Finally Building my Backhoe

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks for the link it was a good read, lots of good info.. I'll be watching this closely.. Its on my wish list of projects..

Looking good so far..

I've never built one before, but I trust the judgement of others who have said that it's difficult to justify the cost of a backhoe build if you have to buy everything new. The only way I've been able to make this work budget wise is to spend a couple of years collecting all the parts when I can find them used or surplus.

In a year or so when I'm all done, I'll let you know if building out of used parts was a good idea or not.

 

[jd2305cd]

Still its a lot easier to justify the build it yourself price, than it is to justify the price to buy one.. I am guessing all said in done you'll have 1000 2000 bucks into it.. I think JD wants 6-7 grand for the lil one that goes on the 2305.

I could justify a 1000 bucks, can't justify 7000.... Well at least not for the 4 times a year I would use it..

Keep up the good work, threads like this inspire me to try bigger things..

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...threads like this inspire me to try bigger things..

That's what gave me the courage to start. I followed Moss Road's backhoe build religiously. I also got a ton of help and advice on my dump cart build.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Re:

Post Script to the Enco Box Arriving:

I got an e-mail from Enco this afternoon. They are sending a replacement 1" bit. They didn't say anything about returning the 9/16".

 

[dcyrilc]

Re:


I got an e-mail from Enco this afternoon. They are sending a replacement 1" bit. They didn't say anything about returning the 9/16".

I'll laugh if it ends up being the same 1" bit you already have.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'll laugh if it ends up being the same 1" bit you already have.

If that happens I'd be tempted to redesign the project with 9/16" pins.

 

[mjncad]

Iplayfarmer:

What CAD program did you use for your sketches?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer:

What CAD program did you use for your sketches?

Sketchup.

It's the only thing I have been able to learn on my own.

If anyone wants the actual .skp file, PM me. I can send it in a .zip file.

 

[J_J]

Stealth Backhoe. Can you see it?

 

[GPintheMitten]

Stealth Backhoe. Can you see it?

What backhoe? All I see is a guy wearing dark blue suspended in mid-air.

 

[relaqbr]

What backhoe? All I see is a guy wearing dark blue suspended in mid-air.

You need glasses. There is a black blob and two black rings behind him.

 

[GE222]

It will never get dirty!!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

What backhoe? All I see is a guy wearing dark blue suspended in mid-air.

There's something behind him that looks like a small engine.

 

[mjncad]

Sketchup.

It's the only thing I have been able to learn on my own.

If anyone wants the actual .skp file, PM me. I can send it in a .zip file.

It looks like Sketchup has served you well.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's what I got done today. See the attached picture. I only got the one bushing cut out and in place since I spent most of the day chasing other projects with the kids.

It's a good tight fit in that hole. I don't think I'll weld it in place yet. I may want to be able to move the bushings back and forth to allow me to get everything flush against the floor to keep the boom straight and true while I weld it all up.

 

[dcyrilc]

Here's what I got done today. See the attached picture. I only got the one bushing cut out and in place since I spent most of the day chasing other projects with the kids.

It's a good tight fit in that hole. I don't think I'll weld it in place yet. I may want to be able to move the bushings back and forth to allow me to get everything flush against the floor to keep the boom straight and true while I weld it all up.

What size tube are you using for the boom?

 

[Renze]

Here's what I got done today. See the attached picture. I only got the one bushing cut out and in place since I spent most of the day chasing other projects with the kids.

It's a good tight fit in that hole. I don't think I'll weld it in place yet. I may want to be able to move the bushings back and forth to allow me to get everything flush against the floor to keep the boom straight and true while I weld it all up.

As somebody else already mentioned, theres not much meat holding that bush in place, because you use reasonably thin walled tubing. You could reinforce it a lot by bending a not too thick piece of flatbar over the bush, touching the inner of the tube on all 4 sides, and weld that in place. It will greatly improve the stability when the boom is laterally loaded.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

What size tube are you using for the boom?

The boom is made out of 3" X 4" X 1/4"

 

[Iplayfarmer]

As somebody else already mentioned, theres not much meat holding that bush in place, because you use reasonably thin walled tubing. You could reinforce it a lot by bending a not too thick piece of flatbar over the bush, touching the inner of the tube on all 4 sides, and weld that in place. It will greatly improve the stability when the boom is laterally loaded.

I'm planning to put 1/4" plate around the ends of the boom to enclose the bushings.

I'm still debating whether to try and run the hoses up the inside of the boom or to zip tie them to the outside. If I run them up the inside, I'll need to leave holes for them to enter and exit. One hole will need to be in the side at the joint in the middle of the boom.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Looking good IFarmer. I would run the hoses on the out side. If you have any leaks they will be easy to find. Also if you run them on the inside you have to have room to get by the pivot pins.
Bill