towable backhoe

[simplicityguy92]

has anyone built a towable backhoe?
i want to build one but im pritty new to fabricating.
does it need hyrdolic outriggers or can they be mechanical?
and what thickness should the steel for the bucket be?

 

[jcav44]

try this link- Machine Builders Network

 

[KYErik]

I built one a few years ago

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/81370-towable-mini-backhoe.html

I got hooked on digging and upgraded to a full sized backhoe/loader- an old Case 530

 

[dfkrug]

SIMPLICITY:

Here is my CADDigger 728, being towed.

As suggested, MBN is a great place for home-built threads. Also there
are numerous TBN threads that talk about this.

Mine is more than a dozen years old, and long since sold on Ebay. The
bkt was the newest thing for me, as the designer called for 1/4" plate
13" wide bent to form a curved bkt. I was able to do it with a cable
come-along, welding and heating as I went. In retrospect, 1/4" was too
thick. 3/16" or even 1/8" plate would have been easier and I would have
added wear plates at the corners. That is how my current hoe's
commercially-made bkts are manufactured. FEL bkts also use a 1/8" plate
carcass with cutting edges and wear plates welded to the curved countours.

 

[simplicityguy92]

thanks forthe help i like digging and i want to a backhoe
but i want to be able to swhitch between my bobcat and small tractor
so if one machine is down i can use the other to move the backhoe around or pull the hoe around with its boom
what is a good size of hydrolic cylander to use?
and could i power the hydrolic pump of the p.t.o. on my 16 hp tractor or
when used with the bobcat run it of the auxilary hydrolics
?

 

[KYErik]

If I recall correctly, I used a 4x16" cylinder for the dipper and a 3x10" inch for the boom. Mu bucket cylinder was only 2x10" but my odd bucket design used only the dipper for digging. I was only running 1500 psi (it was an old gear pump). I have heard that 3" cylinders work well all around if you run 2500-3000 psi.

Yes- you can use the tractor PTO to run a hydraulic pump.

If you already have a bobcat, you would save lots of time if you just built a dipper and bucket attachment for it. You'd just spin the bobcat sideways to dump the load.

It took me at least 100 hours to complete my project and as you can tell by the pics in my post- it was very crude.

Example:
http://www.abcgroff.com/ic/pics/ffc22.jpg

 

[Brad_Blazer]

" i want to be able to switch between my bobcat and small tractor "
You could probably make it on a Bobtach adapter and make a 3-point male Bobtach for the back of the tractor as easily as making it towable. Much more stable. You have the Bobcat for a model.

"It took me at least 100 hours to complete my project and as you can tell by the pics in my post- it was very crude."
It looks just like the one HF sells.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[dfkrug]

If I recall correctly, I used a 4x16" cylinder for the dipper and a 3x10" inch for the boom. Mu bucket cylinder was only 2x10" but my odd bucket design used only the dipper for digging. I was only running 1500 psi (it was an old gear pump). I have heard that 3" cylinders work well all around if you run 2500-3000 psi.

Wow, 4" is huge. You have to get up to the 9' b/h attachments to see
anything over 3", from all the units I have seen.

The CADDigger 728 is significantly bigger than the Trencherman now sold
at HF. All cyls were the same at 3" diam. The designer was adamant about
staying at or below 1500psi to reduce breakage. I can attest to that, as
the swing bracket was designed way too small. I also broke one of my
outrigger feet and a few other things. I got a lot done with it though.

If you have a tractor, by all means ditch the crappy B&S one cyl engine
and go with PTO pump (better), or tractor hydraulics (best). Even many
17hp tractors will have the 3-4 GPM you need.

As for mounting a hoe on a skidsteer, if it is an attachment with outriggers
and swing, then some method will be needed to lock the SS's curl function
to the frame. We have a few SS owner's on TBN with hoes and will attest
to that.