Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Implement Alley Discussion Forum

OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher?

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
bill

05-22-2004 20:12:10




Report to Moderator

I've got a long driveway to take the hump out of, too stony to get a bite with the loader bucket.
Do I risk damage to the backhoe to lower the bucket and drag it with the tractor going forward?
Thanks.

I'm new to a backhoe, I'll learn the controls but where can I learn about what not to do? besides school of hard knocks.




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Bob Jarvis

05-24-2004 05:55:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
I agree with the comments about not using a tool in a way it wasn't designed to be used. I'd be more inclined to go with the subsoiler, but there are a couple other alternatives I didn't see mentioned. You could try using a box blade with the scarifiers down - shorten up the top link so only the scarifiers are making contact with the driveway and make a couple passes, the lengthen out the top link so that the box is resting on the spreader blade and use that to redistribute the loosened material. Or you could make a couple passes with a disc. Good luck.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
mac

05-23-2004 17:10:31




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
Do you have a subsoiler? Try ripping it a few passes, then using loader.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
JMS/MN

05-23-2004 15:40:14




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
This is my first year with a backhoe, and I bought a 1970 model Ford with the gear transmission, so as not to have torque converter problems. That means I have to raise the outriggers, move to the tractor seat, raise the bucket and shift into gear each time I move the machine. When I hired backhoe work done, the operator could reach those controls without leaving the hoe seat, so he could move easily with the fluid tranny. I understand your idea that it is time consuming to reset, but not using the outriggers is going to put excess stress on the tractor, and you'll be buying parts, welding cracks, and straightening cylinders soon enough. If time is really of the essence- is there another person who could run the tractor controls while you do the hoe?

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bill

05-23-2004 16:54:47




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to JMS/MN, 05-23-2004 15:40:14  
There's a good idea. It's like a 5 minute job then another operation to pull up, move, and reset. Two will be an eatem up team. :)



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
evielboweviel

05-24-2004 18:56:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trenche in reply to bill, 05-23-2004 16:54:47  
pick the out riggers up use the bucket and boom to mover tractor forward. drop the outriggers and dig. pick the out riggers up move the tractor with bucket and boom drop the out riggers and dig. repeat and repeat until end of driveway. staying in the seat all the time.
Ron



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bill

05-25-2004 18:51:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like tre in reply to evielboweviel, 05-24-2004 18:56:16  
that's usin your noodle and your tool. I love it!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
JMS/MN

05-23-2004 18:44:35




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trenche in reply to bill, 05-23-2004 16:54:47  
Good way to break in a new driver too. Along with the subsoiler idea, a chisel plow works well to rip up a gravel drive. A plank bolted across the rear row of teeth makes a good leveling blade, and with the cylinder, can be raised and lowered to cut and fill. Good way to fill potholes too.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob H nw Oh

05-23-2004 08:15:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
Bill,what kind of backhoe?I have a Case 580B that I used on my sons driveway to rip up asphalt in the center of his driveway,with teeth about 20% angle,about 3 inches deep.Didn't put much strain on anything,dug up about 800 feet,Bob.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bill

05-23-2004 17:08:22




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to Bob H nw Oh, 05-23-2004 08:15:11  
Case G320W (wheel) industrial utility with backhoe, high low, shuttle shift, 1/2 yard front bucket, 18" rear bucket digs 12'down they say, solid independent mount (not 3 point).


I was only thinking of scraping the top, probably a 4" of the 6" crown but 3" off the top may spread enough for a base.
I do like to use my tools to do the work, even incorrectly, but parts on '57 are scarce and I thought I'd like to check with the pros (my luck - I'll snag a 1000 pounder that would either flip me backward or tear off the backhoe before I reach the pedals.
Thanks for all your opinions!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Farmer in the Dells (WI)

05-23-2004 06:25:58




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
Not an engineer but all the previous responses hold merit. I wouldn't stress the backhoe without the outriggers in place. Too much stress on the tractor. I don't know about relief internally on the hydraulics but you will be asking the hoe to do something it was not designed for and asking for trouble. If it were me, I would plant the tractor and hoe a little at a time and only deep enough to break the ground. Come back and grade it later with blade. Seems to me by dragging the hoe you will only be digging 2 foot of dirt or so at a time and have to make ten or more passes to do a 12 foot drive. If your hoe reaches out 10 feet you could break up that twelve foot run, move the tractor, reset your outrigger supports and do it again. Come back and grade it with a blade. If the job or driveway is too big to do it that way maybe you need a small dozer to get it done. Good luck.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
bill

05-23-2004 06:42:22




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to Farmer in the Dells (WI), 05-23-2004 06:25:58  
Thanks for your inputs.
I suppose its a power struggle between traction and mechanical fasteners that could be overstressed.
Hadn't heard that pistons can be overloaded but I kind of figured that this wasn't an intended use of a backhoe but isn't the operation just like dragging a scraper blade?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
paul

05-23-2004 12:26:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trenche in reply to bill, 05-23-2004 06:42:22  
A backhoe uses different geometry on hooking up to the 3pt, with the solid top link. Also the hoe shovel is likely much farther back than a backblade would be.

And, you said the back blade wouldn't be able to dig up the driveway, while dragging your backhoe _would_. Obviously, thebackhoe is going to be applying more stress....

Add it all up, & you are doing a _lot_ more stress with the backhoe than with the blade.

--->Paul

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Sid

05-23-2004 06:58:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trenche in reply to bill, 05-23-2004 06:42:22  
I would think the chances of putting a twisting type strain on the arm and causing damage would be pretty good. I do not think I would try it. You would not be getting the advantage of the hydraulic power and the leverage in using the hoe as a drag. I think sitting it up and using it as it was designed would be quicker.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Paul

05-23-2004 05:14:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
you sound like my dad.


(he breaks alot of things)



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Heat Houser

05-23-2004 01:23:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
Dragging or loading the backhoe bucket with the propel is not recomended. Typically there are curcuit reliefs in the control valve work ports that will allow the cylinder to collapse if the applied external force is too great. This doesn't offer much protection for an impact load, if you would happen to hook something, since the relief may not be able to dump the trapped oil fast enough. You run the danger of swelling the cylinder tube from too much pressure or bending your backhoe structure. Swelling the cylinder is common on the large hyd. mining shovels if the operator introduces an impact load such as catching the high wall with the bucket if it would cave off. You could be in the same situation if your bucket would happen to bite in while driving.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
paul

05-22-2004 23:08:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OK to drag backhoe bucket like trencher? in reply to bill, 05-22-2004 20:12:10  
I do not know.

However, just thinking about it:

A backhoe uses the rear stablizers as an anchor, & pulls on them. Uoi are eliminating this.

So, it will be pulling on the 3pt linkage, perhaps putting more stress on the top link. Which already gets a lot of stress. Or do you have a frame-mount bh?

As I said abovre, I don't know. But I'd be concerned....

--->Paul



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy