Converting a FEL to a Backhoe?? Ford 850

LarryMaine · Jul 14, 2020

On my 1956 Ford 850 tractor, I have a very well built Lord front end loader. I want to be able to remove the bucket from time to time and convert it to an excavator/backhoe. Is there a unit, either vintage or new that I can use to do this? I have the option of adding some additional hydraulic hoses and controls if necessary. I just want to be able to clean out some seasonal stream beds to remove roots and debris that clogs the streams. It is a wooded area and not much room to really move the tractor around using just the FEL. Any thoughts or directions I might go in for this equipment newbie would be much appreciated. Thanks, Larry.

Jim.ME · Jul 15, 2020

You say you want to "remove the bucket from time to time and convert it to an excavator/backhoe." Do you mean remove just the bucket, the bucket and lift arms, or the entire loader? Are you thinking of mounting the backhoe on your loader or the rear of your tractor? There are small back hoe attachments that mount on 3 point hitch arms and have their own hydraulic systems with PTO driven pumps. These can be hard on the 3 point. You can find a frame mounted backhoe attachment (there are some on Craigslist) and modify it to fit your tractor. You may want to figure out how to use your loaders hydraulic pump for the hydraulics if not a self contained unit.

Or if it is just occasional use you can likely plan the work and rent a mini excavator, or skid steer, compact tractor equipped with a backhoe for less money and time than you will have in putting something together for your tractor, (plus swapping the loader and hoe around every time you want to use it) and may be more reliable in the end. Mini excavators are real nimble in tight areas, and you have a hoe and blade to work with. Just my thoughts.

paul · Jul 15, 2020

Buckets go on the front, backhoes go on the rear of a tractor.

There are some small backhoes that will attach to a loader mount for going on a bobcat, but a bobcat doesn’t have much other option, and is weighted to work out this way. You might find something that might fit on your bucket arms but I don’t think it would really work well.

You are actually looking for a three point backhoe you just don’t know it?

Paul

LarryMaine · Jul 15, 2020

I am a newbie, but yes, I know where a backhoe goes. I really was hoping to just remove the bucket, not the arms, and attach the pivot pins and 2 cylinders to a frame with a backhoe type implement. I have been looking for a proper backhoe that I can attach to the rear of the tractor, but they are all either quite expensive new, or just not available where I am in midcoastal maine. I though an add on up front might be less expensive. I would like to use the hydraulic pump I have attached to the front end of the tractor that runs the loader, for a "backhoe" addition. I may end up just buying a much narrower bucket for the FEL, or, I may just have to wait to save up and buy a conventional backhoe that I can mount to the rear of the tractor. Thanks for the help, Larry.

paul · Jul 15, 2020

The stiff arm thing is awkward to use as it doesn’t swing, and you would need the quicktatch setup. It’s cheap because it’s hard to use it’s not a backhoe it’s a stiff arm that doesn’t do much.

A skinny digging bucket might work?

I don’t sell anything, just random picks from the internet for examples.

Paul

Bret4207 · Jul 16, 2020

No, you aren't going to turn a front loader into a backhoe. Were it me, I'd either get used to the idea of making a drive to buy a 3pt backhoe or hire the job done.

charles Leddy · Jul 16, 2020

I know exactly what you are up against. I been thinking about this too. We have good equipment around but can't easily dig a little without using laborous hand tools or buying something expensive. Not crazy about renting or barrowing someone else backhoe or Mini-escavator for a small job but "know" that makes complete sense on a project
of any size. Let us know if you make any progess-be watching??

LarryMaine · Jul 16, 2020

Paul, Wow, that was exactly what I was looking for, and in my price range as well. I was leaning toward having to bolt on a ripping claw or middle buster onto the bottom of my bucket to rip out and clear the roots, and then use hand tools to remove the sludge, but either of these two items you posted would work just fine I think. I am going to investigate them more, but they seem to be just what I need. Thanks all for your interest in my problem, and for your comments. Larry

paul · Jul 16, 2020

Good deal, I enjoy if my comments can help anyone!

Paul

kneedeep · Jul 20, 2020

You may not have enough tractor or hydraulic capicity for the SSQA backhoe.
Defiantly will have to add a SSQA to your arms and convert your existing bucket to QA as well.

Converting a FEL to a Backhoe?? Ford 850

LarryMaine

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Jim.ME

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paul

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LarryMaine

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paul

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Bret4207

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charles Leddy

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LarryMaine

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paul

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kneedeep

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