how to build your own custom backhoe subframe

[dcyrilc]

Good catch. I certainly worded that incorrectly-sorry for the confusion. I have changed the wording.

Thanks kenny. Your info is usually solid enough that I figured I must have missed something.:laughing:

 

[DavidVT]

Thank you for the input!

I should have mentioned that the BH is running off a 3pt pump and not the tractor circuit.

The hoe is tired and sloppy but strong. I was shocked to see it out perform the FEL for a simple dead lift.

My outdoor wood boiler is on it's last legs. If I can squeeze another year out of it, perhaps I will order the woods 4pt kit. I guess it is up to my boiler welder if he can work a miracle.

Great thread, thx again

 

[dfkrug]

My completed 4300 TLB in action can be seen at:
YouTube - JD4300 sep26

This is my first edited video post from a real video camera, not just an
AVI or WMV taken with one of my digital still cameras. I used a cheap
JVC DV videotape camera, FireWire, and Windows Movie Maker, Vista
version. Pretty easy, but I had to use the HELP files a few times. I am not
a big video camera fan, but sometimes it is the best way to show things.

The 1400# hoe and subframe add to stability without adding any driveability
issues.

In the video, you can see how I walk on the rear tire to change seats.
The ROPS is pretty low, so good thing I am not very tall. I can reach the
hoe controls very easily from the tractor driving position. Note that
there is no visible subframe flex when I lift and place a 200# log on my
pile.

 

[mjncad]

Very good! Thanks for sharing the video.

 

[Kendrick]

I will disagree a little bit...The faster the hoe is operating, then the more it's is slammed around-especially by a new/inexperienced operator.

more technically inertia and how it applies twisting forces. goes along the same line as a flywheel... my bailer takes 35? hp to keep it going with the flywheel... no flywheel every time it tried to kick a bale it would need something like 50-60 hp at pto momentairly to do what the flywheel does...

same applies to the 3pt pins when you try to stop swinging a 1k bolder in your bucket it goes from pushing on the left side with 1k force to pushing on the right with1.5 to 2k ...

 

[dfkrug]

Here is a side-by-side comparison of 2 Prairie Dog hoes on 2
different tractors. The tractors both have 68" wheel bases, and
each has a custom subframe supporting each hoe. Both units
have the same size tires (15x19.5R4s), but the JD has 13" wide
wheels vs. the 12" wheels on the CK30.

The Kioti CK30's hoe is mounted about 5" more to the rear than
the JD4300's hoe.

This difference may seem minor, but the driveability and balance of
the JD does feel better, even tho it weighs several hundred pounds
less than the Kioti. The JD's hoe is mounted a bit lower, but the
departure angle should be about the same.

 

[Ronu]

You guys seem to know what your doing. I just picked up a JD backhoe 7 today. I was told it mounted to a JD 640. I have plans to mate to up to a Yanmar 186D with a FEL. Any ideas?

 

[dfkrug]

I just picked up a JD backhoe 7 today. I was told it mounted to a JD 640. I have plans to mate to up to a Yanmar 186D with a FEL.

I have no idea what a JD 640 looks like, but the JD 7 is only about 850
lb and Yanmars are well-built units. Go for it.

 

[MMH]

Great Post!

 

[MartyinPA]

Excellent post! Great information!

I have a JD 955 and I am picking up a used 8A hoe with a subframe from a 950. I think it is a ladder style subframe. My intent is to figure out how to modify that subframe to fit my 955. Any ideas? I'll post some pictures when I pick it up tomorrow!

Thanks!

 

[dfkrug]

I have a JD 955 and I am picking up a used 8A hoe with a subframe from a 950. I think it is a ladder style subframe. My intent is to figure out how to modify that subframe to fit my 955.

The 850/950 tractors from John Deere were much larger units, tho they
used similar (or less) hp engines. The much smaller 955 was much
easier to build a subframe for (vs the 4300). I would not be surprised if
you can not use any of the tractor-side parts of the 8A subframe for
the 950 on your 955.

On the hoe-side of the subframe, there may be some usable parts, but
it may be easier to start with new steel, vs. trying to cut/weld parts
off the 950 subframe.

 

[MartyinPA]

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I will have to see better when I pick it up tomorrow.

