Home Built Backhoe Tows Behind Tractor

HomeBuilt Backhoe Tows Behind Tractor TILLAGE EUIPMENT Miscellaneous 22-1-12 "I originally built it to dig out four under-ground gas tanks at my service station. I'm now using it to ditch a quarter mile road into my lake cabin," says Wayne Kronberger who designed and built a pull-type backhoe that digs more than 10 ft. deep. Using scrap parts from his repair shop, the Neillsville, Wis., retired farm service man was able to keep the total cost at under $300. He started with the 6-ft. wide rear axle, wheels and tires out of a Cadillac El Dorado car. He mounted the components on a 7-ft. long frame built of 1/2-in. thick steel plate. A 6-ft. long junked forklift cylinder mounts on back along with a 6-ft. boom and 1 by 2-ft. bucket he built of 1/4-in. thick steel plate. Overall reach is 14 ft. Two 3 by 2-in. hydraulic cylinders operate the boom, while the bucket is controlled by a 3 by 1-in. cylinder. "A valve connected to a foot pedal swings the boom back and forth," Kronberger says. "A three-valve hydraulic bank controls the bucket." Hydraulic power is provided by a 3 gpm hydraulic pump Kronberger bought new. He equipped the boom end of the back-hoe with a winch and 100 ft. of 3/8-in. dia. steel cable for lifting objects weighing up to 1,000 lbs. A fiberglass boat seat mounts on the unit for the operator. Kronberger pulls the rig with his International Cub tractor. "It works as well, if not better than, many commercial backhoes and yet cost almost nothing to build," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Wayne Kronberger, 1808 Pitcher St., Neillsville, Wis. 54456 (ph 715 743-2204).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.