Backhoe Leaving Backhoe on for the Winter?

L3130 · Oct 30, 2005

I have a new L3130 tractor with a BH90 backhoe and want to know if it is ok to leave the backhoe on all winter? I will be using the loader for snow removal. My driveways are large and the backhoe will not be in the way. Should I just grease the cylinders to prevent rust or WD 40?

escavader · Oct 30, 2005

iTS GREAT WEIGHT FOR PUSHIN SNOW! I only use mine for pushin back,cant give up my old fordf-100 its got heat /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I wouldnt worry about rust if the cylinders are in,and if you store it in a cold place,wd-40 cant hurt,i wash my equipment in it!!!
ALAN

L3130 · Oct 30, 2005

So just wd40 should be ok? It's stored in a garage, But not heated.

GaryE · Oct 30, 2005

I leave mine on for weight. Also use it to dig out small areas. If you are worried about corrosion, just cycle the cylinders once in a while. You should be fine. Even that should not be needed.

Gary

wushaw · Oct 30, 2005

Yea just cycle the cylinders every time you use the tractor, it will leave a nice film of lube on em.

CTyler · Oct 31, 2005

I leave mine out and smear a very light coat of Vaseline on the exposed cylinder rod. Its been outside for two years now. I'm going to build a dolly in the next few weeks to keep it in the shop. The hoses are taking a beating from the sun.

The BH would be great for weight but can't use the rear blade and BH at the same time.

L3130 · Oct 31, 2005

Ok great. I will put some lube on it. Figured the extra weight would help /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

escavader · Oct 31, 2005

I wouldnt even worry about it rusting.Touch up the paint,cleanout your bucket and paint it if you want ,could even smeer alittle grease on the pistons if you want.grease all your fittings,and then your good to go.I sometimes will blow mine off with a air hose before i put her in if its real covered. KUBOTA,has a pretty darn good paint on it.
ALAN

dicker · Oct 31, 2005

I left mine on for the first winter and would never do it again.

I replaced the backhoe with a blade. Not only do I make good use of the back blade in the snow, I just found that there was too much salt and grime where I plow snow and no matter how much I greased the hoe, it was still getting abused for no other reason than ballast.

There are too many nook and crannies on the backhoe to get dirty, so I found that keeping it dry under a tarp in a storage shed is much better that it hanging off the back of the tractor in winter.

Even if I didn't use the back blade for snow removal, I would get a ballast box and still store the hoe in winter.

Richard