Backhoe update. I'm making progress (Video included)

[NormL]

I agree this project has been an ultimate learning project and I love building things.

And I'll keep on fixing the backhoe and once I get it right then I'll work on the loader.

Chad

I'd like to add my vote and encourage you to use the backhoe you have as the project that gives you the practice you need to advance to higher levels of skill and expertise. And this forum provides unbelievable support for project builders such as you and me to make it happen. I'm rushing mine as much as I can because it is going to go on hold pretty soon and I know that once that happens it will take some doing to get in the groove again. There is a wedding coming up next month and the father of the groom has some "responsibilities".:laughing::laughing:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...There is a wedding coming up next month and the father of the groom has some "responsibilities".:laughing::laughing:

Can't you convince the family that the backhoe is necessary for the wedding in some way?

"I have to finish this before the wedding. We're going to need it to trench for the water line to the fountain that's going to be right next to the cake."

 

[NormL]

Can't you convince the family that the backhoe is necessary for the wedding in some way?

"I have to finish this before the wedding. We're going to need it to trench for the water line to the fountain that's going to be right next to the cake."

That might have been an argument if the wedding was to take place here. As it is the wedding is four provinces and two time zones to the west of us and the backhoe would be hard to smuggle aboard in my luggage, small as it may be.:laughing::laughing: Nice to have folks who'll take my side though! Thanks!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...As it is the wedding is four provinces and two time zones to the west of us and the backhoe would be hard to smuggle aboard in my luggage, small as it may be.:laughing::laughing:...

I'm trying to come up with a good case for you, but I'm not finding anything. I guess you'll just have to take time off from the project and enjoy the family and festivities.

 

[chad22]

I had an idea that I think will work much better than the square pieces of metal I have attached to the boom and stick.

I came across a piece of channel iron in our junk pile. This is a thick piece of channel iron "not sure how thick haven't measured it yet". It isn't a flimsy piece.

The idea is to cut the channel iron into 2 pieces drill holes for bushings and then weld one on each side of the boom. Then I would put the stick in between the channel.

Then I could just drill a hole for the cylinder pin at the top of the stick.

Kinda like the way the excavators stick and stick cylinder is mounted.

It should work much better this way since I did have a little sway with the stick. And it was twisting. "Not the stick itself" The 2 square plates.

Chad

 

[NormL]

Then I could just drill a hole for the cylinder pin at the top of the stick.

Kinda like the way the excavators stick and stick cylinder is mounted.

It should work much better this way since I did have a little sway with the stick. And it was twisting. "Not the stick itself" The 2 square plates.

Chad

I look forward to seeing this.:thumbsup: If it fits into my setup I might just "pirate" the concept. I have some channel that is 5 or 6" with 1.5" sides. I'll keep an eye on this thread and see how it works for you.:thumbsup:

 

[NormL]

I'm trying to come up with a good case for you, but I'm not finding anything. I guess you'll just have to take time off from the project and enjoy the family and festivities.

Thank you for trying! It's the mother of the groom who is doing most of the "stressing". I'm the "go-fer".:thumbsup:

Our daughter-in-law to be, is a real treasure and my wife and I are thrilled to welcome her into our family. So yes, we will enjoy the festivities and the back hoe will wait.

 

[chad22]

I decided to take a break from working on my backhoe. That is until I can get some more material and parts in.

I had another idea for the way I want my hoe. Instead of having to walk it with the stick and boom. "Slow, really slow". I've decided to make it drivable using some hydraulic wheel motors with brakes.

This towable hoe isn't really able to dig without lifting itself up and pulling forward.

The idea is to make it like a wheeled excavator but without the 360 swing.

I'll use a rim and trailer hub to make it swing left to right. The way I'll do it is use the swing arm cylinder to move the whole house left to right.


I think I'll be much happier with it.

If it takes $4,000.00 to get it the way I want it. I'll do it even if it takes longer than expected.

In the mean time. If the pipe that I need to replace springs another leak. I'll just rent a mini ex to get the digging done.

So be warned I may not update this thread for awhile.

Chad

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...So be warned I may not update this thread for awhile.

Chad

Yes you will. You're too much of a thinker to just let it sit. You're going to be awake at nights thinking of how to improve upon your design.

Good luck on the trench.

 

[NormL]

Yes you will. You're too much of a thinker to just let it sit. You're going to be awake at nights thinking of how to improve upon your design.

Good luck on the trench.

What Iplayfarmer said! I don't believe for a minute that you will let it just sit there and not get the itch to lay another weld somewhere.:laughing::laughing:

 

[chad22]

Yeah you 2 are right. I'll probably come up with another idea before I even get to making it drivable. "Then I'll wind up not making it drivable".

I'm always changing my mind on things. :laughing: Like just an hour ago. I was thinking of doing another tear down and build a nicer frame using some more square tubing and make better outriggers that dig into the ground better. hmm "scratches head". lol

I should be able to get all new tubing for $200.00. ideas, ideas, ideas "did I mention ideas?"

I'll probably try to get it as close as possible to the harborfreight trencher.

Chad

 

[chad22]

Well guys it was a fun project. But today was the last straw. Yesterday the boom pivot "Swing" broke off again. The metal snapped in half. "Not the welds" the metal itself. So I fixed it, and used a 1/2" steel angle. I started it up again. Everything was going fine until it broke once again.

The metal actually snapped in half. A 1/2" thick angle iron snapped right in half like a twig. The metal must have got a week spot or something.

