Backhoe Installing a Bradco backhoe

[JohnInCA]

Thanks for the comments radman. I talked to Bradco (before I started the installation) to make sure I had the correct kit, and they said I do. Believe it or not, I can't move the lower arms any higher than 3.5" off the ground. I'm going to post a few more pictures that illustrate the situation.

Picture #7 shows how the lower arms hit the backhoe part of the subframe. The arm will not swing any further toward the center, and it will not swing far enough out to help any either.

 

[JohnInCA]

Picture #8 shows why the lower arms have such a limited range of motion.

 

[radman]

You have problems (with your backhoe). If the swing toward the midline is enough to still attach cat 1 equipment I don't see a huge problem. The width required for cat 1 is about 26".
The other problem of limited clearance of the lift of 3.5" could be a more potential problem. I notice you have the extendable lift arms. Is this an option or standard on NH? This does reduce overall clearance a few inches. Can you swing the lift arms either to the inside or outside of the mounting plates to get more clearance? I assume you tried this.

 

[rbargeron]

Given the severe limit of arm motion with the backhoe mounted, I'd persue making the arm pins removeable.

In picture 5 it looks like the arm pin and the sway-limit bolt are in line. The sway bolt is smaller than the pin. One idea might be to drill out the sway bracket so, with the sway link removed, the arm pin would slide into the bracket enough to remove the arms. The hole would be oversized enough so the pin was easy to operate.

The sway pin would then need some short sleeves to act as bracket bushings so it wouldn't be too loose in the new oversize hole(s).

It all looks easy from my comfy chair 3k miles away /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[rbargeron]

Looking longer at pic 5, a really nifty idea came up. Don't know if its feasible but here goes:

How about a new, long pin that does everything - one that reaches from the differential case right out through the sway bracket. It would be arm-pin size (7/8) at the inner end, but at the outside of the subframe it would neck down to the smaller size of the sway bolt. This would give it some side-travel - enough to remove the arm, but without taking off the sway link. One well-placed hat pin hole just inside the sway bracket would trap it in position when the arms are installed. Any other time it could just float. If you needed to steal a little more travel distance, the neck-down could be half an inch inside the frame - the cotter pin sleeve is plenty of support. (provided the sleeves are welded to the plates - can't be sure from the pic, you could weld them if not)

Would probably have to loosen/shim/adjust the sway bracket to line everything up so it works well. Whattayethink? Any machine shop should be able to make the pins - type 304 stainless steel would be cheap and work well (not rust). Best not to try for too snug a fit - leave some clearance for dirt, scratches etc.

 

[SHIFTY]

FYI I did call anthony about the 1 in bethel Ct ,I believe it was a MD-9 or something like that few weeks ago when it was advertised in the B.News.,it was used for 2 years then it has been sitting for 4 years being moved around with a excavator,so a few things were bent up,It might of been a good deal but it was used

 

[JohnInCA]

Here's the last interference point.

 

[rbargeron]

Is turning the upper pins to face the other way possible? It wouldn't be the first tractor with lift links pulling at a small angle.

This sure isn't a straight-forward installation - looks like Bradco has left out a lot of important details. Hope you can get around all the issues - try to focus on how great it will be when it's done and working. For what it's worth, we're rooting for you to win.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Looking at your original picture (#1) of parts laid out and numbered in your drive and comparing it to picture #7, it looks to me like parts #1 are mixed left to right in picture #7. I don't know if they will go on both ways and its hard to tell from the pics if they are in fact switched. Good luck.

 

[Jeff396]

Wow, do you have an eye for detail/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I sat here an looked at it for 15 minutes before I could figure out what you were talking about. Sure looks like that's the problem. For JohnInCa's sake, I hope it is.

Jeff

 

[rbargeron]

I've been looking at it too - I'm pretty sure the parts are in the right positions in all of John's pics - what makes it hard to see is only the left backhoe bracket is there in pic 7 (notice the left arm, sway link and the trailer hitch ball. Also the right sway link hanging down beyond. The left wheel is off too - as the latest interference shot shows, looking to the left with the empty flange beyond.

