Front-End Loader Trencher on a FEL?

[Big Bri]

I have chance of picking up bobcat trencher from a rental store that is going out of business. It only has a digging depth of 3'. The unit looks to be in good shape. There is not a bobcat on site to test it out. The owner said he'd sell it to me for $1000. I don't need this thing right now, and i don't have a bobcat to use it on. My question to you is can i run this on my tractor? I do have "remote hydraulic" and a the quick attach bucket. i just don't know if i would have enough flow or pressure to run the thing. Thanks for the help

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Bobcat could give you a flow and pressure spec. I'm thinking its something like 13 or 15 gpm at 2000 to 3500 psi. Unless its a hi flow model, which I doubt with a 3 ft boom

Unless your tractor is a hydro I doubt you will be able to back up slow enough, regardless of you pump volume.

And if I were you I still by it at that price, (if t works) it should be worth 2 x that uses as new ones are about 5 grand.
Ken

 

[Big Bri]

Thanks ken,

I think i have a flow rate of 9.5gpm, I didn't think to get the model number off the unit. will try him tomorrow and get it. Don't have hydro but thought even if i get started and use the tilt of the loader to pull it back and then back the tractor up a foot or two and use the loader tilt again. Not the best way but for a cheep trencher i would be willing to put up with it. And as you said, can always resale if it doesn't work out.
thanks again

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Your flow is not that far out, rememember that is the chain speed. The psi is like the more important # as it determines when the chain stalls. Which is also determined by your soil type, the trench depth and width.

We have a real heavy grey clay here and when its wet it plugs the chain teeth (won't fall off just sticks to it) and makes te chain easy to stall with 2600 psi on my NH and works a little better with the 3000 psi Bobcat. Gravels and dry clays go easy. But when its wet ground speed for a 3' by 6" wide trench is 50 ft hour. Double to tripple that for dry soils.

The only down fall I see with your tilt plan is that you will be using the same pump to tilt and drive the chain. So the chain will tend to stop when you tilt the bucket more. ( though you can balance this with the fel valve

It can still work, but I think it might be worth your time to try and find someone with a skidsteer and work out a trade.
Ken

 

[Big Bri]

Your flow is not that far out, rememember that is the chain speed. The psi is like the more important # as it determines when the chain stalls. Which is also determined by your soil type, the trench depth and width.

We have a real heavy grey clay here and when its wet it plugs the chain teeth (won't fall off just sticks to it) and makes te chain easy to stall with 2600 psi on my NH and works a little better with the 3000 psi Bobcat. Gravels and dry clays go easy. But when its wet ground speed for a 3' by 6" wide trench is 50 ft hour. Double to tripple that for dry soils.

The only down fall I see with your tilt plan is that you will be using the same pump to tilt and drive the chain. So the chain will tend to stop when you tilt the bucket more. ( though you can balance this with the fel valve

It can still work, but I think it might be worth your time to try and find someone with a skidsteer and work out a trade.
Ken

Ken,

Thanks for all the help, i called the shop and told them i will be in at lunch to buy it.
i think your right, i'll put it on the tractor and try it out and if it works ok i'm going to keep it. If i cant get to work or is to much of a pain to use i'll put it on cregs list and see if i can make a buck or two on it. (but i do hope it works)

Thanks again for all your help
Brian