The 260 Backhoe was designed to have best-in-class features and also be price-competitive with the various backhoes in its class in the marketplace. Competitive units were tested and benchmarked to ensure that John Deere provided the right product at the right price. The following features are a high level overview of the features that are discussed throughout this sales manual :

• Easy-to-use swivel seat mechanism that utilizes high-back tractor seat and ergonomically correct joysticks for maximum comfort
• Fully enclosed boom and dipper stick for strength and durability
• Mid-mower deck compatible to allow for compounding of equipment to save operator's time
• Convenient transport pins and 22-degree ramp angle make transport and maneuvering a snap
• Durable sub-frame, which gives strength and rigidity to the tractor frame and transmission
• Tool-free installation/removal in a matter of minutes (once initially installed)
• 20-cm (8-in.), 31-cm (12-in.), and 41-cm (16-in.) bucket choices with bolt-on, replaceable digging teeth
• Optional kits such as rubber-street pads for stabilizer feet and stabilizer-cylinder protection kits

The 260 Backhoe has been designed with maximum operator comfort in mind. The features listed below will keep you comfortable all day long when working on various projects. 

Swivel seat system

Seat in tractor position (1026R Tractor shown)

Seat swivels from tractor to backhoe position

Seat in backhoe position

Due to the limited space behind the operator station and where the backhoe mounts, the 260 Backhoe utilizes the 1023E, 1025R, and 1026R Tractor's standard seat. Included with the backhoe's mounting kit is a swivel mechanism that will be added to the current suspension system on the tractor.

With the swivel mechanism installed, the seat will retain full travel fore and aft as well as keeping the proper clearance in the safety envelope that the roll-over protection structure (ROPS) provides.

Swiveling the seat is as simple as rotating the base upward, holding it up as you turn the seat counter-clockwise, and then rotating the seat downward toward the backhoe. There are no latches or tricky controls to open or close in order to perform this function.

Operator platform

Comfortable operator platform

With the comfort of the high-back tractor seat and the easy-to-use two-lever controls, the 260 Backhoe makes for safe and easy operation all day long.

All controls are in an ergonomically comfortable position and are easily reachable from within the operator platform when in the backhoe position. 

The 260 Backhoe has a tapered valve control covering, which allows for maximum leg room and great visibility into the trench being dug. This keeps the operator comfortable and productive all day long.

NOTE: The seatbelt is not to be worn when seat is turned around in the backhoe position. The ROPS is not in the proper location to keep the operator safe in a roll-over situation. 

260 Backhoe

The 260 Backhoe is designed so the backhoe can be removed in under 5 minutes with no tools needed (once initially installed). The design works almost identically to the process used to remove the backhoe from the 110 Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB). The instructions below are an abbreviated version of what can be found in the operator's manual for installation and removal.

NOTE: The instructions below are for reference only and should not be used for actual installing and removing the backhoe. The operator's manual gives a more complete and proper set of instructions.

Installation

1. Back up tractor to within 20 cm (8 in.) from backhoe
2. Park tractor
3. Route hydraulic hoses through guide and connect to hoses from tractor
4. Remove backhoe boom-lock pin
5. Back tractor closer to backhoe and use backhoe control levers to align backhoe frame with backhoe mounts on tractor
6. Use pins to secure backhoe to tractor
   • Use stabilizer controls to raise and lower stabilizers as needed to position notches in backhoe frame above mount hooks
   • Use stabilizers to lower hooks on notches on the back of tractor
   • Use boom control to raise boom into back of tractor and install pins to secure backhoe to tractor
7. Machine is now ready-for-use

Removal

1. Lower stabilizers to a few inches from the ground
2. Center boom and install swing-locking pin
3. Remove boom-locking pin if installed
4. Extend dipper stick and lower boom
5. Rotate bucket until top edge is parallel with ground
6. Use boom control lever to lower and place slight down pressure on backhoe
7. Remove pins from backhoe mounts
8. Use backhoe controls to lower backhoe toward the ground
9. Use stabilizer controls to lift backhoe off lower mounting notches
10. Lower backhoe to ground
11. Disconnect hydraulic hoses and close connection on the tractor and backhoe side
12. Drive away for tractor use

Change between 3-point hitch and backhoe - 1023E, 1025R, and 1026R Tractors

1 Family Tractors 3-point hitch

For the 1 Family Tractors, the entire 3-point hitch is easily removed. No special adjustments are needed.

