:BACK HOE QUESTION

[dmccarty]

LB,

I had never run a back hoe prior to getting mine. I brought home the manuals while I waited for the tractor to be setup and practiced operating the controls. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The wife thought I was nuts sitting on the couch with my eyes closed moving my hands in the air but it worked. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I pulled up a stump within 30 minutes of running the backhoe. Got lucky in that the stump had shallow roots. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I still went left when I meant to go right but it ain't rocket science.

The experience kicks in when you start to feather the controls. So if you need to move up and then left the newby does just that, moves up and then left. Once you get the hang of it you will move up and left at the same time sorta kinda. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You can watch someone do it but I'm not sure you can learn to do it by watching. I think one has to do to learn this one...

Just don't let anyone or anything in the operating reach of the backhoe and start working. I did get a good book off of Amazon about operating backhoes. Don't have the book handy since it is packed up in box waiting to be moved but it opened my eyes to things the backhoes can do. Some things I would not do with a 3PH hoe but its ok with a submount. You can use the hoe to move the rear of the tractor around and over trenches and such. One has to be carefull since it would be easy to overturn but it can be done. And it has its uses.

Later,
Dan

 

[RobS]

Allegedly, there are other tricks to smooth operation of a hoe. Most amatuers like me use one control/movement at a time (OK, sometimes more). When the boom is brought up all by itself it can slam pretty hard but when another circuit is in use at the same time it will serve to cushion the hydraulic blow somewhat. As I understand it, the pros will use this to their advantage by intentionally using multiple circuits/movements simultaneously.

Now don't quote me on this but I heard it somewhere (probably here on TBN).

As others have said, it doesn't take long to get used to the motions. A bit longer and you become somewhat productive. To be smooth in operation and precise in the work... that may take a lifetime at my rate /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PineRidge]

I think running a backhoe can be compared with driving an automobile. I'm sure when you were first learning to drive you probably made a few mistakes, who didn't? And I'll bet that the longer you drove the more you learned about lots of different driving situations (dry,wet,snow conditions). I'll bet that driving more than likely is second nature to you now, that is, you do it automatically and don't even give it a second thought.

Operating a backhoe is really the same way. Operating and learning as you go. The good backhoe operators don't think about what they are doing with their hands as much as what they want to do next with the earth. It's all second nature to a good BH operator.

I would suggest that you relax and enjoy operating the equipment the rest will just come natural.

 

[txdon]

JoshJ, thanks for the free BH simulator program link. Before I go out and buy two joysticks I was wondering if anyone has used the program with two joy sticks? The movement with keyboard button control seems pretty realistic. Now I'm ready to move up to the joystick. I like the diesel motor sound also. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JoshJ]

Txdon- If you actually have a backhoe, you will be disappointed with the sim with two joysticks. I have two sticks, tho they are not identical, which is probably part of my problem. But I actually ran a JCB 214 TLB the other day (first backhoe experience /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif ) and it is a world of difference. Not only that, but your hands are in different position on a hoe than what is natural for a joystick (on top vs on side) and the computer just can't simulate the overall "feel" of it. i would say that the sim is more useful before you get experience with a hoe, it helps you learn the motions so you can go the wrong way and not hit anything important!