Backhoe Backhoe use

Boondox · May 10, 2002

Okay, after asking around and getting conflicting advice on whether or not to use the stabilizers to lift the rear tires off the ground or not, this is what I've learned from my local tractor mechanic types..

For those with sub-frames lifting the rear completely off the ground is fine and gives maximum stability. But those with 3ph hoes should just plant the stabilizers firmly on the ground to minimize stress on the tractor.

Make sense? My Woods manual says nothing on the topic.

Pete

Bird · May 10, 2002

<font color=blue>Make sense?</font color=blue>

Sure sounds right to me, but of course that's only from watching and talking to backhoe operators - never owned one myself./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 10, 2002

<font color=blue>...lifting the rear completely off the ground is fine and gives maximum stability...</font color=blue>

Hi Pete...

Well... I wish I had a backhoe... but someday... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Using simple engineering logic... the more contact points with the ground would only increase stability and reduce the stress overall... both tractor and backhoe components... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JohnMiller3 · May 10, 2002

{attached BH stability diagram}

BruceW · May 10, 2002

My instructions for the use of my kubota 3ph backhoe said to take the weight off the rear tires while leaving them as close to the ground as possible. In my experience using the same I have found that whenever weight is distributed on the rear tires ( usually through ground settling) the backhoe tosses the tractor around a lot more then when the weight is off the tires and on the support legs.

On hard ground this is fairly easy to accomplish with minimal re positioning of the support legs but on soft ground it becomes slightly harder.

bruce

Thomas · May 10, 2002

When running the backhoe..I've notice some operator's set the fel at different levels..high,couple inches from the ground,bucket flat on the ground,bucket curl so the cutting edge into to the ground,always wonder what would be the best.

hazmat · May 10, 2002

JMIII's picture shows it best. You do want to unload the tires(front & rear) as this will take the "spring" out of the system. You only need three contact points (in this case two stabilizers and 1 bucket) to define a plane (the ground).

Enjoy (I'm jealous)

Boondox · May 10, 2002

This is excellent, John! Where'd you find the illustration?

Pete

gerard · May 10, 2002

I agree with the picture. When I had my 20000lb international I just took the load off the tires in the rear and just slightly lifted the front tire off with downpressure on the bucket. I kept the bucket flat as that distributed the weight over a largers area and seemed more stable than putting the edge into the ground. Never saw the benefit of lifting the rear tires 10 inches off the ground although I have seen operators do it. (Course I've seen enough stupid things done by "professionals" in various areas that I don't just automatically assume they're doing it the correct way!!!)

glennmac · May 10, 2002

But you are ignoring the distinction and balancing of stress interests raised in Boondox's opening post.

Yes, taking the weight off the rear wheels may make the most stable digging platform, but does it add too much stress on the short 3ph arms that are now bearing the entire weight of the tractor? That is not an issue when there is a subframe, which becomes a giant lever completely underneath the tractor.

I think (this is completely all theory with no practical experience) that when you have a 3ph mounted hoe, you have to balance tractor digging stability agaist stress on the 3ph.