Just wanted to post an issue I had with my CB85 backhoe from Massey Ferguson, and get some thoughts on where to go with it. And maybe help someone else who might find themselves with a cracked hoe.
This backhoe has something like 100 hours on it. Bought it new with my tractor (MF 2850E) in July 2021. The backhoe was backordered a bit, so took delivery in mid-September of that year. It hasn't been flawless, but overall pretty happy with how it works, and really like the quick attachment/detachment.
Working away with it yesterday, when I heard a loud pop from what sounded like underneath the backhoe. I took a few minutes to look all around the backhoe and the subframe, trying to see where the noise had come from. Couldn't see anything loose or out of place, so went back to digging. On one of my next lifts, a dark spot on the edge of the boom arm caught my eye. The side plate had separated from the top plate and buckled out about 1/4 inch. Further inspection revealed the entire weld had separated on that side of the boom, about 16-18", right from the lower pivot up to where the boom arm starts to curve. I assume that the weld separated when I heard the pop, and the now completely unsupported side plate started buckling under the stress of the following lifts.
After a couple of minutes of wondering how the hell did that just happen, I got down and took a really close look. The short answer is an absolutely garbage weld. The side plate had almost zero penetration. The rust all over everything and under the paint, makes me suspicious whether any surface preparation at all was done prior to welding. Overall, not a good feeling looking at it.
I've attached pics for anyone interested in taking a look and weighing in. The backhoe is currently loaded on the trailer and waiting to go to the dealer Monday.
This backhoe has something like 100 hours on it. Bought it new with my tractor (MF 2850E) in July 2021. The backhoe was backordered a bit, so took delivery in mid-September of that year. It hasn't been flawless, but overall pretty happy with how it works, and really like the quick attachment/detachment.
Working away with it yesterday, when I heard a loud pop from what sounded like underneath the backhoe. I took a few minutes to look all around the backhoe and the subframe, trying to see where the noise had come from. Couldn't see anything loose or out of place, so went back to digging. On one of my next lifts, a dark spot on the edge of the boom arm caught my eye. The side plate had separated from the top plate and buckled out about 1/4 inch. Further inspection revealed the entire weld had separated on that side of the boom, about 16-18", right from the lower pivot up to where the boom arm starts to curve. I assume that the weld separated when I heard the pop, and the now completely unsupported side plate started buckling under the stress of the following lifts.
After a couple of minutes of wondering how the hell did that just happen, I got down and took a really close look. The short answer is an absolutely garbage weld. The side plate had almost zero penetration. The rust all over everything and under the paint, makes me suspicious whether any surface preparation at all was done prior to welding. Overall, not a good feeling looking at it.
I've attached pics for anyone interested in taking a look and weighing in. The backhoe is currently loaded on the trailer and waiting to go to the dealer Monday.