Backhoe BX-25 backhoe bent

Georgia Peach · Dec 12, 2011

My husband was pulling al large stump out of a slash pile and bent the backhoe arm and the aftermarket thumb.
Is there a way to straighten the arm out and reinforce it or is all lost and will we need to buy a new arm? He knows he should have put a chain on the stump and pulled it out but I guess we all do dumb things once in a while.
Thanks

Martian · Dec 12, 2011

You sure could straighten it but it will cost a pretty penny or too and will weaken the arm greatly. If you want the best performance you'd get a new arm. Rarely hear of this happening though. I'd take it to the dealer and see if something wasn't fault and you could get a replacement.

Scooby074 · Dec 12, 2011

He bent the arm pulling out a stump? Interesting.

What kind of thumb and who installed it? Was the tube kinked from the install causing a weak spot? I dont believe the BX would have enough power to bend an undamaged stick

cal1 · Dec 12, 2011

I think a few pics would help folks give advise. Sometimes we only see the worst when it's our own problem and others can see things we are overlooking. Perhaps it's not as bad as you describe.

MHarryE · Dec 12, 2011

Definitely need pics. It usually seems worse than it really is right after a major oops, unless it has like a 90 degree bend. Also how are his skills at heating, bending, and welding?

Georgia Peach · Dec 13, 2011

We will not be out to see the tractor for a few days but then I will try to get a picture of it.
The thumb was put on the right way and wasn't crimping the arm. Dale just had the backhoe at an angle and then tried to pull the stump with the tractor.
He did admit that he shouldn't have used the tractor to pull.
Thanks for all your replies

samofsweden · Dec 13, 2011

Georgia Peach said:
He did admit that he shouldn't have used the tractor to pull.

Well...to use the tractors force to pull out a stump while the backhoe still sits in the stump you will add tooo much force on the backhoe!
Ive used my backhoe for 200hours and I havnt found anyway to break it, IF you use it as it designed for...digging!

Sometimes we do things ,not thinking before, it all happen to us

As said before, buy a new arm. Trying to straighten it, by heating, bending you will create new breaking spots, and the arm might snapp, when you do digging in the future, and you might get badly hurt! Or if you sell the tractor, next owner will get in trouble.
Well just my advice. Good luck.

Redneck in training · Dec 13, 2011

I have home made BH. I didn't bent anything but sheared several pins by abusing it.
I doubt it will snap. I would straighten it and reinforce it as necessary. If you can do the work by yourself fixing it is definitely more cost effective.

mick m · Dec 13, 2011

hey Peach ,,,,,,, do you mean its bent sideways ,, if so does it still work for digging ??? i have given my JCB some treatment in 5000 hours and busted the boom arm nose cone right off but re attached and still goes the distance ,can dig and lugg most things i need done even got a mulcher hooked to it now , so never back down and iff needed look for a second hand one be heaps cheeper than a new arm,,,
aussie advice given with care

Deano · Dec 13, 2011

Georgia Peach said:
We will not be out to see the tractor for a few days but then I will try to get a picture of it.
The thumb was put on the right way and wasn't crimping the arm. Dale just had the backhoe at an angle and then tried to pull the stump with the tractor.
He did admit that he shouldn't have used the tractor to pull.
Thanks for all your replies

That is exactly why it bent. Warnings in he manual on using the tractor to pull with the backhoe. Usually the hydraulic cylinder bends. A friend of mine did that.

Scooby074 · Dec 13, 2011

Georgia Peach said:
Dale just had the backhoe at an angle and then tried to pull the stump with the tractor.
He did admit that he shouldn't have used the tractor to pull.

Bad idea as you figured out. You can generate much more force by moving the machine than with the hydraulics.

post up some pics. might not be that bad.. but if it is, this could get expensive

radioman · Dec 13, 2011

Question.. was "arm" straight out when pulling, or was it swung to one side and pulled that way?

mguitas · Dec 13, 2011

Deano said:
That is exactly why it bent. Warnings in he manual on using the tractor to pull with the backhoe. Usually the hydraulic cylinder bends. A friend of mine did that.

I agree with deano, i thouht he was digging with his stabs down. But your saying the tractor was in moving while the hoe was holding the stump.

Martian · Dec 13, 2011

mguitas said:
I agree with deano, i thouht he was digging with his stabs down. But your saying the tractor was in moving while the hoe was holding the stump.

That would make sense if it was done this way. BH should not be used like that.

Georgia Peach · Dec 14, 2011

I haven't been able to get a picture of it yet but looking at it again it has a small twist in it near the bucket end and the hyd. cylinder doesn't line up. We ended up taking the backhoe off the tractor. I was afraid if we used it like it is it will put stress on the seals. My husband called a friend and he's going to take it over to him and see about putting it in a press and then welding some supports if neccessary. The guy is a guru at fixing heavy equipment so a few beers might get it fixed. Otherwise the Kubota dealer wants $300+ for a new one.
Yes, he had the backhoe to one side when he pulled the stump and readily admits he put too much stress on it. It wasn't a product flaw, he just tried to do something it wasn't designed to do.
I guess you live and learn.
Thanks for all the input, I'll let you all know what his guru does or if we end up buying a new arm.

radioman · Dec 14, 2011

Ok - that is what I figured. I am sure many of us tried to do silly things like that and either its a uh oh - crap moment or WHEW!!! .

Hopefully you can get it fixed.

CHDinCT · Dec 14, 2011

Read through this thread. Lots of good info on how to weld a repair on a backhoe and what the OP eventually did to get it fixed. Welding on a backhoe requires some special knowledge and technique but can be done. The bent cylinder might be repairable by a hydraulic shop. Would be worth taking it in to a few to get opinions/estimates. Good luck and sorry to hear about your misfortune.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/220088-dipper-stick-snapped-half.html

Fxfymn · Dec 15, 2011

$300.00? I've spent that much on beer just trying to figure out how I could be so stupid to do what I just did.

Seriously, if it's only $300.00 for a new part, and that's all that is needed, spend the money. It will maintain the value of the tractor and you will never question whether the BH will hold up at the repair site.

Consider the $300.00 tuition on the lessons of life.

Deano · Dec 15, 2011

Fxfymn said:
$300.00? I've spent that much on beer just trying to figure out how I could be so stupid to do what I just did.

Seriously, if it's only $300.00 for a new part, and that's all that is needed, spend the money. It will maintain the value of the tractor and you will never question whether the BH will hold up at the repair site.

Consider the $300.00 tuition on the lessons of life.

I second that!:thumbsup:

Scooby074 · Dec 15, 2011

Deano said:
I second that!:thumbsup:

thirded.

If the new stick is $300, id be all over that. At $60-80/hr shop time to straighten, youd be money ahead. Thats assuming the bucket linkages, pins and cylinders are OK.