Using BH as crane

[newtarheel]

I run a Woods BH70-X backhoe on my B7800. The Woods manual specifically states that I ought not to use the implement as a crane, that is, simply to lift dead weight. Yesterday I had to remove an old post that had been post-holed down two feet in some hard red clay. I didn't have the brawn to do it so I attached a cable to the post and to my bh bucket and extracted it easily.
I know I went against the Woods wisdom. But does anybody know how much I can crane without damaging the bh?
I confess also that I have used the sideways torque of the bucket to tighten some six-foot welded-wire fencing. Would this also have brought out the Woods BH police?
I must say that I find great satisfaction in discovering new ways to use my equipment. But I sure don't want to break it.

 

[Thomas]

I am pretty sure most of us have gone past the safety zone.

In the booklet what the breaking points of the BH,also when lifting etc.. and the BH not moving that's a good sign to let off,also you may want to put some rocks or bucket full of dirt in the bucket for balance.

 

[radman1]

If I am just lifting up with the distance equal the that the of boom only, I will try to lift what ever it can. I figure that is the normal stress on the boom in most operations. I don't try to lift much with the boom and dipper fully extended due to the leverage out that far (unless I know the object is light). I don't try to lift from the side of the backhoe. That puts a lot of unusual stress on the hoe and frame.

 

[Casco1]

I have the older version of your BH. I've used it as many ways as I can think of and have never had a problem. I think the "no craning" rule is more of a disclaimer to protect the manufacturer. One of the best things I ever did is weld hooks to my BH bucket as I have much better control than with my FEL depending on the job.

 

[JerryG]

I know for me anyway, its just a lot easier to use the loader than it is to mess around with the backhoe.

 

[Volfandt]

You should be fine using a BH as small crane, within reason of course. I've used mine as a cherry picker on several occasions and with the addition of a thumb I do alot of lifting with my bX23's BH.
Kubota even specs out the lift capacities of my BX23's BH.
According to my owners manual, 500lbs is about the max it is spec'd to handle, I'd expect your bigger BH to be able to easily handle more.

 

[crazyal]

I often use my Case 580K to lift like a crane, it's bigger in size but none the less I've never had any issues. Often times while digging stumps I'll lift them out of the hole to place them off to the side. If I have the BH fully extended and off to the side I try to keep it as close to the ground as possible as I think you can tip sideways much easier. I wouldn't add weight while lifted though. When you try to pick somethign up the relief valve will not let you lift if it's too heavy. Once it's lifted you could over load it by adding weight.

 

[Glowplug]

If I have the BH fully extended and off to the side I try to keep it as close to the ground as possible as I think you can tip sideways much easier.

I think that's exactly the whole point of the warning. It's not that you're going to damage your backhoe, but you could damage yourself. It's probably a CYA disclaimer. If you were injured or killed in a rollover all Woods would have to say is, "We told you not to do that."

 

[AMR]

I use my BH for lifting all the time. Attached is a photo of my BX23 lifting my generator out of my truck, the generator is about 400 pounds. I just bought a new brush hog and a new tiller that I had to unload the same way. The tiller made me think a little because it is over 600 pounds but I am very careful to keep the load as close to the machine as possible and I lift it only enough to get it off the bed of the truck then dive the truck out from under it and let it down. I am careful to rig the load thoughtfully and to observe the load and machine as I hoist. I don't let the load get out over the side of the machine. This is one of the primary reasons I have a BH in the first place.

 

[shvl73]

I know for me anyway, its just a lot easier to use the loader than it is to mess around with the backhoe.

I agree with JerryG, the loader is almost always on the tractor vs. the backhoe which is only sometimes mounted. With bucket hooks and a chain, post are easily lifted out of the ground.