My attempt at fabricating a multi-section backhoe/loader subframe.

Rob

Member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B6000DT / B7100DP /B8200DT/L225/Globe PTO Chipper/Lewis Backhoe/huxley TR66
Nov 22, 2009
679
9
18
Leafy England....
Warning , very long post i'm afraid, maybe a bit boring for some folks;);)


Hi all, just thought i would add some details of my recently completed backhoe/loader subframe project.
As from my other post a while back i purchased an old lewis 200 backhoe, which, turned out needing a lot of work on it, anway finally sorted it all out but it did not have a subframe when i purchased it, not a problem i thought , but it has been a tad more involved than i had originally planned to be honest.:(

I wanted it to fit my B7100 and b8200, here is the 1st issue as the two machines are differing dimensions and we are not talking a few few mm here and there, more like centimeters and inches:eek:

After a lot contemplation etc i finally decided on the size and profile of the steel etc that i wanted to use, next stage was to workout how it was going fit and onto what fixing points on the tractor and more importantly wether as a one piece affair or sectional.

Opted for 12mm L section steel angle fom the main straight sections on both tractor and backhoe , using 12mm flat steel for the tractor subframe mounting brackets and 20mm for the subframe to tractor/engine subframe.
next stage was to fabriacte the basic structure minus mounting brackets as it getting tractor subframe section all square was going to be difficult and also getting both sides parallel was a real bind as there are a lot of moving parts that need to be worked around that need to be factored in to the build, ( brake linkages front and rear, clutch linkages and pedal shaft etc) also the position of the front axle drive shaft where it exits the tractor chassis needs to be factored in the build.
Another area that didnt com to mind until after first basic fitting is the front wheel L- R lock, with ags on and the wheels at full lock L or R you need to make allowance for the tyres not hitting on the front of the subframe, so an angle profile works well.


Yep still more i'm afraid( best get a beer now;):cool: )

After getting all that sorted out decided to fabriacte the tractor subframe in mutliple sections, front fixing brackets for the front to tractor chassis, rear brackets mounted directly over the rear axle/bottom hitch plates as this aligned pefrectly with my design also stronger than just using the lower gearbox bolts.
middle sections brackets to tractor chassis ( as per original BF300 subframe mounting holes) . i think i burnt out my old pillar drill doing all those 12/16/20/25 mm holes through 12- 20 mm steel:eek:
next stage was to get all 10 sections drilled up and profiled etc ready for fitting.
tractor backhoe subframe section was just an enhancement of the original lewis part allbeit differing dimesions and extra reinforment with double cross members welded in place.
both sections fit together perfectly, and all fit spot on to the tractor with no interfering with brake systems, hoses, chassis parts etc at all.
It really does pay to spend a bit longer and workout all the details from the start as it saves so much hassle modifying parts later.:D

So after that long blab, i'm well pleased with the way it has turned out and no sign of any problems so far, my welding is not brilliant nor my fabricating skills but its seems to be doing the job.:cool:
pics here.

just for the keen eyed peeps out there, the two bolts in pic 2 which have one side milled off one side, they were only a temp fixing for alingment purposes, full bolts were fitted on final fixing.....

rob
 

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Rob

Member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B6000DT / B7100DP /B8200DT/L225/Globe PTO Chipper/Lewis Backhoe/huxley TR66
Nov 22, 2009
679
9
18
Leafy England....
last pic, all the weight i need at present, machine is really well balaned with 115 Kg of extra suitcase weight.
Hope this post maybe of some help to others in a similar situation that i was in. It may not be shop quality build, but hey, it works for me and i'm allway upfor doing a project myself :cool::D
rob.
 

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Kubota_Man

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Equipment
BX24, Rear blade, Front blade, Snowblower, 54" MMM, Box scraper, Landscape rake
Dec 25, 2010
953
2
16
Kellogg, Idaho
Very nice write up and pics. I only wish I had the fab skils like you and a few others here oon OTT. Because I lack those skills I end up having to buy what I need as a result my head gets bigger. Due to the fact that about the time the swelling starts to go down, I go out and get something else and the Wife puts another knot on my head.
 

Rob

Member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B6000DT / B7100DP /B8200DT/L225/Globe PTO Chipper/Lewis Backhoe/huxley TR66
Nov 22, 2009
679
9
18
Leafy England....
Thanks for the reply, believe me, when it comes to this sort of thing i'm a complete novice but i do believe in giving anything a try once, and if it all goes pants then i'll just try a different plan of attack.
I really find it a great buzz to mess about with these projects, and hey, if i wasnt doing this the wife would only have me indoors fitting a new kitchen or doing something, i know which option i prefer;);)
sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith and go for it.:D:D
rob
 

iain7391

New member

Equipment
B6200D Tractor, KM190 Back Hoe, S1000 Rotovator, Oxdale PTO-400 Log Splitter
Well you've certainly got me convinced to go out and buy some steel and a welder! I have spent the best part of the afternoon measuring up the tractor for the frame I intend to build (went to a local agricultural dealer but he wasn't interested in taking on such a small job at this time of year, he said maybe in the winter time but that's no good, my digger is sitting looking at me forlornly and begging to see some action now! I plan on doing some auto-cad style drawing to ensure that every detail of each component I intend to build is measured up and I know then that they will fit together fairly well. I guess this is the only way to learn a new skill - Go out and do it!:cool:
 

gpreuss

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Equipment
L3200DT w/FEL, K650 Backhoe, 5' Rotary, 40" Howard Rotavator, 6' Rhino blade
Oct 9, 2011
1,166
6
0
Spokane, WA
Great job, Rob!! Let us know how it all finally works out. I've found that hydraulics have a tendency to tear themselves apart...
 

Rob

Member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B6000DT / B7100DP /B8200DT/L225/Globe PTO Chipper/Lewis Backhoe/huxley TR66
Nov 22, 2009
679
9
18
Leafy England....
thanks for the replies, all seems to be woking great , i have since this original thread given the 8200 and back a bit of "baptism by fire and water " to be honest.
I have just spent the last week upgrading our small pond, normal sort of things ,clearing away saplings and dead treee round the sides etc , also as its been pretty dry here for a while now water level was pretty low and it seemed as good a time as any to give the whole pond a good clean out and enlarge it a bit.
anyway the 8200 and back good a darn good bit of usage all week long with no problem other than the oil seal on the pto pump has started to leak around the actuall shaft, but i suspect its getting old now and due to be replaced anyway, backhoe perfomed outstandingly.
I am starting a thread shortly wit some pics, its titled " My B8200 and a big wet hole";):D

rob