BH80x Backhoe creak

Tim M · Feb 3, 2008

I've got a Brand new Woods BH80x subframe mounted on a Kioti CK30. As I crowd the boom under load there is some very unnerving creaking (almost a metal popping). This starts happening when the dipper is maybe 4 or so feet away from the boom. I am only running about 1500 rpms.

I read and reread the manual and I think I am using the float properly.

Is there any guidance about how close to bring the dipper to the boom under load?

Thanks.

FULLPULL · Feb 3, 2008

I would first make shure all of the grease fittings took enough grease . It sounds like a dry joint or bushing and pin . Move the boom, bucket and dipper in different spots as you grease. This may help the new unit take grease better .

shvl73 · Feb 3, 2008

I would also check all subframe bolts.

Tim M · Feb 3, 2008

Hmmm. All the bolts holding the crossmember (no 7 in pic) were loose when I got the tractor. In fact one nut fell off and the shine caught my eye before I buried it. I will go over the install manual and torque everything up.

Should I be locktighting these bolts?

Thanks.

john_bud · Feb 4, 2008

Yes, locktite blue. Non-permanent type.

Also, grease the snickers out of each and every grease fitting. If they didn't tighten the subframe, what else didn't they do?
hoses, fluid level, ?

jb

wushaw · Feb 4, 2008

It only takes one loose bolt to make it sound like the world is coming apart.
Tighten the tar out of them.

wedge40 · Feb 4, 2008

Just be careful when tightening the "Tar" out of the bolts. I'm pretty sure there is directions that tell you what torque to tighten too. I do my own brakes and I kept having the rotors warp on my car. After being told that they needed to tightened (I believe) 90ft-lbs, no more or no less, I quit having rotor problems.

Wedge

Tim M · Feb 4, 2008

Looks like the dipper cylinder rod end (dipper connection) is bone dry. It will be a few days before I can grease it and see if this gets rid of the creak.(I may wait and show my dealer)

Could this lack of grease have caused any permanent damage?

In the meantime I am a little uneasy. What else should I be looking for in terms of things my dealer "may have overlooked" ? I can turn a wrench but this is my first piece of hydraulic equipment.

I am considering having my dealer come pick it up and repeat the setup with me present. Is this reasonable?

Thanks.

shvl73 · Feb 4, 2008

I would just grease it and be done with it. You can pull the pin and check for scoring and wear patterns but, unless it is showing harm, I'd go over it myself and that's it. Obviously it should have been done by the dealer prep.

FULLPULL · Feb 4, 2008

Sub-frames seem to work loose keep a eye on it for a while . If you want you can call the dealer and ask him his opinion on what caused them to work loose . If it wasnt tight at delivery the dealer needs to know . Otherwise i would go over the machine good and grease the fittings as needed . It sounds like you caught it early enough to prevent damage .