things like put the BH bucket in a hole then drive forward...

A small whatnot that you use while facing rearwards in a BH seat, maybe ok, anything else, well, take some pics and show us your tractor before, then after when something bends, IMHO.

 

[tlbuser]

I think it's going to depend more on how you use the implement. Are you intending to use the backhoe controls for the attachment? Are you planning to hook up and drive?

 

[jinman]

I watched video recently of a fellow who had a thumb on his mini-excavator. He grabbed a crosstie with the thumb and used it as a blade to smooth the sides of a swale he forming on each side of the backhoe trench. I immediately thought of rigging one of my boxblades or angle blades so it could be hooked to the backhoe on my TLB.

If I understand your post, you are not wanting to put a tiller or disc onto the backhoe, but rather some other dirt moving implement like a boxblade. I think it can be done, but you'll have to be careful that you don't bend the A-frame on the implement and you might end up doing more work to get the 3PH adapted to the backhoe mount than you would if your designed something from the get-go to be a backhoe attachment. I also think the mounting would depend on what implement you wanted to attach to the backhoe. For instance, your mount for a boxblade might be different from the mount for a sub-soiler or middle buster used for narrow trenching. Just remember that 3PH implements are designed for no down-pressure. The 3PH floats. When you start pressing down and dragging at the same time, you could really drive stresses on the implement far above the designed characteristics.

 

[LD1]

I think it's going to depend more on how you use the implement. Are you intending to use the backhoe controls for the attachment? Are you planning to hook up and drive?

This is the question that needs answered right here.

IF you are going to use the BH controls, then mounting in place of the bucket is fine.

IF you want it mounted and are going to drive the tractor with it "engaged", I would not want it mounted on ANY part of the BH that is controled with a hydraulic cylinder.

 

[kf4uda]

This is the question that needs answered right here.

IF you are going to use the BH controls, then mounting in place of the bucket is fine.

IF you want it mounted and are going to drive the tractor with it "engaged", I would not want it mounted on ANY part of the BH that is controled with a hydraulic cylinder.

I agree with LD1 on this. I think that you could damage your hydraulic system by pulling the implement with your machine and it mounted to your BH. I have had the thought of mounting a landscape rake in place of my bucket but I was thinking of using it with the machine stationary.

 

[robiewp]

I think it's going to depend more on how you use the implement. Are you intending to use the backhoe controls for the attachment? Are you planning to hook up and drive?

My original thought was based on exactly what JinMan described. A 16" bucket is great for starting a ditch but not very good for finishing it off. It would be nice to control a 3 point hitch at the end of the backhoe for shaping spaces with finer control.

Now that I think about it though, what's wrong with adding a conventional 3-point hitch too?

So, I'll take the consensus to be:

For use while the machine is stationary, a backhoe mount for the 3 point presents no risk to the backhoe. Be careful with the implement as they're typically not designed for down-force.

For use while the machine is moving, the 3 point lift arms better be mechanically attached to the tractor frame; the horizontal forces would be hard on a backhoe.