Dig-It towable Backhoe partial restoration

[Mendonsy]

That has to be a typo.

I think you're right.
I found one site that said 2600#, one that said 2700#, and two more that said 1200#. The 1200# sounds more reasonable.

 

[bandaidmd]

so the red cyl's are rebuilt oem and not replacements?

Reason i'm asking is if the originals were made to be compatible with motor oil and the new ones are made for hyd oil there could be a issue, would also be relevant if they were rebuilt and the seal kits were made for hyd fluid and not motor oil. Maybe i'm mistaken but I thought motor oil in a hydo system was a no no.
Just throwing that out there if I,m wrong I won't take offence to being corrected.

 

[aczlan]

so the red cyl's are rebuilt oem and not replacements?
Reason i'm asking is if the originals were made to be compatible with motor oil and the new ones are made for hyd oil there could be a issue, would also be relevant if they were rebuilt and the seal kits were made for hyd fluid and not motor oil. Maybe i'm mistaken but I thought motor oil in a hydo system was a no no.
Just throwing that out there if I,m wrong I won't take offence to being corrected.

The difference between UTF and Motor Oil is (as I understand it) the additive package and oil weight. Also, UTF is designed so that any water goes out and ends up at the bottom of the tank where you can drain it out, vs keeping it mixed in line motor oil is supposed to do.
See:
Motor Oil/Hydraulic Oil/Differences? | Hydraulic Fluids | Bob Is The Oil Guy
Which Hydraulic Oil ? - Topic
UTF vs AW ?? | Hydraulic Fluids | Bob Is The Oil Guy

For some discussion on the subject.

Aaron Z

 

[Wa11banger]

It has to be more than 1200.. it is beastly heavy. I know numbers are a mfg game but I can supposedly lift 2000lbs with my loader but I cannot lift this thing... Not that it really matters I dont particularly care what it weighs just want to fix it and dig holes with it.

Very curious about the difference between motor oil and utf also. Would the less viscous utf cause any performance loss to the system? Anything to gain besides water handling properties?

 

[aczlan]

Its a single weight oil, so when cold it will be harder to pump than multiweight engine oil, but I don't know that there would be enough of a difference to hurt anything.

Aaron Z

 

[Illini22]

Wall, where to you think all the weight is at? I just don't see it.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have a model 258 that was a previous Verizon machine. It weighs right at 2700# on the local scale. Everything on it is built like a tank so it's not hard to imagine the thick steel weight adding up. Cylinder rebuild kits ( and parts off all types) are available through Heartland Equipment. Needed some new bushings and my boom cylinder was leaking and the OEM cylinders are the type that use the square wire to draw the gland nut tight. I was never able to loosen the gland nut. Took it to a local hyd. shop and no luck. They referred me to our local "Go-to, end all, professional heavy equipment hydraulic repair shop".....they do all the local excavation and coal mine companies stuff. They ruined the gland trying to get it off.....and still never succeeded. I finally decided to order a new, similarly spec'ed cylinder from YZoutlet Hydraulics for just a little more than the rebuild kit.

It came with a 12" Q.A. bucket and we built an 18" bucket and thumb for it. I didn't have the OEM backfill blade but had a very similar blade laying around and made tabs to quick attach it to buckets.

Has a low hour Kohler CH18....since the Command is a later engine than the Magnum and the 258 is an "unusual" model ( per Heartland) and it has a factory Aux. Hyd. circuit on the boom, I assume mine is a later Dig-It model. Pretty handy machine.....it's no mini-ex but it's a LOT easy to haul than one and sure didn't cost me as much as a similar digging capacity Mini.

 

[Wa11banger]

Illini22, I cant say for sure what its weight is because literature is hard to come by. But everything is extra stout. The thinest metal is 1/4 plate and thats where the controls are mounted. Most everything else is 3/4 inch. If it were 1200 I would of been able to pick it up or at least get it light on its wheels. I was unable to do either. I will see if I can find some car scales and see what it weighs before I am done.

Thanks for the info on the cylinders and parts Darryl I appreciate it. And I saw the pics of yours on the backhoe thread quite a good looking machine. I think I am going to go to an 18" bucket when this is all over not that I know I need to, a little wider ditch profile is usually easier to work in. Might as well make it a little easier to make it wider too

 

[Illini22]

Ours had rubber tread material on the bottom of the outriggers.

 

[Wa11banger]

Mine also has thick cross sections of rubber stacked sideways is the best I can describe it.. But I think thats a factory option, as the feet are quick disconnect and I have seen pictures of them with "T" plates for feet. I guess those type feet may be used for more of the soft soil areas. Mine also has the extra flotation tires as described the are supposed to minimize repair work to the soil when the job is done.