Will this Backhoe mount up?

[killerb]

I appreciate all of the knowledge that you guys share on this site, I've learned a ton!

I have a '65 4400 w/a FEL. Will this backhoe mount up or was it for a older model?

 

[Bryce Frazier]

Looks a little different than mine... I think mine is a 1966. It is a 4400 as well.

This has a 753 Hoe on it... Bryce

 

[jaluhn]

723 or 713 Ford hoe from the looks of it. As I understand it's the predecessor to the 753/755 series.

I have one on my 66 (IIRC) 3500 with a 735 loader. I don't know if the subframe is specific to the hoe though. My guess would be it would fit on the same subframe as a later hoe, but it's only a guess.

Only real problem I've had is that the stock hoses used a special o-ring seal (same type setup as AC lines with an o-ring, flange and backup nut) which is next to impossible to find. There's an adapter for the female ports with this to a JIC, but they're something like $13/ea - pricey when replacing hoses. However, it's the same thread as a JIC-10, and I've had good luck using a JIC-10 bulkhead fitting (regular male fitting isn't long enough) with an O-ring underneath. Don't recall the exact O-ring size I use, something like a 7/8 od 3/32" ring? More or less whatever seems to fit best.

 

[Andy Wickiser]

As jaluhn says that is a Ford 713 or 723 backhoe
(which were pretty much the same). Does your
tractor already have the provisions for mounting a
backhoe ie. a four-point subframe for accepting
the mounting pins on a backhoe? Here is a
picture of what a 713/723 mounts to on an earlier
Ford tractor (ford 840).

 

[killerb]

I have something very similar to the lower 1/2 that held a weight box but not the vertical portion or the upper horizontal. The seller says that he has "everything" it's 50+ years old and has been sitting for a year? How much should I offer?

Thanks again!

(quoted from post at 08:40:50 03/13/15) As jaluhn says that is a Ford 713 or 723 backhoe
(which were pretty much the same). Does your
tractor already have the provisions for mounting a
backhoe ie. a four-point subframe for accepting
the mounting pins on a backhoe? Here is a
picture of what a 713/723 mounts to on an earlier
Ford tractor (ford 840).

 

[Andy Wickiser]

I don't have a dollar figure in mind but not
too much (probably close to scrap price). Be
aware that a >50 year-old backhoe can be no end
to trouble if you want to get everything
working right. Many times the pins are loose,
there are cracks in the frame, the cylinders
leak, the control valve leaks, the hoses are
frayed and so forth. The 713/723 used odd
"bump tube" fittings which are a pain to deal
with too. I guess I'll end on a positive note.
If you get a 713/723 working properly it will
dig pretty good for an antique.

 

[Andy Wickiser]

To add some encouragement here is my Ford 713 at work - check out the chunk of concrete in the bucket.

 

[jaluhn]

Agree that an older backhoe can be troublesome, but I'd say that applies to *any* unit older than about 15 yrs.... so don't let it stop you.

On mine I've had to replace essentially all the hoses after having one blow out. I've had good luck using premade hoses from http://www.surpluscenter.com/Hydrau...nd-Hose-Assemblies/Hydraulic-Hose-Assemblies/ and fittings. Only hard part is the hose ends which I have the solution to with the o-ring/blkh fitting. I also wound up having to replace the control valve due to a a minor crack and leak that turned into a major leak after I tried welding it not realizing it was cast iron.... Wound up finding a 555 valve and cobbling that on but it works well.

It's a strong rig though, and other than hoses and the valve it's worked well for me. Would like to have more power, but I'm sure that's always true.

I would offer a couple hundred bucks and go from there. With it on the ground there's no way to check much of anything so there's a decent risk. Hoses and cracks can be checked, going to be harder to check the bushings and leaks. See if the pump is there too - may be bigger than the FEL one you have.

Also got to consider loading it and moving it around - that's about 3000 lb of awkward metal sitting there....

 

[jaluhn]

<double post>

 

[killerb]

Well now I all I need is the the "seller" to get back to me... maybe that's why it's been on CL for 5 months!