Restoring a Classic: The Journey of Reviving an Old Woods Backhoe

Restoring a Classic: The Journey of Reviving an Old Woods Backhoe

Welcome to Base Camp WNC! Today, we're excited to delve into an incredible restoration journey. Not long ago, we stumbled upon an old gem: a Woods three-point hitch backhoe that had seen better days. This relic, previously owned by a friend's uncle, lay abandoned in a field for two long decades, waiting for a fresh lease on life. Though we hadn't initially planned to document this project, we've collected a series of photographs and a few videos to share our progress.

Discovering the Backhoe
When we first came across this backhoe, it was evident that time and neglect had taken their toll. The bucket and stick photos probably highlight its condition best. Though rusty and worn, we saw potential in this forgotten machine.

The initial inspection showed missing hoses — we replaced a whopping 22 of them! And while the task was challenging, it was also deeply rewarding. As we stripped the backhoe down, wire-brushed it, and prepared it for the rebuild, it became apparent that this machinery had some life left in it. Indeed, as we soon discovered, once operational, this backhoe could give any shovel a run for its money.

The Rebuilding Process
Our detailed dismantling brought us closer to the machine's inner workings. We took apart the boom, the stick, the outriggers, and even removed all the hydraulic hoses. The Woods' official website was an invaluable resource during this process. By entering the model number, we could retrieve a comprehensive diagram of the backhoe, complete with hose measurements. This was particularly helpful, considering the previous owner had used a mismatch of hoses.
After cleaning and prepping, we reached the exciting phase of reassembling the backhoe. Each hydraulic hose was meticulously numbered, ensuring we knew exactly where each one belonged. This organized approach saved us significant time and guesswork.

Addressing Wear and Tear
One of the significant challenges was addressing the worn-out sections. Lack of lubrication had caused certain parts to wear unevenly. With limited tools, like a cut-off wheel and grinder, we were resourceful. We smoothed out rough patches and prepared them for new, larger bushings. These bushings were custom-made, transforming oblong holes into perfect circles.

Final Touches and Observations
The Woods backhoe, when connected to a tractor, revealed its age. Modern backhoes connect to tractors differently. Yet, the original three-point hitch of our vintage find still performed impressively, securely holding the machinery in place.

One minor hiccup we encountered was with the ball and socket linkage system, reminiscent of old car throttle linkages. This system often detached during operations. If anyone has information about this part, your insights would be invaluable.

Although the Woods brand is renowned, this specific backhoe had some makeshift modifications by previous owners. Surprisingly, its robust build could handle substantial loads like large rocks and stumps. We did, however, opt to replace one cylinder, finding a cost-effective solution through the Surplus Center.

Conclusion
Our restoration journey with this Woods backhoe was more than just reviving an old machine; it was about breathing new life into a piece of history. Now, this backhoe is ready to dig ditches, outperforming any manual tool, and saving us considerable costs. We look forward to taking it on various projects, ensuring it remains a working testament to the power of restoration.

As always, thank you for joining us on this adventure. Should you have any questions or need assistance with similar projects, feel free to reach out. Until next time, happy restoring!


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