Ford 3550 tractor with Titan Attachments BK215 backhoe?

[tayl0r]

Hi everyone,

We just picked up a Ford 3550 tractor from government auction. It has the front end loader but no backhoe. I've been reading a bunch of threads here about this tractor and ours is the kind with the separate hydraulic pump with reservoir in the loader frame uprights.

We're looking to get a backhoe for the tractor and someone recommended the BK215 from Titan Attachments. This backhoe requires 10-12 GPM flow rate on the hydraulics, and it looks to me like our tractor has a 14 GPM pump. When I talked to a salesperson at Titan Attachments, he thought our tractor had a 5.4 GPM pump but I think he was confused because that is a separate pump used to lift the arm on the 3 point hitch, like for the counterweight. So he said it wouldn't work due to the GPM on the pump. But it didnt sound right to me...

Everything I'm seeing makes it look like this BK215 backhoe would work with our tractor. Am I wrong? Thoughts?

 

[tayl0r]

Link to the BK215 backhoe:
Titan Backhoe Excavator 3 point Cat 1 2 Tractor Attachment Bucket Loader GX72

Link to the 14 GPM hydraulic pump I think we have:
Ford Hydraulic Pump, Front Mounted For all Ford - L827-10X-LB

 

[tayl0r]

This is the hydraulic loop / coupling at the rear of the tractor. I believe this is where the factory Ford backhoe would attach. It looks like it is wired in series with the front end loader, so ideally the BK215, when in neutral, would allow the hydraulic fluid to still flow. If that isn't the case, we'd have to install a manual bypass valve.

 

[tayl0r]

Another question I have is that the BK215 wants 10-12 GPM - can it handle the 14 GPM from our tractor? Seems like the BK215 should have some kind of built in pressure relief system.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Another question I have is that the BK215 wants 10-12 GPM - can it handle the 14 GPM from our tractor? Seems like the BK215 should have some kind of built in pressure relief system.

The higher flow at the same engine speed just results in a little faster cycle time. Yes, the backhoe has its own system relief valve. I've been away from the industry for 30 some years so I can't get into specifics for today's products. You are on the right track.

 

[mike48130]

That hose you are pointing to may not be from the loader pump. It looks like it goes to the case. I had one of these tractors and there is a pump for the 3 point, low volume. And a pump for the loader, higher volume driven off the front of the engine crank pulley, and a separate power steering pump.

Those hoses could be from the 3 point pump and might be for a remote valve but can't tell from the picture.

There is a filter in the loader frame for the hydraulic oil.

I have a bunch of manuals for it if you need them.

It was kind of an oddball tractor and hard to find info on. It is different than the 3000 series industrial tractors and not covered in all the manuals.

It was built like a tank. The loader had a 3000 lb. Lift rating. Very handy.