46 Backhoe Stabilizers on Wrong!

[Gizmo2]

Wife and I were out yesterday going great guns replacing drain pipe when I just about took one of the fittings off the right side stabilizer with the BH bucket. Thought to myself, that is pretty pour design. While looking at the scenario of what almost happened I notice a cotter key missing from one of the pins for the same side stabilizer. While replacing the cotter key I noticed cutouts (top and bottom) in the frame that supports the stabilizer and realized the stabilizer pistons are on wrong. Never did like the idea that while digging the bigger rocks rolling down and bang the heck out of the stabilizer hydraulic fittings. Because of the angles of the stabilizer frame the stabilizers don't come up a lot further but you sure can raise the tractor a lot higher. Just sayin!

Backwards


Notice marks left by fitting hitting frame


Cutouts on other side


Fixed

 

[C-Range]

Wow, Gizmo, that's not cool and I think you are right. Mine are opposite.

While on the subject, I'm not too crazy about the 46 stabilizers in one other aspect. This happened to me when when I was using the stock feet and my stabilizers were constantly sinking deeply into the ground. When retracting the stabilizers, if a small stone or something solid gets between the leg and the cylinder, it is possible that the cylinder could get damaged by its own force as the cylinder and leg get pulled closer together. Luckily, when this happened I saw it in time and reversed it. That was the final straw for me to take matters into my own hands and make feet that actually keep the machine above ground.

Anyway, good catch and much thanks for pointing it out to the rest of us.

 

[Gizmo2]

ensoll, I normally shake the stabilizer up and down as it is coming up. This normally frees up any stone but not always, been doing this for 23 + years. I think you should send me your new plates and let me check'em out, I promise to send them back.