Hydraulic Tilt Coupler for Small Backhoe

[downsizingnow48]

I'm getting ready for landscaping in the summer so one of my winter projects was to make a tilt coupler for the B21. To avoid degrading digging performance too much, I wanted to keep it as light as possible. Which means as compact as possible. So the basic dimensions are determined by the B21 pin and bucket ear spacing. That works out to 9" long, 4 3/4" wide, and 8 1/2" tall (not counting the upper cyl mount). Final weight came to about 43 lbs. The coupler tilts 45 degrees left and right. For a landscaping bucket I took the teeth off my 24" digging bucket. Cost was about $50 for steel, $200 for the two cylinders, and about $200 for hoses, fittings, and hose protectors.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Impressive and well done. Did you use CAD?

 

[flingwing1969]

WELL done! Congratulations. Very nice indeed.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Impressive and well done. Did you use CAD?

I made three drawings to resolve details, then a plywood mockup to check operating clearances, then a final drawing as a basis for cutting and shaping the metal pieces ready for welding. No CAD.

 

[Aquamoose]

You’ve GOT to get that on video! Impressive!

 

[davedj1]

Looks like a very handy feature! Job well done.

 

[sinisterbiker]

Darn sweet

 

[powerstroke444e]

Very nice build always wanted one for my b26

 

[downsizingnow48]

I added a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate to protect the cylinder fittings. It includes a strain relief at the top. That is needed to keep the long hoses that go from stick to cylinders from yanking on the fittings when the bucket is opening and closing.

I might have to install a check valve between the cylinders. The extend port of each cylinder is tee'd to the retract port of the other cylinder (same as backhoe boom swing cylinders). So when one cylinder is pushing the other is pulling. That helps to reduce strain on the hinge. But oil is free to move between the cylinders, so the bucket does not want to stay in one place. I knew this might be an operational issue and it is. Have not yet decided whether it is enough of an annoyance to install a check valve.

I added a photo of the hinge. The hinge pin is 1-1/4" round bar, in 1-3/4" DOM tube. Two thrust washers separate the three parts of the hinge and there is a grease fitting for the center part that rotates. I had to grind off the lip of the grease fitting for clearance to get the full 45 degrees on that side. A roll pin 1/8" x 1-3/4" keeps the hinge pin in place.

 

[Ryansweatt2004]

Wow I would love to have that for my bh77