Welder Dave
Senior Member
I just came across this but I don't think lifting weights is the best way to test the hydraulics on a backhoe. I think a lot of capacities listed in brochures are based on optimal conditions and hydraulic calculations rather than actually testing on a machine. For instance front end loader capacity could be at the lift pins without the bucket on. Boom lift capacity on a backhoe could be with the stick all the way in which you'd rarely do. Of course if the stick is reached out you'd have way less lift capacity. Someone coming on a forum and bashing a particular machine or brand doesn't help anyone. They came here looking for help in fixing their machine that did run properly at some point not an opinion on the machine they own. Every manufacturer has had some less desirable machines but bad mouthing them doesn't help fix the problem. Not knowing how the hydraulic system on the machine is designed to work and then trying to offer advice on what's wrong doesn't help anyone either. I'm not a mechanic but do know that closed center hydraulics are much more complex than open center. My basic understanding is open center is full flow-no pressure and closed center is full pressure-no flow. Trouble shooting them is totally different other than something simple like a blown hyd. hose.