Backhoe LS backhoe

[Jesse Shoemaker]

Hey all, been a while since I posted but I've been lurking forever, got a new backhoe put on my 2012 R3039 last week and figured I'd leave a quick review of it. It's been great so far. I've dug lots of bushes and several tree stumps up with it so far. Takes just a few minutes to get used to it and know what it can do. I'm currently working on the biggest stump I've tried as of yet. It's about a twelve in diameter oak stump. It's going kind of slow but I'm just messing around with it a little at a time. The backhoe has done everything I've asked if it. Just takes a little patience. I have yet to get some pics of it. I forget when I'm in the seat. It's a great little digger and it sure beats a shovel. It's fairly strong for what it is and breaks most roots pretty easily. I'll get some pics as soon as I can. If you're considering adding one or ordering your new LS with one I recommend it wholeheartedly.

 

[Fawken]

Sounds great. When removing stumps use the pry function by curling the bucket. Lifting up on stumps with the boom gives you very poor leverage.

 

[BlessedMess]

Jesse: 110% agree with you... I had never used a BH until getting one with my LS tractor, and it has been easy to master and quite the workhorse. So far I've used it to remove large stumps, plant an orchard, excavate bamboo roots, and even to "double dig" part of the yard into vegetable garden. The only good/bad is that there are ~20 grease zerks, and it isn't too hard to pull one out when disconnecting the grease gun. Hope you continue to enjoy and good luck with the stump.

BTW, I've yet to take it off, but will be soon to do some bush hogging. I've watched videos from other brands, but welcome any tips you and other owners may have during removal to make it easier to put it back on a month or two...

 

[Woodshaver]

On the LS backhoe when and why do I want to use the unload function? This is the left operation joy stick all the way forward.

 

[peter3759]

On the LS backhoe when and why do I want to use the unload function? This is the left operation joy stick all the way forward.

The float function is for when you don't want to dig deeper but maybe scrap the lose mud, stone or whatever out of the hole. I actually use that function a lot!

 

[Woodshaver]

OK, thanks. My old Sherman backhoe did not have this. I read in the manual it was for float mode but only experience with a backhoe is removing trees and tree stumps. Will be digging a trench for drainage pipe so will try this function. Thanks for the input!

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

Jesse: 110% agree with you... I had never used a BH until getting one with my LS tractor, and it has been easy to master and quite the workhorse. So far I've used it to remove large stumps, plant an orchard, excavate bamboo roots, and even to "double dig" part of the yard into vegetable garden. The only good/bad is that there are ~20 grease zerks, and it isn't too hard to pull one out when disconnecting the grease gun. Hope you continue to enjoy and good luck with the stump.

BTW, I've yet to take it off, but will be soon to do some bush hogging. I've watched videos from other brands, but welcome any tips you and other owners may have during removal to make it easier to put it back on a month or two...

It's really not that hard to take off. I removed it just to see how hard it was. The manual explains it pretty well. Only advice I would off is to remember when you start to pull forward after you pull your two pins, after you stop to disconnect the hydraulics, use the bucket to make the front of subframe lower so it clears the rear mounting bracket on the tractor. Took about 15 minutes to unhook the first time. Hooked it back up a week later in about 10 minutes.

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

The float function is for when you don't want to dig deeper but maybe scrap the lose mud, stone or whatever out of the hole. I actually use that function a lot!

I didn't realize the hoe had a float function. That's cool

 

[Woodshaver]

Always remember to disconnect the hydraulic hose before pulling away fully. Yea, it's common sense but I was so busy fooling around trying to clear everything I bent the quick connect mounting bracket by pulling away too much. Removed and straightened but not a smart thing to do, hopefully a lesson not to do again.

 

[peter3759]

I have found that there are many lessons to be learned, some it takes twice before i don't do it again!

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

I'm gonna get some work done outside this week and dig up a few more stumps. It's been so hot down here in Sc that when I get home from work it's all I can do to go cut grass. Yesterday was 104 at the house with 50% humidity. Dog days of summer.
I'll also make a video of digging up one and also a vid showing how to detach and reattach the hoe as soon as I can. Too dang hot for all that extra work until I gotta hook up the finish mower or something.

 

[Supraman0614]

I just bought an XR 4145 with the LS hoe attachment. Under the seat post, there is a spot to attach the top link, and there is plenty of clearance to attach the top link to the tractor. There is no mention in the manual about using the top link but I have seen some posts on here about cracked hoe frames because they are only supported on the bottom. What is the current school of thought here? It seems to me that it would stiffen the mounting up considerably.

 

[Woodshaver]

A digging video would be great! Nice to see some good techniques with LS hoe.

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

I don't know how good the technique is gonna be, but the stumps come out all the same. Lol

 

[Woodshaver]

Sound about right. That's my experience the come out but not always pretty, Taking on and off backhoe is great also, like to see. Always like to get other peoples input!

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

Went to go dig a small ground level stump this afternoon. It did a great job on it, the stump had shallow roots and the dirt on this part of my property is very fine with no grass. It took about 20 minutes from the time I sunk the teeth in to when I was locking the boom back down and raising the outriggers so I could backfill. I did notice a couple of bolts had worked a little loose on the supports under the seat. I believe it's something to do with the powder coating. I had that problem with the loader frame bolts not long after I got the tractor. I ended up removing the loader completely and grinding the powder coat off at the bolt holes to bare metal then shot a little ford blue engine paint on it then bolted everything back up. I haven't had a loose loader bolt since. I'll probably be doing that before I use the hoe again. Figured I would share

 

[BlessedMess]

It's really not that hard to take off. I removed it just to see how hard it was. The manual explains it pretty well. Only advice I would off is to remember when you start to pull forward after you pull your two pins, after you stop to disconnect the hydraulics, use the bucket to make the front of subframe lower so it clears the rear mounting bracket on the tractor. Took about 15 minutes to unhook the first time. Hooked it back up a week later in about 10 minutes.

Thanks for sharing this, and in advance for any videos you post. They may help when it comes to reconnecting. Nailed the detach, and with a little more practice I think 5-10 minutes is a good time estimate on the XU series BH... maybe 2 minutes with a buddy who knew what s/he was doing and 28 more to brag about it! I'll try to post pics of the detached BH for those who have interest, and compare/contrast to the XR series BH.

It has been a hot summer indeed, but man is that better than the cold winter!

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

Thanks for sharing this, and in advance for any videos you post. They may help when it comes to reconnecting. Nailed the detach, and with a little more practice I think 5-10 minutes is a good time estimate on the XU series BH... maybe 2 minutes with a buddy who knew what s/he was doing and 28 more to brag about it! I'll try to post pics of the detached BH for those who have interest, and compare/contrast to the XR series BH.

It has been a hot summer indeed, but man is that better than the cold winter!

Bring on the Fall though, College Football and hunting and cool days on the tractor.

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

 

[Jesse Shoemaker]

This is the biggest stump I've dug to date. I just figured out how to post pictures. So stand by for more. Took about and hour and a half to get this dug out and about 20 minutes to backfill