Norm’s Backhoe

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by mccutter

We MUST see pictures of this creation...

Originally Posted by platypus20

A few more

Interestingly, it is EXACTLY how I pictured it my head! Great minds must think alike...

[digr]

Mighty fine job!!!!

[JohnBoy]

I love it! Looks like nothing was wasted. Is the second driveshaft beside the gearbox running the backhoe pto pump? being driven off a chain on the second transmission's input shaft?

[threepiece]

The transmission is a Muncie SM420. If it is working now you will likely never need any parts for it.

Lucky for you because they are somewhat rare. Many were placed in Jeep CJ‘s. The heavy duty nature combined with the low first gear and the shortest overall length of all the truck four speed transmissions makes them ideal for short wheel base off-road toys.

[Norm W]

Everything is in and working. This was not a "Parking" brake. Just dropping the blade in the front takes care of that. The ratio in the rear differential, probably about 4 to 1, means there is very little stress on the caliper etc. especially at something less than 10 mph. The second drive line is for the backhoe pump. I used two idlers to reverse the rotation as the input shaft to the transmission, when viewed from the rear of the machine is the wrong rotation. The backhoe was originally on my Farmall "A". It required a rather heavy counter weight on the front to balance the weight of the hoe. Rather than tie up the "A" I figured I had enough "Parts" to build the tractor part of a backhoe. The original engine was a VW Rabbit Diesel. However, it had about 200,000 mile on it and only lasted about 15 years in the machine before it became impossible to start. The cost to rebuild it was more than it was worth. It was replaced with an engine (1100cc) from a Geo Metro. The Geo was fuel injected and ran on a "Brain Box". I didn't have the "Brain" so a VW carb from a Bug was used. The three cylinder distributor feeds a GM ignition module then to a Geo coil. While I was at it I added power steering. The front "Back fill" blade made it very hard to steer. The rear wheels are 20" truck rims with the center section cut from 3/8 plate. The first "Edition" of the tractor was made in 1988. The tools I had to work with were electric hand drills, Lincoln "Buzz Box" and a oxy/acetylene torch.

It has paid for itself a few times over.

[Ironman]

Originally Posted by Norm W

The original engine was a VW Rabbit Diesel. However, it had about 200,000 mile on it and only lasted about 15 years in the machine before it became impossible to start. The first "Edition" of the tractor was made in 1988.

The tools I had to work with were electric hand drills, Lincoln "Buzz Box" and a oxy/acetylene torch.

It has paid for itself a few times over.

I remember some posts about the Rabbit engine way back. Parts are gold plated. I have scrapped a rabbit and sold the seized engine for $3200.
And you did a great job with the tools you had to work with.

[MotorDoctor]

Originally Posted by Norm W

It has paid for itself a few times over.

One of these days I have to stop by and see it in person. Probably driven by at least a few times on my way to Lockport, Alexander, Spencerport, Canandaigua, Utica, Chaffee, etc.

[Norm W]

About a mile from exit 39 on NY Rt90. Stop in or ride by and see the menagerie. With the heavy "Yellow" medal in the yard, the place will probably still be here even in a high wind. Let me know when, and you could kill two birds with one stone, or at least an eccentric and a GNAP.