Backhoe Backhoe - where do you keep it?

[lantxinNETX]

If you have a backhoe, where do you store it?

Assuming you take it off your tractor on occasion, do you keep in indoors or outdoors?

If you keep it outdoors, what do you do to protect it?

For that matter, if you keep it on the tractor all of the time, what - if anything - do you do to protect the backhoe if it is stored outdoors.

Thanks!

Martin

 

[IXLR8]

I remove my BH in the winter, store it outside on a pad of 1" minus stone. I move the cylinders so they are as retracted as I can get them. Since I store it with the stabilizers down, those cylinders and the swing cylinders get their exposed shafts coated with fluid film to protect them. I then cover it as best I can with a tarp.

 

[lhfarm]

I'm lucky enough to have a barn with a concrete floor. The backhoe is on a dolly so I can move it out of the way until needed. The dolly is also extremely useful in removing/installing.

 

[check]

Get a backhoe dolly from bxpanded.com

 

[AaronS]

Mine is stored on a concrete floor in a 3 sided barn. I have a ratchet strap holding the legs to keep them from bleeding/spreading. The bucket is strapped to a small furniture dolly and I built a dolly for the legs using 2x4's and metal casters.

 

[NHbotanut]

Mine is outside resting on skids to keep it off the ground. Have 2 tarps wraped up to keep the snow off.

 

[DocDryden]

The backhoe is on a dolly so I can move it out of the way until needed. The dolly is also extremely useful in removing/installing.

I also keep mine on a concrete floor in a barn.
I plan on making a dolly for my backhoe, could you post some photos of your dolly? thanks

 

[Gary Fowler]

I store mine on the tractor at all times under an open on 3 sides shed where it stays nice and dry. I don't use any oil or other anti-rust compound on the cylinders. I have never had a rust problem with the chrome plating on the cylinder rods even if stored outside. I have never had to deal with northern climates that use a lot of salt on the roads though and they may create an issue with pitting on the chrome.
I did debate recently about getting a tiller to fit the BX but found that a 50" and 550# was the limit set per Kubota owners manual, so I went with a larger 6 foot unit for my LS for just $300 more so I could keep the backhoe in place for quick use as needed. It is too good of a counter weight to let it set under a shed unused.

 

[FatTire]

I take mine off for the entire winter, it lives outside. I put some large wooden blocks under it, so after the legs spread a little it drops onto the blocks. Our environment is dry, so even with snow we don't worry about rust.

 

[lhfarm]

I also keep mine on a concrete floor in a barn.
I plan on making a dolly for my backhoe, could you post some photos of your dolly? thanks

Here is the post from when I built it http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting/102504-built-pineridge-bh-dolly-wow.html

I know the link for the plans is broken and I don't have a copy. A search might bring up more pictures/plans.