Yardmachine MTD FEL build diary

[Wolfe4208]

Hello all I have been lurking on your site for the past few months now, reading build diaries, gathering ideas and gathering materials.
So I am going to build a FEL for my lawnmower it is an 11 horse Yardmachine by MTD so far I have got.
Hydraulic Cylinders (on their way to the scrap bin at work I am an apprentice Heavy Diesel Fitter)
Hydraulic pump (salvaged from a KUN26R 4WD 3L Turbo Diesel Hilux)
Steel for bucket
Steel for Loader assembly
and of course 11hp Lawn mower.
This will be my first build of this type and the first time playing with Hydraulics by myself.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I fully support someone having the ambitions and desire to just jump in and build something...

However...

I have one of thoes Yardmechines/ MTD mowers, and you will find that the front axle/wheels/steering is about adequate for the mower alone. You will quickly pass up its limits once you add the weight of loader/hyd system, and more so once you try to lift something with the bucket.

Just a polite word of caution, think things thru, be sure to take into account all the weight and force that will become a factor once operational. Hate to see you spend a lot of time and money on a project, then have it collaps on its first trial run.

Please take pictures so we can follow along on your project... we like pics!

 

[farm boy00]

Hello all I have been lurking on your site for the past few months now, reading build diaries, gathering ideas and gathering materials.
So I am going to build a FEL for my lawnmower it is an 11 horse Yardmachine by MTD so far I have got.
Hydraulic Cylinders (on their way to the scrap bin at work I am an apprentice Heavy Diesel Fitter)
Hydraulic pump (salvaged from a KUN26R 4WD 3L Turbo Diesel Hilux)
Steel for bucket
Steel for Loader assembly
and of course 11hp Lawn mower.
This will be my first build of this type and the first time playing with Hydraulics by myself.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422402"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422403"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422404"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422405"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422406"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=422407"/>

It looks like you already beefed up the front end, but if not u will need to beef it up

 

[Xfaxman]

I am interested, waiting for details and pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[Wolfe4208]

this is todays progress starting to beef up the subframe so the stamped sheet metal does not pretzel itself. upgraded front axles is definitely on the to do list cheers

 

[GLyford]

Don't forget the gearbox and drag link, not just the front axle beam and spindles.

Speaking of spindles, have you seen this?
Spindle <BR>Upgrade

 

[Wolfe4208]

-Glyford No i had not seen that that is a pretty easy conversion kit!

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Cobber and welcome to TBN from Tassie.

What's the FEL going to be used for? I'm asking regarding the need for a counter-weight on the arse end.

 

[Wolfe4208]

mostly just dirt maybe a little bit of gravel here and there, I have left my subframe long at the back to put counterweights on and thanks for the welcome
latest updates put the uprights on (they are still long at the top) and built the bucket (front end will be trimmed)

 

[Wolfe4208]

finally got the lifting arms made to the right length and started welding pivot points

 

[farm boy00]

finally got the lifting arms made to the right length and started welding pivot points <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=423620"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=423621"/>

Looking nice. Now what color is the whole thing going to be

 

[Xfaxman]

finally got the lifting arms made to the right length and started welding pivot points

What do you have planned for braces?

I had to run mine to the rear.

 

[Wolfe4208]

Yeah i will make it a pretty colour when its finished (if I ever get it finished :laughing
I was going to brace it pretty much where you drew that arrow, from the side of the upright down to the front bar, what material did you use for your braces?

 

[Wolfe4208]

sorry re read the question I am thinking a nice racing green for the colour.

 

[Xfaxman]

---------------------
I was going to brace it pretty much where you drew that arrow, from the side of the upright down to the front bar, what material did you use for your braces?

I used some light weight 1 inch tubing, flattened the ends and drilled holes to bolt to existing bolts. Since my braces are under tension with a load, the tubing was too thin and the holes ripped out.

I put on some thicker wall tubing with additional bracing. It is holding up well.

 

[Wolfe4208]

Hey guys tore a tendon in my knee so have not been doing a whole heap. this is the latest update on the project, cylinders are mounted, bucket is mounted just waiting on some hosing then i can test the actuation of pivot points, After that all checks out i will weld out the rest of the bracing (just in case some modification is needed).

 

[Wolfe4208]

Hey guys tore a tendon in my knee so have not been doing a whole heap. this is the latest update on the project, cylinders are mounted, bucket is mounted just waiting on some hosing then i can test the actuation of pivot points, After that all checks out i will weld out the rest of the bracing (just in case some modification is needed).

 

[Wolfe4208]

sorry mobile users

 

[Wolfe4208]

 

[farm boy00]

Looking mighty fine