Extension Hydraulic Lines

[BigD23]

Has anyone had extension hydraulic lines made to couple up to your backhoe when it's off of your tractor? In other words, you could hook the lines up a few more feet away and run the hydraulics on your backhoe to make it that much easier to raise and get lined up with the tractor...Once the BH is mounted, you take the extension lines off and hook up the regular hydraulic lines...Just a thought and thinking I might try it...Opinions?

Don

 

[BrierPatch]

Good question, don't see why it would be a problem other than make sure to keep them clean. I have been wondering how hard it is going to be to get my BH back on my tractor. I have had it off long enough that the stabilizers have bled down. I am not sure the hydraulic lines are long enough to hook up to raise it back up to line up with tractor. I was considering a stand (block of wood or something) to leave it on so it could not settle to the ground. Then it would be at the right height to just back up to it for the next time and not fiddle with connecting,re-adjusting, disconnecting, re-adjusting, and connecting. Also you would only be making and breaking the hyd connections once, less chance of contamination. An old block of wood is probably cheaper, easier and less messy, than an extra set of hyd. lines.

Good idea though, Jeff

 

[BigD23]

Jeff...With the quick disconnect couplings I don't think there's much of a chance of contamination oil wise...Am thinking how "user friendly" it would be to have the line extensions available to not worry about having the BH set in the just right position when removed...Again, in the early thinking stages.

Don

 

[dillo99]

Don,

Sounds like a good idea to me! I block up my backhoe but at times I don't get it just right and it will settle into some odd position.

 

[BrierPatch]

Quick question, do you store your BH on the the ground or on concrete? I store mine on concrete, which is why I was leaning towards the block idea. I agree there is not much chance of contamination with quick connects, I have a tendency to be ****-retentive about my new tractor. I figure the fewer chances I have to screw something up the better. Murphy's Law is not usually to far behind me. I have access to hyd. hoses, I may just get a set and try it to see how well it works. If I do I will let you know.

 

[BigD23]

Quick question, do you store your BH on the the ground or on concrete? I store mine on concrete, which is why I was leaning towards the block idea. I agree there is not much chance of contamination with quick connects, I have a tendency to be ****-retentive about my new tractor. I figure the fewer chances I have to screw something up the better. Murphy's Law is not usually to far behind me. I have access to hyd. hoses, I may just get a set and try it to see how well it works. If I do I will let you know.

Jeff, right now the BH is on the ground...Pouring a cement floor in my barn next month though...I understand how Murphy is for sure...Was thinking about a 2' extension........?

Don

 

[BigD23]

Don,

Sounds like a good idea to me! I block up my backhoe but at times I don't get it just right and it will settle into some odd position.

Mike, this is the first time I've had the BH off...Looks like it has to be aligned very accurately for re attachment.

Don

 

[john_bud]

I store my hoe outside but have put a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 ply on the ground then use 3 ton stands to hold the body of the hoe up. They all will sink to the ground over time if not positioned on a sturdy stand.

If you store the hoe detached, be sure (SURE!!!) to keep kiddlets off it and away from it. Kids playing will wiggle the controls and the hoe will fall and crush someone or some thing.

 

[BigD23]

I store my hoe outside but have put a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 ply on the ground then use 3 ton stands to hold the body of the hoe up. They all will sink to the ground over time if not positioned on a sturdy stand.

If you store the hoe detached, be sure (SURE!!!) to keep kiddlets off it and away from it. Kids playing will wiggle the controls and the hoe will fall and crush someone or some thing.

John, safety of course is the number one issue with our equipment...BH has settled already and that's what gave me the idea of the line extensions.

Don

 

[BotaBigot]

Left my BH off long enough to bleed down and was able to get close enough to hook up lines and get it back into position. That said, I "usually" put one of those small hydraulic car jacks under the BH so it won't bleed down. Didn't this time because I wasn't expecting to leave it off very long...you know how that goes...

 

[dillo99]

Mike, this is the first time I've had the BH off...Looks like it has to be aligned very accurately for re attachment.

Don

Alignment is key. I leave mine on a gravel floor so there is a tendency for stuff to settle and shift. I have a bunch of blocks that I use to prop it up to avoid any settling so it is in the same position when I go to remount it. Sounds like a good plan but right now the hoe is sitting in a rather twisted position as I didn't balance it right when I took it off in June. So I know the next time I try to attach it I am probably in for an hour of frustration and cursing! Oh well...I guess that is part of the fun.

 

[rbargeron]

My Bradco BH has hoses that are long enough to allow the tractor to be 2-3 feet away. Helps in lining it up especially if the BH is sitting on uneven ground. Your idea to add some hose length is a good plan. With the hoses connected, you can use the hydraulics to align the BH. The extensions don't need to be removable - just bungee them up to keep out of harm's way.