Do you have drawings/pictures for the setup you liked best on the 955? Would love to benefit from your experience!

Thanks again!

Marty

 

[thomastractorsvc]

Call John Deere, I bought a 8A in 2006 with just the BH mount sub-frame, I got a good deal on it because the guys tractor was stolen that had the tractor mounts on it. I was thinking along the same lines as you all I started down the road of designing one when I happened to be at the dealer picking up the power beyond kit and wanted to see how much the mounts cost, It was cheaper to by the complete install kit which I did. It came with BH sub-frame, mounts hoses nuts bolts etc..

I bought the install kit that fit my JD 990 but the funny thing is the sub-frame was the same as the one on the BH so all I did was install the tractor mounts and put the rest in the pole barn for some future project.all the apparently they all use same mounts. The JD mounts were designed to have the BH on the tractor and makes removing it very easy wont void the warranty or break the tractor in half.

 

[MartyinPA]

I would love to go that route, but JD is killing me price wise. I called my local JD dealer and they quoted me a JD subframe (tractor side) for 1,490 and the BH side for 2,140. Combined that is more than I am paying for the hoe! Has to be cheaper to either build one myself or make some use of the subframe from the 950.

Of course the 8A may also be too much hoe for the 955 - HP ok, but weight may be an issue. Not sure. Seems like most folks with a hoe on the 955 opt for the 7 or something in that size range.

Thanks for the input!

 

[dfkrug]

Do you have drawings/pictures for the setup you liked best on the 955?

Go back to post #30 in this thread.

The guy who has that 955 has put many many useful hours on it. The
PrairieDog 7.5 hoe is about the weight of the JD8 hoe, which IS quite
heavy for the small 955. That's all the more reason to install the hoe
very close-in to the back of the tractor, and support it with a subframe
that goes forward to the bell housing.

Since the 955 sits so low, the mid point of the rear axle housings line
up to the mid-point of my hoe's main mounting surface. This means there
were no jogs in the subframe to adjust for height and ground clearance. I
wish they were all that easy.

 

[dfkrug]

I called my local JD dealer and they quoted me a JD subframe (tractor side) for 1,490 and the BH side for 2,140. Combined that is more than I am paying for the hoe!

Well, that's some kind of new record! $3630 + sales tax!

 

[ironwood]

Great stuff.... Ironwood

 

[gorj]

I have a JD 4610 and just purchased a Bulldog BH1818 backhoe. I have read your post and copied some photos and text. I am going to fabricate a sub frame mount and will use some of your suggestions. This unit has a hydraulic pump and PTO shaft so I will not be able to mount it as close to the tractor as you did, but will mount as close as possible. The FEL mount has two holes on each side that are perfect for the forward mounts. Like you I will use the ROPS mount for the rear mount. To maintain rigidity I'll weld a cross brace between the two sub frame arms about half way. I will also fabricate a bracket that will attach to the sub frame and extend upward on each side with a cross member to attach the top arm of the BH. The sub frame will attach to the BH using the existing mount tabs, which are really beefy. But instead of using the pins I will use 1" bolts so there be no flopping around. The top arm will also be bolted and not pined. Detaching will be easy because I'll use an impact to take off the nuts! The Bulldog BH seems to be built well. It weighs about 1100 pounds, and has hefty cylinders. I bought this used, but I looks brand new. I understand it comes from Southeast Asia. I have installed it on the 3 point just to check it out and everything works excellent. When something breaks on it, I'll just use off the shelf parts for it, or fabricate something. Recently had a hydraulic cylinder shaft break on my JD power steering. JD wanted about $500 for a new one. Got an even better one (larger shaft) for $75 on line. Only had to buy some fitting adapters.

 

[dfkrug]

This unit has a hydraulic pump and PTO shaft so I will not
be able to mount it as close to the tractor as you did, but will mount as close as possible.

That's another reason why the PTO pump/reservoir is not the way to go. Your
tractor's implement pump puts out 10.6 GPM at 2500psi, which is excellent. If
you had an ancient tractor with a tiny pump, then the PTO system could be
desirable.

 

[widbill]

I`ve got a1986 ford 3600 with a loader I was thinking about building a subframe for a Liberty 8ft backhoe this tractor lift arms are on top of the rear axel housing.Can ayone show me how to do this?