Out riggers on a backhoe

[Dozer Guy]

What are the advantages of having outriggers that come straight down (European) models apposed to the out riggers that fold down like the American models? Looks like the fold down types would be more stable ... Larry
 

[Jack-Iowa]

I have an american model in they come straight down and do not like it as well as the ones that fold out.
I will sink down some more with the straight ones compared to the fold outs on the ones I have used.
the straight down ones on mine are a mid 60"s model.all new ones I have used are the fold outs.
 

[tork rench]

I think that they would take up less room might come in handy in tight quarters.
 

[Dozer Guy]

Thats kinda what I was thinking as well, I have never used straight down kind my self ... When I was looking on You tube, it seems that all backhoes in different countrys had only the striaght down types and was just wondering if they had them for a certain reason... Thanks for the input , I have never seen on here in the states...
 

[Billy NY]

I've seen that type but never ran one with that set up or at least can remember, been a long time since those days. I have run most models of Cat, 416,420D 426, Case 580's, Ford 555, 655, JD 310,410 Dynahoe & JCB, as a full time operator, and aside from utility work on the street, don't think I would want the vertical type.

The fold down type, allows you to run one side up onto a bank, while the other is on flat ground, you can get em up clear out of the muck or soft conditions, or leave em down for quick use to stabilize if you are on a slope and it gets out of hand. I swing the hoe to the high side and sometimes extend the stick out to counter balance on a slope, to get through or whatever, I also let those outriggers ride low, just in case, have planted them a few times, never came close to going over, but certainly have tested the boundaries just the same. A rubber tire hoe is something to master, they don't like slopes, most are a bit tippy, nice to have that working radius with the fold down outriggers.
 

[135 Fan]

Almost all outriggers that go straight down are used on side shift backhoes and the fold down type are used on fixed pivot backhoes. Straight down outriggers allow some levelling but not as much as the fold down type. With the side shift hoes there isn't enough room for the fold down type outriggers. Dave
 

[BarryfromIA]

CASE was an early user of the fold up type up type outrigger and it made them very popular in the underground utility business as this involved a lot work in road side ditches where any other type outrigger was constantly getting caught in fences or ditch banks.
 

[Sean Feeney]

I think the roads in other country's are much narrower then our 10'-12' layouts so it wouldn't imped traffic as bad, my .02