BH Foot Step

[glagen]

While visiting my local JD dealer, I noticed heavy metal foot pad steps mounted on the stabilizers of a new 448 BH. These steps are painted Deere green and bolt onto the stabilizer to protect the hydraulic lines and lower fitting while providing a convenience step for the operator to mount and dismount without damaging the stabilizer. The 48 BH I have comes with a bent rebar step that is nearly useless so I inquired about availability of these metal steps for a 48BH. Although the dealer was able to find the part in his computer, he claims it is not listed as available for purchase and not sure if they would fit a 48BH since it comes "standard" on the 448 BH which may have bigger stabilizer cylinders. I think the 47,48 and 448 BHs are all manufactured by the same company for Deere. Does anyone know who that is and whether these steps can be purchased for a 47 or 48 BH?

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Amerequip is the manufacturer...

 

[dicker]

Yes, I agree with you about the rebar steps on the 48 hoe. I took mine off the very first day.

I would be interested in the 448 steps also.

Richard

 

[Dutch445]

THe part number for the 448 stabilizer step is LVA14014. It looks like a list price of about $137, and should be orderable.
I had an inquiry on the firest 448 we sold,, the customer wanted one for the other side. It just clamps to the stabilizer cylinder I guess..

 

[glagen]

Dutch,
The question is, will the units that fit the cyclinder on a 448 fit a 48BH? Also, $137.00 is mucho bucks for a single metal step. Are you sure the part number and price you are referencing isn't for the stabilizer protectors that are normally added to machines used for rental? I know a pair of stabilizer protectors go for about that price because my dealer thought that is what I wanted and ordered them.
Steve Z

 

[Dutch445]

STeven,
I can't get the picture in JD parts to come up of that stabilizer., but that part number is for 1 step, not including the mounting hardware, which i believe is only a couple 1/4 inch bolts and nuts.

The cylinder part numbers for the 48 and the 448 are the same, the stabilizers themselves are different.

HOpe this helps.

Scott

 

[glagen]

Scott,
I called Amerequip and got the answer! Yes they make all the BHs for JD, but they are made to spec. The only model they put the foot pads on is the 448 -- to meet specs JD gave them. The engineer there told me the pads will not work correctly on the model 47 or 48 because they will hit when the stabilizers are fully raised and damage the cylinder. I guess I should believe him and save ridulous money and damage to my machine. Thanks everyone for responding.
Steve Z

 

[chevy]

I ordered a set of the steps for my 48 backhoe the first time I saw them on the 448 & they work fine. I paid $125.00 each.

 

[glagen]

Chevy,
You have confirmed my suspicions. After hearing the engineer tell me they won't fit properly, I examined my 48 BH and then went down to the dealership and checked out the 448. We then determined that the cylinder part on the 448 and the 48 stabilizer is exactly the same. There was no reason we could determine that the step would not fit on the 48 stabilier, which you have indeed confirmed. Did you remove the "step" that came with the 48, or just leave them on? Can't figure out why the 448 steps cost so **** much.
Steve Z

 

[chevy]

Steve,
I did remove the OEM steps. I never used them. I always used the end of the cyclendr for the step. I did not like stepping on the hose & fitting, but that spot worked out the best for me. Now I have a nice step there. I thought the price was high at first. Then I got to thinking how many times I get on & off of the backhoe. I also thought about cost of repairing the hose or fitting if I broke them. Then it did not seem that high. I would guess that the reason they cost so much is because they are not made in large quanities.
Chris

 

[cef2lion]

Any chance you could post a picture of these steps installed on the 48BH? Would like to see them?

Craig

 

[Dutch445]

Hey
I found a pic on the Deere site...

check it out!
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Dutch445]

previous post with pic is of step on the 448,,

hope i didn't confuse you glagen..

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[glagen]

Dutch,
No problem. Actually, I checked them out again on a new 448 at the local dealer over the weekend. He was able to locate the part and can sell them for $125 each. Still a lot of money because you really need two. As Chevy already confirmed, they gotta fit ok especially since the cylinder part # is the same on both the 48 and the 448. There is no way the step will hit anything when the stabilizer raises and lowers, so I don't know that the engineer at Amerequip was talking about.

As a side note, the dealer showed me some stabilizer protectors that cover the cylinder rod when it is fully extended. He puts them on his rental machines to protect them from negligient users. He claims he has been selling more and more of them lately to "regular" owners. They don't offer much in the way of a step but I suppose one could fashion a step and weld it on the protector as well. A pair of protectors sells for $125 which seems like a better deal and far more practical considering the replacement cost of a cylinder rod after a 150 lb boulder rolls down on to it.

Is anyone familiar with these stabilizer protectors?
Steve Z

 

[chevy]

Here is a picture of the step mounted on my 48 BH.