Sub-frame

The mounting system for the 260 Backhoe uses a durable sub-frame that ties in from the back of the tractor and runs right up to behind the loader mounting frames. The sub-frame provides strength to the tractor frame and transmission housing to ensure the integrity of the tractor is not compromised by the forces generated by the backhoe.

The sub-frame is fully mid-mower deck compatible, regardless of which mower lift system is used. Please see that section of the sales manual for more details.

NOTE: The sub-frames for all tractor models are different and not interchangeable. Please take note to ensure the correct sub-frame is ordered. Please pay close attention to ensure the correct sub-frame bundle is ordered.

Power-beyond hydraulics

Power-beyond hydraulics (1026R Tractor shown)

Power-beyond hydraulics are required to run the 260 Backhoe as the kit provides continuous flow to the backhoe. 

The power-beyond kit is not included in the sub-frame bundle and needs to be ordered separately.

Boom- and swing-lock pins

Storage for the locking pins on platform

The 260 Backhoe uses two different pins for locking out the swing frame and boom for safe transportation or storage. These pins can be quickly removed and stored in the operator platform so they are not accidentally misplaced while using the backhoe.

15-degree ramp angle for easy transport

The 260 Backhoe has a ramp angle of 15 degrees, which allows for easy transportation on most trailers.  This level of ramp angle also makes for better maneuverability across land that is uneven such as a ditch or trench.

Note the line that moves up from the low point of the boom and how it is in line with the bucket when in the storage position. Compared to the competitive units that are in the marketplace, the transport configuration of the 260 Backhoe allows the backhoe to not have to move when going through a ditch or other uneven terrain.

260 Backhoe

The 260 Backhoe is fully mid-mower deck compatible. The sub-frame for the backhoe will not interfere with the mower or mower deck linkage, regardless of which mower deck lift system you use, mechanical or independent lift.

This feature keeps operators more productive as the mid-mower deck does not have to be removed in order to go out and do backhoe work. It is not recommended to use the mower deck with the backhoe installed due to the extra ground compaction and length of the tractor.

The 1 Family Tractor mechanical mower lift linkage will allow the mower to be raised and lowered with the 3-point hitch removed and the 260 Backhoe attached.

Enclosed boom and dipper

The boom and dipper are designed with the strength to handle all the necessary loads this backhoe can generate. The boom, dipper, and bucket cylinders are run externally on the 260 Backhoe. This provides easy access for servicing and maintenance.

The fully-enclosed boom on the 260 Backhoe measures a full 16.5 cm (6.5 in.) at the base and the dipperstick measures 13.9 cm (5.5 in.) at its widest point. These components are larger than competitive backhoes, which gives the 260 Backhoe a more durable structure and a bigger, heavy-duty appearance.

The 260 Backhoe was designed with a continuous boom structure rather than a multiple-piece boom that is welded together with side plates some competitors use.  This continuous boom provides a more rigid, stronger structure with less weld points that could potentially fail.

Cylinders

All cylinders on the 260 Backhoe are fully serviceable; should there be any problems, the cylinders can be taken apart and rebuilt without having to replace the whole cylinder. This saves money should they damage a cylinder through improper removal of concrete, rocks, or tree roots. The boom and dipper cylinders are equipped with circuit relief to protect the cylinder rods during these high-stress activities.

The internal seals on these cylinders are the same high-quality, durable seals that are used on the larger 448, 447, and 46 Backhoes available from John Deere. 

The swing cylinder on the 260 Backhoe is designed with an internal cushion on both ends of the stroke to ensure the cylinder does not come to an abrupt stop at the end of the stroke. This feature is appreciated by novice operators learning to use their backhoe or for the experienced when working in and around delicate surroundings, such as a fence or landscaping.

406-mm (16-in.) bucket shown

Heavy-duty roll tube for extra strength

The 260 Backhoe has buckets available in 203 mm (8-in.), 304 mm (12-in.), and 406-mm (16-in.) digging widths. These buckets are designed to be matched with the backhoe for great performance. All buckets have massive, replaceable, bolt-on digging teeth, great for digging out rocks, concrete, and tree roots.  The 203 mm (8-in.) bucket has two digging teeth and the 304 mm (12-in.) and 406-mm (16-in.) have three teeth on them.

The buckets are designed with a large, heavy-duty roll tube, highlighted in the picture above on the right.  This large tube ensures the bucket has the strength to handle all the tough situations in which the backhoe will be used.

NOTE: These buckets are designed to work only with the 260 Backhoe and will not work with other John Deere backhoes.

Bucket specifications

The following optional kits are available for the 260 Backhoe to enhance performance:

• Rubber street pads
• Cylinder-protection kit