I am seriously not gonna put anymore money into this backhoe. By the time I paid for all new steel and everything I could just have an already made one and be done with it.

As soon as I get the money. I'll either buy the one from harborfreight or the one on ebay.

I'm thinking about selling the cylinders, and the valve on ebay. So maybe I can get some of my money back. And put that towards the new backhoe.

I was gonna keep the cylinders to use for the loader. But then I think I'll just use the already factory made loader arms I got. They require a smaller cylinder.

And I won't need a five spool valve for the loader. I can get a joystick valve when the time comes.

I did redo the stick mount, and after all that work. The backhoe has to break again.

Before I tear it down. I'll take a photo of the new way I mounted the stick to the boom. And it worked so good. That is until the boom swing pivot broke.

Chad

 

[NormL]

Well guys it was a fun project. But today was the last straw. Yesterday the boom pivot "Swing" broke off again. The metal snapped in half. "Not the welds" the metal itself. So I fixed it, and used a 1/2" steel angle. I started it up again. Everything was going fine until it broke once again.

The metal actually snapped in half. A 1/2" thick angle iron snapped right in half like a twig. The metal must have got a week spot or something.

I am seriously not gonna put anymore money into this backhoe. By the time I paid for all new steel and everything I could just have an already made one and be done with it.

As soon as I get the money. I'll either buy the one from harborfreight or the one on ebay.

I'm thinking about selling the cylinders, and the valve on ebay. So maybe I can get some of my money back. And put that towards the new backhoe.

I was gonna keep the cylinders to use for the loader. But then I think I'll just use the already factory made loader arms I got. They require a smaller cylinder.

And I won't need a five spool valve for the loader. I can get a joystick valve when the time comes.

I did redo the stick mount, and after all that work. The backhoe has to break again.

Before I tear it down. I'll take a photo of the new way I mounted the stick to the boom. And it worked so good. That is until the boom swing pivot broke.

Chad

I appreciate your frustration with the way your back hoe has continued to break down. I guess there has to be a point where enough is too much. I hope that at some point you can revisit this whole affair with renewed vision and enthusiasm and a clear understanding of what it has been that keeps going wrong. The concept is sound - there are lots of homebuilts out there. I hope your discouragement is only temporary and you can move on again! Since it is the swing box and pivot that proved weak, why not wait and see how my innovation works out. I can't say that it will be strong enough till I put it to work. But to me it looks really strong and I have high hopes for it. If it proves worthy, maybe you could do a mod on yours with a similar system.

 

[evo803]

DO NOT GIVE UP, YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!!!

Do yourself a favor and cut the boom and stick length down this will decrease the forces and the mount. As you have seen at that length there is enough forces to snap 1/2" steel with ease. You are getting tossed around because your base is so small and lightweight it can't support that large a hoe. I can guarantee you if you make those changes you will not regret it.

Take a look at a small woods backhoe and the 2 cylinders overlap on the boom or you can mount one on top and the other under the boom.

I will say again for alot less money you can get this rig working better than the e-bay unit.

 

[Cacinok]

Yeah you 2 are right. I'll probably come up with another idea before I even get to making it drivable. "Then I'll wind up not making it drivable".

I'm always changing my mind on things. :laughing: Like just an hour ago. I was thinking of doing another tear down and build a nicer frame using some more square tubing and make better outriggers that dig into the ground better. hmm "scratches head". lol

I should be able to get all new tubing for $200.00. ideas, ideas, ideas "did I mention ideas?"

I'll probably try to get it as close as possible to the harborfreight trencher.

Chad

Interesting thread Chad, very informative. I know you said you're giving up, but in case you don't, check out this guys back hoe he uses an interesting concept for moving it while working.

here's a video of his back hoe working link. he even made an electric version of it.

 

[o2batsea]

See the epic "your free time isn't free" thread of 2010. Then get back to us.

 

[chad22]

Thanks Guys. But I'm really done with it.

Here's the last video of it, before it's tore down. I also wanted to show you the new mount for the stick, that I made using some channel iron. I've attached some photos.

‪This is the final video of my backhoe before I tear it down for good.‬‏ - YouTube

I know I really shouldn't give up and continue with it. But the cost to get it right is gonna be close to what a new harbor freight one would cost. I really do think I'd be better off with an already made one.

Chad

 

[rjmack]

forget the naysayers... what you learned from this project probably puts you ahead of a lot of them. nobody learns for free. :thumbsup:

the trick is to try remember the more expensive lessons.

btw, looks to me like you have a lot of the pieces to build a picker for a flatdeck or trailer. :thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Thanks Guys. But I'm really done with it.

Here's the last video of it, before it's tore down. I also wanted to show you the new mount for the stick, that I made using some channel iron. I've attached some photos.

‪This is the final video of my backhoe before I tear it down for good.‬‏ - YouTube

I know I really shouldn't give up and continue with it. But the cost to get it right is gonna be close to what a new harbor freight one would cost. I really do think I'd be better off with an already made one.

Chad

You surely learned a lot from this experience. Thanks for sharing the process with us so that we could all share in the learning process.

 

[evo803]

Just step away from the project for a while and refocus yourself.

Stop trying to fix what will never work and get the proper stock to re-build the boom and stick from. Do yourself a favor and look at the design of what you want to purchase and use that to build from. You already have the hydraulics which is the most costly portion of the project. I bet for around $750.00 you can get a new pump,motor and the proper steel and in no time at all you will have a perfectly functioning backhoe.