Using a Backhoe to Tow

[DanielW]

This question may be better posted in the backhoes/crawlers/dozers section, but I thought I might get more opinions here. I just picked up a Massey 4X4 backhoe for peanuts. Well, it's actually not a backhoe anymore because the PO removed the hoe and cab, so it's really just an open-station loader. Model 50HX: 4X4, no nonsense, Perkins diesel and seems to run/function well. I bought this for our Southern farm: We don't do nearly as much there as at our Northern farm and thus don't have nearly as much heavy equipment down there because we don't have the need for it. But I still wanted another loader for that farm. At present, all we have on the Southern farm for loaders are a Ford 555 backhoe (which is a big, lumbering beast to use for things like loading bales and handling logs) and a Cockshutt 540 with a Wagner loader (which is rather light/small/flimsy for a lot of bale & log-handling we use it for). I think this Massey will fit the bill nicely.

My question: I have a sawmill on that farm, and it's pretty handy to tow a log wagon to/from the bush with whatever tractor I'm using to load. Similarly, it's handy to tow bale wagons between fields/barns with the same tractor used to load. It'll be easy enough for me to fabricate a drawbar onto the back of the Massey to be able to tow with. But would anyone be concerned with using a backhoe with its torque-converter/hydraulic shuttle for towing? The farm is all contained in one block - there'd be no road travel, and no towing for more than 20 minutes at a time. I can't see why there'd be any concern: Towing a wagon/trailer with good rolling tires seems to me like it would be a lot easier on the drivetrain than the loader work that you typically use a backhoe for. But because you're towing for several minutes straight with no rest period (unlike loader work where you're constantly switching between hard & easy drive-train use), would you have any concerns?

 

[used red MN]

This question may be better posted in the backhoes/crawlers/dozers section, but I thought I might get more opinions here. I just picked up a Massey 4X4 backhoe for peanuts. Well, it's actually not a backhoe anymore because the PO removed the hoe and cab, so it's really just an open-station loader. Model 50HX: 4X4, no nonsense, Perkins diesel and seems to run/function well. I bought this for our Southern farm: We don't do nearly as much there as at our Northern farm and thus don't have nearly as much heavy equipment down there because we don't have the need for it. But I still wanted another loader for that farm. At present, all we have on the Southern farm for loaders are a Ford 555 backhoe (which is a big, lumbering beast to use for things like loading bales and handling logs) and a Cockshutt 540 with a Wagner loader (which is rather light/small/flimsy for a lot of bale & log-handling we use it for). I think this Massey will fit the bill nicely.

My question: I have a sawmill on that farm, and it's pretty handy to tow a log wagon to the bush with whatever tractor I'm using to load. Similarly, it's handy to tow bale wagons between fields/barns with the same tractor used to load. It'll be easy enough for me to fabricate a drawbar onto the back of the Massey to be able to tow with. But would anyone be concerned with using a backhoe with its torque-converter/hydraulic shuttle for towing? The farm is all contained in one block - there'd be no road travel, and no towing for more than 20 minutes at a time. I can't see why there'd be any concern: Towing a wagon/trailer with good rolling tires seems to me like it would be a lot easier on the drivetrain than the loader work that you typically use a backhoe for. But because you're towing for several minutes straight with no rest period (unlike loader work where you're constantly switching between hard & easy drive-train use), would you have any concerns?

There should be no concern with damage from draft pulling some type of implement or wagon. The rear drivetrain in the machine is sufficiently heavy duty enough to withstand the power produced by the engine to do that type of work. If you were doing some type of tillage that required a very heavy pull continuously for hours there may be a possibility that the torque converter would overheat the fluid. The type of task you are describing should be no problem. Just as normal if the machine is struggling to move especially up an incline choose a lower gear as needed.

 

[moresmoke]

Probably best if you have a working transmission temperature gauge. As long as you don’t overheat the transmission you won’t cause any problems.

I worked at a warehouse where we used a 416 Cat to move railcars. Weren’t going far, but could move 3 loaded box cars at a time.

 

[urbancase]

I had a MF like what you are talking about it mostly an industrial tractor and if I remember the underside hade part of what needed for a tongue for a tractor. Mine had a 540 pto covered and was in working condition. Depending on what tires you have if pulling i think R1 is what would be best. Been a few years since I had it.

 

[flying belgian]

Sorry I don't have an answer to your question but I'm amazed. Just when you think all questions have been asked on this forum, you come up with one I don't think has ever been covered.