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.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'd much rather hook up the back hoe than the Kuhn hay mower.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I have basically the same tractor (model number changed one month later). I can take the BH off in under 3 minutes. Piece of cake. Some times it takes 10 minutes to put it back on.... most of the time about 5 minutes.... also by myself. A second person can watch the subframe to make sure it is lined up. That is about all they could do.... having a second person helps so that the operator doesn't have to keep getting on / off the tractor.

There are too many small details to explain posting here... My suggestion is to YouTube "removing LS XJ2025 backhoe" , (the XJ2025 has a similar mounting) there are a few really good ones about it. I think there is only one for the MT225E / XG3025 (Same tractor). Also the Kioti CK2610 has the same identical subframe mount. There are some videos showing that removal.

The key 'take away' is: With practice it will become very easy! The first time will take quite a bit longer.

 

[fried1765]

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

Just be thankful it does not take you 40 minutes.

 

[MoKelly]

Just be thankful it does not take you 40 minutes.

Ha!

Another typo. I meant to say 30 minutes! The darn 9 is very close to the 0.

MoKelly

 

[Bearsixty7]

I can take my BH off in 5 minutes, mounting takes 5-10 minutes, just depends. I use a stack of 4 to 5 2x4's to place under the boom pivot to keep it from tipping the front of the subframe up as the hydraulics equalize when it's sitting disconnected.

Removing it is easy, put stabilizers down, uncurl bucket fully and lower boom and adjust dipper so that it is vertical. bucket teeth will sink into the ground some which keeps it in place and allows you to use the hydraulics to position the BH back on later.

I nudge the stabilizers and boom levers to just lift the subframe off the rear mount plate and to basically center the front plate in the 2 cutouts.

Slowly drive the tractor forward to just clear the rear mount plate. I then place a 2x4 under the front and rear most portions of the subframe so it doesn't sit on the ground. Place the stack of 2x4's under the boom just behind the pivot pin. Use the boom and stabilizer levers to lower the BH onto the boards.

My BH connects to the rear hydraulics with detent so I just place the lever in the neutral position.

Now carefully work all the BH hydraulic levers to help remove pressure then disconnect the hoses.

If the BH may be left uncovered a few days, I take a large white trash bag and cover the levers, It will slide right over them all and makes a pretty tight seal around the BH console.


To install, Basically reverse the process. I do use the BH levers for boom and dipper to do the final placement back on the subframe mounts.

Here is the stack of 2x4's I glued and screwed together in use once when I took it off on concrete.

 

[mikester]

Out of curiosity do you park on a smooth, level concrete slab? If not, try it.

 

[rademamj1]

Kioti backhoe attachment is a one man job with typically 15 mins for hookup. But like everything in life, the more experienced you get at it, the faster it goes. Focus on the tractor alignment for best results. And always remember to remove pressure on your hydraulic lines before disconnect, or you will have trapped pressure in your backhoe next time you hookup. Always park on as level ground as possible.

 

[SPYDERLK]

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

In any installation there will be a situation unique to your own setup. Both the implements and tractors are variable. Small position adjustments are necessary and you dont want to be stuck doing them with a crowbar. An HST tractor gives most control, but I think any tractor with a loader can do almost as well in fine adjustment using the bucket - edge down. Lift the tractor front slightly and then use curl and dump (carefully) to make small back and forth movements of the tractor as needed. You can even vary the amount the tractor front is lifted if you need small changes in height or rotation of rear attachment points. Once you get the process down it isnt a struggle any more.

 

[sea2summit]

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

When I got my first real CAT II implement...yeah, there were some words that peeled some paint.

 

[Williy]

When you remove the hoses hook them
together

Chect these videos out should help!

willy