Backhoe Backhoe - where do you keep it?

[lantxinNETX]

If you have a backhoe, where do you store it?

Assuming you take it off your tractor on occasion, do you keep in indoors or outdoors?

If you keep it outdoors, what do you do to protect it?

For that matter, if you keep it on the tractor all of the time, what - if anything - do you do to protect the backhoe if it is stored outdoors.

Thanks!

Martin

 

[IXLR8]

I remove my BH in the winter, store it outside on a pad of 1" minus stone. I move the cylinders so they are as retracted as I can get them. Since I store it with the stabilizers down, those cylinders and the swing cylinders get their exposed shafts coated with fluid film to protect them. I then cover it as best I can with a tarp.

 

[lhfarm]

I'm lucky enough to have a barn with a concrete floor. The backhoe is on a dolly so I can move it out of the way until needed. The dolly is also extremely useful in removing/installing.

 

[check]

Get a backhoe dolly from bxpanded.com

 

[AaronS]

Mine is stored on a concrete floor in a 3 sided barn. I have a ratchet strap holding the legs to keep them from bleeding/spreading. The bucket is strapped to a small furniture dolly and I built a dolly for the legs using 2x4's and metal casters.

 

[NHbotanut]

Mine is outside resting on skids to keep it off the ground. Have 2 tarps wraped up to keep the snow off.

 

[DocDryden]

The backhoe is on a dolly so I can move it out of the way until needed. The dolly is also extremely useful in removing/installing.

I also keep mine on a concrete floor in a barn.
I plan on making a dolly for my backhoe, could you post some photos of your dolly? thanks

 

[Gary Fowler]

I store mine on the tractor at all times under an open on 3 sides shed where it stays nice and dry. I don't use any oil or other anti-rust compound on the cylinders. I have never had a rust problem with the chrome plating on the cylinder rods even if stored outside. I have never had to deal with northern climates that use a lot of salt on the roads though and they may create an issue with pitting on the chrome.
I did debate recently about getting a tiller to fit the BX but found that a 50" and 550# was the limit set per Kubota owners manual, so I went with a larger 6 foot unit for my LS for just $300 more so I could keep the backhoe in place for quick use as needed. It is too good of a counter weight to let it set under a shed unused.

 

[FatTire]

I take mine off for the entire winter, it lives outside. I put some large wooden blocks under it, so after the legs spread a little it drops onto the blocks. Our environment is dry, so even with snow we don't worry about rust.

 

[lhfarm]

I also keep mine on a concrete floor in a barn.
I plan on making a dolly for my backhoe, could you post some photos of your dolly? thanks

Here is the post from when I built it http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting/102504-built-pineridge-bh-dolly-wow.html

I know the link for the plans is broken and I don't have a copy. A search might bring up more pictures/plans.

 

[dragoneggs]

Get a backhoe dolly from bxpanded.com

ditto... I like the dolly... I keep it in my garage in the winter and roll it around like my other larger tools, table saw, planer, etc.

 

[PHPaul]

Mine sits in a 3 sided barn with a dirt floor. All possible cylinders retracted. Bucket teeth on a piece of plywood, main frame on a 6x6 on top of two car rims. This puts it at a convenient height for putting it on. It's a 3PH model Woods with a PTO pump.

When I was making my living with my tractor, it wasn't uncommon to have the hoe on and off two or three times a day as I switched gear to finish a landscaping project, so I've gotten pretty good at lining things up and getting it on the tractor.

No tarps, they just trap the moisture. I've had it nearly 20 years and no rust on the cylinder rods that are exposed (dipperstick and swing cylinder).

 

[ncridgerunner1]

Spent about $60 for premixed bags of concrete to pour a pad under my shed. This allows me to use a dolly. The cylinders are sprayed with oil, legs tied up with straps, and everything covered with a tarp to keep blowing dust and dirt exposure to a minimum. Moisture retention by the tarp was a concern so I use a smaller tarp that allows air circulation around the bottom which is sort of a compromise between dust exposure prevention and condensation control.

Based on what others are saying, my system may be overkill but I hate to get ready to use a piece of equipment and it won't work.

 

[PHPaul]

As mentioned, mine sits uncovered in a three sided barn. Never had an issue with it "not working".

If fact I used it today. 4°, 20+ knots of wind and 6" of frost are not what I'd call ideal conditions for backhoe work (long, looooong story) but after the oil warmed up a little, we got 'er done!

 

[ncridgerunner1]

As mentioned, mine sits uncovered in a three sided barn. Never had an issue with it "not working".

If fact I used it today. 4°, 20+ knots of wind and 6" of frost are not what I'd call ideal conditions for backhoe work (long, looooong story) but after the oil warmed up a little, we got 'er done!

Guess I'm thinking more of weathered hydraulic hoses and rust causing mine to have problems. I use my tractor more for mowing and FEL work. Backhoe is used infrequently. My experience with infrequently used equipment is that it tends to develop more problems.

Here in Western NC it was a balmy 32 degrees with only 8 mph breezes and I decided to work in the shop instead of outside. Don't much like trying to get things done in deep freezer unless it is absolutely necessary but I admire your ability to tolerate those conditions.

 

[PHPaul]

Don't much like trying to get things done in deep freezer unless it is absolutely necessary but I admire your ability to tolerate those conditions.

Necessity is a Mother, as they say...:laughing: UnderArmor long underwear, heavy canvas pants, hoodie, Carhartt coat, stocking cap with earmuffs over it, and the hood on my sweatshirt up. I wasn't uncomfortable but it wasn't exactly sitting in the recliner with a cup of hot chocolate either.

During my Navy career I spent time in the Philippines, South Carolina (Charleston) and Florida (Pensacola) and 25 years later I'm still of the opinion that I'd much rather do cold than hot. I start getting pretty miserable when it gets much over 80°, especially if it's humid.

Hose deterioration would definitely be an issue if stored in direct sunlight, in which case covering it would be an good idea.

 

[Hawaii Wayne]

I would say indoors if you can, weather can be a real pest. seat material will wear faster, and cylinder rods will rust faster and also ruin the paint much quicker. Any protective coatings while outside whether installed or not, is a penny saved. The old guys here even spray diesel as a coating???? Control levels will become sticker much faster "a tarp is not protection" The dolly is a great idea!!!

 

[Clint S]

Under my lean too. Built a stand to put under the frame to keep it from leaking down

 

[Gittyup]

Mine is under one of the closed sides carports on a gravel pad. I set it on 6x6 timbers and cover it with a tarp to protect in from blow in. Stays very dry and was the cheapest shelter I could build. It's 20 x 27. Stores 20' trailer, backhoe and a pallet rack containing box blade, rake, scraper blade. All stay mostly dry.

 

[rmorey]

I keep mine on the right side of this. :thumbsup: Seems to work ok, except there is a leak in the tin on the roof which dripped into the bucket and now its full of ice. :confused3: