Best practices for parking tractor with backhoe.......

[brino]

Hi All,

I got my used Branson in October 2023 [link] and have used it for snow removal, new gravel for the driveway and moving heavy things ever since.

I love having a tractor with front-end loader, snow-blower, pallet forks...... it has change my approach to and gusto for outdoor projects!

On lucky old Friday June 13th I brought home a used Branson BH86 back-hoe attachment.

First some photo evidence.......

picking it up at the dealer:

A bunch of close-up to show the amazing condition of the used back-hoe:

I found a place to add that top link after seeing the two posts here:
Branson BH86 backhoe weld/channel failure

and here:
Branson bh86 backhoe

I also already see the reason for the modification here:
BH86 / BH860 Boom valve 'speed' adjustment


....and finally some questions:

When I park the tractor with the backhoe attached, should I try to distribute the weight?
(I always lower the front-end loader bucket.)
If so, should I use the stabilizers, or place the bucket itself on a pallet?
Something else?

Although I cannot find an operators manual for my version of the BH-86, the operators manual I did find for BH350 model says:

Always keep cylinders in a retracted position when the
backhoe is not in use to guard against rust and
contamination which may cause damage to the cylinder
rods or hydraulic system.

....and sure I do see some logic in that, however, that leaves the resting weight of the installed backhoe on the tractor frame, tires, etc.

Thoughts?
What do you do and why?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Rustyiron]

Lowering the backhoe boom might be a good practice if there's not a "pin" or some type of latch that mechanically supports it's weight, I'm sure you have one. Carrying the weight isn't going to bother the tractor especially parked, but if there's a week or 2 in-between use just keep everything folded up and lower the boom. A short plank keeping the bucket cylinder and pin out of the dirt when lowered is a good thing also. The stabizers might drift down a little but that won't bother the tractor.
Nice find! The guy hardly scratched the paint on the bucket!!!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I install the rods that generally come with them and keeps the boom from moving.

The buckets can slowly uncurl, but that's no biggie. On the BX25D I have to tie the outriggers together as they leak down somewhat quickly.

If parked with enough space around it there wouldn't be a need to do anything.

 

[California]

Mine's a 3 point hoe. I ease it down so the left/right pivot point rests on a chunk of 6x8. Then let the curled bucket rest on the ground.This leaves the cylinders mostly retracted. Its 45 years old and I don't see corrosion on the piston rods.

I think the important thing is, don't store it outdoors.

 

[ericm979]

I think the important thing is, don't store it outdoors.

Unfortunately I had to do that for the last few years due to lack of room. It's a big implement when its off the tractor. The rods look ok still. Some of the gray paint is fading.

When I do park the tractor inside with the BH mounted I tie the outriggers up otherwise they sag. The travel locks suffice to keep the boom in place.

Do not forget to remove the travel locks before operating the BH. They are soft so they will bend rather than damage the BH but when bent they can be difficult to remove. I had to use the BH to bend one back so I could get it out.

Some manufacturers put long handles on the travel pins so you're more likely to see them and also so you can remove and replace them without dismounting. I made a small bracket out of scrap to hold them when they're out.

 

[5030]

Been my experience at the dealership where I work part time is people buy a backhoe and use it once or twice and then it sits. I sincerely hope your tractor has a subframe to distrubute the digging forces but from what I see (by the top link picture, it dont and that can cause rear case failure at some point down the road as the top link will fracture the top of the case casting behind the top link and you don't even want to know how much a new case costs. Last one we did. the rear case alone was 17 grand, not including labor. Total OTD bill was 21 grand. Needless the owner sold the backhoe and if he wanted to dig holes or trenches, he rented a mini-ex.

You can apply undue strain on the top link easily and the rear case casting is not at all forgiving.

Be aware of that....

While I own tractors much larger than yours, the one implement I'd never buy is a tractor mounted backhoe.

 

[brino]

I think the important thing is, don't store it outdoors.

As general principle I absolutely agree!
However, it is currently in a tent-type shelter (as in my first link) that is open to the ground and inevitably some air flow.

I'd like something better (like a full barn with concrete floor) but realistically, that'll never happen......
The best I can do is keep it out of direct rain and snow.

I sincerely hope your tractor has a subframe to distrubute the digging forces

Yes, mine is the full sub-frame model.

The top-link was added only after searching this forum for BH86 info and finding the two broken sub-frame linked above.
In fact the guy at the dealership that helped install for the first time said HE was the guy that removed it from the former's owner tractor, and the top-link was not used...... of course, perhaps that was just for transport.

The stabizers might drift down a little but that won't bother the tractor.

I have to tie the outriggers together as they leak down somewhat quickly.

I tie the outriggers up otherwise they sag

I can certainly see tying the two outriggers together.
Thanks for that advice!

Brian

 

[chim]

Great condition. Couldn't help noticing there's no grease anywhere.

 

[jjeff]

A 3pt bh was invaluable in my experience with one used a cheap ratchet strap to hold the stabilizers up when parking the tractor, they will leak down, if prolonged storage with it attached I put blocks under the the bh cuz it could move a few inches up and down on tph. Turned the boom to one side and lowered bucket to rest on slab in my pole barn so it didn't take as much real estate up inside the barn. Lesson learned always build garages or pole barns bigger my 24x36 quickly filled up with wants and neds lol. Unsure on Branson tractors tph controls but I'd lock the tph lever so you don't accidentally bump it and dead head the hydraulics on tractor. I used a smaller cheap hf wannabe locking dice grip pliers on tph lever to lock it. If your mostly diy building on your land you will see the value of bh and how much time and money it will save you rather quickly.

 

[jjeff]

Great condition. Couldn't help noticing there's no grease anywhere.

If one uses a something like a bh a cordless grease gun will quickly become your best friend I use grease with moly for all non bearing pins and pivot points.