Backhoe installation

[smalltown]

Thanks Rob-d and especially Runner for the excellent pictures.
My eyes opened wide when I saw those.

I can see how the back hooks on then as you said the front will pivot up.

Ok so I can safely say that to put the backhoe on or off should not be a weekend project provided I have a dolly and the flat floor in my garage.

This really helps guys:thumbsup:

Can you talk about the mower deck attachment brackets how are they to on/off.

I have all but decided to get either the 2320 or 2520 with the power beyond installed. The 2320 is all the tractor I need, but the pricing incentive on the 2520 is super, about $750 more to get the 2520. (better hyrdos etc.)
I still look at the 2520 and it seems so much larger than the 2320.

 

[Rob-D]

Thanks Rob-d and especially Runner for the excellent pictures.
My eyes opened wide when I saw those.

I can see how the back hooks on then as you said the front will pivot up.

Ok so I can safely say that to put the backhoe on or off should not be a weekend project provided I have a dolly and the flat floor in my garage.

This really helps guys:thumbsup:

Can you talk about the mower deck attachment brackets how are they to on/off.

I have all but decided to get either the 2320 or 2520 with the power beyond installed. The 2320 is all the tractor I need, but the pricing incentive on the 2520 is super, about $750 more to get the 2520. (better hyrdos etc.)
I still look at the 2520 and it seems so much larger than the 2320.

In my opinion $750 is nothing and the 2520 might seem like a lot bigger tractor but it's not really. I'd definitley go for it over the 2320 with the 2.5k incentive. It's really no contest. Even when it comes to trade in, if you ever do, you'll get it right back.
The 2520 has bigger tires, a metal floor with matts and bigger pumps if I remember. The extra hp is a big help with a two speed tranny like the 2x20's have, especially going up hills in hi gear. My 2320 used to bog down and I'd have to flip it to low gear especially with the BH on.
Glad to help, good luck with which ever one you get.
Rob

 

[Runner]

"Can you talk about the mower deck attachment brackets how are they to on/off. "

Not a big deal, pull two pins on the front and two on the back. The two on the back are the lower arm pins for the draft arms, so they have to come off anyway. This just adds a couple of minutes to the 15 minutes it takes to do the whole changeover.

It does help make the case for a rear finish mower....

One more thing, as part of the backhoe package, you will need to change out the bracket that holds the three-point arm pins (the new one is a heavier-duty unit that stays on the machine, takes the place of the standard one).

 

[smalltown]

Thanks that last part the new bracket for the that holds the three point arm pins I'll bet it's hard to find as a previous owner would probably leave it on his tractor when selling the backhoe. Unless they can be bought as a seperate JD part.

Looks like you bought your backhoe as a kit from JD?

 

[tkoza]

"Can you talk about the mower deck attachment brackets how are they to on/off. "

Not a big deal, pull two pins on the front and two on the back. The two on the back are the lower arm pins for the draft arms, so they have to come off anyway. This just adds a couple of minutes to the 15 minutes it takes to do the whole changeover.

It does help make the case for a rear finish mower....

One more thing, as part of the backhoe package, you will need to change out the bracket that holds the three-point arm pins (the new one is a heavier-duty unit that stays on the machine, takes the place of the standard one).

wow - that is much more difficult - than mine

didnt the company below oem the deere 260 unit ????
Ranchho Compact Backhoe - Wallenstein

i would see how their sub frame attaches and any equipment transition issues

 

[Runner]

"Thanks that last part the new bracket for the that holds the three point arm pins I'll bet it's hard to find as a previous owner would probably leave it on his tractor when selling the backhoe. Unless they can be bought as a seperate JD part.

Looks like you bought your backhoe as a kit from JD?"


The bracket is ordered as a separate item when you order the hoe. I think it shows up as a "requirement" in the computer when you order the 46 as an attachment.

When you order the 46 backhoe as a separate item, it comes on two pallets, the hoe and stabilizers on one, the sub-frame on the other. The bucket is ordered as a separate item because there are different sizes available, and it also has to be installed on the dipper stick. So, I guess you would call it a "kit". You could probably have the dealer put it together, but it's not that hard to do, so I did it myself.

 

[smalltown]

Runner many thanks for the information and pictures. I just finished reading the install manual for the 46 hoping to see something about changing out about the (I think it's called )"hitch bracket", but it did not anything. Very good to know one is need beforehand.

 

[Runner]

"Runner many thanks for the information and pictures. I just finished reading the install manual for the 46 hoping to see something about changing out about the (I think it's called )"hitch bracket", but it did not anything. Very good to know one is need beforehand."

I think it shows up when you "build it yourself" on the web site as a necessary item.

If I remember correctly, the new bracket came with it's own separate installation instructions. It's just a direct "remove and replace" for the other one.

 

[DMax2210]

Hey guys, I'm newly looking at upgrading from my 2005 2210 to a 2520 and while drooling over the brochures I noticed the backhoe listed is a 270 that says available summer of 2011. According to the description this will allow the MMM to remain on the 2520 while the backhoe is attached? I really don't know much about it as I am not planning on purchasing a backhoe at this point, but found it interesting and may be worth the wait (although I know how hard that can be!)?? Or at least run it past the dealer and see what they have to say...

 

[smalltown]

DMax2210 haven't heard anything about a 270 backhoe. I just searched the JD web site and didn't see anything. I'll keep looking.

Not having one its hard to comment other than I like the idea of taking the backhoe off the machine when not in use to reduce machine weight when mowing. I think the #46 backhoe is just shy of 900 lbs plus whatever bucket you attach.

I would be interested in any information about the 270 though.

