Stabalizer is sagging.

[dickfoster]

This is a new tractor and it looks like one of the stabilizers for the backhoe is slowly sagging due to some slight valve or cylinder leakage. It's taken about four days for the cylinder to move 2 or 3 inches. I assume this is normal.
I was thinking of putting a ratchet strap from one foot to the other to help hold them up or is there a better solution? I don't want to go out and start the tractor for a few minutes every few days just to crank the stabilizer back up into place. That is a waste of fuel and probably isn't good for the engine. Of course the one that sags is going to contact the house if I just leave it and there is no room to put it down on the ground where it's parked. I lower the front bucket and the backhoe has pins to hold it in place unless it's being used but there are no pins for the stabilizers.

 

[JerryK]

Mine leaks down a little overnight or two, and the bucket sags down some, too... The proper procedure is to lower the stabilizers down to the ground and swing the boom down until the bucket is sitting on the ground, for safety/kids playing with the controls/etc. But I just start the tractor then press both stab levers to make sure they are all the way up, then rotate the bucket back up if needed. They usually don't move any during the day, just if sitting for a couple days. I chain my stabs together before I put the hoe on the cart for the winter. You could put a strap on them, but just as easy to develop a procedure that you go thru each day to check over the tractor after you start it. But strap it if you want... whatever works for you..

 

[dickfoster]

Mine leaks down a little overnight or two, and the bucket sags down some, too... The proper procedure is to lower the stabilizers down to the ground and swing the boom down until the bucket is sitting on the ground, for safety/kids playing with the controls/etc. But I just start the tractor then press both stab levers to make sure they are all the way up, then rotate the bucket back up if needed. They usually don't move any during the day, just if sitting for a couple days. I chain my stabs together before I put the hoe on the cart for the winter. You could put a strap on them, but just as easy to develop a procedure that you go thru each day to check over the tractor after you start it. But strap it if you want... whatever works for you..

Yeah I figured it was normal for them to leak down a little. I'll try the rachet strap because it's easier. If that doesn't work, I'll chain it or put a bar across to hold them up. I can't lower them to the ground due to space constraints where I have it parked and I'd rather keep it where it is because it's a bit more protected than the RV shed and it's also out of sight.
What kind of storage cart do you have rigged up for your hoe? The dealer said it wasn't such a great idea to leave them sitting on the ground but to make up a pallet or a box or something. I don't think I'll be using this tractor every day and I may be taking the hoe off for the winter months to make pushing snow around a bit easier.

 

[JerryK]

Made a dolly several years ago for my 595 hoe.. Do a search on this forum area for 595 cart ...

 

[Billrog]

Evidently there are lock-out valves to prevent cylinders from leaking down never use one so can't give you any details.

 

[4570Man]

I put a strap across the stabilizers when I store the backhoe for long periods.

 

[yanmars]

I strap mine also.

 

[dickfoster]

Made a dolly several years ago for my 595 hoe.. Do a search on this forum area for 595 cart ...

Very fancy! Maybe I'll knock something together out of PT wood. I won't need casters since they won't roll on gravel anyway. I'll stash mine in the RV shed.

 

[dickfoster]

I put a strap across the stabilizers when I store the backhoe for long periods.

That's exactly what I was fixing to do.

 

[dickfoster]

So make it three.