B21 Backhoe Hydraulic Shut Off--Safety Need

mikesee · Feb 9, 2013

Just added a B21 to the shop, nice tractor with 335 hours. Only problem is it was stored out doors since 2008. Nothing a little TLC can't fix. The owners manual did not come with the tractor and the guys at the dealership could not answer this question. 'Is there a hydraulic shut off for the backhoe valves, something similar to what is in an excavator or skid stear, that deactivates the levers so that while I am climbing in and out of the tractor I don't inadvertently activate a hydraulic. I am terrified that I am going to get a pant leg caught on a lever or just slip and accidentely grab a lever and suddleny have the boom arm activated.

Second question: If there is not, I need some thoughts about adding some type of engine start/shut off switch accessible from the hoe operator position.

Gary Fowler · Feb 9, 2013

I have a B26 which is the later model from the B21. Mine has a lock out on the FEL but nothing on the backhoe. There should be no worries with hitting something on the backhoe when dismounting as all the controls are away from where you would be moving. The FEL is the one that moves if you try to dismount on the right side and it has a lock out.
I hate to be a wiseass, but If you are terrified of operating the equipment, maybe you shouldn't be operating it. The backhoe controls are pretty well protected and out of the way so you shouldn't be anywhere around them when either moving the seat around or dismounting to the side of the BH. Unless you are a practicing contortionist, you should not have any way of getting a leg caught in the BH controls. As for shutting down the machine, My key is accessible from the seat even if turned facing the back hoe. It is located on the right fender along with and behind the throttle.

Ken45101 · Feb 10, 2013

I have had a B21 for ten years. There is no lockout and I have never seen a need for one. As Gary said, it would be pretty difficult to accidentally operate the controls and the thing doesn't move that fast even if you do.