Backhoe Tractor / Backhoe Storage

[bdhsfz6]

Since I now have a second tractor to do most of my chores, I'm going to leave the BH92 hoe attached to my MX5800. This tractor will see only around 20 hrs / yr use. I've had BH attachments for all my Kubotas over the years but never left the hoe attached for more than a week. Since the hoe is the heaviest attachment I've ever used on a tractor, I'm concerned about long term storage with that much weight attached. Lowering the boom / bucket and outriggers to the floor will only remove some of the weight due to the eventual hydraulic bleed down. I'm afraid the R4 filled tires will flat spot over time. Has anyone experienced this? It would be a simple task to raise the tractor slightly with the boom or outriggers and block it. Is it worth the effort?

 

[sandman2234]

I would consider blocking the whole tractor just to relieve the pressure on the tires (useful or not?) but it would also allow you to spin the tires as you walked by, thereby giving the bearings a little fresh oil.
David from jax

 

[diesel85]

This is what I do with my summer truck. During the winter I jack it up. Keeps flat spots off the wheels and lets me spin the tires by hand for the exact reasons. Can't hurt.

 

[Groo]

The rear wheels with the backhoe probably puts less weight on those big tires than the small fronts see

 

[Old Red]

Since I now have a second tractor to do most of my chores, I'm going to leave the BH92 hoe attached to my MX5800. This tractor will see only around 20 hrs / yr use. I've had BH attachments for all my Kubotas over the years but never left the hoe attached for more than a week. Since the hoe is the heaviest attachment I've ever used on a tractor, I'm concerned about long term storage with that much weight attached. Lowering the boom / bucket and outriggers to the floor will only remove some of the weight due to the eventual hydraulic bleed down. I'm afraid the R4 filled tires will flat spot over time. Has anyone experienced this? It would be a simple task to raise the tractor slightly with the boom or outriggers and block it. Is it worth the effort?

I don't think I would worry about it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Since the tractor will be used every couple of months, I decided not to bother blocking it up completely. I put a double 6x6 under each BH stabilizer pivot plate which raises the frame about 2" so the tires stay in contact with the floor.

Leaving the boom and stabilizers retracted actually takes more weight off the tractor than if they were lowered to the floor. This is hard to picture and even harder to describe. The 6x6's act as the pivot point of a "seesaw" with the tractor on one side and most of the weight of the BH on the other. Leaving the boom and stabilizers retracted also saves a considerable amount of floor space.