SawBox/ToolBox Shelf for the M5640

[Gordon Gould]

I wanted a removable but rugged shelf for my saws and sawbox. Behind the seat seemed like the best place. I made a shelf from 1-1/2 X 3/16 angle and expanded metal that is 27-1/4 ( 1/4 less than the ROPS opening to avoid a interference fit ) X 12. The shelf is cantilevered off a couple pieces of 2 X 1/4 angle that rests against the back of the ROPS. The angle is clamped to the ROPS with 2 "U" collars made from 3 X 1/4 bar and some 3/8 bolts. I plug welded two 1/8 shims to the shelf ends to fill the gap between the shelf and angle pieces. I made the shims 1/4 small so there was an 1/8 groove to fill with weld all the way around. It is plenty rugged - probably more than it has to be but that is OK in my book. I can stand on the back edge. Now I need to add my saw scabbards and a little under-armor to protect the hydraulic filters that are exposed under the tractor.





gg

 

[ArXane]

Great work. I really like the idea, may have to adapt something like that for my Kioti.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I added a bracket and a saw scabbard made from scrap CDX plywood to my sawbox shelf. It took me a while to figure out how to do it so that I could get the 22" saw in and out of the scabbard w/o the need of a ladder. I'm kind of on the short side. The way I have it is easy with both feet flat on the ground. Good thing I don't need a 36" saw :laughing:









gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

Today I hung my other saw on the loader frame.





gg

 

[Rustyiron]

Makin her your's:thumbsup:

 

[Gordon Gould]

Slowly picking away setting up for work. Maybe it will dry up soon and I can get some done - what a wet spring so far. Yesterday was rainy again and I had lots of time to play. Made a couple brackets to mount my cant hook ( peavey ) on the winch where it is easy to get when needed. Put them on today. It was a beautiful day - maybe the best one so far.







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[Thomas]

:thumbsup: Now you got me to thinking. :confused2:

 

[Gordon Gould]

Mounted a proper tool box on the shelf today. Weather proof !!!! No more open topped tool box full of snow to dig through. No more frozen stiff spare gloves or nylon webbing.



gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

The two hydraulic filters are pretty exposed on the bottom of the tractor. Especially to slash or a branch getting kicked up underneath or else getting caught in a tire chain and swinging around like a loose cannon.



So I made a couple brackets that bolt into threaded holes on the bottom of the transmission and a filter cover box that bolts to the brackets. Brackets are 1/4" and box is 1/8" material. This should at least protect the filters from taking a direct hit and keep something from getting jammed up between them and then twisted around. Not that pretty. It kind of evolved as I went.





gg

 

[kebo]

The two hydraulic filters are pretty exposed on the bottom of the tractor. Especially to slash or a branch getting kicked up underneath or else getting caught in a tire chain and swinging around like a loose cannon.

View attachment 513861

So I made a couple brackets that bolt into threaded holes on the bottom of the transmission and a filter cover box that bolts to the brackets. Brackets are 1/4" and box is 1/8" material. This should at least protect the filters from taking a direct hit and keep something from getting jammed up between them and then twisted around. Not that pretty. It kind of evolved as I went.

View attachment 513862

View attachment 513863

gg

Dayyummm!! I think that shield would survive a direct blast from a land mine!!!!! Good work, who cares what it looks like lol.

 

[Gordon Gould]

And the Poop-Dee-Graaa as they say in the industry





Frost Bite Log Grapple

gg

 

[Surreal001]

Great rig!

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thank you very much guys. It is a real work horse compared to the L3010.

gg

 

[crazyal]

Nice work. My 4240 has a built in tool box behind the seat that would be blocked with a rear rack and the steel mount for the loader is a cast steel so welding something to it is more difficult (if not impossible). I did make a scabbard out of plastic cutting boards but still haven't found a good place to mount it. Looking at your idea gives me an idea. I'm thinking I might be able to clamp it to the outside of the ROPS below where it hinges on the angled part. It wouldn't have gravity to hold it into the holder but a simple strap should work.

 

[crazyal]

Something like this might work. It doesn't interfere with me operating the tractor. It doesn't block my view to the rear. If a branch looks like it might hit it it's easily within reach so I should be able to push it away. The tire sticks out much further so in most cases trees shouldn't get close. The bar doesn't stick too far out the back. It shouldn't be hard to make so I can just try it and if it doesn't work just remove it and continue to look for a new place.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Finding the best place for the saw always seems to be a problem.

I wonder why you can't weld cast steel. It is not like cast iron. I'm no expert when it comes to welding but I weld cast steel quite often. Things like black iron pipe fittings, C-clamps, and snow plow shoes, etc, Maybe it is dumb luck but to me it welds just like mild steel.

I have a back rack on my L3010 attached to the rops at fender height. I can still use the little OEM tool box behind the seat but I have to rotate the seat forward to get at it.



gg

 

[mopardude318]

wow. nice work. May have to copy that. lol

 

[crazyal]

If done correctly you can weld cast steel. But if I got it wrong it could break when under stress, not when I would want it to happen. On my backhoe the dipper stick is made of cast ductile metal. Cast into it is the warning not to weld it. While I like your rear rack for me I think it would obstruct the view. I can't tell for sure but it looks like your seat is closer to the ROPS than mine. Between that and me having the factory storage box requiring the shelf to be up higher or further back to access it. I did look into making something like it, maybe something I could remove, but came to the conclusion that I would block my view more than I would like. I guess is some ways it's good that every model is different than others but also bad when it comes to customizing. I kind of shelved the idea until your work inspired me (several others in the past got me to try to find something that works too).

 

[firemanmike69]

If done correctly you can weld cast steel. But if I got it wrong it could break when under stress, not when I would want it to happen. On my backhoe the dipper stick is made of cast ductile metal. Cast into it is the warning not to weld it. While I like your rear rack for me I think it would obstruct the view. I can't tell for sure but it looks like your seat is closer to the ROPS than mine. Between that and me having the factory storage box requiring the shelf to be up higher or further back to access it. I did look into making something like it, maybe something I could remove, but came to the conclusion that I would block my view more than I would like. I guess is some ways it's good that every model is different than others but also bad when it comes to customizing. I kind of shelv the idea until your work inspired me (several others in the past got me to try to find something that works too).

The dipper on your backhoe is made from ductile cast iron, not cast steel hence why it's is not weldable. Welding cast steel is no different than welding regular steel.

 

[crazyal]

The dipper on your backhoe is made from ductile cast iron, not cast steel hence why it's is not weldable. Welding cast steel is no different than welding regular steel.

Without knowing what type of steel (could even be ductile iron) it is I wouldn't just weld to it without taking precautions like preheating it first and making sure the rod I used was compatible. Since the bracket support a lot of weight (2000lbs in the bucket) any weld needs to be done right. The amount of damage that would be done if the support bracket failed could be very costly.