Backhoe Backhoe Stabilizer locks

[ficord]

Does anyone have backhoe Stabilizer locks on their backhoe out riggers?
Mine leak down in about a week enough where I have to put them back up before backing out of the garage. I have read where some tie them up with a rope. I was thinking of making just a slip over lock like I have on my main boom on a woods 7500. Shown in the first picture. I was thinking of mounting it from the lower piston pin to the arm of the stabilizer shown in the second picture. Just making a longer pin piston pin for the lock to ride on.
Just wondering if any locks come factory on other backhoes. Or should it not leak down in a week to 10 days.
Thanks for any information.

 

[shvl73]

I think most hydraulics leak down eventually. it only takes a small particle to cause a leak in a cylinder or valve. A quick & cheap way that I use is, a pull strap with hooks on each end, like a motorcycle tie down strap. I hook it over the pins that hold the stabilizer pads on each side and cinch the strap. it works well and is simple. One strap should span across from each side.

 

[RobS]

Same as what shvl73 said, a tie-down strap. It's quick, easy and works.

 

[ray66v]

I use a bungee chord, on my subcompact TBL, and it works fine.

 

[ficord]

Thank you guys for the quick replies, But just wondering are there any factory locks out there? that come standard on other backhoes or does everybody just tie them up??

 

[dillo99]

Be careful with bungee cords. I used to do that until one day I forgot about them. I have no idea why I didn't see them, but I didn't. Anyway, I lowered the stabilizers and suddenly there was a hook whizzing by my head. Just missed me. Scared the **** out of me so now I just let them drift down. I do like the idea of putting something on there similar to the boom lock. Should be a fairly easy mod.

 

[wushaw]

I use the straps with hooks also...it works and is cheap.

I know I won't foget the strap is there since it goes straight across the work platform and if you modify it with something down low that you can't see it is possible to forget about it.

 

[dfkrug]

FICORD:
That looks like a Woods hoe, with cast steel outrigger legs. If you weld
some sort of retainer on the leg, you will be welding cast steel, which
could be an issue depending on its metallurgy. You will likely forget the
retainer is locked more than once. I have bent my boom lock this way, so I
rarely use it. I just reach behind me and raise boom and outriggers before
driving the tractor.

I have not seen any outrigger staying mechanisms on the b/h attachments
I have seen. My Prairie Dog's will drop an inch or so in a few days.
Amazingly, my B21 outriggers (with 2350 hr on them) do not drop at all. In
the stored rest position they are more vertical than the other hoe, however.

 

[ray66v]

Be careful with bungee cords. I used to do that until one day I forgot about them. I have no idea why I didn't see them, but I didn't. Anyway, I lowered the stabilizers and suddenly there was a hook whizzing by my head. Just missed me. Scared the **** out of me so now I just let them drift down. I do like the idea of putting something on there similar to the boom lock. Should be a fairly easy mod.

On my hoe, I can not get up on the seat without removing the bungee cord. It streches across the opening you have to step through.

 

[ficord]

I was going to drill a hole with a 1/2 bolt sticking out about 1 inch. Not do any welding.
My only fear is that it might break or jam if I forget it. Or i can use a 5/16 bolt that will break off if I forget . It dosent have to be that strong just to hold up leg. The leg is a pretty strong cast Iron ribed part I doubt it will bend
I just don't want to always have a loose strap or cord around.