anyone built a Micro hoe??

[ripplefct]

hey has anyone built a micro hoe from PF Engineering? I have built one and Im in the process of building another. Im not happy with the swing hydraulics. Having the cylinder stick out further than the backhoe frame bugs me. And getting even control out of it is a bugger. I just want to know if anyone has come up with a better way.

Rip

 

[MJPetersen]

Rip,

I have not come across anybody who has modified the PFE plans for better swing, but Andrew on the forum site that I will post a link, has designed and has a spreadsheet of the design to use 2 cylinders to get 180-195 degrees of rotation. He uses 2 cylinders to do it. The trouble with the design of the PFE hoe is that it is impossible with one cylinder to get even operation. Even at best with one way being faster and the other being slower, but more powerful, because of the cylinder rod. The second problem is that as you approach the magical 180 degrees of swing you have geometry working against you. The angles near the end of the travel make it impossible to even out the speed and power.
Machine Builders Network

Mike