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TLC for Your TLB
Pay attention to key maintenance points to keep backhoe-loaders in top condition.
Use filters and fluids that meet manufacturer specifications — "It will increase the life of major components," says Jeff Aubrey at Komatsu. "Additionally, it is very important to prevent introduction of contaminants any time filters or fluids are replaced. The net result will be more productivity each day, and for more days than if the machine is not maintained."
During the winter months, make sure you have the correct fluids for cold-weather use, particularly if you work in northern climates, advises Marcello Bargellini, product manager for backhoes, Volvo. Check the service manual and warranty information so you don’t void the warranty by using an unapproved fluid or concentration of fluid.
Grease bushings per recommendations Greasing minimizes wear in the joints. This is of particular importance on the backhoe end, since it has so many moving parts. "Everything that moves has at least one joint, sometimes two or three depending on the component," says Bob Tyler, John Deere. All of them (excluding synthetic bushings) need grease since the majority involve metal-on-metal wear surfaces.
Most areas require greasing at 10-hour intervals, although some manufacturers, such as Volvo, have 50-hour greasing intervals for pivots, loader pivots and backhoe pivots. Check the owner's manual for a specific recommendation for your machine.
Pay special attention to grease zerks that aren't clearly visible. "If you're not familiar with the machine, it may be possible to overlook them, especially if you're renting the machine," Tyler adds.
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Tractor-loader-backhoes (or backhoe-loaders) are built tough to withstand harsh working conditions. Yet, a little tender loving care can go a long way toward keeping them up and running, and out of the shop for unscheduled service and repairs.
Daily preventive maintenance is essentially an insurance policy for your equipment you pay a little up front to prevent costly expenditures and inconvenient downtime later.
"You want the tractor to be available when you need it," says Bob Tyler, product marketing manager for backhoes, John Deere. "The idea is to do daily service so you can get through to regular service intervals. It's about the uptime of the machine how much it is available to do the work you need it to do. The benefits are that you get to choose when the tractor is down. You get to say when you want to take it off the jobsite for servicing, rather than having it break down at a critical time."
A good place to start with any preventive maintenance program is to read the operator's manual, says Eric Winkler, brand marketing manager for backhoes, New Holland. It will provide specifics about service intervals related to the particular make and model of backhoe-loader you're operating. Plus, it will identify proper operating procedures to promote longevity.
"Operators can get comfortable running equipment over a long period of time. But there are always updates and changes when new models are introduced," Winkler says. "Read the manual so you are familiar with any changes to maintenance intervals."
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