I'm glad you posted about those brackets. The owner had the arms locked back by welding trailer hitch balls. I was wondering how important they were. I hesitate welding brackets on to my machine because it still looks pretty nice; but if it needs to be done. Have many of you guys used these attachments? I never have and still not sure about it. I would use it for tree holes, retaining walls and some sewer and water service repair. Any input is appreciated. Thanks Marc
If it is a 709 the arms that lock back to the frame hooks on each side of the hoe are too narrow to clear your boom.
I believe it would be the earlier 909 or 911 (for 9 ft dig and 11 ft dig depth) The 911 would be a big load but could still work imo. They both mounted to 2 trailer balls from the factory.
You would need to remove the two arms with the 2" ball couplers on them and rework some sort of mechanical linkage to steady your bucket tilt cylinders while digging. Otherwise (base on my 853 experience) the hoe will keep tilting forward and you will have to jump into the cab and correct this every few minutes.
The simple fix for your aplication is a quick release 3 pt top link from a farm tractor rear hitch.
Both JD and NH have these. They are plenty strong enough to steady the hoe. The best part is you loader will require a minimum of welding to set it up. Just two flat plates of metal standing on edge about 4 by 5 by 1/2 or 5/8".
A 1" pin goes though them and holds a sphere that the 3rd link snaps over. It works well and is neet and clean. And in the future could be adapted to any loader brand easily.
Also if the couplers the trailer ball fit into have not been repaired on the rear side by welding more steel around the coupler, then it has been used vary little, because all the 909s broke there. Also on the boom there is a gusset that should be extended on the top side. It stops about 8" from the center pivot point of the main boom, and the boom liked to crack down the sides from the top down, right where it ends. I extended mine up past the center pivot with 1/8" by 1" flat iron and never had any more trouble.
Otherwise they are a pretty good hoe. All the pivots have replaceable bushing and pins. Too bad that bobcat did not make there loaders this way.
Ken