Hey John, could you post a picture from straight behind the tractor, far enough back to get the whole width?

 

[Jeff396]

I did not recognize the trailer ball until you pointed it out. I sure thought we were looking at the right side. Still, I can't see how it attaches on the top to tell if possibly they are switched in both pictures. Sure seems to me that if you could get the part of the hoe bracket that the hitch arm is hitting on to be on the other side you could pick up another few inches of height with the hoe bracket attached. Just grasping at this point.

Jeff

 

[JohnInCA]

radman -
The extendable lift arms are standard on the "D" models. Unfortunately, it won't swing in or out enough to make a difference.

rbargeron -
Interesting ideas. After thinking about it for a while, I don't think the "necked down" pin could be installed. There would be no way to insert it from the larger bore (differential case end of the pin). However, the single diameter pin could be inserted from the tire end after the subframe is bolted to the differential case.

Shifty -
I'm sorry for you, but I don't feel so bad now that it's kind of rough. I always hate finding what I "think" is a great deal on the east coast!

BudW -
Your comment made me check the manual again. They are hooked up correctly in picture #7, and I believe in picture #1.

rbargeron again -
Your assumption about the picture showing the left side of the tractor is correct. Unfortunately, I can't take anymore pictures, because I took the subframe kit back off the tractor.

Jeff396 -
When I saw BudW's comments, I thought he was onto something. Unless the manual is wrong, picture #7 shows it hooked correctly.

 

[rbargeron]

The handiest reference I thought of was in the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buykubota&Number=71456&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=>L48 or L4610</A> thread where a picture of a Bradco on a NH shows similar construction at the lower connection.

 

[rbargeron]

Well, what if the long pin were made in 2 pieces, where the inner larger one was tapped and the smaller one was just a bolt threaded into it ? (not stainless if threaded)

 

[JohnInCA]

Ok, now that I have addressed the latest postings, I need to update everyone on what has happened. First, I would like to thank everyone for their comments, advice, and suggestions. I'm amazed at how much time all of you spend studying the photos, and thinking up possible solutions.

I talked to a Bradco rep on the phone today. In fact, I pointed him to this site so he could see all the pictures and postings. He said he would be calling the engineering boys to see if they could explain what is happening. Most importantly, he was very gracious, and I will have no problem returning the kit and backhoe. Personally, I wonder if it could be something like the kit was tested with a "standard" TC, and my "delux" TC linkage is different.

Anyhow, I've been waiting to have a backhoe for 7 weeks now, and still no success. I'm thinking maybe I'll try the NH 758C...

 

[rbargeron]

Let's hope the NH mounting details are better developed !

 

[radman]

Keep us informed of the next exciting chapter of the "Wayward Bradco Backhoe". Like to know of the final outcome.

 

[billfires]

John, what was the outcome of your Bradco BH? Was Bradco able to get it to fit? Just curious.

Bill C

 

[JohnInCA]

Oops, sorry Bill C and everyone else. I thought I had posted the final outcome.
No, they were not able to resolve the issues. One of the technical people did say that it was normal to have only 6 to 7 inches of ground clearance (way too little in my opinion). He went on to say that it was possible that a 408 had never been checked for fit on a "D" model. He also confirmed that the lower 3pt arms cannot be removed once the subframe is mounted.

At this point, I returned the 408, and ordered a 758C for my TC29D. Unfortunately, when it finally arrived, the sub-frame was for a TC35/40/45D, and not my TC29D/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. Can you believe my luck? Third backhoe delivered, and it still can't be installed!/w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif Not only that, it was the second time I received a sub-frame for a TC35/40/45D. Well, to make a long story short, I decided it would probably be easier and quicker to just buy a tractor to match the backhoe/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif. So, now I have a TC40D with a 758C (Ok, i'll be honest, I was considering the tractor upgrade for a few months now). And with a TC29D to spare, the wife and I don't have to fight over the tractor anymore, nor change implements as often/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif...