Convert 70's tractor to quick attach plate, use original mount?

[BlueKnife]

That depends entirely on how you mount the skeleton plate. I just did one on a pretty new Kubota B series FEL. I ordered and received the Kubota 2 pin SSQA loader end and a correct skeleton plate. I removed the original welded on bucket ears, ground the back face of the bucket to remove the rest of the left over welds and welded on the skeleton plate and the bucket is actually closer to the fulcrum point than it was pre SSQA. Customer wanted all Kubota parts so don't ask what it cost because you don't really want to know but I will say the Kubota 2 pin SSQA was 100% plug and play. Very easy install. I have both the OEM Kubota SSQA as well as the ATI SSQA on my tractors and while I prefer the ATI 2 pin because it's more robust, either one works just fine and I can mount either of my buckets or forks on either one, no issue.

Looking at the image that the OP posted, I'm not seeing how the SSQA FEL bracket and the plate for the attachment could fit in between the pins and the attachment and be closer to the pivot point than what it is now. He's only got perhaps 3-4" at most from back of bucket to center of bottom pin as it is.

 

[sd455dan]

There's a few hundred SSQA plates available online but they don't have brackets, probably because there's 1 bazillion bracket configurations. Which leads us pack to my post, cut off and weld on my original bracket or is there a pin bracket available I should weld on?

As popular as the Fords were you would think a bolt on (Pin On) option would be available.

I converted my Koyker to QA on my Rhino tractor, and like you said cut the brackets off the bucket and then added the aftermarket QA conversion assemblies and saved the plate for later implement and just modified the bucket back to accept QA Bob Tach.

Looking at the image that the OP posted, I'm not seeing how the SSQA FEL bracket and the plate for the attachment could fit in between the pins and the attachment and be closer to the pivot point than what it is now. He's only got perhaps 3-4" at most from back of bucket to center of bottom pin as it is.
View attachment 872425

I figured the idea was set up the QA using the bucket pin supports, and then get a QA bale spear. Which is similar to what most do.

 

[BlueKnife]

I figured the idea was set up the QA using the bucket pin supports, and then get a QA bale spear. Which is similar to what most do.

Correct. Doing that reduces the lift capacity by adding the weight of the bracketry and moving the attachment further away from the loader. Still worth doing, if the machine is strong enough for every ounce of capacity not to be a concern and if implements will be swapped regularly. I've built sets of forks for folks who had small enough machines that they wanted to retain every ounce of capacity that they could. I've also built them for folks who knew they were only going to swap implements a few times a year. If the OP is going to put a bale spear on once a year and leave it on just during hay season and then swap to the bucket, it's probably not worth bothering with a quick attach. If, however, he's going to go back and forth every few days, then it probably is worth the extra money, time and slight reduction in lift capacity.

 

[sd455dan]

Oh I was refering to pin on in the sense someone must sell

Correct. Doing that reduces the lift capacity by adding the weight of the bracketry and moving the attachment further away from the loader. Still worth doing, if the machine is strong enough for every ounce of capacity not to be a concern and if implements will be swapped regularly. I've built sets of forks for folks who had small enough machines that they wanted to retain every ounce of capacity that they could. I've also built them for folks who knew they were only going to swap implements a few times a year. If the OP is going to put a bale spear on once a year and leave it on just during hay season and then swap to the bucket, it's probably not worth bothering with a quick attach. If, however, he's going to go back and forth every few days, then it probably is worth the extra money, time and slight reduction in lift capacity.

Oh, I was referring to 'pin on' in the sense someone must sell
a QA conversion that just requires bucket removal and then pin on the new QA to the lift arms and lift cylinder pin holes.

When I converted my tractor it increased very little as far as distance from the cylinder and arm pin locations to the QA front mount.

Most of the Ford 3000 4000 series loaders were capable of 2000lb to full height at the pins. With a QA conversion and a bale spear QA he could likely pick up a 1400lb 3x4x8 bale. Even my 3000 picked up over 1300 lb of concrete sacks on a pallet with chain on forks added to the original round back bucket.

Once converted to QA and using a bale spear the 3600 Ford should be Golden.

