bradco hoe on a 230

[sparkyaber]

Hi all, long time lurker, finally decided I had to join.
I'll try to keep the history short. My soon-to-be stepfather bought a ct230 that he will be keeping at my mothers acreage. She does not have a clue he bought it, and it has yet to be used. He ordered it last summer, and it showed up midwinter.
Well, here is the question that no one I have talked to can help me with, and you all seem very, very well versed when it comes to these small tractors and anything that has to do with them.
I have a brand new ct230 on one side of the room, and a used bradco 3375X on the other, how do we make a connection? The bradco does seem to have some sort of a subframe mount, looks similar to a John deere style. Of course it is still at the used implement dealer and I have no pictures of it. He is not interested at all at mounting it to a three point. Also, what is this "power beyond" kit I have heard of? The rear aux. hydraulics are not enough to power the backhoe?
My stepfather and I are both new to the small tractors, with the only knowledge that I have is growing up on a small farm years ago, and him helping on a farm many, many, years ago (maybe before gas powered engines) Well maybe not that long ago.
Thanks in advance-

 

[wallace]

So..lets start by asking you....Are you getting a very good price on the used backhoe or do you own it all ready?

 

[sparkyaber]

Thanks for the reply, I think it is a good deal, 2500 dollars, and it looks to be in pretty good shape, like it was not used very often. Very little sign of wear, teeth look good on the bucket, no signs of leakage, etc
Why do you ask, is it a bad match?

 

[wallace]

Well considering there is no direct bolt on sub frame for your tractor you will end up with a pretty expensive task to modify a sub frame to fit your tractor.
It may pay to get a backhoe that will "bolt on" to your machine.
Now if you have welding, fabricating skills you could tackle the job but what most people don't understand is the amount of stress that is applied to a tractor when a sub frame mounted backhoe is attached.
Most common sense it that it is hard on the machine when your digging with it...fact is It's actually harder on the machine when you are not using your backhoe.
Let me explaine....The backhoe is hung on the machine and as your shuttling material the machine will have a tendencie to bounce in which will create a shock load to the machine and that's how most housing get broke.

 

[sparkyaber]

No subframe mount at all, huh, that is a bummer. What does bobcat use on their tractors with their backhoes? How about Kioti? do they have one? What backhoes mount to this tractor, and how do they mount? My stepfather has a few friends that are quite handy with metals, since he is a big classic car guy, so some fabrication seem to be on order.
Like I said above, I am still very to this, and there is a big learning curve.
Thanks

 

[sparkyaber]

I see that bobcat just mounts them to the three point? That's what it looks like anyways. I was just assuming that this is a bad idea, right?

 

[tlbuser]

Anything is doable. Try searching for subframe and see what some of the others have done. A cold beverage and lots of time is what you will spend finding the answer you want.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/145233-subframe-arps-730-backhoe.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/111392-converted-my-backhoe-3pt-bradco.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/61952-building-3point-backhoe-subframe.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/145233-subframe-arps-730-backhoe.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/69035-new-backhoe-nice-need-subframe.html

Opus Dave (things I have made)

 

[wallace]

I see that bobcat just mounts them to the three point? That's what it looks like anyways. I was just assuming that this is a bad idea, right?

No they are sub frame mounted

 

[dfkrug]

SPARKY:

The Bobcat 7TB hoe with subframe is the obvious choice for the CT230
tractor. Bolt it on, but expect to pay $6-7K out the door.

But the Bradco 3375 sounds like a great deal, if it is in good shape. It is
the right size for your application. Bradco does make a bunch of subframes
for various tractors (but not as many as Woods).....too bad if not for the
CT230/Kioti CK30.

You can make one....I did for my CK. I also have the CT230, and the
tractors are identical, except for the loaders. I went with a 4-point style
frame, and it was tougher to make versus subframes for other tractors,
as the clearance over the right side rear axle housing is very tight.

You will likely power the hoe thru the detented AUX valve.

 

[dfkrug]

Anything is doable. Try searching for subframe and see what some of the others have done.

That's a good list, TLB, and there are more.

Reviewing them brings back memories...some are quite old. One thing
to note: if you go thru the effort to post these stories with pix, I would
think hard about using a "free" photo posting service. On one of the
threads, BIGBEAR's pix are lost due to the expiration of his account.

 

[sparkyaber]

Thanks for the links.
So, now the question is, which is easier, getting a backhoe mount kit from bobcat and modifying it to accept the bradco, using the mounts that are currently on the backhoe and modifying them to fit the bobcat, or just starting from scratch.
Also, what is the detented AUX valve? is that similar to a power beyond? There is rear aux valves on this tractor, but it is my understanding these won't cut the mustard?
Thanks for being patient with me. Still learning a lot as I go.

 

[dfkrug]

There is rear aux valves on this tractor, but it is my understanding these won't cut the mustard?

Where did you hear that? They work fine, though going thru the work
ports of an AUX valve causes more fluid heating (flow resistance) versus
a less restrictive power-beyond approach. I am not making this up....
that is how I do it.

Kioti used to sell a power beyond kit for the CK30 for those who did not
have the AUX valve(s). You had to set the diverter from/to the hoe/3pt
when you used the hoe. I do not know if they still sell it, or if Bobcat
ever did.

 

[sparkyaber]

Thanks dfkrug, that is good to know. Now there is only one set of rear aux, is that ok. I think that detent means it will "lock" in one position right? solid flow. Truth be told the rear aux valve is not even mounted yet. I was assuming mount the valves on the rear, plumb the hoses to the manifold, attach the handle through the fender to the manifold, and done. Obviously I am a little mistaken. There are options, yes? I thought this tractor stuff would be easy!

 

[dfkrug]

Now there is only one set of rear aux, is that ok.

Yes, the single remote will be a detented unit, lockable in either position.
You will need to make sure the valve is set in the correct position for the
hoe....don't run the fluid the wrong direction.

Installing the AUX valve is a DIY project....the kit comes with directions.
You will have to buy the correct hyd QDs for your hoe to match those in
the kit.

 

[tlbuser]

.

Installing the AUX valve is a DIY project....the kit comes with directions.

I didn't think you were the kind of guy that reads the directions BEFORE the project starts

 

[dfkrug]

I didn't think you were the kind of guy that reads the directions BEFORE the project starts

I always read the directions, if I have them. I don't always follow them,
however. I remember that these particular directions say to take the
fender off.....I found that not to be necessary.

BTW, I also read owner's manuals, and even service manuals, but that's just
me.

 

[sparkyaber]

I made it up to the implement dealer today, took some pics of what the mount look like. Any ideas on what it is for, or if it is worth using?
The backhoe is not as clean as I remembered it, but it was in two feet of snow. I am pretty sure we could still back out of the deal if it is not what we thought it would be.

 

[dfkrug]

Any ideas on what it is for, or if it is worth using?

The green part is the hoe side of a 4-point subframe. The tractor side is
not in your pix. It would be valuable to get the other half of the subframe,
or at least find out what kind of tractor it was for, even if it can not be
adapted for your tractor.

Anyway, a fabricator can make a tractor-side subframe to match up to
the four attachment points. Four-point mounts are about the
best type of subframes.

 

[sparkyaber]

dfkrug, that for all of the help, I really appreciate it.
Making a mount for the tractor is exactly what we are thinking would be the best. I am guessing the three point is usually removed from tractor for this?
As for the 4 point, I am guessing that it may be from a deere? but who knows.
I doubt the implement dealer. He said he bought it at an auction, but why would a guy sell a backhoe and not the mount for it, unless it is still on the old tractor.
Eh, more phone calls.

 

[dfkrug]

Making a mount for the tractor is exactly what we are thinking would be the best. I am guessing the three point is usually removed from tractor for this?
As for the 4 point, I am guessing that it may be from a deere?

Yeah the green paint says prob a JD. The rest of the frame is prob still
on the tractor (no fun to remove), or rusting in United Rentals' yard. You
might check with the UR yards in your area.

As for the 3-pt hitch, you may be able to leave the arms on, but most likely
need to remove the the stay chains and lift links. The best subframes
do not block the 3-pt hitch when the hoe is off.

I am working on a subframe for a JD as we speak. Happy to help.