Somewhat oversized backhoe

[crystallattice]

Hi,

As the title suggests I'm thinking of mounting a Kelley 55 cat2/3 backhoe to a MF65 cat1

I already have the tractor and trying to make it more useful by adding a backhoe to do trenching for foundations. The option to buy the backhoe came across my path and I'm considering it. First choice was to build backhoe but that will require more time experimenting than using so I'm considering buying one.

The two problems I forsee with the oversized backhoe:

3pt needs enough lifting power to be able for tractor to move it around. The Kelley 55 seems to weigh about 1600lbs, the MF65 can lift around 2000lbs if I'm not mistaken - please correct me as I can't find the source to that to double check.

It seems a backhoe places a lot of stress on top link connection. The Kelley manual states that the pin must be at least 1"

The Mf65 has another stationery top link attachment point a few inches under the draft link on the differential housing. I was thinking of making a type of linkage that will allow the bh to connect to both of those points so as to spread the load between them.

Alternatively I must make a type of subframe to either replace or supplement the 3pt hitch mounting points.

Any ideas, recommendations or suggestions?

Thanks

 

[fried1765]

Hi,

As the title suggests I'm thinking of mounting a Kelley 55 cat2/3 backhoe to a MF65 cat1

I already have the tractor and trying to make it more useful by adding a backhoe to do trenching for foundations. The option to buy the backhoe came across my path and I'm considering it. First choice was to build backhoe but that will require more time experimenting than using so I'm considering buying one.

The two problems I forsee with the oversized backhoe:

3pt needs enough lifting power to be able for tractor to move it around. The Kelley 55 seems to weigh about 1600lbs, the MF65 can lift around 2000lbs if I'm not mistaken - please correct me as I can't find the source to that to double check.

It seems a backhoe places a lot of stress on top link connection. The Kelley manual states that the pin must be at least 1"

The Mf65 has another stationery top link attachment point a few inches under the draft link on the differential housing. I was thinking of making a type of linkage that will allow the bh to connect to both of those points so as to spread the load between them.

Alternatively I must make a type of subframe to either replace or supplement the 3pt hitch mounting points.

Any ideas, recommendations or suggestions?

Thanks

Advice: Look for a factory assembled (used?) TLB machine instead!
Cobbling together parts and pieces is an invitation to much frustration, and disappointment.
Sell your current tractor, and buy a dedicated TLB!!

 

[crystallattice]

Thanks, the only part of that advice I might follow is: buy a tlb!

If you want to send money towards buying that tlb you recommend, please let me know with a pm...

I've been researching here on tbn and it seems very doable what I want to do, but most recommended a subframe mounted backhoe. I think I will feel better with this as it will also produce a much more rigid setup compared to even using the right cat 3ph. This does not look too complicated, a few laser cut and welded parts. I've done things like that so no problem.

Having the subframe mount also eliminates the use of the lifting arms to mount it so their lifting capacity is no longer a concern.

Having kind of figured out the mounting, the only thing holding me back a bit is the price...

From what I've read on here, everyone seems to think it was a very worthwhile addition to their tractor.

 

[fried1765]

Thanks, the only part of that advice I might follow is: buy a tlb!

If you want to send money towards buying that tlb you recommend, please let me know with a pm...

I've been researching here on tbn and it seems very doable what I want to do, but most recommended a subframe mounted backhoe. I think I will feel better with this as it will also produce a much more rigid setup compared to even using the right cat 3ph. This does not look too complicated, a few laser cut and welded parts. I've done things like that so no problem.

Having the subframe mount also eliminates the use of the lifting arms to mount it so their lifting capacity is no longer a concern.

Having kind of figured out the mounting, the only thing holding me back a bit is the price...

From what I've read on here, everyone seems to think it was a very worthwhile addition to their tractor.

I might consider selling you my pristine 250 hour original owner 2006 L48 Kubota TLB for the right price.
A new L47 similarly equipped, goes for $64,000 USD plus tax. My L48 has no anti pollution gimmickry, and digs one foot deeper than the L47.... to 11'.
$45,000 USD cash, and it is all yours.
Sorry, I will not finance, but payment in Krugerrands would be good.
You will also obviously need to pay for shipping to South Africa!

 

[i7win7]

If you attach that to draft control holes you may destroy draft control valve. Also consider tractor castings may not hold up to forces of a backhoe designed for cat 2/3.

 

[old and tired]

I had an oversized backhoe on a bulldozer, stripped all 6 bolts out and ripped the top link right off. But you do you... and I do not think we were stressing it at all. Hydraulics are pretty powerful, just be careful.

 

[3Lfarms]

Besides the obvious possible problem of breaking the rear end of your tractor, I also think that hoe will drag the tractor around pretty good when trying to dig.

I also have my concerns about the tractor being able to provide enough hydraulic flow so that the hoe isnt maddeningly slow when trying to use two or more functions at the same time.

 

[crystallattice]

Some very valid points there. From research and looking at the tractor myself. My subframe will be located under the rear axle very close to the wheel end and under designated mounting pads already on the axle, then the other end of it will be mounted close to the front axle of the tractor on the designated fel mounting pads.

So in essence the bh is supported by a ladder structure with a 4500lbs tractor + wheel weights all around + 4 suitcase weights on the front, all on top of the "ladder". With no top link connection to the tractor I feel very confident that it won't break anything. To be even safer, the subframe rear axle connection could be made to "cradle" the axle without a rigid bolted connection, thus not transferring any torsion to the rear axle. At least nothing more than what the axle would have experienced whilst driving on uneven ground.

Something else that makes me think it would work are these skinny spider like backhoe excavators that one can buy, surely if that can work with whatever little weight it has, a tractor counter balanced setup would be better.

As to the hydraulic problem, I think the kelley has a PTO driven pump so no issue there.