Manufacturers design loader backhoes to deliver a certain amount of power and speed for digging, loading and other jobs.
But are you making the most of the performance you paid for? Not if you’re relying more on your bucket than on the arm of your machine when digging; or if you’re trying to gain more power by operating at full throttle.
These are just two ways in which some owners and operators fail to use their backhoes most efficiently and productively, reports Jeff Aubrey, product manager for loader backhoes at Komatsu. He offers several tips to help you profit from more productive use of your machine.
Leverage your power
Consider digging a trench or excavating a hole. The most power-efficient way to do this is to take full advantage of the backhoe arm’s leverage, instead of using the forces generated by the bucket’s hydraulic cylinder, to dig into dirt.
“The cylinder arm cycles more hydraulic power than the bucket cylinder,” Aubrey says. “Think of moving the arm in an arc through the ground, one layer at a time. As you do so, the bucket fills with dirt. Then, at the end of the stroke, when the bucket is full, curl it up to hold the dirt as you raise the arm.”
This practice can also help improve stability of a trench, he adds. “Digging a layer of earth at a time doesn’t disturb the surface as much as slamming the bucket’s cutting edge too deeply into the ground. As a result, the walls remain a little stronger.” Another basic factor in productivity is to keep cutting edges and teeth of buckets sharp. They’ll dig faster, using less power, than dull ones.
Throttle back
Operating the engine at full rpm gives you the fastest hydraulic response, along with the most noise, but it doesn’t necessarily produce the most power for digging and loading. In Komatsu backhoes, for example, even though the engines have a top speed of 2,200 rpm, the operator’s manual recommends running them at about 1,900 rpm.
“Increasing engine speed above 1,900 speeds up flow of the hydraulic fluid,” Aubrey says. “However, it does not increase hydraulic power because the pressure of the hydraulic system doesn’t change.”
In addition to improving fuel economy, operating at lower rpm provides better control for precision work, like craning or digging close to gas lines or other utilities. Depending on operator skill, slower acceleration and deceleration of hydraulic speed can increase productivity by minimizing spillage when swinging a full bucket.
Get comfortable
Improving productivity can also involve basic considerations like operator comfort. Seats can be adjusted in various ways to meet individual operator preferences in seat height, angle of the seat back and position of the armrests.
On Komatsu machines, for instance, operators can alter position of the wrist rests and the angle of the control tower. “By taking the time to set up the machine so that you can operate it comfortably, you can reduce your stress, allowing you to work longer and more productively,” Aubrey says.
The choice of which hands control the boom and arm can affect your comfort. Most models let you select either traditional backhoe or excavator control patterns.
Choose the right size
Most manufacturers offer a wide range of bucket sizes. Selecting one that is too big or too small can waste time and power. The most productive bucket is one that fits the power of your machine with the type of material you’re handling. Aubrey suggests using the machine capacity chart in the operator’s manual to match the weight of the material, the size of a given bucket, and the lifting capacity of your machine.
It’s a similar story in sizing your loader backhoe itself. A big machine won’t maneuver as quickly or as easily in tight spaces. At the same time, trying to do more work with a smaller machine than it was designed to handle can waste time and shorten productive life.
Work at the proper height
When using stabilizers, make sure that both the front and rear tires are off the ground. “That way, the outriggers and front bucket provide a stable platform,” Aubrey says. “However, if the tires remain on the ground, they can act like a spring to repel the machine and lead to jerky operation that can waste time and cause material to spill.”
Control travel speed
Various options can also help boost a loader backhoe’s productivity. For example, Komatsu models equipped with the optional Power Shift transmission have a button on the loader control lever that lets you shift between first and second gear without taking your other hand off the steering wheel.
“If you’re charging into a pile of dirt, you can press the button to shift on the fly into first gear to provide low-end torque,” Aubrey says. “Push the button again, and the transmission shifts up to second gear for running back and forth between the pile of dirt and your truck.”
Change attachments fast
Depending on how often you change from one bucket or other attachment to another, an optional quick coupler can increase productivity by eliminating the time spent removing and installing pins when replacing attachments.
Some are operated manually. Others allow you to unhook from one attachment and hook up to another one without leaving the cab of your backhoe. “Quick couplers are really gaining in popularity,” Aubrey says.
Eliminate “porpoising”
Many manufacturers offer an option to smooth out the ride when carrying a load in the loader bucket. “Our load stabilization system uses a nitrogen-filled accumulator on the boom lift circuit that acts as a shock absorber,” Aubrey says. “By allowing the loaded bucket to float, it keeps the machine from bouncing or ‘porpoising’ as much so that you can travel faster over rough terrain.”
Save lube time
Most loader backhoes require daily greasing of pins on the backhoe, loader, bucket, outrigger axle pivots and other points. In some cases, Aubrey notes, aftermarket central greasing systems can save valuable time for production work. These systems distribute grease from a reservoir to provide the necessary lubrication, eliminating the need to lubricate each pin individually with a grease gun.
Shop wisely
Here are a few of the features manufacturers offer on their latest loader backhoe models to boost productivity:
• Auto-up stabilizer controls on Case machines raise the stabilizers while swiveling the seat to the loader position for faster turnaround.
• John Deere’s optional limited-slip Mechanical Front Wheel Drive delivers 80 percent of available power to the wheel with the best traction.
• The latest New Holland machines have a narrow curved boom that provides best-in-class visibility, increased breakout force and lower transport height.
• On Terex machines, the forward/reverse shifter is positioned on the front console for easy control.
• Volvo machines offer a center-mounted bucket cylinder for a better view of the bucket and rear tilt-up hood and ground-level fluid checks for easier servicing.
Greg Northcutt is a freelance writer based in Port Orchard, Wash. He can be reached by e-mailing this publication at editor@onsiteinstaller.com.
