Toro 23163 Operator's Manual page 14

Digging a Hole
Using a backhoe with precision and proficiency takes time
and practice. In general, you dig a hole by extending the
dipperstick and bucket, lowering them into the ground, and
then pullback on the dipperstick while raising the boom and
curling the bucket rearward (Fig. 19).
A
B
C
Figure 19
To empty the bucket you swing it to the left or right and
extend the dipperstick and uncurl bucket, dumping the load
(Fig. 20).
A
Figure 20
The distance you extend the dipperstick and bucket and the
size of bite you take will vary greatly with the soil type,
moisture content of the soil, and obstructions in the soil,
such as tree roots and rocks.
Spend some time practicing with the backhoe to get the feel
for how it operates and how to best use it in the conditions
in which you work. Please read and use the following tips
when operating the backhoe:
m-?
B
m-?
• Do not dig too close to the backhoe body or stabilizers.
The backhoe could undercut the stabilizers or traction
unit causing the machine to fall into the hole.
Warning
If you dig too close to the backhoe, the backhoe
could fall into the hole, tipping on top of you
causing severe injury.
Ensure that you do not dig within three feet of the
backhoe or stabilizers.
• Do not take large bites of soil. Instead, sweep the
bucket through the soil using the swinging motion of
the dipperstick a few inches deep at a time.
• If the bucket catches in the soil, uncurl the bucket, raise
the boom slightly, and continue digging.
• If your traction unit has a speed selector, set it to the
fast position (rabbit) while you are learning how to
operate the backhoe (this will slow the backhoe down).
Set it to the slow position (turtle) once you feel you
have mastered the use of the backhoe.
• If your traction unit has a flow divider, set it to the 11
o'clock position.
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