Can hooking up the backhoe be a one person job

chris07732 · Sep 12, 2021

My daughter has a LS MT2E tractor with the backhoe. Has anyone been successful hooking up the backhoe as a one person operation. If so, could you describe your process?

fried1765 · Sep 12, 2021

chris07732 said:
My daughter has a LS MT2E tractor with the backhoe. Has anyone been successful hooking up the backhoe as a one person operation. If so, could you describe your process?

From my perception, all TLB detachable hoes can be easily attached/detached by one person.
Techniques may vary somewhat between tractors.
Sorry: I have no idea what exact technique is required with LS tractors.

sea2summit · Sep 12, 2021

Not sure about LS but my Kubota.
Remove three point hitch (slowest part)
Back up to the joe generally aligned.
Shut down tractor and relieve hydro pressure.
Hook up hoe hydraulic lines, start tractor.
Manipulate controls as need to hook on the mount and rotate to position for pins.
Insert pins, put BH in transport position, put travel pins in, done.
Including removing the hitch it’s less than 20 minutes for me, likely less than 15. If I didn’t have to remove the hitch it would probably be about three minutes.

4570Man · Sep 12, 2021

If you can’t you should have bought a different color. With my Kubota I could do it in 5 minutes or so by myself.

dlctcg · Sep 12, 2021

So if it is a full sub-frame backhoe it takes a little practice, especially if it is not on level (even) ground. We have a sub-frame Backhoe for our NH & it is definitely faster with 2 people but definitely doable by one. Our NH does not require removal of the 3pt hitch (nor would I want a tractor that does)... we back (straight) over the sub-frame, hook up the BH Hydraulics & us the BH to bring the sub-frame into position in order to insert the pins... After getting used to it 15mins with 2 people... 20 - 25 by myself... only because you need to get on & off the tractor...

4570Man · Sep 12, 2021

dlctcg said:
So if it is a full sub-frame backhoe it takes a little practice, especially if it is not on level (even) ground. We have a sub-frame Backhoe for our NH & it is definitely faster with 2 people but definitely doable by one. Our NH does not require removal of the 3pt hitch (nor would I want a tractor that does)... we back (straight) over the sub-frame, hook up the BH Hydraulics & us the BH to bring the sub-frame into position in order to insert the pins... After getting used to it 15mins with 2 people... 20 - 25 by myself... only because you need to get on & off the tractor...

Taking the 3 point arms off is by far the better way. It’s not hard and otherwise the backhoe is clumsily stick off 2 feet.

fried1765 · Sep 12, 2021

4570Man said:
If you can’t you should have bought a different color. With my Kubota I could do it in 5 minutes or so by myself.

10-15 minutes for me, with my Kubota L48 TLB.
I'm almost 81 years old.

dlctcg · Sep 12, 2021

4570Man said:
Taking the 3 point arms off is by far the better way. It’s not hard and otherwise the backhoe is clumsily stick off 2 feet.

Better than what... not taking them off?? Our NH BH frame has a rest they set on... You lift them up.. backup & connect... Why would you take some thing off that is not required? How is it better if that is the design? & it does not change how far our BH sticks out... It is a full sub-frame unit, it only attaches in one place... it does not change its off-set..

4570Man · Sep 12, 2021

dlctcg said:
Better than what... not taking them off?? Our NH BH frame has a rest they set on... You lift them up.. backup & connect... Why would you take some thing off that is not required? How is it better if that is the design? & it does not change how far our BH sticks out... It is a full sub-frame unit, it only attaches in one place... it does not change its off-set..

Yes taking them off is better than not. The ones that leave them on are stuck way too far off the back. Also the Kubota backhoe leaves the subframe on the tractor which is more user friendly to deal with.

fried1765 · Sep 13, 2021

4570Man said:
Yes taking them off is better than not. The ones that leave them on are stuck way too far off the back. Also the Kubota backhoe leaves the subframe on the tractor which is more user friendly to deal with.

I do not think it is possible to leave the 3pt lift arms attached on my Kubota L48 when the BH is also on.
There is an under tractor 3pt. arms storage location though.

