CDI Backhoe

[Jim_in_Omaha]

I am looking into backhoes. Cost is an issue. I've been reading alot about the Cadplan Caddiggers and CDI-Backhoe's. My brother built a Caddigger (self contained unit) and it works very good. I will be using a 3-point on my Kioti 3054.

Was wondering if anyone has built the CDI-backhoes. The design looks very good. Laser cut parts. The specs of the 600 are good enough for our needs. I communicated with the owner and he does have versions now with hydraulic stabilizers which I think would be nice. He also has a larger/heavier version than the 600.

http://cdp-backhoe.com/

Thanks
Jim

 

[nobull1]

I have not built a backhoe but did purchase a thumb for my excavator from the people on your link.The quality of the laser cutting was second to none"excellent" and people were very easy to do business with.Maybe this is of some help if you decide to do business with these people.

 

[jeff_jeff]

I recently completed building the CDP mid-600 backhoe. I also reviewed plans for the cad-digger, and built the cad-digger 5" bucket (modified for use with the CDP unit)
- Here are my impressions/reccommendations,FWIW

I went with CDP because the initial cost was cheaper, and I was annoyed that Cad-Plans wanted to charge for the plans even if you buy the parts kit. CDP also had better specs

Cad plans are a little more detailed, but CDP was adequate for my needs - The CDP plans I got with the parts kit are not enough to build from scratch - there are no instructions for making the parts. The CDP parts themselves were great, precision cut, excellent. Shipping and service were fine.

CDP's backhoe is harder to build. Look at the buckets - CDP is rounded and requires bending metal - a real pain. Cad digger is squarer (uglier) but easier to put together/weld.

One big drawback for CDP is they use non-standard cylinders - I had to buy them from CDP.

Total cost for me was $2500, including the second bucket.

My reccommendation - if you are building from scratch, go with cad-plans - if you are getting a parts kit, CDP is a good option.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Jeff

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Where did you get your spool valve?

Do you have any pictures?

Yes I am finding that cylinders are hard to find for the specs of the CDI. I'm wondering if a person could get cylinders that have 3/4" pinholes and drill them out to 1"?

I emailed CDI and he said the specs were qty 4 - 2" bore 10" stroke with 1" pinholes and a 18" retracted length. I found these :
http://www.baileynet.com/baileynet/productBrowse.asp?sku=216703
The differences are 17" retracted length and the pin holes are 3/4". I spose a person could drill them out. If one breaks then just reinforce that one.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also, I wonder if a person could get this:
http://www.baileynet.com//baileynet/productBrowse.asp?sku=214508+++++++
and cut the end of the rod to the right length, then weld a tube on the end for the pin. Or just use bushings to hold the rod in the center of the pin. These are cheap.

thx
Jim

 

[jeff_jeff]

I got the spool valve from www.northerntool.com I used parts 201612 (4), 201617, 201616, 201526. It works fine except the handles point the wrong way. Around $300 with shipping.

I'd be hesitant to drill out the 3/4" ends, doesn't look like enough metal - you probably could cut the ends off and just weld on a 1" end - you might need to dissassemble the cylinder to keep from damaging the internals during welding. My local hydraulic shop offered to custom build me some cylinders, but that costs more than ordering from CDP.

 

[moeh1]

I just got a joystick valve off Ebay for a bit less. I hadn't looked at CDI, but I did look at Cadplans. I am looking to build a subframe mounted system directly, not a 3 pt mount. I have re-valued some of my time for buy versus build on some of the parts. I am looking at building about 1/2 of the hoe and buying the swivel frame, dipper and boom from Kubota parts (off the 6' hoe they have for the BX). They too seem to use odd cylinders - if I could cross them to a regular brand I can drop the price, otherwise I am shooting for about $2500 with this approach. I think I''ll be a bit faster in the build phase and like the final product more.