Loader for a Garden tractor

[hondarancher4435]

Hi, this is my first post although i have been reading on this forum for a while. I am looking to buy an older Garden Tractor and build a loader for it. this will be a very low budget project i am not in the position to spend alot of money on it just looking for a project that will be extremely usefull for my needs. i have many ideas for this

1. build a standard FEL with hydraulics
2. build a standard FEL with linear actuators
3. build a boom on the front that uses a winch to raise and lower the bucket and another winch to tilt the bucket


i also have much more in depth ideas on these ideas and will post them once i narrow down to which idea would be my best bet.

i have access to a welding machine and all necessary tools to build it.

like i said i am on a tight budget and can spend no more than $800 i am looking to spend no more than $500 on the tractor which would leave atleast $300 for the loader built which is tight but seems feasible.

here are some tractors i am looking at give me your opinion

cub cadet 86 series tractor
IH Cub Cadet 149 Garden Tractor
Case 220 Tractor with attachments

looking at a few more but you get the idea

 

[jas67]

A much more suitable garden tractor would be the Case 440-series:
442 = 12 HP
444 = 14 HP
446 = 16 HP
448 = 18 HP.

These have large 16" (wheel dia.) rear wheels (about 31" outside dia.), and are fully hydraulic-drive ( forward movement as well as any implements ), so they should have plenty of hydraulic power for your loader.

I've seen 446's and 448's with loaders, so you might even be able to find one that already has a loader.

 

[jas67]

You would need some series linear actuators (and series electric power to run them), or they would probably be way too slow to make it useful. I would definitely stick to hydraulics for this project.

 

[hondarancher4435]

i am actually looking a case 444 do they have a quick connect on the hydraulics or how would i go about tapping into their hydro system.

what about the case 220 there is a nice one with a rebuit motor that comes with a plow, deck , and snow blower for $300

 

[jas67]

I am not real familiar with either model, but if you post your question to the Case forum, you'll probably get an answer. The 44x series tractors seem to have quite a following.

I would assume that it is an open-center hydraulic system, like many other tractors, in which case, you can probably just add a control valve with a power-beyond circuit in series with the rest of the hydraulic loop.

I used the following valve for my loader:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009052714483962&item=9-7401

You'll also need the power beyond sleave:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009052714483962&item=9-7401-B

They have a lessor expensive one for $169:
https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009052714483962&item=9-7694&catname=hydraulic

This one already has the power beyond port.

You just connect the 'P' (pressure/pump) port to the pump, and the 'Power Beyond' port to what was connected to the pump, and the 'T' (tank) back to your hydraulic resovior.

You can sometimes find two-spool valves used on ebay, but be sure they have the power beyond sleeve, or that you can get one, before you buy one.

Hydraulic components are not cheap if buying new (it cost me about $500 in valves, hoses and fittings to add 2 rear remotes to my tractor). If you really want to build your own loader on the cheap, then you might be best to find a tractor salvage yard to scrounge valves, hoses, etc.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don't think the Cub 86 is a good choice.

The Cub 149 has a good reputation and many Cub Cadet collectors think it is one of the best models Cub Cadet made before they went to the more complicated 1250-1450-1650 series. The axle pins on the front wheels might be an issue if you put much weight on them.

I am not familiar enough with Case to give you any help there.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Unless your some type of magician or have a huge spare parts bin I don't think you will get much of a loader built for 300 dollars. I have $840. in mine and didn't hire out any machine shop work. Cylinders, hoses, fittings, controls, steel all add up quickly. No sense in cutting corners if you want it to be functional. They last a lifetime unless a new model catches your eye. Good luck with your venture.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Unless your some type of magician or have a huge spare parts bin I don't think you will get much of a loader built for 300 dollars. I have $840. in mine and didn't hire out any machine shop work. Cylinders, hoses, fittings, controls, steel all add up quickly. No sense in cutting corners if you want it to be functional. They last a lifetime unless a new model catches your eye. Good luck with your venture.

Great job!!!

That looks like a strong built bucket....very nice

 

[Johndeere3720]

I would do the same thing but I dont think my Deere L118 could handle a loader.

 

[hondarancher4435]

Unless your some type of magician or have a huge spare parts bin I don't think you will get much of a loader built for 300 dollars. I have $840. in mine and didn't hire out any machine shop work. Cylinders, hoses, fittings, controls, steel all add up quickly. No sense in cutting corners if you want it to be functional. They last a lifetime unless a new model catches your eye. Good luck with your venture.

That's a real nice loader you built looks factory


I am going to save up some more than i origonally thought i am going to get the tractor now and build some rear attachments( box blade, scraper balde) then once i get the money saved up i will build the loader.

 

[hondarancher4435]

here is the case 444 i am looking at let me know what you guys think of it.

Case 444 tractor with Deck

 

[jas67]

That 444 looks good.

I recall recently seeing a 444 or 446 on criagslist somewhere in PA for $700 with the hydraulic-driven tiller, but I can't find it now.


Here are some in my area:
A 444 in Lancaster, PA for $600 w/ mower deck, front blade, wheel weights, chains.

