How do I hang a backhoe: suggestions please.

[newbury]

I suggest you try the procedure for mounting and unmounting the hoe as described in the woods manual. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
The woods subframe already has the angled guides built into the subframe.

Vic

I saw the little angled guides, but I'm thinking I'm going to be doing this all alone. When I took my boxblade off and put it back on it wasn't perfectly level (couldn't find a level place to drop it) and it was a bear to wrestle back on.

Maybe I'll just drop it on my trailer if y'all think it's that easy to hook up.

Of course I'm sure if I have ANY difficulty y'all will email me some help

 

[Scotty370]

I agree with the others! But that said, If your dead set on a lift, I'd opt for the "Engine-Picker":
2 Ton Foldable Engine Hoist - 0116746 | Tractor Supply Company

I bought my hoe attachment on E-Bay in Jersey, and picked it off my small utility trailer with it. It would give you more versatility for your $, But they don't work on mud/grass!

EDIT: Beautiful unit, by the way!

 

[Ductape]

newbury, trust me on this one......... it doesn't even need to be perfectly level where you drop it. When re-attaching it, you back up close to it and shut the tractor down. Connect the hydraulic lines and start it back up. Just use the hoe and the two stabilizers to get the hoe level, if you need to slightly adjust your tractor left or right you can (just watch that you aren't pulling the hydraulic lines tight). Back into the hoe, and use the hoe to get the pins lined up. It will probably be frustrating the first time (or three) you do it, but I assure you you'll get better at it each time you do it. You will soon realize you have no need to hang it.

 

[Reg]

Yep, the outriggers lift mine into position, I back up a bit more to engage the two rear attaching points, then extend the boom to swing the front of the sub frame up and attach the two front points, secure the safety latches - DONE.

Such a pity to not have an excuse to buy the engine crane, maybe you could;
a) Buy a post hole digger, those are worth hanging.
b) Get a different set of tires - as well as whatever you have, then you can swap them over with the engine crane and get on BOTH sides of the Ags vs R4s argument the next time it comes up.
Seriously, I do use an engine crane for this, loaded R4s can be 1,000 lbs. EACH and it is SO NICE to also have an unloaded set of turfs.

 

[dillo99]

Taking the backhoe on and off can be very easy or a total pain. It takes practice and as everyone said - proper parking to begin with. I don't park mine on concrete pad - it is on gravel. I use blocks to avoid settling but it can still be difficult to get everything lined up the next time around. The more you do it, the better you will get at it - so just go for it. I will admit that one time it took me 2 hours and more than a few choice words to put it back on. I'd like to think that I have learned enough never to have that happen again! Now I can mostly take it off in 10 minutes and put it back on in 10-30 minutes.

 

[pat32rf]

I throw a chunk of 6x6 under the hoe frame in case it settles then I use the landing gear and boom to line things up for re-attachment. JD says to use the 3pth to lift the hoe into place but its easier to use the hoe hydraulics once the lines are connected.
I can drop or re-install my JD hoe without leaving the seat but putting the 3pth arms and ballast back on is a major job.....
I once had a kid play with the levers so the hoe tipped forwards (no block under frame) and it still only took 10 minutes to install. Backing the tractor up straight to the hoe is the biggest challenge....and secret of making the job easy

 

[geneP]

Hey Newbury, where in Mississippi are you moving? I'm on highway 49 south of Jackson.

 

[tutorbell]

When I took my boxblade off and put it back on it wasn't perfectly level (couldn't find a level place to drop it) and it was a bear to wrestle back on.

With few exceptions, a box blade is not a backhoe. A backhoe has the hydraulics to move it in almost every direction you could need to. A box blade is a bear to hook up because you have to wrestle it's weight around with a pry bar or something similar. Backhoe has the pry bar built in.

Front end loader is another story, that is something you definitely want to drop on as level of a surface as possible. Those are a PAIN to line back up if you didn't put it somewhere level.

 

[BigE_]

Took mine off and put it back on twice today. It probably took 5 minutes max each time. This is only my 4th time on and off... Between the stabilizers, 3pt, and the bucket, you can easily attach it back on. The trick is backing up to it properly... Oh, and mine has a pump on the PTO, and that part takes the longest to get on/off.

Same deal with the box blade. I don't have any flat areas to drop it off in, so it can get tricky at times, but just use your 3pt to raise / lower as needed.

If you are backing into it and both 3pts don't line up exact, back up so that one is past and you can connect the other. Then pull forward until you can connect the first. Finally, put in the top link, and raise / lower the arms as needed.

 

[newbury]

Thanks people.
You've reassured me.
I had viewed some of the Utube videos of hooking up a BX to BH too much.
I might go ahead and make one because I do plan on getting a PHD.