Backhoe Stabilizer Pads?

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here we are ready to dig. A short thread was posted on their construction.)</font>
In the picture that goes with this caption you have the rear tires way off the ground. Do you actually dig this way? Everything I've read, and everyone I know with experience says to keep the rear tires touching the ground and the stabilizers just firm to the ground for better stability. I'm interested to hear other opinions. John

 

[DiskDoctr]

Okie,

I really like the tire tread idea. Have you had any trouble with the adhesive losing its grip?

I didn't look at the thread to see what you used, probably should do that, too.

KiotiJohn- If you lift your rear wheels like that, you get a better angle and less front end lift, as your fulcrum is now the stabilizers (closer to the hoe) instead of the wheels (closer to the front). Also lets you dig a little shallower and flatter at the same time with more movement of the hoe available.

Of course, it depends upon the situation, too. Tires and stabilizer pads spread out the TLB weight if surface damage is a concern.

-JC

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( KiotiJohn- If you lift your rear wheels like that, you get a better angle and less front end lift, as your fulcrum is now the stabilizers (closer to the hoe) instead of the wheels (closer to the front).)</font>
I've used my BH a lot since I got it, and I have never had any front end lift, as the stabilizers seem to keep that from happening. I just reread the owner's manual on the BH, and it states to keep the wheels on the ground along with the stabilizers, loader down, and brakes on. Of course, we all don't always follow those recommendations, but I have tried with the rear wheels up, and I didn't like the way it felt just on the stabilizers. It felt more wobbly to me when digging anywhere off center.
Back to the thread: OkieG, This is a great idea for working on surfaces one wants to protect. I just pulled a huge tire out of my wooded area that would do just right for this. Thanks for posting the pics. John

 

[Jackrabbit_Slim]

Appreciate it very much. Went the route with the tire rubber cut into strips, drilled holes through all of them, sandwiched it into an angle iron frame and ran long bolts through to hold the whole thing together. Like your approach very much. And yes, I got my rubber the same way. Trolling the four lane for trash. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif What's my life come to? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[DAP]

I wouldn't imagine that lifting the rears would be that tenuous --- on a hoe with a subframe mounting.

A hoe (like Kubota's) with 3 pt hitch mounting would be a different beast methinks.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wouldn't imagine that lifting the rears would be that tenuous --- on a hoe with a subframe mounting.
A hoe (like Kubota's) with 3 pt hitch mounting would be a different beast methinks.)</font>
You may be right, and mine has a subframe. Do you think it would add a lot of stress to the front end though? I know this BH gets my tractor dancing sometimes, and if the front is on the ground with the rear up, I wonder. Guess I'll just try it and see! John

 

[SPIKER]

I like the idea of the used truck tire, I see them ALL the tiem, and evven HIT a few, luckly no RIM was in them at the tiem! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I was thinking those (ones still fully round) would be GREAT to pick up about 4 or 5 and cut them and make a MAT for in front of the work bench or for infront of th etool shead where the mud always seems to build up... also for use on the edge of a boat dock. I would think that vulcanizing them together with propane torch, but maybe not hold up? just a thought as the pre-fromed ROUND maybe not too easy to straighten out. they DO make excelent flower garden raised beds though, (sister had a lot of them.)

for my HOE, I raide back wheels JUST a bit, same for front withFEL. and I can get 6" deeper dig by raising front end MORE, but not so far as to creat any problems with oil sotch ect. only tired it ONCE when I was experimenting with it NEW back 2 years ago, haven't really NEEDED to try for any deeper, but after 4~5' it goes SO slow I wouldn't want to try and get MORE depth unless it was REALLY needed and even then I would probably think about hiring out that job unless it was a simple think one bucket wide.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DiskDoctr]

KiotiJohn,

I should have added that my post about raising the rear wheels as standard operating method is with a full size Case backhoe.

Could be different with CUTs...

-JC

 

[theonlybull]

it definatly is with most industrial backhoes. i've used our sitting on the wheels, because i've had to, but it doesn't work very good, the higher the machine is, the better it digs, and the more stable it feels.... you can get all 4 tires atleast 2' off the ground with our 580.....

 

[OkieG]

<font color="blue"> Everything I've read,...</font>

My JD8A Backhoe is a subframe mount. The Operator's Manual pictures stabilizers, loader bucket and all 4 wheels on the ground when in "digging position", but also says "To help prevent damage to backhoe: Raise tractor only with stabilizers." I think that's a warning not to raise it with the BH bucket, but doesn't say so, in so many words. So, instructions are not real clear. At least raising the tractor with the stabilizers seems to be acceptable from reading the Operator's Manual.

<font color="blue">... and everyone I know with experience says to keep the rear tires touching the ground </font>

Unfortunately, I don't know anybody with any kind of Backhoe experience, but the construction BH operators frequently have their tractor tires of the ground while working. My personal experience is that my BH moves my tractor around no matter what I do, but the tractor stays put best with loader bucket rolled forward so cutting edge is vertical, firmly on the ground. Usually that means front tires are in the air. And rear tires are off the ground, too. The stabilizer pads hold the ground better with all the tractor weight on them.

Now, both my loader and BH stabilizer arms will drift over a few minutes, so wheels find their way back to earth. If I notice I'm losing grip on the ground, I just bump the wheels back into the air.

OkieG