backhoe PTO gear and RPM help

[MichaelWhite]

Hello experts,

I've been digging through Google and YouTube trying to find a solid tutorial on the ideal gear and RPM settings when operating a PTO-driven backhoe. I'm very new to tractors and still learning the ropes with this equipment.

I’m working with a Kubota 1980 L295DT paired with an L4510 backhoe. The tractor has three PTO gear settings (1, 2, and 3), but I’m having trouble noticing any significant difference between them during operation. While there are plenty of great videos out there on general backhoe use, I haven’t come across much that specifically addresses PTO gear selection and RPM optimization for this setup.

If anyone has experience with this or can point me toward helpful resources, I’d really appreciate it!

 

[Russell King]

So is the backhoe using the rear PTO to drive a pump? I assume so or you probably wouldn’t have asked the question. There are tractors that use the tractor engine mounted pump.

If it is a rear mounted pump, it should have a name plate on it with rating information on it. It is probably rated at 540 RPM, but there may also be a speed limit on the highest RPM to operate at.

The flow is speed dependent and the pressure is not so much related to speed. So you can operate at any engine speed you want to between idle and the rated speed on the tachometer for 540 RPM. The performance of the pump and speed of the backhoe should change along the engine speed but it should not be a REALLY significant difference.

 

[MichaelWhite]

Yes, that is correct. It has a pump on the PTO that feeds the hydraulic lines for the backhoe. There are no stickers on the pump or pretty much anywhere on this beast. It is seen many summer days in the sun the last 45 years.

This is what tractordata has on the backhoe, but it sounds like I need to try to identify the pump.

Kubota L4510 Backhoe
Backhoe type Kubota L4510 Backhoe
Transport height 93 inches

Bucket width
12 inches
18 inches
24 inches
36 inches

2-Foot flat digging depth 88 inches
Reach from pivot 128 inches
Loading height 84 inches

Bucket Rotation 180°
Swing Arc 180°
Bucket force 7000 lbs
Dipperstick force 4000 lbs


The previous owner said he ran it in 2nd gear, so that is what I have been doing.