Backhoe Specification

General Specs

• See Industry Standard Backhoe for reference
• Must mount on LifeTrac quick attach plate as a quick-connect attachment
• Operator seat and control valves are included on the attachment
  • Control valve is quick-connect with 30 gpm quick couplers
• Valve spools:
  • 1 stabilizer leg valve (tandem motion of stabilizer legs)
  • Main boom
  • Secondary boom
  • Bucket curn
  • Allowance for bucket thumb (for grapples)
• Basic operation will leave the LifeTrac plate immobile vertically but may move with the curl of the quick attach plate for extra mobility if needed, though the latter should not be the main moving mechanism of the primary boom
• Intensive Scalability - Scalable in the most fundamental fashion. This specification is designed to produce a Backhoe Construction Set. All arm sections, cylinders, hoses, and the bucket should be removable so they can be replaced with parts of different sizes as necessary - like a Lego set but for real machinery. The challenge here is to design for modularity - to design the part connections such that part interchangeability is not only possible, but also practical and possibly easy.
• Extensive Scalability - additional arm sections can be added to extend the reach or increase the range of functionality to: log handling, electromagnet operation for steel works, high materials handling, jack hammering, etc)
• Should use hydraulic cylinders, all of which will attach to lifetrak via hoses with quick couplers.
  • Hoses should be used only at joints, and metal tubing should be used for lifetime design whenever flexibility is not required.
• Should include stabilizer legs to prevent the machine from tipping.
  • Can mount in back of tractor and to front on the quick attach plate.
  • Takes account of lifetrak weight distribution and rated dig force.

Basic Model Specs

The basic model should have one boom, one secondary boom (stick), with an optional grapple (thumb) attachment, and one bucket, all of which can pivot individually.

It must have the following specifications. Tolerances are +-10%

• Boom must swing 180 degrees.
• Radius reach should be 6 to 8 feet from loader at ground level.
• Should be able to dig 6 feet deep.
• Dig force should be 5000 lbf.
• Bucket should be 12" wide.
• Bucket should have replacable teeth.

Future Directions

• Hoses can either attach to hydraulic valves, or a solenoid attaching to joysticks.