Towing with BX23s - BT603 Backhoe

[csroofing]

1st Post!

I bought a BXpanded Trailer Hitch (goes on at the bucket attachment point)

I also have a King Kutter 2 axle Dump Trailer (1.5 ton rated)

The idea was to be able to pull the Trailer around with the backhoe still on.
Works extremely well when the trailer is empty - I can confirm that.

However, now I am concerned how much weight I should really be putting in that trailer and pulling around. If it was all on fairly level ground I would not worry as much but part my Lot has a 20 degree slope and I will be cutting a drive way in with something like a 12 to 15 degree slope on part of it.

I get that pulling up the slope is a completely different situation then trying to maintain control going down! The BX only weights in a 1570# so putting 3500# in a trailer and going up and down a slope is not going to work.

So I guess my real question is will pulling #1500 up and down a slope overload the boom and cause damage. My guess is no, my wife will confirm I am often wrong!

Look forward to your replies!

Sincerely,
Scott from Iowa

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

1st Post!

I bought a BXpanded Trailer Hitch (goes on at the bucket attachment point)

I also have a King Kutter 2 axle Dump Trailer (1.5 ton rated)

The idea was to be able to pull the Trailer around with the backhoe still on.
Works extremely well when the trailer is empty - I can confirm that.

However, now I am concerned how much weight I should really be putting in that trailer and pulling around. If it was all on fairly level ground I would not worry as much but part my Lot has a 20 degree slope and I will be cutting a drive way in with something like a 12 to 15 degree slope on part of it.

I get that pulling up the slope is a completely different situation then trying to maintain control going down! The BX only weights in a 1570# so putting 3500# in a trailer and going up and down a slope is not going to work.

So I guess my real question is will pulling #1500 up and down a slope overload the boom and cause damage. My guess is no, my wife will confirm I am often wrong!

Look forward to your replies!

Sincerely,
Scott from Iowa

I wouldn't do any of it, even an unloaded trailer on a 15 degree slope can get out of shape in a quick hurry.

And as far as overloading the boom with 1500 lbs hanging on it, you bet it will!

 

[85Hokie]

Flat and empty is one thing.....

Once no longer flat and now heavy - no matter what, no go! Houston we WILL have a problem.

And When it comes to pushing and pulling against the HOE - that is a breakable situation.

 

[Lil Foot]

How about a pic of that setup?

 

[dirtydeed]

Just so I understand this correctly...the hitch attaches to the backhoe (where the backhoe bucket normally resides)? If that's the case, then hell no. Another poster suggested the same thing on another thread. I would NOT connect a trailer to the backhoe. That's pointless. Doing so just converted your hoe from ballast to a long weighted lever.

Get yourself a front mounted hitch, there are many options available. I used to pull my landscaping trailer (2K) and my boat (4+K) with my old BX23D using a front bucket mounted clamp on receiver (with the trailer safety chains connected to bucket mounted hook). No trouble even on stone driveway up a hill...in low range 4wd only. If something started to slip, you can drop the loader and hitched load to the ground.

Quite honestly, I cab't understand why they (BXpanded) even sell that contraption. I get that they make nice accessories, but that one I'd want no part of.

edit: welcome to the forum by the way. Didn't intend for my answer to sound pissy in any way.

 

[csroofing]

Thanks for the replies Guys! I think the front hitch makes a lot more sense.

It seemed like a good idea until I put it on! Then that little voice I try hard to listen too said WAIT! this is not passing the common sense test!

I guess I was hoping one of you would explain why it actually is okay. Nothing like a few solid NO GO's to confirm I was wise to listen to that voice.

I will try to get a picture out this weekend. It is kind of nice, just get near the hitch and use the backhoe controls to place the ball into the hitch - slick.

However, I will stick to only moving the empty trailer on flat ground.

Any good thoughts on where to get a clamp on front bucket hitch?

I also plan to but a hitch on the back so when the back hoe is off I can tow the trailer and fill it with front loader.

Thanks again!

 

[csroofing]

Correct! Goes on in place of the bucket.

It looked like a great idea, don't have to drop the backhoe to pull things around, but after I put it on that little voice of reason started talking - maybe this is BAD!

The clamp on front hitch makes a lot more sense! Any thoughts on where to get a good one?

Thanks for the replies Guys! Guess I will stick with moving empty trailer on flat ground.

WAIT - did you see the backhoe boom post? I might have to give that a whirl.

Thanks again for all the replies! All the help I can get!!!

 

[dirtydeed]

That's good to hear that you had a little birdy singing that it may not be a good idea.

Now, if you have a SSQA loader, there are many options for you including a SSQA plate with 2" reciever, or you can get a set of forks that come with the 2" receiver mounted to the frame.

If you intend on using the loader bucket, check one of these out (you may find them cheaper elsewhere)....

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Trailer-Receiver-Bobcat-tractor/dp/B00B0OOCBS

Also check with titan directly... https://www.palletforks.com/tractor-attachments-952/tractor-attachments/trailer-towing.html

I have one of these and they work well. I no longer use it since new tractor has pallet forks with 2" receiver. Like this:

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-st...-attachments-949/pallet-fork-attachments.html

Best of luck

 

[LukyNumbrKevin]

I have owned my BX23s for about 7 months now and have a little over 85 hours on her.

I have the ripper blade from BXpanded and I would say removing and reinstalling the bucket takes more time (20 minutes) than it does to drop the back-hoe. I have gotten so good at dropping the BH and the FEL that I can do both in about 5 minutes total, 1 minute for the FEL and 4 for the BH.

The mower deck takes about 15 minutes to install and I have been getting quicker.

I think your best bet in this situation is to get a FEL mounted Tow Ball or a SSQA version you can remove and reinstall quickly. Unless you have the Quick-On Back Hoe Bucket Connector from BXpanded I do not see the BH mounted trailer hitch to be a quicker option than just removing the BH altogether and installing a standard receiver like this one from Ai2: https://bxattachments.com/product/rear-receiver-hitch-and-tie-down/

 

[SidecarFlip]

Though you may not want to, I drilled a hole in my bucket so I can install a ball if I need to but most times, it's just the locator for my front bale spear.

 

[sagor]

The BX23 tractor itself is around 1500-1550 lbs. However, with the FEL and backhoe on it, you are closer to 2500-2600 lbs. That is getting real close to most single axle 3500lb trailer load limits. Keep that in mind...
Re-reading the post:
I would never tow any trailer with the backhoe attachment if the trailer weighs more than about 500lb... Backhoes are not really made to tow things, you risk damaging the cylinders. It's just a bad idea...
Towing with the FEL attachment, same would apply, those are intended for low tongue weights, a few hundred pounds. The FEL itself cannot lift more than 500-600 lbs, and towing with the fel is limited in capacity.

 

[Lil Foot]

Here's another thread on the same subject, with my solution to towing a small yard dump trailer.
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26937&highlight=backhoe+hitch

 

[csroofing]

LukyNumbrKevin - great user name. So the other option I was considering is a 3 point hitch set up with a receiver. So am I connecting the dots? That would be better, BUT the best most secure is the frame mounted receiver you are showing me!?!?!

I do think a clamp on for the bucket is worth having around, but if I am going to get the most pulling control by dropping the BH and using the frame mounted receiver!?

Thanks for the help! EVERYONE!!!!