Backhoe fell over and died.

[vsumoski]

My Deere 475 485 backhoe which was resting on landscape timber fell over during the two plus years I've been convalescing after a stroke and open heart surgery (aortic valve replacement). The bucket is turned fully to the right and I was unable to 'stand the backhoe up' in order to attach it to the tractor. I am unable to use the loader as the weight of the backhoe just wants to tip the tractor over. I found a couple five foot 1/4" new hydraulic hoses in the workshop, purchased the necessary fittings to hook up the hoe's 1/2" hoses to the 1/2" power beyond and 1/2" return coupling of the 4520 compact tractor. I figure I can use the tractor to power the hoe to 'stand itself up' using timbers and it's own hydraulics.
Alas, nothing happens when trying the hoe's levers.
Topped off the fluid level, took 4 gallons! No difference. I can't believe the restriction of the 1/4" hose is preventing ANY hydraulic action of the hoe's controls. I found no pinched hoses, no leaking fluid, and am out of ideas. What should I try next?

 

[Diggin It]

Know anybody with a bigger tractor? Maybe a wrecker with a boom?

What does it weigh?

 

[KennyG]

Do you have rear counterweight? It seems that a 4520 would lift it with appropriate counterweight.

 

[vsumoski]

Do you have rear counterweight? It seems that a 4520 would lift it with appropriate counterweight.

The cab makes it tippy, the hoe is the normal counterweight, it was taken off to attach scraper for the snow, now all the linkarms are off, PITA at 71 years old. I was hoping to use the tractors hydraulics which I'm sure will work if I can figure out the problem.

 

[vsumoski]

Know anybody with a bigger tractor? Maybe a wrecker with a boom?

What does it weigh?

No one close enough.
No.
Weighs too much for my tractor, I'll look up specs.

 

[Diggin It]

My Deere 475 backhoe which was resting on landscape timber fell over during the two plus years

I found no pinched hoses, no leaking fluid, and am out of ideas. What should I try next?

How much of that two years has it been leaned over? Is this outside exposed to the elements? How do the various cylinders/shafts look? Any signs of rust or corrosion?

 

[txdon]

I know you already tried it but I'll throw it out anyway. Try increasing your RPMs.

 

[vsumoski]

How much of that two years has it been leaned over? Is this outside exposed to the elements? How do the various cylinders/shafts look? Any signs of rust or corrosion?

At least 1 year.
Covered with tarp after that.
The cylinders look good except for the end inch or so of the fully extended swing cylinder.
Rust/corrosion not too bad considering.

 

[vsumoski]

I know you already tried it but I'll throw it out anyway. Try increasing your RPMs.

Yeah, I did.

 

[fatjay]

Do you have a piece of telephone pole or something as substantual, and some 20' straps? If you do, I would strap the front of hte tractor to the boom of the hoe, then prop the pole under the strap at about a 45 degree angle. Backing the tractor up should give you the leverage you need to lift the hoe back upright.

Also simple thing. Are the remote lines engaged? Are the hoses properly coupled? If fluid is flowing, hydraulics is hydraulics, and it should move. Decoupled if you move the lever for power beyond it should dead head the pump, if you do it gently and briefly you should hear it in the engine. I'm not familiar with power beyond as nothing I have is fancy as that, but I would make sure you have flow at the ports.