Backhoe update. I'm making progress (Video included)

Short Game · Aug 14, 2011

This thread is telling me more info that I will need. My Kubota backhoe was designed for a tractor without a fuel tank behind the seat. It can't get it back close enough to either of my tractors to work on the 3PH. I was considering making some kind of frame mount. That was before I saw the towable here.

I have been thinking of a fairly long tongue (great for sideways forces). I see now that I will want it really strong. I can do that. What I'm also seeing makes me want to add an adjustable top link to go up to the top 3PH and get some downforce on the stabilizers, thereby bringing some of the tractor's weight into play. So, a clevis to the draw bar and pin a top link in too.

Am I thinking clearly about this?

peavey · Aug 14, 2011

I had the same problem. My gravely tractor has a fuel tank directly behind the seat. No way to mount the BH to the 3 pt. hitch with out extending it out far enougHooked directly to the tractorh to put a operators seat for the hoe. I did make an adapter for the 3pt which extended the BH out a few feet. Then I wanted to make the hoe towable to keep the weight off the rear axle of the tractor when moving, so I went ahead and made the frame for the hoe. Now I can use it in a few different configurations. Hooked directly to the 3pt on the tractor, or tow it with the tractor or my pick up truck.

Short Game · Aug 14, 2011

I will start learning about backhoes and their operation when I get this unit ready to tow on an axle. I've never had one. That top link will not be for when I'm moving it. I'm thinking of a link like the kind of swing limiters on the lower links with the drill holes and a pin to set it (but built heavier, of course). Pull the pin to move or tow, put it in to dig when set. The top link would be set to only be in compression, never tension.

peavey · Aug 15, 2011

That may work, let us know how it is going. I can tell you from my limited experience that operating the back hoe controls will take some getting use to. First time I tried mine out I was all over the place with it. Dang 4 position levers. But I will get the hang of it like anything else, just repitition and muscle memory.

evo803 · Aug 16, 2011

peavey said:
That may work, let us know how it is going. I can tell you from my limited experience that operating the back hoe controls will take some getting use to. First time I tried mine out I was all over the place with it. Dang 4 position levers. But I will get the hang of it like anything else, just repitition and muscle memory.

Just convert the 4 levers to 2 joysticks . It is pretty easy to do with 6 heim joints and some plate stock.

peavey · Aug 16, 2011

I have the joy stick levers, thats the problem. Can't seem to get my mind to realize one lever works 4 different functions.

Bdavis · Aug 20, 2011

peavey said:
I have the joy stick levers, thats the problem. Can't seem to get my mind to realize one lever works 4 different functions.

Great job, love the thread !

"It is not the achievement of a goal but the process which one goes through to achieve a goal that is truely priceless."

Thanks for the inspiration !

peavey · Aug 20, 2011

Ok folks, I just gave the Back hoe a work out today. I dug about 160 to 200 feet of ditch for a neighbor about 3 to 4 feet deep. It worked great. I kept it hooked to my tractor the whole time because I realized the other day I need to re-configure the tongue with a piece of metal so it does'nt dig into the ground when I'm using it with out the tractor. Otherwise this thing rocks. I learned quickley the whole trick to digging with a towable is to use the bucket as the digger, not the boom of the back hoe. I was able to pick up some pretty good size rocks, and cut about 8 inches of hard clay with out much of a problem. My neighbor was very pleased that it saved him big money, which he did'nt have but he was able to kept the fuel tanks filled and plenty of cold water for me.

tcreeley · Aug 20, 2011

RE towable back hoe- Backhoes mounted directly to tractors are based on a sub frame and a couple of stabilizers close to where the 3 pt lift arms are. The stabilizers take the digging torque and the rest is passed along through the sub frame.

A towable backhoe uses it's 2 stabilizers near the bucket which is good. However, even with a long tongue, a lot of torque still gets transferred to the tractor via the hitch. A 3 pt hitch is not as rugged as a sub frame. I think a towable backhoe benefits from two more stabilizers- like the ones here:
DIRT MASTER | KW Manufacturing - Portable, Towable backhoe

Good luck.

peavey · Aug 21, 2011

Your exactely right. The frame tongue must be strong enough to handle the stress from the digging force which could be in excess of 4000lbs, depending on the hydraulics, and you must have a way to prevent the frame from digging into the earth.

peavey · Aug 22, 2011

Ok folks, here is a few oics of my little towable in action. The max digging depth is about 6.5' I think. I am digging a storm shelter beside my home. It will be a 6'x8' about 6.5' deep. In these pics I am about half done with the digging. I'm gonna put about 6" of gravel on the floor, then use concrete block for the walls, cover it with a wood frame (4"x4"), then tin. Make a door that opens inward. We get some pretty nasty storms here in Va., and had some major damage from the wind. What do you guy's think?

Iplayfarmer · Aug 22, 2011

peavey said:
... What do you guy's think?

I think that's the most intense towable backhoe I've ever seen. I think you're storm shelter will be a nice addition.

Short Game · Aug 22, 2011

peavey said:
What do you guy's think?

You could have done that with a shovel by now.

Can't wait to get mine on wheels!

chad22 · Aug 22, 2011

Short Game said:
You could have done that with a shovel by now.

I could have dug him a hole for a shelter in 2 weeks back when I was 14. :laughing:

I wish I would have took a picture of it. But while my parents were gone for the 2 weeks. I got out the shovel, pick axe and buckets. I dug a hole 8 ft long and 4 ft wide. It started at 3ft deep on one end ended up 6ft deep at the other.

It held water too. That was in Cove Arkansas. I filled it back in before we moved back to Kansas.

I dug that hole while it was over 100 F out. I wouldn't be able to do that now.

Now it would probably take me at least a year to dig that same hole by hand.

When my parents got back. I got yelled at by my dad. He was angry at me for digging that hole.

:laughing:

Later on he calmed down and laughed about it. And asked me how the he double hockey sticks I dug that hole.

He teased me. You must have stolen an excavator.

Chad

Iplayfarmer · Aug 22, 2011

chad22 said:
...while my parents were gone for the 2 weeks. I got out the shovel, pick axe and buckets. I dug a hole 8 ft long and 4 ft long. It started at 3ft deep on one end ended up 6ft deep at the other...

I think we now all understand the deep emotional committment you have to build a backhoe.

chad22 · Aug 22, 2011

Iplayfarmer said:
I think we now all understand the deep emotional committment you have to build a backhoe.

lol. I love to play in the dirt. The backhoe will make it that much more enjoyable. As long as I have the fuel I can dig all I want without hurting my back.

I think I'm gonna go ahead and make it onto the back of my more stout lawn tractor. The one I'm gonna put a loader on later.

Then I'll add some hydraulic stabilizers. This way I can set the parking brake on the tractor and it won't pull me around like the towable was doing.

I'll also have the added benefit of not having to crawl it around. That was painfully slow. lol I can just drive it to where I need it.

I'll go ahead and use the same boom and stick but cut them both down so they won't be so long. Which should reduce the stress applied.

Chad

peavey · Aug 22, 2011

Don't think so, I had a hard time trying to shovel some of the loose dirt into my sears craftsman fron loader bucket. Why was I using a shovel??? Because the grass was damp, not wet, only damp and the sears bucket would not get more than 1/3 filled. Goofy thing is useless on dirt.

peavey · Aug 22, 2011

It is intense, a lot of hard work and back woods engneering went into it.

Short Game · Aug 22, 2011

I'm picturing Chad's dad seeing him coming for a visit with his backhoe and remembering teasing him.

Yeah, what it is with shovels. Why are they so darned hard to work now? They were made much better back when I was young.