Backhoe Attaching the backhoe

[DIRTCUTTER]

I have a little over 900 hrs on my Ck30. I used the backhoe about a quarter of the time.
Does anyone have a method that makes attaching the backhoe a simple thing to do.
Yesterday it took me a good 45 minutes to get the darn thing attached, my best time 30 minutes. I read the manual on how you are suppose to do it, but that was no help.

 

[Mousefield]

I have a CK35 with a Woods 7 ft backhoe. Hate to say it but last time was my fastest time ever to reattach, maybe 5 minutes. Usually takes 10-15 minutes. Once it took about 30 minutes. I have had it on and off several times already this year. My backhoe sits outside on wood blocks when not on the tractor. It usually is getting the tractor and backhoe lined up that's the trick, it that goes smooth then it only takes a few minutes. Sounds like you are struggling a bit with it as I think 30 minutes minimum is to long. What type of backhoe/subframe do you have?

 

[SSdoxie]

Most important part of hooking it up is make sure tractor and backhoe are on solid level ground when you disconnect it. Make sure you are square with the hoe when back into it, when you are close enough hook up the hoses to the hoe so you can play with the stabilizers, boom, dipper, & bucket to bring it back in line. Cylinders on the hoe can drift off a little while setting and may need some "tweaking" to bring them back to alignment.

 

[Gil Case]

I posted this on a different thread, but I made my life easier this year by getting 4 foot hydraulic hose extensions. That allows me to hook up the BH controls before I have to back over the frame mount. Once the controls are hooked up, I can maneuver the BH into place with the outriggers and the bucket.
Beats the H*** out of using a farm jack, pry bars and blocking, especially if you do the hook up by yourself.
I have not found a level enough place to store the BH and it always droops anyway. I take the extensions off after hook up so they do not get hung up in anything. Cap them and wait for next time.

 

[WSJ]

I put my Kioti backhoe on a CK25 and remove it 3-4 times a year, maybe a few more. And I've made it happen in 10 minutes or so and the next time spent a freaking hour sweating, swearing and adjusting to get it on. Flat level ground or well planned blocking is key, since I have no concrete pad on which to work. The hose extension idea is a good one that I'll probably adopt.

 

[steve0413]

I have the DK45 and K2485 BH but the hookup surely is similar. I can do it in less than 10 minutes by myself now that I have a couple years of practice. I do have pretty level ground though.

 

[Bousez]

I put it on in about 5-10 minutes, and take it off i about 2-5 minutes on my CK20S ... just get close enough so you can hook up the hoses, back up a litte more, then it is just a matter of leveling the frame .....after that you just have to back-up a bit
It does not matter if the frame was not leveled when took it off !
The most important thing is to make sure, you take most of the pressure off when you take off the backhoe. I usually let the hoses connected, then remove the pins, move forward a bit, and let sit the subframe as you as you can get.

Good luck !

 

[VictorW]

The first time took me longer until I figured things out. Now I'm about 10 minutes or less. My ground is not level either. The stabilyzer legs will tilt it side to side if needed while also lifting or lowering the front of the frame. The bucket on the ground will lift or lower the rear. Remember if you raise the rear, the front goes down and you need to use the stabilyzer legs to get the front back up. The opposite also applies. I just make sure I am as centered as possible when I back up over the frame to hook up the lines. I back up a little more after connecting the lines so the mounts are close together. For me, that makes it easier to now where the frame needs to go. A little juggling with the controls to get it lined up and then back up to lock it in the mounts. You'll get better the more times you do it.

 

[Bigturk]

All good suggestions so far. I have a KB2485 on a DK 40 and have never spent more than 20 minutes to connect. Every time gets easier and I often remove the backhoe and put on my boxblade to finish a job. Some tips that have helped me.

1) make sure there is no dirt/rocks in brackets under tractor.
2) I dig the point of bucket into ground and use it to move unit side/side(if one pin won't drop) or push forward
3) make sure to bleed all hydraulic pressure from backhoe before disconnecting.

Take care