Backhoe storage and outriggers

Hillhigh Guy

Member

Equipment
B2601, BH, RFM
Mar 18, 2018
31
1
8
Round Hill, VA
Guys, newbie here. I dismount the BH and store it with outriggers down and bucket down (obviously). A week or so later, the outriggers have relaxed and and the BH is sitting on it's base and bucket. Is that normal? The tractor is brand new (B2601). Am I doing something wrong? Makes it a little tougher to mount back on to the tractor.
 

Tughill Tom

Well-known member

Equipment
B3200
Dec 23, 2013
1,218
1,347
113
Turin, NY
Normal, I put car stands under mine and lift the out riggers and then put a ratchet strap across to stop the out riggers from dropping to save space in the shop.
Take a day and unhook it and reconnect a couple of times and you'll get the hang of it.
Having all things level is the key.
 

mdhughes

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901DT
Dec 10, 2014
1,252
722
113
Ste Geneveive county, MO
If you have a concert floor where us store your backhoe, you might want to look in to getting/making a backhoe dolly to store your backhoe on. It makes it a lot easier to remove and install the backhoe, plus you can move it around without the tractor.
 

William1

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
1,118
310
83
Richmond, Virginia
Normal, I put car stands under mine and lift the out riggers and then put a ratchet strap across to stop the out riggers from dropping to save space in the shop.
Take a day and unhook it and reconnect a couple of times and you'll get the hang of it.
Having all things level is the key.
+2, exactly what I do.
I have to store mine outside. A few planks screwed together to make a sort of platform and a few concrete thick pavers under that to get it off of the ground. I keep the boom lock pins in and the outriggers raised with the ratchet straps to prevent sagging. Bucket is stored down and 'relaxed' as well. No ability to move also prevent any possible pressures in the lines when reconnecting.:eek:
 

js5020

Member

Equipment
BX23S
Jun 27, 2018
75
2
8
PA
Guys, newbie here. I dismount the BH and store it with outriggers down and bucket down (obviously). A week or so later, the outriggers have relaxed and and the BH is sitting on it's base and bucket. Is that normal? The tractor is brand new (B2601). Am I doing something wrong? Makes it a little tougher to mount back on to the tractor.
Totally normal. Get a dolly or fab a few wood blocks together for under the base to keep it off the ground and a ratchet strap to keep the outfitters up.
 

Jchonline

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, RTV X1100C, M62 (sold)
Oct 28, 2018
1,389
602
113
Red Feather Lakes, CO
Dolly and a ratchet strap on the downriggers. Lots of examples of dolly designs for small backhoes on this forum and TBN. Home Depot has 300lb steel wheel casters I really like (they are $5 each here). These and some 2x6 material and a few carriage bolts you will be set!

I am still working on a BH dolly for mine...it is a bit more challenging at 14 ft reach and 2200 lbs. I will work on it in the Spring.
 

Ed Hill

New member

Equipment
B3000 with Meteor drag snowblower and mid-mount mower; M7040 with accessories
Jun 22, 2009
51
0
0
Wheelock, VT
I have had a backhoe for 8 years. I put two concrete pavers under the frame, I lift the unit off the tractor frame with the leveling legs, pull the tractor slightly forward, then lower the whole backhoe so it rests on the concrete. Then I shut off the tractor, disconnect the hydraulic lines, restart and drive off. The result is a backhoe sitting on the ground in a stable manner. When I want to reattach it to the tractor, I back up close, shut the tractor off, hook up the hydraulic lines, restart, and use the leveling legs and the bucket to lift and align to the tractor frame. I have thought about a dolly, but it is a lot of weight to put on wheels!
 

Eldubya

Member

Equipment
B7800FEL Bck hoe Box scraper Post auger Field rake
Apr 14, 2014
90
0
6
Quadra Island BC
I have had a backhoe for 8 years. I put two concrete pavers under the frame, I lift the unit off the tractor frame with the leveling legs, pull the tractor slightly forward, then lower the whole backhoe so it rests on the concrete. Then I shut off the tractor, disconnect the hydraulic lines, restart and drive off. The result is a backhoe sitting on the ground in a stable manner. When I want to reattach it to the tractor, I back up close, shut the tractor off, hook up the hydraulic lines, restart, and use the leveling legs and the bucket to lift and align to the tractor frame. I have thought about a dolly, but it is a lot of weight to put on wheels!
Easiest and simplest. Fab up a couple of support blocks/frames, whatever and you are good to go.