Backhoe Cause of Sagging Backhoe ???

Don_Curley · May 19, 2002

I have had my BL4690A backhoe on and off my B2910 about 4 or 5 times over the last 10 months without too many difficulties. However, after the latest reinstallation, I noticed that the whole backhoe unit ended up sagging lower on the left-hand side (as you look at it from the rear). I have checked everything I can think of (e.g., symmetry of pin placements, telescoping arm lengths, lift arm configuration, any obviously bent components, etc., etc.). So far I cannot see anything that seems out of whack, and yet the unit continues to sag on the left. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this issue? And beyond the specific cause, does anyone feel that I could potentially damage anything associated with the backhoe by using it in this out-of-kilter "condition"?

TIA,
Don

ronjhall · May 19, 2002

Don
Being a fairly new 4690 owner. I'm not sure I can help. But I will give a try.

<font color=blue>I noticed that the whole backhoe unit ended up sagging lower on the left-hand side (as you look at it from the rear).</font color=blue>

Are you sure the lower links are in the same hole on each side of Backhoe.
I posted an image of the 2910 hookup yesterday. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/5-150122-27-2910bhmast.gif>Click here.</A>
I would try adjusting the right hand 3PH arm to get backhoe level.
Is 3PH control lever in the down position?

<font color=blue> And beyond the specific cause, does anyone feel that I could potentially damage anything associated with the backhoe by using it in this out-of-kilter "condition"?</font color=blue>

If out-of-kilter condition is to great Top link mast will be putting a lot of side load on Top Link Bracket. It was not designed for side load.

Don_Curley · May 19, 2002

Ron,

Thanks for the reply and posting the 2910 hook-up diagrams. In terms of the lower links ... yes, I checked those first off and they are identical on each side. I also tried to use the ratcheting lifting rod on the right side but since the right side is already "high", it made sense to only go in the backing-off direction. Even when it became essentially loose and non-supportive, the right side did not "drop" in relation to the lower left side. (And yes, the 3PH control lever is in the fully down position).

Also, I don't know if it's important, but I seem to remember that the previous times I reistalled the backhoe, that the lower links rested firmly on top of the hitch limiter tube (even at rest). However, this time around, the lower links are sitting 1/2 inch above the hitch limiter tube (evenly, on both sides). Do you (or anyone else) know if this is normal?

Don

kubmech · May 19, 2002

Did you lose the bushing that goes in the mast hole that hooks to the top link bracket? How about your lower link turnbuckles, did you have to change them when you had the other attachment installed? Are they evenly tightened?

Don_Curley · May 19, 2002

kubmech,

I just checked to see that the mast-hole bushing was in place (which it was). And even though I had previously backed-off the lower link turnbuckle until it was loose (I have the racheting type on the right), I did remember that I had pretty heavily adjusted a box blade I previously had on in place of the backhoe. So I backed it off beyond the loose stage (until it was lengthening to the point of obviously pushing against the right side) ... and then eureka! ... things started straightening-up. A few more turns and the backhoe is level once again (although I have to admit, I feel kind of stupid for not trying this out when I first noticed the problem). Thanks for waking me up to the obvious!

By the way, even though the backhoe is now straightened up (side-to-side), the right and left lower links are still standing-off the hitch limiter tube by about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Is this the normal condition, or should they actually be resting directly on top and in contact with the hitch limiter tube?

Thanks again for your help,
Don