Kubota BH90 backhoe challenges

[tractchores]

Not surf you're lifting the rear wheels off the ground with the stabilizers or not. I find unless you're on very firm ground the stabilizers don't have a ton of traction. To combat this I put the stabilizers down just enough to take most of the weight off the rear, but make sure the rear tires are still firmly down and adding traction. I also lower the bucket and sometimes dig it in a tad (lower the edge) which can help. Otherwise you could take more smaller bites

 

[AlmostThere]

A thought from someone with little experience (that would be me), would it help to just make the trench 4 feet wide or close to it? That may help with the lateral forces.

 

[newbury]

From John Deere:

Preparing to Operate Backhoe
1. Back machine close to desired digging location on a hard, level surface.

2. Lock park brake.

3. Lower loader and boom to the ground until front tires are off ground.

4. Pivot and lock operator seat into position facing to the rear.

5. Lower stabilizers until rear tires are off ground and machine is level.

6. Remove swing lock pin and store in holder.

7. Unlock boom lock.

8. Check control lever response.

Get it up in the air, loader down.

 

[txdon]

If you don't have the rear tires loaded that may help you out a bit.

No don't do this. It says not to in the BH90 owner's manual.

Page 6 of the owners manual - operating instructions
Ballast
"Important:
Do not add liquid ballast or any other weights to the front tires.
While BH90 backhoe is installed on the tractor, liquid ballast in the rear tires should be removed."

Another word of caution: do not leave you BH under a tree. (Ask me how I know)

 

[txdon]

From John Deere:


Get it up in the air, loader down.

Again read the Kubota BH90 Owner's Manual
Page 9
"1. Lower the stabilizers and remove the weight of the backhoe from the rear wheels. However, one or both rear tires should remain in light contact with the ground. This will give the backhoe the widest possible stance and lower the center of gravity.
If the rear tires are raised too high, digging depth will be reduced and undue stress will be exerted on the backhoe frame components.
2. The loader bucket should be lowered . . . .The cutting edge should be lowered vertically into the ground surface. This will assist the stabilizers, not allowing the unit to shift while excavating. . . . ."

 

[Michael_C]

I'd put my 16" bucket on and dig the ditch in two full passes. Obviously 16x2 doesn't equal 36, but it would still work. I can't imagine bolts through those holes would help much.

Thanks for the suggestion - Only have a 12" and 24", but see the benefit of going with a bucket smaller than 1/2 the trench width. Worth searching for another bucket.

 

[Michael_C]

From John Deere:


Get it up in the air, loader down.

Do you have the loader "digging in"? I have done all of the suggestions, but not with the loader digging in - may not have done all at the same time - will try all at same time with loader digging in to ground.

Thanks for the prep list.

 

[Michael_C]

Another word of caution: do not leave you BH under a tree. (Ask me how I know)

Ouch! Thanks for the caution on ballast.

 

[Michael_C]

A thought from someone with little experience (that would be me), would it help to just make the trench 4 feet wide or close to it? That may help with the lateral forces.

The trenches are for geothermal loops and are 5' deep and 500' long - lots of material to be moving. I did a section 20' long that was 42-44" wide, and didn't see as much of an issue, so the 48" wide thought might have merit. Time consuming process is the only downside, so would like to avoid if I can.

 

[Michael_C]

Again read the Kubota BH90 Owner's Manual
Page 9
"1. Lower the stabilizers and remove the weight of the backhoe from the rear wheels. However, one or both rear tires should remain in light contact with the ground. This will give the backhoe the widest possible stance and lower the center of gravity.
If the rear tires are raised too high, digging depth will be reduced and undue stress will be exerted on the backhoe frame components.
2. The loader bucket should be lowered . . . .The cutting edge should be lowered vertically into the ground surface. This will assist the stabilizers, not allowing the unit to shift while excavating. . . . ."

Looks like I need to locate a manual - backhoe came with the tractor (used), but only had the manual on the tractor. Thanks for including in the post!