Dig-It towable Backhoe partial restoration

[Kernopelli]

One other thing I've meant to mention, my 258 (and assume the 158) use a Bradco 8LD backhoe. I had suspected that Dig-It used this hoe a while back. When Bart at Heartland Equipment sent me a parts diagram, it was labeled as an 8LD hoe. Online pics of Bradco's model 8LD confirm that it is definitely a Bradco 8LD hoe that was used.......finding online Bradco parts for this hoe has been a problem though.

 

[tcreeley]

Haha. Awesome. Its almost ready to go back into service. I found new original air cleaners and they actually beat the bushings and pins to the house. I am hoping the bushings and pins show up tomorrow so I can start the process of putting it back together tomorrow.

The only problem I am struggling with is now that it is running so well, do I leave it alone? Or tear it all down and perform a ground up restore on it. I know thats probably more money qnd work than it is worth but its an ingenious piece of hardware that I think would last near forever if I knock the rust off, blast it clean, and repaint it proper.

Just use it, grease frequently. A backhoe that is used will get filthy. I have a mini Trencherman- stays out all of the time- and when I need it- grease it and use it. I replace fluids and that is about it. Your unit looks very functional. Great design. You'll like how you can leave it at the worksite and free up your tractor. Get a trailer to load dirt into with the backhoe for when you don't want to backfill. Great unit.

 

[Wa11banger]

Yah its getting there.. I have a few worn pins although I am not sure what acceptable wear is some parts are wobbly I was thinking that if i have to bust it all apart to replace all of the pins and bushings I should just take it the rest of the way down and repaint.. It is a pretty simple machine by all respects.

Kernopoly are you talking about the boom and stabilizer parts of it?

 

[Rdpjr]

I just read your thread. I have one just like yours and love it. I made some modifications, changed the Pintle hook to a ball hitch, I added a thumb for the bucket and weights to the back. There is a place called Mission manufacture that carries the parts. When I can figure how to upload photos I will send them.

 

[Wa11banger]

Awesome.. I owe an update here.. I literally just got it running and back in service again yesterday, although that didnt include fixing the tow bar yet. found out there is more of an art to digging with a backhoe than a brute force attack the ground thing?. It was fun to actually use it. I've got a few more tweaks to do and I think I need to replace the main mount pin due to it seeming loose there.. but it works!

Rdpjr I would appreciate some pics of your thumb and weights, I am very interested in mounting a thumb on mine. Did you go hydraulic or manual thumb?

I will post some pics soon

 

[Kernopelli]

As mentioned way earlier in this thread, my main boom cylinder needed new seals and I was never able to get the gland nut off. The local " professional" (HAH!!!!) hydraulic shop destroyed the gland nut by redrilling the holes....all the way through the nut and then heated it until the seals and wiper melted out of the gland/rod clearance space. Anyway, I ended up buying a new cylinder from YZoutlet. Amazing prices on their Ebay store! I bought a 3.5" cylinder instead of the stock 3" (3.5"x12" cylinder, shipping, 12" hard line and 2 fittings was under $120).I forget what the factory cylinder cost but it was in the $500-$600 range). I did have to cut the Dig-It factory ball ends off the OEM cylinder and weld them to the new cylinder ( maybe took an hour). Worked great and I have so say the additional hydraulic power makes a big difference! Surprisingly, no negative change in boom speed either, I expected it to be slower and slow the multiple control/ movement operation. If anything, some functions on mine has always been too responsive, it takes great operator control to smoothly operate/ feather some movements because it can be too fast and jerky.

Is there anything better than running a hoe or excavator? I could play on this thing all day. My sons all agree that todays kids would throw away their Xbox's if they only had a tractor, hoe or other equipment to run. I believe this and agree. In fact, they have all had video game systems but sold them because they would rather spend time wood working, metal fabricating/ welding or operating equipment.

Well, I was just updating my personal "restoration" in Wa11banger's Dig-It related thread. These little machines are GREAT! I'd rather own a mini-ex but this is way more productive than a similar sized tractor mounted hoe!

 

[Kernopelli]

Kernopoly are you talking about the boom and stabilizer parts of it?

Sorry I missed that. Most pics I've seen of the old Bradco 8LD look like the stabilizers, swing section and controls are different but the main boom, stick ( some call it crowd, dipper, etc) and related parts are definitely Bradco 8LD..... At least on my 258 but I assume the 158 used it as well since Bart (At Heartland) said the diagram he sent me was actually for a 158.

Edit: I may have to take back the 8LD crossover statement. If you notice the reinforcement plates on the boom/stick pivot/ crowd cylinder attachment, mine and Wa11bangers look like the 8LD pic I posted. Sparc's 158's hoe looks identical except for those plates. I think Dig-It used Bradco hoes but some may not all be 8LD's???

 

[Krookz]

Hey guys. Ran across this thread when I was looking at one of these 158's on craigslist. Ended up purchasing and giving it some love. Its a 1978!


It has a Kubota D722e diesel motor on it. Anyone know how many GPM's were on the orginial pump? Having some wheel power issues and im leaning towards low flow, as the pressure is good elsewhere. If anyone needs any info on these... got a pretty good knowledge base in the 'ol noodle and a manual :cool2:

 

[Wa11banger]

krookz,

That rebuild looks amazing.. Not sure off the top of my head how many it had but I also am having some drive issues.. It eventually gets going with enough stick work.. I am not sure if the problem is supply or if it is the valve bodies themselves.

BTW where did you get your pins? Mine has a lot of wear and the pins are running over $100 each.. but yours looks fantastic now for sure. Mine still looks like the one in your first pic I have replaced those pins necessary to keep going but I would like to find a cheaper supplier for the remainder of them.

 

[Krookz]

krookz,

That rebuild looks amazing.. Not sure off the top of my head how many it had but I also am having some drive issues.. It eventually gets going with enough stick work.. I am not sure if the problem is supply or if it is the valve bodies themselves.

BTW where did you get your pins? Mine has a lot of wear and the pins are running over $100 each.. but yours looks fantastic now for sure. Mine still looks like the one in your first pic I have replaced those pins necessary to keep going but I would like to find a cheaper supplier for the remainder of them.

Thanks!
I got pins/bushings from power king(Power King Tractor Replacement Parts and Accessories). You have to have part numbers to order. The big pin ran me $50 some bucks, short one $45-ish. Bushings ranged from $4-15/pc. Im picking up a lathe this winter to make my own.

With your wheels. It dosnt have enough power to pull over bigger obstacles? I adjusted the relief valve and it helped but it still dosnt have the power I would like. I know its not the motor as I had to replace one. Had a busted fin thing inside of it. Both have even pulling power