Backhoe Help! BX23 Backhoe won't come off, already used search

[armorerr]

I can't get the backhoe off my recently purchased used and "stored inside" *cough*BULL*cough* BX23. I have used the search and see this is not an uncommon problem but even trying all the suggestions I found, I can't get it to disengage from the tractor.

I have gotten the spring pins on each side to move; one was fine but the other was bound up like it was welded together, took me several hours of penetrating oil, a torch, a hammer, several pry bars and lots of anger to get that to the open position, but now I can't get it to drop off the top mounts no matter how I position the bucket and levelers. All the online videos make it look so easy on those nice new machines with no rust or crud built up on them.

Any suggestions on what to do now are appreciated. "Re-sell it and go buy a nice new one" is already under consideration but I'm open to other options.

- rob

 

[timswi]

I can't get the backhoe off my recently purchased used and "stored inside" *cough*BULL*cough* BX23. I have used the search and see this is not an uncommon problem but even trying all the suggestions I found, I can't get it to disengage from the tractor.

I have gotten the spring pins on each side to move; one was fine but the other was bound up like it was welded together, took me several hours of penetrating oil, a torch, a hammer, several pry bars and lots of anger to get that to the open position, but now I can't get it to drop off the top mounts no matter how I position the bucket and levelers. All the online videos make it look so easy on those nice new machines with no rust or crud built up on them.

Any suggestions on what to do now are appreciated. "Re-sell it and go buy a nice new one" is already under consideration but I'm open to other options.

- rob

Sounds like the "C" clamps are stuck on the top mount..They are substantial...I'd try the methodology you've already done with the realease handles...Be careful with heat near those clamps though (there are wires and hydro hoses up there)...I'd try pentrating oil and persuasion before putting heat up there...

It's a very good set up, but if it's been weathered and never removed, I guess a problem could develop.

I'd get the machine in release mode ..Stabilizers down and the bucket supporting the unit, then try to loosen them. We don't want that load landing on you.

Edit..the more I think about it, try lifting the back tires an inch or so off of the ground with the BH (stabilizers 6" off the ground too) and keep working it that way...It will cause things to move now that you have the release handles loose...You'll probabbly still go through cans of PB Blaster and have to work with a tool of ignorance, but I think you'll get it.

Edit 2---Since you're in the Pittsburgh area I might be able to eyeball it....If all else fails PM me...

 

[armorerr]

I'd appreciate a visit if I can't get this figured out soon. Could you take a picture of the C clamps once the backhoe is off your tractor and send it to me? I can't find a good parts diagram where I can see what position everything is supposed to be in so I know what to pry, hit with a hammer, etc. The whole garage smells like PB Blaster this morning and I plan to try extending the whole boom and jumping on the end to try and lever it off when I get home today but failing that, I will be sending the whole thing to the dealer and letting them deal with it. I have a four-week work trip coming up and really don't have time to mess with this. I am resisting the temptation to hook it up to my F-450 and pulling it off one way or another....

 

[radioman]

I think you just need to coax the pins out by twisting frame a little. you can't see the BH frame twisting but its there. First,put the boom down and lift end of tractor off ground just a hair. next, use the stabilizers giving it a feather touch at a time going up and down until you can work the pins loose and slide out. If one side doesnt work, switch to other stablizer. quite often you should be able to tweak it just a hair for pins to start moving out.

 

[like2wheel]

I think you just need to coax the pins out by twisting frame a little. you can't see the BH frame twisting but its there. First,put the boom down and lift end of tractor off ground just a hair. next, use the stabilizers giving it a feather touch at a time going up and down until you can work the pins loose and slide out. If one side doesnt work, switch to other stablizer. quite often you should be able to tweak it just a hair for pins to start moving out.

I could be wrong, but I think you guys are talking 2 different methods of attachments here. Sounds like you're talking about a BX24/25 type release, & I think the BX23 hookup is substantially different.

 

[timswi]

I could be wrong, but I think you guys are talking 2 different methods of attachments here. Sounds like you're talking about a BX24/25 type release, & I think the BX23 hookup is substantially different.

I have a BX23 and I'm just trying to think though what is happening...Don't know what the 24/25 have for attach points.

 

[armorerr]

A lot of PB Blaster, some more hammering and a lot of twisting the whole tractor with the backhoe and levelers and it *finally* popped loose after another two hours. The whole thing is rusted together back there, the rear PTO (which is what I was trying to get at in the first place) initially wouldn't engage either. Finally got it all working but I need to pressure wash the heck out of this thing, and re-grease EVERYTHING. "Stored inside" my a**, even a hydraulic line quick-disconnect fitting was rusted solid!

Also, there are no pins on this 23, that's the 24/25 as like2wheel said. The 23 has the C-clamp style and they were not opening fully even with the spring pin fully retracted. They needed to be popped loose, I just had to get the tractor outside to do enough wiggling and dropping, then re-attach the backhoe to go drop it in the garage.

- rob

 

[escavader]

My 23 has directions right on the hoe.So you pulled out the spring pins,got it to release ,did you put the pins back in the other hole to hold it open?Then using your hoe get the top to pivot off the top,when thats done use your stabilizers to lift off the bottom
ALAN

 

[armorerr]

My 23 has directions right on the hoe.So you pulled out the spring pins,got it to release ,did you put the pins back in the other hole to hold it open?Then using your hoe get the top to pivot off the top,when thats done use your stabilizers to lift off the bottom
ALAN

It wouldn't pivot off the top. I had the spring pins properly opened but it wouldn't drop off the top mount. That took literally 30 minutes of using the backhoe and stabilizers to rock and twist until they loosened and finally broke free. There is no YouTube video showing that, they all show how "easy" it is on a new tractor where it practically falls off.

 

[timswi]

It wouldn't pivot off the top. I had the spring pins properly opened but it wouldn't drop off the top mount. That took literally 30 minutes of using the backhoe and stabilizers to rock and twist until they loosened and finally broke free. There is no YouTube video showing that, they all show how "easy" it is on a new tractor where it practically falls off.

Once everything is free, it only take minutes to remove the BH..Gald you got it removed..It's a good machine, have a beer and enjoy it.