Back To Back: Troubleshooting 3 Common Mechanical Problems With Backhoe Vehicles
A backhoe tractor or loader is an enormously useful and versatile piece of equipment, but the enormous strains and stresses of construction and excavation work can take a serious toll on even the most heavy-duty backhoe. The unique maintenance requirements of a backhoe can make the source of these problems difficult to ascertain, and bringing in professional heavy vehicle repair services to inspect and repair your backhoe is never a bad idea -- however, the following common problems can often be detected easily by yourself:
Broken or damaged hydraulic hoses
The hydraulic hoses which provide the backhoe with power are one of the most vulnerable parts of any backhoe and can easily be damaged or broken entirely without a little due care and attention. In many cases, these hoses become damaged simply because of how exposed they are, with many backhoe models having their hydraulic hoses strapped to the underside of the backhoe boom with little real protection. In these cases, strapping your hoses more closely to the backhoe can be an effective way to protect them.
If you do detect problems with the integrity of your hydraulic hoses (common symptoms are visibly leaking fluid and loss of lifting strength in the backhoe boom), cease backhoe operations immediately and try to find the location of the damage. In some cases, a hose with a minor leak or crack can be repaired in place, but it is more likely that the entire damaged hose will have to be replaced.
Swing tower wear
The swing tower is an integral part of the base of any backhoe and allows the backhoe boom to rotate left and right while the vehicle it is attached to remains in place. As you can imagine, this constant lateral movement (often under heavy loads) can cause significant wear and tear over time, and worn swing tower pins, bearings and cam plates can cause significant operational problems. The most common symptom of swing tower wear is a grinding or whining noise while the backhoe is swinging, but in more severe cases lateral control of the backhoe may be lost entirely.
The best way to prevent this type of wear is by keeping all of the swing tower's moving parts well lubricated at all times and making sure the swing tower is adjusted so that the cam plate and rollers are in constant contact. However, once wear does occur it can be difficult to detect and usually requires the backhoe boom to be dismantled before repairs can begin -- as you can imagine, this is a job best left to professionals.
Front axle damage
Although the front axle of your backhoe loader or tractor is not connected to the backhoe in any way, it can still suffer as a consequence of intense backhoe operation. This is because the front axle is lifted off the ground frequently during heavy loading and excavating operations, and tends to jar heavily against the ground once these loads are released. The axle and trunnion bearings are particularly vulnerable to this kind of damage, but in extreme cases the main body of the axle can break or buckle.
As with swing tower wear, the best way to solve this problem is to prevent it from occurring, and you should inspect and lubricate the front axle and its bearings on a regular basis. You should also avoid overloading the backhoe bucket routinely -- if this is unavoidable, consider having the front shock absorbers of your backhoe vehicle upgraded to take the extra strain. If you do detect significant damage to the front axle, have it professionally repaired or replaced as soon as possible, as ignoring a damaged axle can cause other vital components located on the vehicle's undercarriage to become damaged.
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