skid steer to ( fast attach) pallet fork conversion

[sd455dan]

Thread update.


Unfortunately the Rhino has a fast attach FEL set up which I guess is similar to some types of pin on styles



Short on extra funds, and have other attachments that are fast attach
so instead of doing the smart thing and setting the FEL up for skid steer style i did the cheap thing again:duh:

Well It is time to do the smart thing not the cheap thing.




Burned out on trying to get Pins in and out. Time consuming pain in the neck.

Skid steer quick attach would be So much nicer.... and thinking of getting another complementary tractor in the future that will definitely have quick attach.
So to get started on making my FEL all around compatible I am going to start with the bucket and grapple.

Ordered a basic conversion kit which is 1/4" but a bit better quality steel than just mild steel.


May or may not even use the plate, but it gives me a model to work from and a spare plate for anything beyond my grapple, bucket, or pallet forks.


Will get going on the project when I get some measurements and the kit arrives. Yea Haw

 

[sd455dan]

Off to a Rocky start.


They machined the QA spring actuator incorrectly to where the handles cannot be rotated over the break over point to lock them I am machining the shoulder down so it will work.

The actuator part that slides is either mis machined or machined for a bushing that is not included therefore when you push the lever the assembly binds on the threads that are used with a nut to keep the spring compressed.

I am trying to source or will have to machine those parts as well.


More to follow.

The QA mechanism plates are as advertised and well made. Just need to address some issues and move forward.

 

[Xfaxman]

More to follow.

 

[Smokeydog]

What brand qa? Or generic?

 

[sd455dan]

What brand qa? Or generic?

I bought through amazon from Best auto which appears to be identical to Vevor.

If buying again I would get the 3/8 plate for a few bucks more, After contacting seller about the plate being a little thinner they gave a 20% discount so the price was $235 including shipping.

For that price not complaining since the kit has "Grade 50 steel"
" minimum yield strength of 50 ksi and minimum tensile strength of 65 ksi. At least I hope it does

 

[sd455dan]

Made some progress today

Machined the spring shanks down farther so the actuator will actually break over center

Next Machined thin bushings from 1" delrin substitute to cover the actuator threads and let the assembly move smoothly

Tigged some spring cups from a Pontiac V 8 to the spring washers keep the springs centered. just for fun

Now to figuring out compatibility or the standard set of measurements.

Two of my attachments : bucket and grapple were never skid steer QA -they are both one offs.

My Forks NH SS that started this thread I modified to fit the tractor, so I don't have the New Holland SS QA measurements either, and starting to wonder if Bobcat QA was identical to New Holland Skid Steer?

Couple questions I have are the kit angles of the bottom of the plate. It is at a 45 degree to the main plate but the actuator assembly's are angled at 60 degrees.?

Being a kit I have no confidence in the angles either being correct. I can cut and reweld to the correct angle if necessary but in the future would like to be able to buy other attachments and have them go right on without modification.

I have started looking at the SA-2513 Bobcat specs and EA's info since they sell a lot of QA attachments.

 

[Xfaxman]

Couple questions I have are the kit angles of the bottom of the plate. It is at a 45 degree to the main plate but the actuator assembly's are angled at 60 degrees.?

Need pictures. Your 3rd picture is too close up to show the outside edge and angles.

I guess something like this is what you have:

 

[sd455dan]

Yep here is the ad. The 60 degree angle quoted is actually a 120 degrees

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083FCK95B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Specs from the ad I will measure to verify

• Dimensions for the Plate:
• Outside width: 46" ,
• Inside width: 45" ,
• Height: 18.5"
• Top bar: 3/8" thick. Plate: 1/4" thick
• Dimensions for the quick tach adapter latch:
• Height: 17" ,Width: 9.25"

It snowed last night and I don't have enough room to put my forks, grapple, and bucket in my small garage.


I guess the first major hurdle is to see if the tractor side of the QA can be built without a standoff.

Want to preserve as much lifting power and keep the attachments as close to the pins as is possible.

That would seem to come down to the I.D. of main FEL arms spacing.

I need to get the attachments and tractor in the same area and then get out the measuring tape.

 

[Xfaxman]

Want to preserve as much lifting power and keep the attachments as close to the pins as is possible.

That would seem to come down to the I.D. of main FEL arms spacing.

It is the outside width of the FEL arms that matters. What does yours measure?

So you end up with this:

 

[Vigo327]

Either one could screw you up if you're trying NOT to build standoffs into the design.

The way i see it, it's a lot harder to build adapters for small machines with limited lift capacity then it is for larger machines where most conversion adapters you see seem to have 4-6" of 'standoff' from the pins and noone cares.