Backhoe B21 backhoe stuck on tractor

[MarkV]

Sorry, I missed when editing this post. It is the holder mounts that locks the BH on the tractor that are the issues now... Seems to be permanently stuck!
Lars

Lars welcome to the forum. I looked at google maps and you have a pretty place. Also looks like you live on the water. Has the tractor lived it's life near salt water?

I do not live near the water and broke the lever that is meant to release the upper mounts on my B21. They do tend to seize up without normal lubrication and I had not removed nor lubricated for several years. Often these tractors spend their entire life without the backhoe ever being removed so it can be an issue. Have your tried heat? Wish I had better advice.

MarkV

 

[lhansman]

I think MarkV's suggestion of heat is what you will have to do. About four years after I purchased my B21 I had some problems in the rear differential which required removal of the backhoe for access. I do not live anywhere near salt water and my machine is always garaged by they told me they had a heck of a time getting the hoe of. They had to apply a lot of heat and repaint a number of areas on the back end.

As soon as I got my B26 (which has a better backhoe attachment design I think) I removed it and as others have suggested lathered the pins with antisieze compound.

 

[kubotaswede]

Thank you! Yes, the tractor has spent most of its time outside and near salt water. So that may be the reason, but not the cure! Enough heat will probably solve the problem in experienced hands. But it will be difficult to access the stuck parts with the BH still on the tractor. So I think I will try to remove the fixation pins from the upper mount on the tractor, remove the BH and then transport the BH to a workshop for professional handling. If the pins are not also stuck, that is...
I cant help thinking how easy it would have been to avoid all this trouble with regular oiling of the mount mechanism. I have followed the maintenance instructions from the manufacturer. This problem is not an issue there. Probably because they think it is too obvious. For me it wasnt, and I hope my experience can help others to do better...
Lars

 

[MarkV]

Lars I would continue to put penetrating oil on. It can't hurt and may help. Good Luck.

MarkV

 

[kday64]

Two ideas...

1) impact wrench/gun
2) air powered impact gun.

Who's the boss is right sadly. Experience taught me this...

 

[Kyle241]

Actually a lot of BH's have not been removed from TLB's on a regular basis resulting in your problem. When I bought my B20 used, the BH wasn't coming off so I had the dealer take it back and it took some lubrication and brute force but we finally did get it. Now I remove it a few times a year for bush hog work and snowblowing so I have never had the same problem since (10yrs).

Good luck, it can be frustrating!

 

[lhansman]

Another tip Kubota does not tell you to check on the B21 is the allen head screws that secure the upper and lower swing pins on the backhoe. I was digging a trench a few years back and suddenly noticed that the backhoe was not sitting properly. I looked down and the allen head screw that secures the bottom pin had loosened enough over 1,000 hours enough to allow the bottom pin to drop right out on to the ground below the machine.

Fortunately I caught the problem before I had moved the machine and so was able to get the pin and shims that had fallen out picked up before they got lost in the spoil. The dealer checked them and tightened them up and said they had never seen that before. I started checking them every time I lubed the backhoe and sure enough the kept loosening up. I then removed the allen head screw and replaced it with a bolt and nut. I tightned the bolt and then tightened the nut against the frame and it never came loose again.

 

[MarkV]

Another tip Kubota does not tell you to check on the B21 is the allen head screws that secure the upper and lower swing pins on the backhoe. I was digging a trench a few years back and suddenly noticed that the backhoe was not sitting properly. I looked down and the allen head screw that secures the bottom pin had loosened enough over 1,000 hours enough to allow the bottom pin to drop right out on to the ground below the machine.

Fortunately I caught the problem before I had moved the machine and so was able to get the pin and shims that had fallen out picked up before they got lost in the spoil. The dealer checked them and tightened them up and said they had never seen that before. I started checking them every time I lubed the backhoe and sure enough the kept loosening up. I then removed the allen head screw and replaced it with a bolt and nut. I tightned the bolt and then tightened the nut against the frame and it never came loose again.

That is interesting. My B21 has about 1400 hrs now and I haven't seen that but will check. Never really heard of that on the forum before either. Thanks for the heads up.

MarkV

 

[kubotaswede]

Here comes the happy end of the story: The backhoe finally came loose!! I will not bore you with all my misstakes but I will give a brief summary of how I would proceed if I faced the problem of a stuck BH on a B21TLB using no fancy tools today.
First assume that the release levers as well as the holder mount are stuck to their axes. Lub them regularly for a couple of weeks (the holder mount after lifting the component plate holder). Then remove the pin spring that connects the lock block to the release lever (can be tricky, in worst case drill it out). After removing the set pin the lock block can now be retracted and locked in the open position leaving the release lever in its stuck position. Now is the time to rock the holder mounts open. I managed to do that by lifting heavy bolders with the boom and dipperstick straight out backwards from the tractor and rocking them up and down for a considerable time (in my case in several sessions during a couple of days with constant lubing). The stabilizers should not touch ground during this procedure! When the holder mounts finally opens the BH falls to the back but remains on the lower mounts if the stabillizers are up. The BH can now be removed according to the instructions on the tractor. Now the holder mechanism can easily be dismantled and cleaned. Remains the problem of the stuck release levers. If you have a welding torch it can probably be heated loose (look out for the hoses!). I did not have one so I cut the bush open on the under side and released it. Repaired the bush and broken lever with my MIG welder. Some painting and lubing and then the mechanism works just fine!
I hope the experience can be of help for some other negligent B21 ower. I have learned my lesson: I will operate the release mechanism serveral times a year from now on!
Lars

 

[KUBOTA OWNER]

Happy to hear that you were able to remove the bh, I have been reading the blog about owners with b21,b20 having a very hard time removing them.
--so mine being a 06 rental unit I was sure that it was never removed. scared
me into thinking that I may never remove mine. But what fun would that be.
--another thing was I was not sure how to remove it. --so I lubed it down good, and the next week brought up what I though was a enough tools to cause severe damage to me or the tractor. --- torch, sledge, 3' crescent wrench, pry bars. first aid kit ect. ---- followed the direction that pointy haired boss posted (thank you again) and In about 2 minutes the back hoe was off. --- I was a little disappointed that it did not give me a fight. ---
I was very, very impressed with the engineering. I guess I was lucky.
--- But now I had the whole day with nothing to do. --good thing I brought enough beer. ---
Has anyone drilled and tapped in a grease zerk? If so where is the best place? or is it not necessary? Thanks to all for sharing there info.