Can hooking up the backhoe be a one person job

[deezler]

Forget the blocks. Use the hydraulics, stabilizers and bucket to disconnect the backhoe. Move the tractor ahead a few inches, use the hydraulics to lower the backhoe frame to the ground (on plywood or similar if you prefer). Shut off the tractor and disconnect the hydraulics. Cribbing the backhoe high off the ground is unnecessary and unsafe. You will NEVER have it at exactly the correct height to reconnect.

Had similar thoughts, but the place I plan to store the backhoe is too narrow to use the stabilizers, they will stay locked in their upright position. I figured I could use the blocking strategically as a fulcrum point if needed, manipulated with the bucket/hoe. Plus I don't want to store it on the ground all winter; it will definitely be stored on blocks of some sort. Not high off the ground by any means, shoot my hoe only has 6 or 8" of ground clearance under it while attached anyway.

 

[IndyJay]

I thought I read somewhere that women can do everything equal to men!

I saw on another thread they were talking about using beefy wenches to move logs through congested woods...

Seriously, the OP was asking about a particular tractor. Whether it is better to leave lift arms on or off is pretty much specific to the tractor you are working with. Does anyone have an LS MT2E tractor with backhoe who can answer the question as applies to this tractor?

 

[RickB]

Had similar thoughts, but the place I plan to store the backhoe is too narrow to use the stabilizers, they will stay locked in their upright position. I figured I could use the blocking strategically as a fulcrum point if needed, manipulated with the bucket/hoe. Plus I don't want to store it on the ground all winter; it will definitely be stored on blocks of some sort. Not high off the ground by any means, shoot my hoe only has 6 or 8" of ground clearance under it while attached anyway.

Won’t be long before you find a place to disconnect using the stabilizers. Hopefully that happens before you get hurt. If the spot is too narrow to lower the stabilizers it's also likely to be too narrow to provide a fast escape route.

 

[fried1765]

Had similar thoughts, but the place I plan to store the backhoe is too narrow to use the stabilizers, they will stay locked in their upright position. I figured I could use the blocking strategically as a fulcrum point if needed, manipulated with the bucket/hoe. Plus I don't want to store it on the ground all winter; it will definitely be stored on blocks of some sort. Not high off the ground by any means, shoot my hoe only has 6 or 8" of ground clearance under it while attached anyway.

Your stabilizers actually "stay locked in their upright position"?
My droop down over time, unless I strap them together for long term storage.

 

[RickB]

Your stabilizers actually "stay locked in their upright position"?
My droop down over time, unless I strap them together for long term storage.

Some CUT sized hoes have transport locks for the stabilizers.

 

[Captain Dirty]

My next door neighbor is a timber framer who has given me cut-offs from 4x6 to 16x16. I usually put a 6x8 under each stabilizer and a larger block under the bucket. If the BH is unmounted for a long time (snowplowing season), I will raise the unit before disconnecting the hydraulics and place another bock under the swing pin. I feel better with it on blocks rather than directly on the ground.
Mounting and removing the BH has always been a one-person job. If all goes well, 15 - 20 minutes. If I discover I am misaligned after hooking up the hoses I can easily take twice as long trying to back and fill on the short tether of the hoses.

 

[aloha]

I will add to the discussion that I have my backhoe on dollies that allow me to shift it around slightly once the tractor is in close position. I think it is probably easier to get it on by myself than if I had a "helper."

 

[4570Man]

It's the OP's daughter. How fast can your daughter or wife do it?

I don’t have either one but I’m sure if she is ambitious enough to buy the tractor to start with and use it she could learn to do it pretty fast. It’s not a hard task.

 

[MoKelly]

Reading this makes me feel inadequate. I have a heck of a time switching the finish mower for the bush hog!

And I have pics showing what it’s supposed to look like after hook up.

I hate to admit, but it probably takes me 39 minutes to complete the process. I’ve learned a few new words as well.

MoKelly

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have a John Deere BH. I don't see how a second person would be much help other than getting the alignment set. I have to be within 1/2" side to side in alignment so I have mine on a dolly and use a pry bar to move the dolly. It's about 1500# that has to be aligned. Once that's done it's just a matter of hooking up hoses, using the hydraulics on the BH to raise it into position and put two pins in.

My dad has a big one. One man job. He's only 74.