L39 Backhoe Removal Tips/Tricks?

[avc8130]

I am picking up a brush hog tonight so it is time to pull the backhoe from my L39 for the first time. The machine has ~600 hours on it and I doubt the hoe has ever been off. For some reason the task looks a bit ominous. Any tips/tricks from those experienced?
ac

 

[Stonehaller]

It is really quite easy provided your pins are not corroded and stuck. It helps to have a level surface to set the hoe on. I use the cement floor in my barn. Follow the instructions in the manual. I get a hold of one of the handles for the pins and slowly lower the boom util I can feel that the pin is loose. Once you have the pins out and the hoe raised enough to free the lower pins, I usually just push the tractor a head a little so the lower pins will clear the catches and then lower the hoe to the ground. Keep an eye on the three hoses running from the tractor to the hoe to make sure they do not get caught on anything as you lower the hoe. Once you have the hoe on the ground, make sure you relieve any trapped pressure by cycling all levers with the tractor turned off. Clean off the quick disconnect caps before you disconnect the lines. Have a rag handy to catch oil drips from the quick disconnects as you disconnect them. Once the hoe is off and lines disconnected, I usually connect the main hydraulic line to the return line (they have mating quick disconnects) to make sure no pressure can build up from settling or temperature.