JD 46 Backhoe

[rockyridgefarm]

They are not at all alike - there is no subframe on the 47, 48 and 49. The rockshaft assist system is fantastic.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

OK, I'm confused now. I'll have to reread the manual. Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought you could remove the subframe on the 46 if you wanted to or you could use the rockshaft assist and remove the hoe without removing the subframe if you wanted to. More flexable that way. I will look again tonight and report.

Cliff

 

[Cliff_Johns]

OK, You are right of course. I was wrong. Some of the pictures in the 47/48 section on the manual are from the 46 back hoe and are labeled that way which confused me.

Anyway, that rockshaft assist does look very spiffy. Mostly the difference seems to be that for the 46 hoe, you have to use the stabalizers to lift the hoe, then back up and put in the pins. For the 47,48, you use the tractor to line youself up, then lift the hoe almost like a quick hitch lifts an implement, then you pop in the pins. It is nicer, but I think both are a lot easier than I thought it would be to drop and attach the BH.

I think I will take the hoe off, and put it back on here pretty soon, so I am not doing it the first time when I actually need to. It's nice to allow plenty of time and not get frusterated if things don't go as well as planned.


Cliff

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I hope I didn't come accross as meaning the subframe mount is BAD. It is a good setup.

The rockshaft assist is not well understood (I know I didn't before I had one...) Even pictures won't explain it well, you just have to see it.

 

[jrlichina]

I agree the subframe is a good setup but the quick attach is sweeter.

 

[RobS]

<font color="blue">The rockshaft assist is not well understood (I know I didn't before I had one...) Even pictures won't explain it well, you just have to see it. </font>

Well c'mon Mike, give us some pictures. I do recall seeing the rockshaft system at my dealer. It is pretty slick looking. How long has it been out there? I have a manual that covers my #7, 8A and 8B (predecessors to 47/48?). They all show a subframe like my 7 which sounds similar to the 46.

The rockshaft assist may be bit quicker/easier but the subframe I have is still pretty quick and easy to work with /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I have thought about taking pics, but that would be a lot of work. And while I am taking them, my wife would steal the tractor. I sure wish she'd get me one, too...

RSA is slick because the setup is extremely close coupled. The hoe goes on or off in just a few minutes. The mmm is still fully functional. There is no loss in ground clearance.

Removing the 3 point arms is a small price to pay.

 

[RobS]

Are there any permanently mounted structural elements on the tractor? With my subframe there are rails that bolt to the rear axle housing and run up to the FEL brackets. My hoe subframe hooks to these rails but they also would seem to add some strength to the tractor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Yes there are heavy brackets that mount on the rear. These machines were designed for this setup, and don't need an additional subframe.

Here is a Deere pic of the backhoe attachment. The plates are very heavy, as are the tractor mounted ones. The pin (marked with a c) is attached by a cable to the fingers that hook onto the rock shaft arms

You back up to the hoe, lining the tractors brackets to fit between the hoes, raise the rock shaft, and then set the pins in place, swap hoses and you are off...

 

[MJB]

Yes there is. (See attachment) Sorry for the poor picture. The hoe attaches to the two vertical plates which bolt to the axle housing. The plates do not interfere with the 3ph. The picture shows the tractor with the 3ph arms and the draw bar removed.