Something to watch for the backhoe owners

[tomplum]

My other half told me that the boom lever on the backhoe was sticking. I pulled the panel and the boots and had a look. They had a bunch of rust and water inside. I remember when I checked the PDI that the allen head cap screws were loose on one stick, don't remember which one. I scraped and cleaned etc. Before reassembling I put a bunch of fluid film in it and a thin layer of sealant at the top of the boot as a precaution. You see these tractors out on dealer lots in the rain, so it could be worth checking. I also pulled the boot on the loader joystick, but that was fine and had a coating of some redish grease.

 

[mslisaj]

This is no joke "toplum". Today I was practice digging in my shop on the garage floor. My safety out is always just let go of the levers and every thing will stop. Well I tried that today and the boom lever stuck in the raise position. I exercised it and it still was sticking. I remembered this thread that you posted in November with out one response. I pulled the metal covers off, pealed the inner seal boots and to my horror there was water and corrosion there. It looke like it had been in salt water. I cleaned everything and dried it all out and sprayed WD40 in there to coat everything. I reassembled and then did the same routine on the other control finding the same and maybe worse condition. Although this lever was not sticking. My back how will live it's life now inside a garage but it too sat out in the elements for months and water definitely seeps inside this protective cover. A warning to everyone that has one of these that get in there and take a look. It will require two wire/cable ties to secure the bottom of the boot but this is a problem area.
Thanks "tomplum" for the warning and information. This is a very serious and expensive problem.

 

[tomplum]

I'm not really sure what was supposed to be used for lube. It likely doesn't matter much as long as it protects and displaces the moisture. After I did the backhoe, I then had an idea to check the loader control and saw that had a light red grease. One thing that I didn't know before is the the backhoe also had a float position.

 

[jdom84]

if you want a good lube that's going to last. A lubricant with moly in it would do a good job of creating a layer and embedding its self on the sliding components.

 

[wmasmith]

I have the "big" hoe on my xr4140. It doesn't have boots but it will bounce, for lack of a better term, if you just release the dipper control from any direction. The curl doesn't have that issue though.

 

[tomplum]

True, moly would be a good choice. When you get inside, the ugliest thing is the tray at the base and difficult to clean. I'll open it up at the next check up and see if anything has changed.

 

[mslisaj]

"tomplum", could you expand a little on the backhoe "float position". Never heard of that and which lever or position was that on. I'm brand new to the backhoe so I'm learning it now with my little tractor.

 

[jdom84]

maybe this will help.

 

[mslisaj]

Thanks "jdom84" for pointing that out. I didn't read that carefully about the "backhoe" controls. While the loader "decal" illustrates the float it's not there on the label for the laft hand backhoe control. But reading the text for the operation of those controls it clearly talks about shoving all the way forward and initiating the boom float lock. I really apprecate you pointing that out. Thanks "tomplumb" for mentioning it too. Can't wait to try it in my practice today.
Lisa

 

[mslisaj]

Well, I guess the MT125 doesn't have a float feature on the boom of the backhoe. Just went out and tried it and it's not there. Although it's mentioned in operator's manual.* Just you gentlemen with the bigger machines got that option I guess.
Interesting idea though.