BX24 Back Hoe Outrigger Pads........

[Shmudda]

I have had my BX24 for about 1 1/2 years now and one of the reoccurring problems that I have noticed with the machine is when you put the outriggers down to use the back hoe they sink into the ground very easily. Then when you start digging, and tugging on a stump or large rock they again don't hold real well and will actually bury themselves into the dirt, and the hoe will pull the machine back into what you are digging further burying the feet into the dirt deeper.

Well, I believe I have fixed that problem......

Attached are some pictures of the new outrigger pads I fabricated today. I made them from 10" Channel, with a small 3" channel welded inside to give it a little more bite. As you can see from the pictures the area has been increased substantially, and this should allow the foot to hold the machine somewhat better then the small OEM unit.

I'm going to paint them up and put them on the machine, and then I will take a few more pictures of the installation and post them here. They truly fit good and are in very good proportion to the size of the machine, so they are not to big from a visual perspective.

I can't be the only BX24 owner that has had this problem, so please tell me I'm not!!

Craig

 

[Ductape]

Great idea !

The problem isn't limited to just BXs.

 

[BigD23]

Yep, same as my BX23...Those new feet look great...Thanks for sharing and keep us posted.

Don

 

[bx24]

Shmudda- I am always looking for simple ways to improve this little machines performance ... and you have hit on a great idea

One question though .... Did you get robbed or something? Why is your work bench so clean!

Nice job

 

[Shmudda]

Shmudda- I am always looking for simple ways to improve this little machines performance ... and you have hit on a great idea

One question though .... Did you get robbed or something? Why is your work bench so clean!

Nice job

Paul,

Naw....didnt get robbed just had to clean it off some to set the pads up and take some pictures. Also, if you look on the 2nd and 3rd picture you will see the handle of the 12 ga leaning against the wall....thats my buddy!!!

I'll let you all know how they work......

Craig

 

[bill1]

You've done a really nice job! Once painted and installed, they'll look great and should work much better then stock "pads".

I've had the same sinking problem on my B21, but not being as enterprising as you are, lol, I bolted a couple of pieces of 2 X 12 to the bottom of my pads to increase the footprint. This works ok for me, but I haven't tried to pull any rocks or stumps yet....

 

[Jimmyp5]

Well darn it I now have a new summer project.... I have a loam/sand soil and have had this problem too... I hope my little cracker box welder will handle the job...

 

[radioman]

No, you are not the only one with the problem. I have the same issue as well. I am also been thinking about adding some sort of mod to add soft pads for asphalt or someone pretty lawn. I see from your project, It might be eassier just to start over and make whole new pad from scratch that would look better.

 

[Danno1]

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I did something similar last fall but I put the smaller channel sideways to the way you have it.

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[Shmudda]

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I did something similar last fall but I put the smaller channel sideways to the way you have it.

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Dan,

So you rotated the small channel 90 degrees from the way its shown in the pictures? It ran across the width of the channel from flange to flange on the larger channel from your description.

For my own information, what was the reason for running them that direction vs the way I ran it??

Craig

 

[Matt_Jr]

Wow. I was thinking about just bolting some wood to mine. Nice work.

 

[Danno1]

Dan,

So you rotated the small channel 90 degrees from the way its shown in the pictures? It ran across the width of the channel from flange to flange on the larger channel from your description.

For my own information, what was the reason for running them that direction vs the way I ran it??

Craig

Yes, you are correct.

My thinking was, as the channels are bolted on, they work fine for digging behind the machine. But if the BH was swung to either side, then the right angle pieces would resist the forces from that direction.

May or may not be a concern. Just the way I did it.

.

 

[RayCo]

Thanks for replying to this thread today. I would have missed it otherwise, and I think this is outstanding. I'm certainly another one with this problem.

 

[Shmudda]

Well, I finally had the time to get the machine out and test the new pads.

The pictures are in the yard before I took it to the woods to work on a stump. You can see the outrigger pads are in proportion with the machine in size and I can tell you they make a world of difference in the performance of the back-hoe. It doesn't get pulled back into what you are digging, and the pads stay on top of the ground and don't sink in.

They were worth the time and effort.

Attached are some finished pics.....I know how you all like pictures.......

Craig

 

[RayCo]

They look great, Craig. I believe I'll be stealing this idea for my first welding experience sometime soon. Thanks for posting this.

When the stabilizers are raised, do the new pads obstruct anything or get in the way of anything that the old ones didn't?

 

[Shmudda]

Ray,

They dont interfere with anything, and have really solved the problem quite nicely.

Craig

 

[LBrown59]

Yes, you are correct.

My thinking was, as the channels are bolted on, they work fine for digging behind the machine. But if the BH was swung to either side, then the right angle pieces would resist the forces from that direction.

May or may not be a concern. *Just the way I did it.

.

That's the way I'd do it too.
I think.

They look great, Craig. I believe I'll be stealing this idea for my first welding experience sometime soon. Thanks for posting this.

When the stabilizers are raised, do the new pads obstruct anything or get in the way of anything that the old ones didn't?

I'm wondering about that too.

Ray,

They dont interfere with anything, and have really solved the problem quite nicely.


Craig

Are you saying they don't stick our farther from the tractor than they did before?

 

[CurlyDave]

I am also been thinking about adding some sort of mod to add soft pads for asphalt or someone pretty lawn.

Think about getting a set of soft pads for a larger machine and then make up a custom foot that will fit the commercially available pads.

 

[RayCo]

I imagine someone with the right skills could fabricate flip-over pads that have the sharp feet on one side and soft pads on the other. That's the setup on my father-in-law's backhoe, and it's kinda nice. I'll have to take another look at how they work, then learn how to weld.

 

[radioman]

Very nice! I believe that your new pads also solve the ugly cut points. Your new pads are more straight up and down, the old ones are at a angle. when using the old pads in soft lawn, it would rip a larger area of grass. I like yours better plus a larger foot print would be more evenly distributed.