Ditching blade on Kub L45 backhoe

[Russ Lanoie]

I've finally discovered a way to allow my tractor to do the same type of ditching that could be done with a rear mounted blade without having to remove the backhoe, install the lift arms and mount a rear blade..
The first step was to add a second mounting position to the old Gravely blade that I've used for years for cleanup and some ditching, working either perpendicular to the machine as the machine travels parallel to the ditch or directly behind the machine when the machine is perpendicular to the ditch. The new position allow the blade to be mounted on an angle rather than flat against the backhoe teeth.
The second step is to add a chain from the blade where it attaches to the bucket to the tie down loop at the bottom corner of the backhoe. This relieves any pressure against the dipper stick yet still allows the boom to swing out beyond the wheels of the tractor.
I've done several ditch lines with this technique. It is fast and effective. The spoil that is pulled into the road can either be picked up with a bucket and discarded or reworked into the road or driveway surface if primarily good gravel.
The demonstration shown here was simply to re-edge my own driveway where grass had begun to encroach. I've used this technique to provide a stormwater ditch at the side of a road while reclaiming the good material pulled in to recreate a crown.

 

[Smokeydog]

Pretty clever. The video helps understand and the chain is necessary. Don’t want to put too much strain hydraulics and valves. Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.

 

[nyone]

In my opinion that blade is cutting a ditch yes but its putting a mound of dirt into the driveway that wont allow the water to actualy get to the ditch.

 

[Vigo327]

Thanks for posting this. It's giving me lots of ideas which seem bad but might actually be great. Some testing required.

 

[mikester]

I think I'd still rather use a blade with a hydraulic TNT

 

[Vigo327]

The thing im liking here that i hadn’t considered is all the built in offset options. You could still use an angle blade.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

In my opinion that blade is cutting a ditch yes but its putting a mound of dirt into the driveway that wont allow the water to actualy get to the ditch.

I guess you didn't bother to read all of the text. In this case, most of the spoil got reworked into the ditch with the grass clumps raked out with the FrontRunner. I do this every year or two to keep the grass from taking over the driveway. Strictly cosmetic.

I think I'd still rather use a blade with a hydraulic TNT

That would certainly be fine but this takes about 5 minutes to set up rather than removing the backhoe, mounting the 3 point lift arms and then the blade.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

The thing im liking here that i hadn’t considered is all the built in offset options. You could still use an angle blade.

The "offset positions" that you speak of are just about infinite using the backhoe in this manner. And if you've had a half century of running a backhoe (like I have), it's very easy to control. The L45 operator's seat actually pivots several degrees to the right (as well as spinning backwards to operate the hoe) allowing the operator to more easily monitor the rear attachment.

 

[Stonehaller]

I like your setup and may try it. I was considering buying a back blade with offset and angle so I could redo some ditch banks but I may try your method instead.

Don’t want to put too much strain hydraulics and valves. Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.

My L39 and I suspect the L45 as well, has work port reliefs on the dipper, boom and swing that will protect system components from overloads.

 

[Russ Lanoie]

Most backhoe as well as other controls only send fluid to bypass when the control is activated, which is why the first responder to this post correctly commented: Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.
This is the reason for the chain...

 

[Vigo327]

I could not tell exactly what Stonehaller is referring to.

Is it possible for a valve set to have an 'impact relief' type of system built in where the work ports have access to a relief valve set higher than the 'normal' relief, for reason of bypassing to tank from impacts?

I know what a regular 'crossover relief' valve is but im under the impression it cannot be used with normal cylinders on which the two sides of the piston have different displacements, because it only hooks them to each other and that by itself would not allow the cylinder to move.

 

[sd455dan]

Most backhoe as well as other controls only send fluid to bypass when the control is activated, which is why the first responder to this post correctly commented: Remember the hydraulic system control valves, lines and cylinders are not protected with relief pressure valves when external loads are exerted like that.
This is the reason for the chain...

.
A safety chain seems like a Very good idea, also as in the video a nice slow and controlled speed

I liked and enjoyed the video, a new spin on backhoe uses for sure.

 

[Smokeydog]

Have a friend who thought he discovered a novel way of yarding firewood logs by chaining to the B26 backhoe bucket and would swing and crowd the boom as needed thru the woods. The weight for traction and articulation helped drag to wood. I warned him to no avail. Didn’t take long for the control valves to begin leaking by. After repairs he didn’t do that way anymore.

Relief valves protect from pump side. Don’t protect from external forces because in use it shouldn’t have significant external force loads. Your chain helps minimize some of the external force on the hydraulic system.

The OP has considerable experience combined with the chain and careful use works well for him. Avoiding shock loads to the hydraulic system important. I like out of the box thinking. Sometimes you don’t know till you try. Again, thanks for sharing.

My gravel driveways are too steep, rocky and tree lined to utilize this technique without the possibly compromising the equipment. Plus over fifty years have improved equipment and techniques to maintain the roads.

 

[Stonehaller]

Is it possible for a valve set to have an 'impact relief' type of system built in where the work ports have access to a relief valve set higher than the 'normal' relief, for reason of bypassing to tank from impacts?

That is pretty much correct. Work port reliefs are relief valves on the valve ports that go to the cylinder. They relieve pressure if an external force applied to the cylinder causes the pressure in the cylinder to exceed the work port relief setting. Very common on backhoes.

 

[Vigo327]

Awesome, i love learning anything new about hydraulics, and you taught me something. Thanks for the reply!