ISO: Woods backhoe 3ph top link components

[VTM6800]

Hello, new member here. I have a 2004 Kubota M6800 and a Woods 9000 backhoe that I bought from my grandfather. He always used a regular top link for the backhoe (3ph mount) but I have found it makes the hoe pretty ineffective. I'm hoping to find someone who fabbed their own subframe and may be willing to sell me their old structural top-link components. Anybody?

 

[RickB]

Woods does not offer those parts? There should be a heavy A frame incorporating the lower link mounts and an adjustable but rigid top link mount. This assembly prevents the backhoe frame from raising the tractors hitch linkage. Using a standard tractor top link increases the rush of link failure and injury or death of the operator by crushing.

 

[newbury]

Based on my dealings with Woods (great consumer support for me) they did not make a subframe for the 9000, just a heavy duty top link and assembly called a Saf-T lock like on the left side of the pic.

 

[RickB]

Based on my dealings with Woods (great consumer support for me) they did not make a subframe for the 9000, just a heavy duty top link and assembly called a Saf-T lock like on the left side of the pic.

View attachment 659476

Which is what I was trying to describe, however inadequately.

 

[newbury]

And several years ago my dealer in Fredricksburg, Va found the parts in the system but they were well over $1,000.

 

[RickB]

And several years ago my dealer in Fredricksburg, Va found the parts in the system but they were well over $1,000.

Funerals are more than that.
Hopefully the OP knows what he needs now.

 

[Jstpssng]

Contact this TBN member who posted last year about converting his BH750 to a subframe. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ods-bh750-2-modified-sub.html?highlight=Woods
He may have something that you can use.

 

[kabong57]

I have since sold my BH750 and the 3pt mount went with it.

 

[VTM6800]

Thanks for the replies. I am aware of the Saf-T Lock setup but was avoiding spending $1000 on all the components from Woods. I will start fabricating my own in a few weeks if I don't locate a used setup somewhere. Does anyone have the heavy duty top link (Saf-T lock or similar) and could tell me the thickness of the steel?

 

[dfkrug]

I am aware of the Saf-T Lock setup but was avoiding spending $1000 on all the components from Woods. I will start fabricating my own in a few weeks if I don't locate a used setup somewhere. Does anyone have the heavy duty top link (Saf-T lock or similar) and could tell me the thickness of the steel?

I have several of the cloned "Saf-T Lock" setups that NEWBURY shows in his diagram. They came with the Woods 7500 clones that I bought new. Of those 10 Prairie Dogs (made in Bulgaria), nine were the 7500 copies, and one was a 1050 copy, 10-footer.

Of all those units, only one was used on a 3-point hitch, and the enhanced toplink was damaged and replaced once. But that was on a Category 2 hitch on an industrial Case 480LL. All the Prairie Dog hoes came with the enhanced toplinks, but I (or my buyer) made subframes instead.

Here is a photo. I can go get some dimensions. The parts, all unused, would be heavy to ship so fabbing from scratch may be a better way to go.

 

[dfkrug]

The side braces for the enhanced toplink I showed above at 17mm thick. On the toplink, there is a 3-piece adjustable sandwich of steel. The 2 outer are 12mm thick, and the other one is 15mm, with a welded-on 22mm strong-back to give it a Tee cross-sction. Very strong.

I have a couple of the toplinks and sidelinks left. I have made 3-pt hitch arms out of the side links, by welding heim joints onto the ends.

 

[VTM6800]

Thanks for the measurements! I was deciding between 5/8" and 1/2" steel but hearing that settles it. I agree shipping from CA to VT would be cost prohibitive, I'll fab something up soon and try to post a few pictures in case anyone is interested.