 

[Reg]

smalltown,
I can't help you with the specific underguts of that tractor and it's mid mount mower.
I imagine that mid mowers and under tractor sub frames would SERIOUSLY get in each others' way.

I bought an Amerequip 8600 hoe and brought it home in a horse trailer, but that was for a 40 something HP Kukje 4,000 lb tractor that doesn't DO mid mowers.
I know JD has OEM'd this particular hoe, but I don't remember the model name/number they assigned it when painted green.

All I can tell you from that experience is that the "installation" was trivial.
Basically the two major parts are the under tractor sub frame (specific to each tractor) and "the rest of it" which is generic. I just had to bolt those together, install the hoses, then back over it and do a regular hook-up.

I used the FEL a few times to lay out the under frame and as a crane for the other half, just to align things and get the bolts started.
It really was a bolt together deal and the hose kit spliced right into the FEL hydraulics with no problems.

One thing you might find with a used unit is that it may have tweaked just slightly, I don't mean BENT, just moved within the tolerances between bolts and bolt holes.
It may just have been aligned to a tractor that had its tolerances "all the other way".
So don't be alarmed if it isn't a perfect fit up on the first try.

If you have difficulty getting it to tuck up into position when you get to the self assisting hook-up phase just loosen up the dozen or so bolts holding the underframe to the rest of it, jiggle things into position and re-tighten them when it finally flips in.

Be VERY CAREFUL with the jiggling; no hands, fingers or even boots too close to the sub frame and tractor frame that you are trying to get in agreement with each other.

 

[Gizmo2]

Thanks that last part the new bracket for the that holds the three point arm pins I'll bet it's hard to find as a previous owner would probably leave it on his tractor when selling the backhoe. Unless they can be bought as a seperate JD part.

Looks like you bought your backhoe as a kit from JD?

When I bought my 2320 with the BH the dealer gave me the bracket that came off the tractor that they had to replace with the one to allow the BH to be mounted.

Runner, Would it not have been nice if JD had made these frame ears just a tad longer? Would sure make hookup a lot easier.

 

[Runner]

"Runner, Would it not have been nice if JD had made these frame ears just a tad longer? Would sure make hookup a lot easier."

My biggest problem is that I can't see that area very well to know when the hooks have engaged. You might be right, longer ears might help that process...

I LOVE having the hoe on a dolly, though, that really helps me get it close before doing the final hookup. Also makes storage a lot more convenient.

 

[DMax2210]

DMax2210 haven't heard anything about a 270 backhoe. I just searched the JD web site and didn't see anything. I'll keep looking.

Not having one its hard to comment other than I like the idea of taking the backhoe off the machine when not in use to reduce machine weight when mowing. I think the #46 backhoe is just shy of 900 lbs plus whatever bucket you attach.

I would be interested in any information about the 270 though.

Smalltown, I've searched the site as well trying to find info and can't find a thing... Only place that I've seen it is in the 2000 series brochure unfortunately. I was just down at my dealer and forgot to ask him about it - next time I'm in I'll probe him for more info and see what I can find out to share with everyone!

 

[smalltown]

DMax2210 I bumped into the same information I think you were looking at while viewing an online series 2000 brochure. It's on page 5


http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/media/pdfs/online_brochures/utility_tractors/47306_r2FINAL_2000%20Series.pdf

Don't know much about backhoes, but it looks like they shortened up the length of the subframe.

 

[DMax2210]

DMax2210 I bumped into the same information I think you were looking at while viewing an online series 2000 brochure. It's on page 5


http://www.deere.com/en_US/homeowners/media/pdfs/online_brochures/utility_tractors/47306_r2FINAL_2000%20Series.pdf

Don't know much about backhoes, but it looks like they shortened up the length of the subframe.

Good find! I didn't realize that it was online, thanks. Yes, that's what i was referring to...

 

[BethesdaEC]

The 270 looks nice, and I unfortunately bought a 46 backhoe in December. My biggest complaint is parking the thing. If you drop it to the ground it will nose up because the center of gravity is past the skid plate. I have the put down some wooden blocks under the rear pivot to keep it level.

I also like that you can mount the backhoe and keep the 3PH arms on.

 

[Runner]

The JD 270 backhoe information says you can keep the three-point hitch arms on AND lift with them. I can't figure out what you would be lifting with the three-point arms when there is a backhoe on the machine?

Maybe the sub-frame stays on and the hoe comes off and THEN you can use the three-point?

 

[Phunge]

Wow, took them long enough! I've been waiting for this for a few years now, though I was speculating a 265 hoe:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ating/120766-new-265-backhoe-2320-2520-a.html

The JD 270 backhoe information says you can keep the three-point hitch arms on AND lift with them. I can't figure out what you would be lifting with the three-point arms when there is a backhoe on the machine?

Maybe the sub-frame stays on and the hoe comes off and THEN you can use the three-point?

I wonder if they mean you can lift the backhoe onto the tractor with them? (like the 385 and 485 backhoes).

 

[C-Range]

The 270 looks nice, and I unfortunately bought a 46 backhoe in December. My biggest complaint is parking the thing. If you drop it to the ground it will nose up because the center of gravity is past the skid plate. I have the put down some wooden blocks under the rear pivot to keep it level.

I also like that you can mount the backhoe and keep the 3PH arms on.

Bummer, I just bought a 46 last week. If I had known about this, I'd have happily waited for serial number 1. Coming from the 260 hoe on my 2305, the 46 is obviously a less modern design. The 260 was amazingly compact, easy to store, and a pure joy to mount and dismount. Oh well. Life is good.