Backhoe Design Ideas

[charlz]

Metal Supermarkets will cut your order etc. not sure if they ship though. There is one here in Boise and it looks like the next closest to you is SLC.... probably not worth the drive either way unless you are already headed there anyway.

 

[J_J]

Iplayfarmer.

I would recommend that you use the 1/4 wall tubing. I would also beef-up the connecting joints with 1/4 or 3/8 in steel/ Otherwise, around each pin area, you would have the 1/4 in wall of the tubing, plus the added stiffness of the 3/8 steel . If it is going to bend or crinkle, it will do it at these places. My front hoe is mostly built, just waiting for some small stuff, and trying to figure out the 180 swing. I have posted some pictures before.

To slow down the hydraulics, just add a ball valve, and adjust it for the speed you desire. That way, you can run the engine for max breakout force, and swing at a slower rate.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer.

I would recommend that you use the 1/4 wall tubing. I would also beef-up the connecting joints with 1/4 or 3/8 in steel/ Otherwise, around each pin area, you would have the 1/4 in wall of the tubing, plus the added stiffness of the 3/8 steel . If it is going to bend or crinkle, it will do it at these places. My front hoe is mostly built, just waiting for some small stuff, and trying to figure out the 180 swing. I have posted some pictures before.

To slow down the hydraulics, just add a ball valve, and adjust it for the speed you desire. That way, you can run the engine for max breakout force, and swing at a slower rate.

Thanks for the input. I'm hoping to go get some of the steel tomorrow.

I've been watching your build in conjunction with MossRoad's. You've got a good project.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I changed my mind about buying steel today. I got to looking at my schedule, and I won't be able to visit my brother-in-law and his plasma cutter for another two weeks. There's no benefit to getting the steel early, and if I wait I can still change my plan when inspiration strikes.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I nearly ruined the whole plan today. There was a International 3082 backhoe attachment for sale at a good price, and I was thinking about buying it. I'm still trying to convince myself that my little 15 HP tractor could handle it, but I'm pretty sure it won't. That's one of my main reasons for wanting to build my own... I want something that fits this tractor as perfectly as possible to minimize the stress on the tractor.

The attachment didn't come with a pump, and it's a 3 point. I'd have to put some money into it and do some modifications on it anyway. I think I did the right thing to pass on it, but I'll be second guessing the decision clear until this home-built one is finished.

 

[JoelD]

I would expect this to be a classic hombebuilt question, build from scratch or modifiy something existing.

At least with stick built you can design from scratch exactly the way you want it.

Good luck,
Joel

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I would expect this to be a classic hombebuilt question, build from scratch or modifiy something existing.

At least with stick built you can design from scratch exactly the way you want it.

Good luck,
Joel

If it had come with the pump and seat, I'd have probably bought it on the spot and then kicked myself later when I realized that it would dwarf my poor little tractor.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

I find the toughest part about these projects is by the time you use the material you think would be strong enough, the over all weight of the unit far exceeds what you hoped. 1/4" thick sounds good for the boom strength wise, but I'm not sure it is that thick on my 709 bobcat hoe, Of course the size of the box and the length of the gussets play a large roll in strength.

I would encourage you to find the weights for all the material you plan to use (especially for the boom) and calculate the total weight.

My 709 also has a 9' dig depth (which I though you said you planned for) but used more like a 3" cylinder bore and works good with flow in the 10 to 12gpm range. It weights @ 1500 lbs and is attached to a 4700 lb machine.
Ken

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I find the toughest part about these projects is by the time you use the material you think would be strong enough, the over all weight of the unit far exceeds what you hoped. 1/4" thick sounds good for the boom strength wise, but I'm not sure it is that thick on my 709 bobcat hoe, Of course the size of the box and the length of the gussets play a large roll in strength.

I would encourage you to find the weights for all the material you plan to use (especially for the boom) and calculate the total weight.

My 709 also has a 9' dig depth (which I though you said you planned for) but used more like a 3" cylinder bore and works good with flow in the 10 to 12gpm range. It weights @ 1500 lbs and is attached to a 4700 lb machine.
Ken

Thanks for the input. Is there a place on your hoe that you could measure the actual thickness? It would be nice to know.

I'm also thinking that with the side panels on the boom, I'd have a lot of added strength there.

Has anyone out there busted or bent a backhoe? Where did it break?

 

[Danno1]

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My dipperstick has a dent in it just above the bucket. Looks like someone curled it too far w a large rock in it. Doesn't affect the operation at all.

Don't know the wall thickness. I'll look and see if it's possible to measure.

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