FFC LAF2301, Manual

   7 

BACKHOE OPERATION 

SAFETY FIRST!! READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (pages 2-5 of 
this manual) BEFORE BEGINNING ANY BACKHOE OPERATION 

DANGER 

Failure to obey the following procedures will result in death or serious injury. 

x

Avoid contacting overhead wires and underground pipes or cables. Failure to heed may 
result in electrocution or explosion.

WARNING 

Failure to obey the following procedures could result in death or serious injury. 

Never lift this product: 

x

above the operator’s eye level OR  

x

to a height where visibility is obstructed, whichever is lower

.

Use caution when raising loaded bucket. Objects could fall from bucket toward bystanders or 
operator.

NOTICE

USE OF REAR COUNTERWEIGHTS IS REQUIRED! 
Refer to your power unit’s operator’s manual for safe operating limit and use of counterweights.

TO DIG: 
1.  Be sure the loader is on solid ground before digging or lifting any load. 
2.  With the loader arms partially raised and the bucket cylinder partially extended, slowly curl the dipperstick toward 

the loader (using the loader’s tilt control). The loader arms may need to be lowered or raised and/or the bucket 
cylinder extended to allow the bucket to penetrate the soil. 

3.  As the bucket fills, extend the bucket cylinder and extend the dipper or raise the loader arms to lift the bucket 

clear of the hole. 

4.  The depth of the hole will be controlled by the amount the dipper is extended and the height of the loader arms. 

x

Use extreme care when working on hillsides. Always dump loaded bucket on uphill side of backhoe to 
minimize possibility of upset. 

x

Exercise caution when working close to fences, ditches, or on uneven ground.  

DO NOT:  

x

Dig close to the loader’s wheels or under the loader; this could cause a cave-in and vehicle overturn.  

TO DUMP ON GROUND: 
1.  With the bucket raised clear of the hole, slowly back up and pivot the loader rearward about the front wheels. This 

will swing the loader away from the trench, and the bucket to the side to dump. 

x

Keep loads close to the ground while transporting.