Beginner Backhoe safety and basics questions

cal1 · Sep 30, 2011

1. Does the rpm of the engine affect the actual power of the bucket or even the FEL? E.g. the only way to get max power out of the either is to crank the throttle to max. My neighbor suggested that I decrease the rps to slow things down but I didn't know if I was losing power. I know at idle speeds it won't lift or even lower the stabilizers but I wondered if I was gaining anything by going from 2500 to 3200 rpms.

2. Should the stabilizers or the backhoe drop over night? I've not seen it drop during use or the day but the bucket will hit the ground if I don't pin it.

3. I bought a Bro-tek tooth to do some trenching. Will it hurt my backhoe to drag it like a plow?

4. I saw one of the old timers demo-ing a backhoe technique to move the tractor with the least amount of fuss. He lifted the stablizers and the FEL. He then used the bucket on the backhoe to push the tractor back from the area he was working. Kind of like an ape using his knuckles to scoot around. Unsafe or just an advanced technique?

BXpanded · Sep 30, 2011

1.) Once you get above a fast idle, the power is pretty much the same as the hydraulic pressure is controlled by the presssure relief valve. The speed is proportional to the engine rpm.

2.) BH and stabilizers will drop over night. Normal

3.) No experience with that.

4.) Standard operating technique.

Have fun! Practice!

powerstroke444e · Sep 30, 2011

cal1 said:
1. Does the rpm of the engine affect the actual power of the bucket or even the FEL? E.g. the only way to get max power out of the either is to crank the throttle to max. My neighbor suggested that I decrease the rps to slow things down but I didn't know if I was losing power. I know at idle speeds it won't lift or even lower the stabilizers but I wondered if I was gaining anything by going from 2500 to 3200 rpms.

2. Should the stabilizers or the backhoe drop over night? I've not seen it drop during use or the day but the bucket will hit the ground if I don't pin it.

3. I bought a Bro-tek tooth to do some trenching. Will it hurt my backhoe to drag it like a plow?

4. I saw one of the old timers demo-ing a backhoe technique to move the tractor with the least amount of fuss. He lifted the stablizers and the FEL. He then used the bucket on the backhoe to push the tractor forward. Kind of like an ape using his knuckles to scoot around. Unsafe or just an advanced technique?

1. Keeping the rmps up gives the best operation and let the tractor engine run where it cools and works as designed to
2. Normal
3. There's a lot of good ideas but this is a bad one backhoes are not ment to be plows.
4. Normal for a experienced operator be careful while your learning.

cal1 · Sep 30, 2011

Thanks for the replies, especially about using it as a plow. I've got to keep reminding myself that most of my neighbors are retired welders/metal workers. They don't worry about breaking stuff. They can fix (and usually make) almost anything.

You should have heard'em when I told them I bought the Bro-tek skid plates. And of course they could and would have made them for me but... there's limit before I'd feel like I was taking advantage. Great people, a lot better than most I met in those super upscale suburbs back in the city.

George2615 · Sep 30, 2011

Not mentioned yet but whether a beginner or a pro call 811 before you dig.
Know whats in the ground before you dig. You certainly don't want to hit a gas, water, or electrical, phone or other utility that may be down there.

tshep · Sep 30, 2011

On #4

Over time, I learned to do the opposite of my first thoughts.

I used to start at the far end (from rotated seat) of a ditch (probably from fear of collapsing 'into' ditch) and then, as I worked, also pull myself past where I wanted to be at. I also found I would try to work way too close to the tractor (as the ditch progressed to me, and not wanting to spin and reset the tractor) and lost speed and efficiency, and I believe 'working power' (torque, pressure?).

Now, I start at the opposite (near to the tractor) end, somewhat away from the ditch (long boom) where it does develop power and speed, and then work toward the other end, pull myself along as I work or deliberately sink the teeth and just pull, and straddle the new ditch as I work. Much faster (and natural to the pull of the machine) once I didn't fear falling in the ditch.

Most of the time, I also use the big bucket blade to square up the machine (set 'cutting tooth down' for stability, lifted, sorta squares the BH apparatus) as it's a fast reach when backwards, and faster to change than the outriggers.

YMMV!