 

[the old grind]

I have an adjustable pin-on SSQA adapter that'll fit all kinds of FEL widths with 1" pins. I never used it and sold the tractor I bought it for. Cost ~$600 years ago but it's worth $50 to me now. PM me for pics or measurements. It's in the barn somewhere.

I also have a SSQA adapter/plate that welds onto a bucket. Cost a couple hun but I won't be using that either. Another $50 if I can find it a home. I need the storage space, and I'm not far from Ann Arbor. Just sayin'.

 

[petebert]

That would be awesome, I need to recheck but it looks like mine are 1 1/4" pins. Actually looks like 1 1/4 bottom pin, 1" top pin.

 

[the old grind]

I made two full sets of larger pins for planned use on a Allied 495 FEL. One set has the ends turned down from 1 1/4" to 1". The other set uses 1" pins and bronze bushings. All are made from stress-proof steel, my go to for such things.

The design of the adapter would make either type easy to install with just wrenches. I'm good on the lathes but can't weld the second piece (onto bucket) so a lot of things didn't happen & I have new stuff I'll never use.

That said, I didn't groove or drill any grease or crossbolt holes into the pieces I made but I could. (You just can't weld on that material) Unless your loader arms are too close together this would probable fit your 3600. I could bring the bits downstate to see if they'll fit. I have the time & the gas for that.

Pics are doable for all items if you're interested. I'd just have to drag the adapter out for a width check. It's kind of wide but it's all there.

 

[CliffordK]

Looking at the image that the OP posted, I'm not seeing how the SSQA FEL bracket and the plate for the attachment could fit in between the pins and the attachment and be closer to the pivot point than what it is now. He's only got perhaps 3-4" at most from back of bucket to center of bottom pin as it is.
View attachment 872425

It won't be closer. More parts... Although probably not that much different from what he has.

However, he also posted that he has some bale spears attached to the old bucket (which likely contributed to the stress on the old bucket).

So, using a dedicated forklift/spear plate rather than the bucket will save a lot of distance hanging out.

 

[CliffordK]

Not a great picture but circled is a massive split in the bucket and those lines I drew are where the bucket is so thin it's collapsing also.

I'm wondering about using the existing bracket because it would to be in a straight line to weld onto a SSQA adapter. Thoughts on cutting it straight?

You could probably cut it out straight enough, and that may not be a bad idea if you are 100% planning on scrapping the old bucket. You could add some more material if needed.

However, I'm not sure I would choose that.

It looks like the lower pin hole is already hogged out a bit. So it would need to be reamed and bushed to make it useful.

If you don't have a self leveling bucket, then it is possible that the distance between the upper and lower pins could be adjusted somewhat to suit the application (put them where the stress will be on the bucket mount).

Do you have access to any machine shop equipment? Milling Machine, large reamers? Etc?

 

[CliffordK]

There are 3 kinds of QA loader interfaces: Skid Steer, JD, and Universal. You have to decide which one works best for you AND what attachments & features you think you will be using. I bought the JD system because I saw so many problems with flimsy plates, disconnections, handle levers not engaging, and fitment on Skid Steer stuff. I bought a new bucket, forks, (have yet to put the bucket on !!! after 2 years because forks are so handy), and some extra plates which I used to mount a front hydraulic post hole digger. The Deere interfaces are cast steel, not stamped/ folded 1/4" stock. The kit was not intended to fit my loader, but a little grinding let me set the cylinder ends into the castings. Lateral span is not an issue because the cross rod used to keep the brackets in sync is infinitely variable. I now wish I had a self leveling loader. Anyone ever tried a leveling control valve instead of the usual multi-link mechanism ?

Right,
I'd research the different adapters and the implements that one is most likely to use.

This was posted a while ago with a brief discussion about different types of quick attach implements.

When the quick attach doesn't hold

https://www.facebook.com/reel/411044141372046?mibextid=9drbnH Saw this on Facebook, for those of you who are on there you can click to view this "lesson learned" video.

www.tractorbynet.com

I'm wanting to start interchanging attachments on my CAT, but ultimately it will be easier to make and maintain the pin mounts than to try to find a very heavy duty quick attach from an old bucket loader.