Hoe, Hoe, Hoe

[Runner]

It's 60 degrees here in Kansas City today, so I'm planning on trying it out this afternoon. First job, after intial familiarization run, will be to take out a couple of stumps and rocks.

Hopefully, I won't do anything too stupid during the learning process...

 

[Chris2520]

It's 60 degrees here in Kansas City today, so I'm planning on trying it out this afternoon. First job, after intial familiarization run, will be to take out a couple of stumps and rocks.

Hopefully, I won't do anything too stupid during the learning process...

Be sure to take camera with you. while digging stumps...
and take a lot of before , during , and after , pics.
We like pictures....

Chris.....

 

[tomd999]

Gary,

Congrats on the new toy. Just remember, when digging next to water pipes there is a point when "one more scoop" isn't a good idea..

What was the cost without tax?

I'm not sure if the wire on the draw bar will last for long holding it up, better use at least a piece of 12-2. However, the chunk of cinder block should work fine as long as you don't drive it anywhere...

Tom

 

[Runner]

Got the backhoe mounted this afternoon and went for the trial run. Everything went together smoothly and worked as advertised. Only casualty was a slightly bent tooth from trying to dig out a big rock. A 5lb sledge hammer got it back in shape in no time.

The ground was just too muddy to do much else.

Attached are a couple of pics.

Chris - sorry, the trial stump and rock came out too quick to get a photo, but suffice to say, I was impressed and will be looking forward to taking out bigger and nastier stumps and rocks.

Tom, the price before tax was $5500. Yeah, that wire came with the hoe and really came in handy for holding the subframe in place while I messed with the front mounts...

Now, the hoe is parked and I get to put all the three-point stuff back on to get ready for the next snow storm. Ah, back to reality...

Runner

 

[Runner]

Almost forgot to mention this, but for anyone curious about this issue, I did not have any tire clearance (R4's) issues with the 46 backhoe install, front or rear, and I had the wheels turned sharp and was working on a hill.

The rear tires clear the corners of the operator platform by about 3/4 inch.

It's all pretty tight, but works fine.

One more pic:

 

[Chris2520]

Looks really awsome runner.
you will be amazed at all the things you will be able to do.
you will really enjoy it.
Everyone needs a hoe.....

Chris...

 

[stuart]

Runner: Any idea how long it would take to remove the backhoe and put a bush hog on?

 

[Runner]

RE: removing backhoe/attaching rotary cutter -

I'd say it can be done in around 15 minutes - getting the hoe off is super-easy. It just takes a little longer to re-mount the three-point stuff.

 

[Chris2520]

You will get the complete change over down to about 7 min ,
after you do it a few times..

Chris.....

 

[Runner]

I'm replacing the cotter keys with spring locking pins which will make the operation completely tool-free and should save a little more time...

I had originally given some thought to the idea of just leaving the i-match attached to something like a box blade and just unhooking the three-point gear from the tractor side and leave all the stuff hanging on the blade. However, after doing it once, I think it would be harder to line up to put it back on.

My conclusion is that it's best to remove all the parts one-by-one, except leave the side links and sway links connected to the draft arms.