Backhoe BX23 backhoe - Platform flexing?

tjkadar · May 11, 2005

Digging out stumps is a tough job. You can tear up a full sized backhoe tackling stumps. Generally speaking, we don't like to use backhoes (big or little) on stumps at all. We prefer to grind them up or use a trackhoe.

If you are forced to use a backhoe, a little patience will go a long way to keeping you and your machine safe.

I've seen some impressive work done by folks on this board. I hope to see a lot more too. Be kind to your tractor and she will be kind to you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bill_BX23 · May 11, 2005

You're right, in the picture the stabilizing arm is off the ground. But when I'm operating, I try to keep the arms on the ground and decent pressure on the bucket. However, in the looser dirt, I sometimes drag the backhoe a little bit when I get hung up on a root.

Since I saw this commet, I've tried to put more pressure on the stabilizers and the bucket, but end up lifting the tires off the ground. Didn't I read that you really weren't supposed to do this? Of course my know it all neighbor came over to watch and told me I had to lift the wheels completely off the ground for it to work right.

Bill.

SCB · May 11, 2005

Of course my know it all neighbor came over to watch and told me I had to lift the wheels completely off the ground for it to work right 
I have to disagree with your neighbor. I lift until most of the weight is off the rears. This way you still have the rear tires helping you hold in your position. I don't think you gain anything by lifting them all the way. The weight is already on the stabilizers. Just my take on it. I have about 400 hours on mine and at least 250 of that is on my backhoe.

theboman · May 12, 2005

I ain't got a BH, I see many used daily here in Ashland and many are completely off the ground (front and rear) when digging up the sideways here in town.... Some are WAY off the ground too, however these are industrial machines..

Berniep · May 20, 2005

( . I have seen many pictures posted here that challenge the imagination of a reasonable person as to why. )

While I agree with you for the most part I have to point out that a whole lot of very large stumps have been removed with a ONE horsepower biopowered machine and a root axe. My grandfather once told me about a stump that took almost and entire season to get out. He said if he wasn't doing something else he was on that stump digging and cutting. Of course noone has the time to spend on that kind of project anymore. I just wanted to point out that big things can get done with relatively little resources.
Bernie

Junkman · May 20, 2005

I had a neighbor that cut down a large tree, and decided to split it entirely himself. He was offered a mechanical splitter, but chose to do it with a axe, wedges, and splitting mall. He died of a heart attack before he finished splitting the tree, one week into the project that he took his vacation time to do. He was found lying alongside of the tree with his tools. Yes it can be done, but like that neighbor, your Kubota BX might also have a fatal accident, and tractors can be replaced, where as people can't. Tractor accidents that are refereed to as "fatal" also involve the operator.

Kiohio · May 20, 2005

As others have stated there is always flexing....
As others have also stated we tend to overwork our tractors, I am more guilty of it than most I would say. I had a 7ft hoe on an 18hp Tractor with no front end loader, 3pt hitch mount at that.

We are a Kioti dealer and I am not here to bad mouth another brand but the kind of things people have told me they want to do with the tractors scares me. The BX series gets more abuse than probably any other model I imagine it is on of the most often broken tractors out there at least in our area....but like I said this is not a cut at all to the brand or the tractor itself.
WHY, because it is the least expensive of the Kubota line.
Absolutely nothing that is the tractors fault at all. Alot of people will buy it because it is all they can afford/want to spend.
Sort of like bush-hogging with a push mower....
It can be done at it will work but something has gotta give sooner or later.

Just keep an eye on your flex and give the tractor a little breathing room to work I'm sure it'll be fine.

KO