And, a 448 in Chambersburg, PA for $1500 w/ a mower deck, and front snow blower.

BTW, here is a youtube vide of a 446 w/ a loader:
YouTube - CASE 446 With Loader Bucket

Here is a 646 w/ a loader for $2500:
CASE 646 GARDEN TRACTOR WITH BUCKET LOADER. INGERSOL - eBay (item 280350363639 end time Jun-01-09 21:59:04 PDT)

 

[hondarancher4435]

wow that video of the 446 with the loader was very impressive if you read the comments someone mentions that it has a stock control lever you can use for attachments if so that would cut down alot on the cost.

 

[jas67]

The seller of the unit in the youtube video used a John Deere loader. You might save some money adapting an existing loader, esp. if it is one that is made for a not-so-popular model tractor (thus reducing the demand for it).

You might want to contact the seller of this very-well-done Cub Cadet 782D w/ loader.

He changed out the steering, and front axle spindles with beefier units. This would be a necessity for putting a loader on most GT's, although, I think that the Case 44x-series may already be sturdy enough.

He also built the loader, so you might want to contact him for tips & info.

J.

 

[hondarancher4435]

not sure who has the cub cadet you were talking about is he a member here or was he on youtube?

that would be nice to find a used loader that had the hydraulic cylinders and all on it but just for the frame i would have no problem fabricating it.

You are from Pennsylvania do you know of any equipment salvage yards or junk yards?

 

[jas67]

not sure who has the cub cadet you were talking about is he a member here or was he on youtube?

that would be nice to find a used loader that had the hydraulic cylinders and all on it but just for the frame i would have no problem fabricating it.

You are from Pennsylvania do you know of any equipment salvage yards or junk yards?

I say the Cub Cadet for sale on eBay.

There is a place called TractorGraveYard that, I think, is in Maryland;
The Tractor Graveyard

A co-working mentioned them. The web site is basically just a place-holder that give you an email and a phone number.

Yes, you'll definitely need to find used cylinders to keep from blowing your budget.

I will PM you a CL link you might be interested in....

 

[jas67]

I forgot, the other Case-Ingersoll models you'll want to watch for are:
4016 (16HP)
4018 (18HP)
4020 (20HP)

These 4000 series tractors replaced the 440-series ones. Of course, since they are newer, they command a higher price.

 

[hondarancher4435]

thanks for all the links they are good

i like the case 446 that is repowered with a 24hp motor but it is in pretty bad cosmetic shape


back to the cub 149's what kind of hydro setup do they have and are they heavy enough stock to handle a loader

 

[jas67]

I'm not familiar with the Cubs. You might want to post something on the Cub forum to get more answers.

Before you put a lot of money into beefing up a GT for a loader, you might want to just shop around for a smaller (preferably 4WD), older gear-drive CUT that already has a loader.

The Case-Ingersoll 644,646 & 648 close to being a CUT in their own right. The one that was on ebay went for $2400. You'll probably end up with more than that into the purchase, front-end upgrade, and hydraulic parts (hoses, cylinders, valves etc).

Some models that I've seen with loaders in the $2-4k price range:
Yanmar 135
Yanmar 155
Kubota B5100
Kubota B6100
Kubota B7100
Mitsubish MT372

There was just a Kubota B6100 on eBay (in NY, I think) with a loader AND BACK HOE that had a buy-it-now of $4500. It sold quickly.

You stated that you don't have the money for the loader project right now, so maybe just pickup a heavy GT that has a 3PH and do the other stuff you mentioned with that, and then keep an eye out for a small CUT w/ a loader later.

If you are patient, I've seen 2WD smaller CUTS (like the B6100E) w/o loader go for $1500-$1800.

If you want to build your own loader, that is great (I wish I had the fabrication skills), but you'd be much better off doing it on a small CUT than a GT, as you'll be much more likely to have a front axle that can handle it, and an overall weight that is more likely to handle that load safely. Plus, with all the models above, and most all small CUTS, you'll get a long-lasting, smooth running, fuel efficient 2 or 3 cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine, instead of a 1 or 2 cyl (usually) air-cooled engine (that are usually louder than the diesels).

Plus, if, down the road, you want to sell said machine to upgrade, you'll get your money back out of the CUT. The Cub 782D (has a 15HP Kubota Diesel engine) that had a loader on it on ebay has gone unsold at a price of $5k lately. It is a beautiful, well-done machine, but the bottom line, is, for that price, you can find one of the models listed above with 4WD and a loader almost any day of the week.

Just some more things to consider. All that said, of the GT's that I've looked at, the Case-Ingersoll 4xx, 40xx, 6xx, and 60xx series tractors look like the best GT candidates for your loader project.

 

[archeryantny]

I live in Hillsborough Nj and currently have a simplicity sunstar for sale. It comes with a leaf vacuum and collection trailer and a 60" wide mower. I was planning a loader build but my list is way too long already! The sunstar is an awesome unit for a loader build and it is completely hydrostatic. Make me an offer if your interested.

Here is the FEL that is sold for the sunstar. http://wssemw.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF click on front loader then mainframe.