Ditching blade on Kub L45 backhoe

[Russ Lanoie]

I've finally discovered a way to allow my tractor to do the same type of ditching that could be done with a rear mounted blade without having to remove the backhoe, install the lift arms and mount a rear blade..
The first step was to add a second mounting position to the old Gravely blade that I've used for years for cleanup and some ditching, working either perpendicular to the machine as the machine travels parallel to the ditch or directly behind the machine when the machine is perpendicular to the ditch. The new position allow the blade to be mounted on an angle rather than flat against the backhoe teeth.
The second step is to add a chain from the blade where it attaches to the bucket to the tie down loop at the bottom corner of the backhoe. This relieves any pressure against the dipper stick yet still allows the boom to swing out beyond the wheels of the tractor.
I've done several ditch lines with this technique. It is fast and effective. The spoil that is pulled into the road can either be picked up with a bucket and discarded or reworked into the road or driveway surface if primarily good gravel.
The demonstration shown here was simply to re-edge my own driveway where grass had begun to encroach. I've used this technique to provide a stormwater ditch at the side of a road while reclaiming the good material pulled in to recreate a crown.

 

[Smokeydog]

Pretty clever. The video helps understand and the chain is necessary. Don’t want to put too much strain hydraulics and valves. Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.

 

[nyone]

In my opinion that blade is cutting a ditch yes but its putting a mound of dirt into the driveway that wont allow the water to actualy get to the ditch.

 

[Vigo327]

Thanks for posting this. It's giving me lots of ideas which seem bad but might actually be great. Some testing required.

 

[mikester]

I think I'd still rather use a blade with a hydraulic TNT

 

[Vigo327]

The thing im liking here that i hadn’t considered is all the built in offset options. You could still use an angle blade.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

In my opinion that blade is cutting a ditch yes but its putting a mound of dirt into the driveway that wont allow the water to actualy get to the ditch.

I guess you didn't bother to read all of the text. In this case, most of the spoil got reworked into the ditch with the grass clumps raked out with the FrontRunner. I do this every year or two to keep the grass from taking over the driveway. Strictly cosmetic.

I think I'd still rather use a blade with a hydraulic TNT

That would certainly be fine but this takes about 5 minutes to set up rather than removing the backhoe, mounting the 3 point lift arms and then the blade.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

The thing im liking here that i hadn’t considered is all the built in offset options. You could still use an angle blade.

The "offset positions" that you speak of are just about infinite using the backhoe in this manner. And if you've had a half century of running a backhoe (like I have), it's very easy to control. The L45 operator's seat actually pivots several degrees to the right (as well as spinning backwards to operate the hoe) allowing the operator to more easily monitor the rear attachment.

 

[Stonehaller]

I like your setup and may try it. I was considering buying a back blade with offset and angle so I could redo some ditch banks but I may try your method instead.

Don’t want to put too much strain hydraulics and valves. Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.

My L39 and I suspect the L45 as well, has work port reliefs on the dipper, boom and swing that will protect system components from overloads.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

Most backhoe as well as other controls only send fluid to bypass when the control is activated, which is why the first responder to this post correctly commented: Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.
This is the reason for the chain...