quick attach FEL questions

Rowdius · Dec 26, 2008

I'm considering getting the skidsteer plate to turn my ck35 fel into something that is a little quicker to change out buckets, etc. At the moment I do not have anything other than the bucket, but I'm going to be building a brush rake and other stuff pretty soon in the future. I figure if I can get switched over to some type of quick attach system then I'll build my new stuff for it instead of fitting it over the bucket.

Anyway, before I spend the money, are there any other systems/ideas out there that would be easy to adapt to my kioti, besides going the skidsteer route?

wallace · Dec 26, 2008

Go skidsteer style PERIOD!

Rowdius · Dec 26, 2008

wallace said:
Go skidsteer style PERIOD!

I can see the draw of it, with all the neat toys, err... tools made for skidsteers, but other than that, why? I probably will be building more of my stuff than buying, so I don't have to worry as much about things fitting or not. At the same time, I've not really looked at the skid steer plates to see if I'll be able to make my own for any new thing I build. If I can't, then that adds another $100 or so to whatever attachment I build.

If I do go with the universal skid steer stuff, then I'll probably buy the tractor side of it from ATI. Looks like they run about $750.

IslandTractor · Dec 26, 2008

Rowdius said:
If I do go with the universal skid steer stuff, then I'll probably buy the tractor side of it from ATI. Looks like they run about $750.

Check to make sure you couldn't get and adapt one of the DK line QA adapters. They are quite light and I cannot imagine they cost $750 though I don't know if they are available as a separate part.

I also agree with Rick. Skidsteer is the way to go. You can often find pretty good deals on used implements and you can also sell, borrow and trade implements rather than needing to fabricate your own pin mount implements.

MichiganIron · Dec 26, 2008

We carry the Skid Steer Adapter Brackets for the KL120/130 Loaders and the conversion plates for the buckets. It's a simple changeover on the loader side, and some welding on the bucket. Well worth the effort !!!!

The new KL130 Loaders (2009) are standard with the Skid Steer QA Bracket and Bucket.

Rowdius · Dec 26, 2008

IslandTractor said:
Check to make sure you couldn't get and adapt one of the DK line QA adapters. They are quite light and I cannot imagine they cost $750 though I don't know if they are available as a separate part.

I also agree with Rick. Skidsteer is the way to go. You can often find pretty good deals on used implements and you can also sell, borrow and trade implements rather than needing to fabricate your own pin mount implements.

Thanks, I hadn't really thought about that. Having heard (the post above this one) that the 2009 130 loaders are quick attach _almost_ makes me wish I had waited... Almost, but not quite.

Rowdius · Dec 26, 2008

MichiganIron said:
We carry the Skid Steer Adapter Brackets for the KL120/130 Loaders and the conversion plates for the buckets. It's a simple changeover on the loader side, and some welding on the bucket. Well worth the effort !!!!

The new KL130 Loaders (2009) are standard with the Skid Steer QA Bracket and Bucket.

Would you be comfortable PMing me a quote on the adapter and two conversion plates? I have to be honest, it would probably be just for comparison, as that I live in Texas. Though, I guess it would depend on the weight/shipping charges.

BJN644 · Dec 27, 2008

MichiganIron said:
We carry the Skid Steer Adapter Brackets for the KL120/130 Loaders and the conversion plates for the buckets. It's a simple changeover on the loader side, and some welding on the bucket. Well worth the effort !!!!

The new KL130 Loaders (2009) are standard with the Skid Steer QA Bracket and Bucket.

PM sent

jimmyj · Dec 27, 2008

I did not realize the 130 was going to the SS QA bracket. That was the only thing I said I was disappointed with to my dealer last week when I got my CK 30 - he never mentioned it.

Hmmm. Ball-park, how much would it cost to get the DK style bracket? I have a neighbour who switched his CASE over to one and it's really easy to switch stuff over.

Now I must say, I took off and remounted the bucket yesterday for the first time and really the 4 pins went in and out very easily. It was hardly a hardship for sure.

wallace · Dec 27, 2008

jimmyj said:
I did not realize the 130 was going to the SS QA bracket. That was the only thing I said I was disappointed with to my dealer last week when I got my CK 30 - he never mentioned it.

Hmmm. Ball-park, how much would it cost to get the DK style bracket? I have a neighbour who switched his CASE over to one and it's really easy to switch stuff over.

Now I must say, I took off and remounted the bucket yesterday for the first time and really the 4 pins went in and out very easily. It was hardly a hardship for sure.

The DK series bracket won't even come close to working.
I sell the quick tach (tractor side) for $549 and the bucket side for $159

jimmyj · Dec 27, 2008

Thanks as always Wallace.

I think I'll live with what I've got for now. I'll probably just get a bolt on bale spear for the time being or mod my manure fork / bucket to fit with the same 4 pin setup.

Tim M · Dec 30, 2008

When adding after market quick attach setups you may want to pay particular attention to the added weight. Some are heavier than others and obviously this will cut into your lift capacity.

Greenecho · Dec 30, 2008

Interesting idea using the SS QA attachments. I'd like to look into this and see what the extra weight would be for the KL130 loader with bucket adapter.

My primary uses would be for the standard bucket (CK25HST) and purchasing pallet forks for moving hay bales.

I imagine shipping to Washington state might be a little on the high side.

Erik_in_Hoyt · Dec 30, 2008

another use for the QA plate - other than 2 minute switches between front attachments - is the ability to drop the bucket in no time flat for working in tight spaces where that extra 2-3' hanging off the front makes a difference. (like drag harrowing an arena)

rd_macgregor · Jan 7, 2009

So if I buy a grapple rake with a skidsteer QA, will it attach/match to the QA on my DK45 FEL?
BOB

jake98 · Jan 7, 2009

jimmyj said:
Now I must say, I took off and remounted the bucket yesterday for the first time and really the 4 pins went in and out very easily. It was hardly a hardship for sure.

And it gets even easier with practice.

That makes two smiley faces in one day, I must be losing it...

Jake

IslandTractor · Jan 7, 2009

rd_macgregor said:
So if I buy a grapple rake with a skidsteer QA, will it attach/match to the QA on my DK45 FEL?
BOB

It does match the QA on the newer DK line (DK40se, DK45se). I don't know about the older DK45s however.

The QA on the new Kioti DK line is actually about six to eight inches NARROWER than most universal QA implement mounts. That means it easily fits but doesn't have the tight fit laterally you'd like to keep the bucket or implement from sliding to one side or the other. Generally there is no sliding as friction keeps the implement centered but if you do put a lateral force on it the implement can slide to one side. Still securely attached but off center. I have no idea why Kioti chose to make their QA "standard" narrower than Bobcat, I can see no advantage.

DK35vince · Jan 7, 2009

IslandTractor said:
I have no idea why Kioti chose to make their QA "standard" narrower than Bobcat, I can see no advantage.

I'm have no idea why Kioti changed to the narrower QA, the older ones were wider.
I have the older style Kioti QA and it is wider (44" wide) than the newer Kioti QA. And mine fits skid steer QA with no lateral play.