Backhoe backhoe storage

[dengar256]

Hi all,
Me again with another question . Now that winter is here it is time for me to swap my backhoe for my back blade. What I would like to know is in your experience what are the best ways to store a backhoe (i.e. where / how to brace it). Is there any special "mothball" steps to take and come spring what should I do for that first use.

Thanks in advance for the replies / wisdom .

 

[VictorW]

I think I remember someone making a wood frame stand with wheels so they could roll it around in their garage. I don't have that luxury for my KB2375. Mine sits under a roof but on dirt. The more level the better. That makes taking it off and on a little easier. I use two cement blocks with wood on top to shim to the proper height under the two frame pieces where the stab legs attach. The boom is back with the dipper arm pulled in and the bucket on a piece of wood resting on the ground. A 4x4 is under the front part of the bh subframe. This is how I brace it when I take it off and pull forward over the subframe after disconnecting the hoses. To reinstall, just back over the subframe, connect the hyd hoses , and then use the stab legs and arm controls to make everything match up. My Winterizing is coating the hyd cyl's chromed rods with grease, pumping grease in all the zerks for all the bushings, and covering it with a tarp for a little more protection. I think some guys use fluid film to coat the rods for rust protection. I've had mine for 5 years with no storage problems. Come Spring, I just hook it up and go to work.

 

[dengar256]

I forgot to ask. Would it be possible for you to post a pic or two of you "storage rig". That way I could get a better idea of what other people do.

 

[RickB]

Disconnect the mounting and use the hydraulics to lower the main frame to the floor. Manipulate the cylinders so the machine rests in a stable position. If the hoe is to be stored outside, retract as many cylinders as possible and set the frame on plywood or other solid surface. Then disconnect the hydraulics. There is no good reason to block or crib the hoe up off the floor/ground. This accomplishes nothing more than creating a safety hazard if it were to slip or get knocked off the blocking. And however certain you are that you have left the hoe exactly in the correct position to back up to and reconnect, it won't be.

 

[Gil Case]

[/QUOTE]And however certain you are that you have left the hoe exactly in the correct position to back up to and reconnect, it won't be.[/QUOTE]

That is the truth, every fall I put it in a spot where I can just back over the subframe in the spring and hook it up and every spring the hydraulics have let loose a little bit (or a lot) and the back of the subframe is sticking up too high to back over it. This year I put a post under the elbow of the backhoe to see if I can keep it in place, but I can tell just by looking at the tarp that I will have to get out the farm jack in the spring and jack it into proper position again.

 

[Gittyup]

There are a number of posts on here and in the build-it-yourself forum of home made dollies. Some are very nice.... as long as you have a hard surface to roll it around on. I don't. When I store it, I place a 4x4 under the business end of the frame to keep the other end from raising up too high to drive over it. And I put a few 2x4 under the other end to keep the whole frame off the ground..... at least for several weeks anyway. Keeps it flat enough. But, it's still can be a pain to put on after several months sitting there drooping. Hard surface is your best bet. Otherwise lube, coat, and cover to keep it dry. And prepare for a lot of practice reattaching.

My BH is a Rhino, and I think they are a little harder to put on than the Kioti ones. But, I doubt the Kioti BH is really any more fun to reattach.

 

[rimshot]

I went to Home Dept and bought four of those four wheeled furniture dollies. I sheeted the top of each one flush with 3/4" plywood or some 3/4 hardwood boards. With a shim or two this turns out to leave the attachment at the perfect height. On a concrete floor I place one at each outrigger hinge (not the outboard pad) where the arm attaches to the frame, one at the front end of the subframe and one beneath the bucket sitting flat on the top of dolly with bucket parallel and touching top of dolly. Dipper is plumb.

The reason I place the backhoe on wheels is not only do I gain mobility on the pole barn concrete floor but it is very nice come Spring. It's always nice to have the ability to roll the backhoe a tiny bit one way or another when remounting the machine.

Like others have said, a shot of grease for each zerk drives moisture and dirt away and some wd40 on the hydraulic cyliinder rods.

rimshot