Backhoe Backhoe - What is normal slack?

[steve0413]

My 2485 does have a spot for a top link as well, also under the BH seat. And one of the pictures (drawing) in the BH manual does show a top link attached. The picture only shows the tractor end so I'm assuming the other end is attached to the BH.

I will plan on contacting Kioti this week and get an answer straight from the horses mouth. I can see how a top link could help with the "flex" issue but certainly don't want to damage the tractor.

While we're on this, does anyone use the kit to return the hydraulic fluid directly to the filler plug? And if so, does it make a significant difference in the speed or power of the backhoe? Just curious.

 

[DK35vince]

Many of these backhoes are made so they can be mounted several ways and on differant type machines.
My Rhino 85 has the holes for mounting on a tractor 3 point hitch (3 point hitch bracket kit sold seperatly).
It can be mounted on a tractor subframe (subframe optional, sold sepearately).
I think you can even get a kit so the same backhoe can be mounted on a skid steer.

 

[Gregster613]

Hi, Don't mean to hijack the thread, just wanted to ask a poster about his answer and experiences.
Gil Case, I am curious as to your 10 years of use/experience with the 3 point mount BH. If by "bouncing around" do you mean only during transport? Or even while digging? My uses for a BH would be very, very minimal and I kinda tend to think/believe that for a home owner user - not commerical - 3 point shouldn't be that hard on the tractor. However, my TYM top mount bracket looks (to me) as if it could 'maybe' be somewhat fragile were it subjected to continual outward pulling forces?
I don't know tho; I have had my 6' foot Woods rotary cutter dangle off the rear with no damages.
The price differences between 3 point and subframe BH's is a consideration for someone (like me) for whom an occasional water, electric line trench, tree planting hole, or pet burial grave would be the main useage.
Thanks, Greg

 

[dfkrug]

The Kioti CK20 HST does have a spot for the top link under the backhoe seat, just about on the floor. At least my 2008 does. Putting a top link there would mean it would be level to the ground.
I have also heard (from dealers) that three point hitch backhoes should not be used since it puts too much pressure on the top link which is welded onto the gear housing, but if you look at the under carriage support for the backhoe, it is bolted onto the same housing as the top link, just a little lower down. Admittedly the pull of the under carriage mount is straight down and the pull of the top link is straight back, this could lead to earlier failure of the top link welds.
I used a three point backhoe for 10 years on my old 24 hp Chinese Benye and never had any problems, but it sure would bounce around.

Kioti sells their hoes explicitly and exclusively to be mounted on their
subframes. They have not offered them to be mounted to any tractor's
3-pt hitch. The use of a toplink (not the one that comes with the
tractor) to add stiffness to the undermount subframe is what I am
talking about. Kioti would not have the toplink holes on the hoe if they were
not to be used with the subframe. In a 3-pt hitch mount, the tension forces
on the toplink bracket is much much greater than when it is used with
an undermount subframe. All upward forces exerted by the hoe mounted
on the 3PH are translated to the toplink by the freely pivoting 3PH. A small
fraction of these tension forces on the toplink bracket will occur when
a stiffening toplink is used in conjuction with a rigidly mounted subframe.

I know that there are many tractors out there that have used hoes on
the 3PH without apparent damage. It is still not a good idea.

Unlike Kioti hoes, Rhino hoes are sold for any tractor, and so they offer
(but do not recommend) a 3PH connection.

 

[Dmace]

I just went outside and looked at my backhoe which is still in storage and there is NO mount for a top-link. The only holes under the seat in the general area that a top link would mount are for adjusting the height of the seat. This is a 2006 model Kioti KB2365 backhoe.

 

[Gil Case]

The 3 pt attachment is really a four point attachment. Most of the weight is supported by the draw bar. Then the three point attachment. When I said it bounced around, I meant during use, there is no solid attachment to the tractor. The bounce is not a deal breaker, for home owner use I would not rule out a three point backhoe. I have seen them on an 85 horse Massey Ferguson that was used for commercial use in VT, with no apparent problem.
Under mount is better no doubt.

 

[dfkrug]

This is a 2006 model Kioti KB2365 backhoe.

I assume you looked way under the floorboards, Derek.

Note that GIL's upgraded hoe of the same size, the BL2465, does have
toplink holes, and the BL2475 does, too.