3Ts · Sep 13, 2021

I have a John Deere BH. I don't see how a second person would be much help other than getting the alignment set. I have to be within 1/2" side to side in alignment so I have mine on a dolly and use a pry bar to move the dolly. It's about 1500# that has to be aligned. Once that's done it's just a matter of hooking up hoses, using the hydraulics on the BH to raise it into position and put two pins in.

sea2summit · Sep 13, 2021

3Ts said:
I have a John Deere BH. I don't see how a second person would be much help other than getting the alignment set. I have to be within 1/2" side to side in alignment so I have mine on a dolly and use a pry bar to move the dolly. It's about 1500# that has to be aligned. Once that's done it's just a matter of hooking up hoses, using the hydraulics on the BH to raise it into position and put two pins in.

Pry bar to hook up your BH? You're doing it wrong, it's got hydraulics

dlctcg · Sep 13, 2021

4570Man said:
Yes taking them off is better than not. The ones that leave them on are stuck way too far off the back. Also the Kubota backhoe leaves the subframe on the tractor which is more user friendly to deal with.

Ahh. that makes sense... Our machine does not require it, nor does it push the backhoe further back when it is put on... It tight right up against the machine... There is a bracket that the 3 point arms rest on when you the BH is attached.

That's why I couldn't for the life of me think why you would want to take them off...

deezler · Sep 13, 2021

I haven't taken my BH off yet. But I am quite sure I'll have to figure out how to do it myself. I am imagining that I will assemble a nice collection of wood blocking, and simply use the bucket out behind the hoe/tractor to apply downforce as needed to lift it up and take the weight off the tractor. Once it is slid out of the subframe brackets a few inches, disconnect hydraulics and drive away.

Tinhack · Sep 13, 2021

4570Man said:
If you can’t you should have bought a different color. With my Kubota I could do it in 5 minutes or so by myself.

It's the OP's daughter. How fast can your daughter or wife do it?

fried1765 · Sep 13, 2021

Tinhack said:
It's the OP's daughter. How fast can your daughter or wife do it?

I thought I read somewhere that women can do everything equal to men!
Is that just more fake news?

Smokeydog · Sep 13, 2021

I’ve had 3pt, subframe and Kubota real TLBs. The latter is far superior and R&R detailed in owners manual. Should be similar manual for the OPs BH attachment I’ll take the inconvenience of removing 3pt for better BH ergonomics.

Ag tractors are barely designed to support a backhoe. Just look at seat placement. TLB seat swivel. Most ag tractors BH have a separate seat. If I can’t reach the backhoe controls while driving it is very unsafe on my hilly property. Swinging the boom uphill and outriggers low.

Hopefully watching some utube vids and knowing you have to hook up the hydraulics to help complete mounting will help the OP. It does take practice to become proficient.

Diggin It · Sep 13, 2021

Every model is different, even within the same brand. I leave my 3Pt arms on. I have a 4 point BH mounting frame. Toughest part is backing in to align the lower pins. I can't turn around and look down well enough to do it, so I'm on and off the seat a few times. Once in place, using the BH controls isn't usually too difficult to drop it into place and set the two upper pins. Removing it when done is much easier.

It might not be so bad on level ground, but I have very little of that. No rolling dolly will work for me since it's all on grass or dirt, no paved surface.

RickB · Sep 13, 2021

deezler said:
I haven't taken my BH off yet. But I am quite sure I'll have to figure out how to do it myself. I am imagining that I will assemble a nice collection of wood blocking, and simply use the bucket out behind the hoe/tractor to apply downforce as needed to lift it up and take the weight off the tractor. Once it is slid out of the subframe brackets a few inches, disconnect hydraulics and drive away.

Forget the blocks. Use the hydraulics, stabilizers and bucket to disconnect the backhoe. Move the tractor ahead a few inches, use the hydraulics to lower the backhoe frame to the ground (on plywood or similar if you prefer). Shut off the tractor and disconnect the hydraulics. Cribbing the backhoe high off the ground is unnecessary and unsafe. You will NEVER have it at exactly the correct height to reconnect.

fried1765 · Sep 13, 2021

Diggin It said:
Every model is different, even within the same brand. I leave my 3Pt arms on. I have a 4 point BH mounting frame. Toughest part is backing in to align the lower pins. I can't turn around and look down well enough to do it, so I'm on and off the seat a few times. Once in place, using the BH controls isn't usually too difficult to drop it into place and set the two upper pins. Removing it when done is much easier.

It might not be so bad on level ground, but I have very little of that. No rolling dolly will work for me since it's all on grass or dirt, no paved surface.

Kubota hoe disconnect/reconnect is really simple for me.
I don't do it!
If I need a 3pt., I use my Ford 1920 instead.