Backhoe Identifying a backhoe?

[Cavalry]

I bought a burned backhoe at auction. I have had some problems identifying the model.
Its definitely a Amerequip, and looks to be a 7.5' size. Amerequip has stopped making this particular style and web info is hard to find.
I have been working with Amerquip and they have had great intentions but are having a hard time as well with the exact model
I believed it to be a model 80 but after receiving a manual from Amerequip I have doubts. It is very close with the exception of the chain vs direct swing, probably just a later sub-model.
I found some pics of a JD mod 8 (Amerquip makes them for JD) that is very similar to mine. The only exceptions being the operator guard, different controls, and a reinforcing rib on the boom. I believe mine was originally black so I dont think its JD

 

[Shmudda]

Personally I would have passed this by.

You need to understand what happens to steel when it's in a fire. The material gets really brittle and is prone to failure even at loads it could normally withstand before being burnt. The failures you will notice first will be the welds cracking, and those cracks will continue to propagate clean thru into the base metal. The more you weld and try to repair, the more it will crack.

Honestly you purchased a bunch of worthless scrap......

Sorry to be so blunt, but don't throw any more good money after bad......

Craig

 

[MJPetersen]

Shmudda, I think that you are being overly pessimistic. I know that it would be a lot of work and money to put this back into working condition, but it would be an interesting project. It did probably did not get so hot as to create problems with the metal as there are places that still have paint. Paint will disappear long before the metal even knows that it is warm.

That all aside. I know that someone else on the site was rebuilding or trying to identify an Amerequip loader but also someone was looking for BH parts. If you do a search on this forum "attachments" on the word "Amerequip" you will find 17 different threads that mention the company.

In my quick perusal I saw that they also made the BH for Bush Hog so you might look there.

Mike

 

[GE222]

Cavalry,
I agree this this will be an interesting project.

One real positive aspect is that you should have any hydraulic issues as everything will be new.

As a previous posting indicated, there may be issues metallurgicaly, but they may never show up until you stress the hoe to its limits.

Rams shouldn't be too difficult to find, but I would start with the Surplus Center, as OEM $$$ will be excessive.

I'm sure readers would love to see a progressive photo shoot.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Found it - ARPS 90
http://www.mainetractor.com/images/ARPS90_Backhoe.JPG

Arps was bought by Ameriquip.
I agree - all new hydraulics from Surplus Center. That way you don't really need a manual.

The 2 swing cylinders are single acting but connected to the 2 sides of a dual acting valve.

I'm no expert on burnt equipment but it may be useful to test some metal from a non-vital area e.g. the operator station to see if the properties are similar to new steel.

 

[Cavalry]

Thanks guys. I finally received the correct manual from amerquip.

As far as the problems with the metal.... I am fairly confident there will be no issues. Little machine like this are made from mild steel, which does fairly well with temp changes like this. I have rebuilt burned machinery before....the biggest problem is getting it apart and clean.


This will be a personal use machine. So even if I had crack issues (not a big deal since I am a certified weldor) its not the end of the world.

 

[Taylortractornut]

That looks exactly like the number 80 backhoe that goes with my brothers 970 that he bought from dad. especially the hooks on the subframe. and the chain swing. I wouldnt worry about the fire damage, Ive run alot of burnt equipment clearing land and never had any problems. I ran a 955 Cat loader for a year in stumps and rock that had gotten hung up on a brush fire and the pressure line burnt off t he pump while it was on and literally melted the pump and the radiator and such. The company sand blasted and cleaned it then we rebuilt the motos and hydraulics and had it back on the job with no problems.

 

[wedge40]

I hope you move the restoration thread to the project part of the TBN. It will be fun to watch your progress.
Pictures, pictures pictures.

Wedge

 

[rbargeron]

I'm not a metallurgist - but I played one in front of an engineering classroom for a few years, and I've even stayed in a Holiday Inn !
Whether or not heat changes steel's properties depends completely on its alloy - more specifically, it's carbon content. For low-carbon steel (up to 0.2 percent), heating and cooling has little effect. Non-commercial equipment like this is often low-carbon steel. There might be a bit more carbon in the bucket teeth or the pins & bushings (0.4 percent) but unless it cooled fast from a high temperature it is more likely soft, instead of hard & brittle. There is no high-carbon (0.95 percent) steel in a backhoe. The strength and ductility of the steel parts of this rig are probably unaffected by the fire. You could verify that it is soft steel by running a hand file on an edge somewhere - if it makes filings readily it's soft. Take care, Dick B

 

[gotrocks]

Howdy Gents,
Since metalurgist are present, may I ask you to look at my "busted" middle buster.

I was moving very slow in high with the point raised but it caught on a root and snapped.

I would have expected it to bend but not break.

The break looks crystallized which I assume means it was tempered (right or wrong).
Thoughts please. The pic is a few days after the break that's why a little rust is starting to show.

 

[laurencen]

easiest way to tell if its hard or soft, use a angle grinder and observe the sparks, dull sparks say soft, bright is hard, take a piece of tube and try the spark test side bu side, one can also centerpunch and look at the indent compared t known material,

To have a effect on material I would expect to see distortion on the surface of the steel, also any white metal would have melted

 

[rbargeron]

.........I would have expected it to bend but not break.....The break looks crystallized.........
View attachment 127876

You're right the break is more of a brittle fracture, indicating the material was hardened. The darker brown line part way thru may indicate a crack that was there before, setting it up to fail. Is there a weld on the side not shown? Got more pics?

 

[gotrocks]

Dick, thank you for your reply.
Nope I do not have any other pics and the two pcs are at a shop waiting for some attention.
I appeared to have been bent to shape when produced, did not look like a weld.... unless it had been ground smooth and painted... which I doubt.

After owning for about eight years, I hesitate to take it back to the dealer and complain.

So guess I'll wait and get it welded and hope it holds.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I think the edge of the attaching weld made a notch + stress concentration. It takes a lot of strain to bend such a thick section and it may very well be somewhat harder than mild steel in that application.

If the buster doesn't have a shear bolt you should be happy the point broke instead of pretzling the shank.