Backhoe-Walking Tractor

[kn6md]

I have a FWD 1601D with an Allied FEL and a Handler Backhoe. It takes me forever to dig a straight trench due to the time spent lining up the tractor with the dig line. (I don't parallel park well either). It would take me almost no time to use the hoe to lift the tractor off of its backhoe feet and move the entire unit an inch or so one way or the other, set it down, and get back to work.
I thought I read somewhere that such a practice was not wise with a 3 point backhoe because you might break something. I read here, and still laugh when I think of it, some gentleman's comment --isn't that why they make parts? priceless.
I tried it with a full FEL bucket of dirt raised a couple of feet to counter balance the load and it worked great.
Do you folks think I will do any damage if I make it standard practice?

 

[roger_scotty]

I'd like to hear some more about this, too. There are a lot of ways to tie a 3pt backhoe into the tractor so that the arms and third point don't flop around. I've got the same worries with my own 3pt hoe, partly because it seems to me that when I use the hoe then I'm stressing the 3pt mounts exactly opposite of how they were designed to be loaded. But my problem ends there, because I can't lift my tractor with my hoe. Also because I gave up on straight ditches and now just dig wider ones.

Never forget that if you have draft control engaged then down pressure on the 3pt hoe can trigger the draft control causing the lift arms to go up. VERY dangerous. Make sure draft control is disengaged and also that there is a solid stop to prevent the lift arms from rising.