JD 440 with #50 Hoe

[JAJ]

I am thinking of buying a 1959 JD 440 wheeled tractor that has a #50 hoe on it. Will this hoe also fit my 440 crawler, using the same brackets? I would guess that my hyd pump would have to be replaced with one having more output. Would this hoe mount & dismount similar to the way the #9300 hoe goes on & off my 350B crawler? (Just pull two pins and disconnect the hyd lines.) The current owner tells me the rotary cylinder for the boom has some "major" weld on it but works well with no leaks. Is this going to be something repairable in the future or should I run (not walk) away from this machine? He is sending pictures. The machine is about a 12 hour drive (one way) from home.
Thank you,
Jim

[Lavoy]

Keep in mind that there is a difference between hoe mounts, and the standard counterweight mounts. Unless you have a hoe crawler, the mounts on the back are not braced well enough to stand the stress of a hoe, only a rack of weights.
Lavoy

[ggfossen]

Lavoy,

Were any of the 420s designed for hoes? If so, how would one tell the difference? I have an old Case hoe that I had wondered about mounting on the little crawler. I am concerned, though, that it may be too heavy. If it is, I may arrange some sort of tag-along...mount the hoe on it's own axle.

Gary

[Lavoy]

There were mounting brackets for the 420, but I have never seen one.
The Deere hoe is heavy on a 350, so would be terrible on a 420. I think that a smaller hoe that weighs a ton or less would be a good match on a 420.
Lavoy

[ggfossen]

Lavoy,

I may have more than a ton with the case hoe. I will have to eventually pull it, and weigh it. It might be possible to remove some of the "stuff."

Thanks for the response.

Gary

[jac]

Lavoy:

Can hoe mounts be added to any 440? My machine has the counter weight mounts but I would like to add a backhoe at some point in time. If hoe mounts can be used on my machine, the next challenge will be to find a set.

[Lavoy]

Yes, they can be added. Really they look just like the regular mounts if you are talking about a loader. The difference is under the fenders is some real heavy plate to stand the torque of the hoe. Also, hoe crawlers have the big hyd pump, and you would need the diverter valve to operate the hoe.
lavoy

[jac]

Lavoy:

Thanks. Sounds like I could modify my fenders since I have a loader. Based on your note, adding some 1/2" metal plate to the underside of the fenders and also beefing up the attachment point of the fender to the loader arms should do the trick. That will provide the laterial strength required.

Just need to find a good Model 50 or 51 backhoe! Looked at one a while ago but it was beyond repair.

[Lavoy]

Yes, that should do it, but don't scrimp on the plate. Take what a hoe will lift at maximum reach in pounds, and multiply by about 13 and you have an idea of the foot lbs torque that a hoe puts on the back of a crawler.
Lavoy

[JD430C]

Jac, i just took a 50 backhoe off my 1010 that i am trying to sell. pm me if u are interested.

andrew