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Howard & Barry Kopel
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The ForeHoe What is it ?
The ForeHoe/Backhoe is a $375 digger that fits most tractor front end loaders. See Requirements. It can dig a trench 10" or 16" wide x 7' deep! It has been used to dig out water and sewer lines, trash pits, old posts and trenches for foundations. Like all digging, the loading on the equipment and the speed is related to soil conditions. Digging in softer or moist soils means less load and faster digging. Basically, if you can dig with a shovel you can dig with the ForeHoe. When the soil is real hard, a ripper can be attached to aid the digging or the ground can be water soaked. Although the ForeHoe can be classified as a mini excavator it is not a lightweight, in one test it lifted the front wheels off the ground on a JD 4010 farm tractor (see below). The boom is designed as a truss beam for maximum strength and light weight. Using the ForeHoe within its capabilities, one can expect good service without wrecking the loader bucket or related equipment.
How does it work ?
The primary digging motion is done with the hydraulic controllers by tilting the loader bucket down and allowing the loader main frame to move upward. The ForeHoe bucket digs by scraping along a path toward the tractor, similar to a backhoe. The digging progresses until the ForeHoe is back next to the tractor. Then the loader is raised a little to clear the ground See Pictures.
Another method of digging is by setting the Forehoe bucket into the ground and backing away. This will result in creating a trench with the dirt being dragged back onto a pile. This works well for shallow drainage and foundation trenches.
At this point the next move depends on whether an auxiliary cylinder or winch has been installed.
With no auxiliary cylinder or winch: The tractor can be backed out, turned and the dirt dumped at any location by tilting the loader bucket forward. This installation is the least expensive and should be considered as it is surprising how much dirt this method can move. Another advantage is that the dirt can be piled farther away from the excavation. See Installation
With auxiliary cylinder or winch: The boom can be moved to one side and then the load can be dumped as stated above.
Another method of digging is by setting the Forehoe bucket into the ground and backing away. This will result in creating a trench with the dirt being dragged back onto a pile. This works well for shallow drainage and foundation trenches.
At this point the next move depends on whether an auxiliary cylinder or winch has been installed.
With no auxiliary cylinder or winch: The tractor can be backed out, turned and the dirt dumped at any location by tilting the loader bucket forward. This installation is the least expensive and should be considered as it is surprising how much dirt this method can move. Another advantage is that the dirt can be piled farther away from the excavation. See Installation
With auxiliary cylinder or winch: The boom can be moved to one side and then the load can be dumped as stated above.
Note: Installing an auxiliary cylinder or winch is an option left up to the buyer for several reasons. First, every loader and hydraulics are different. Next the buyer has a choice of using compressed air or hydraulics or a winch or may elect to not install any. Basically, it is assumed that many buyers would prefer to use equipment that they have on hand or purchase required items locally.
The exception to this is the winch boom mover. We furnish a complete unitized winch assembly that greatly simplifies installation.
See Products
About-H J Kopel Engineer B.S.M.E. Uni of Nebr. Google me
The exception to this is the winch boom mover. We furnish a complete unitized winch assembly that greatly simplifies installation.
See Products
About-H J Kopel Engineer B.S.M.E. Uni of Nebr. Google me
