Powertrac to ssqa adapter

[ponytug]

These threads might help, as there are lots of detailed drawings;

Tractor side SS quick attach build

I have been working on this for a while and recently started the actual fabrication work. I have a Montana with their style of QA (sliding pins) and it works ok but I find that it makes a sloppy connection. It's also not compatable with any others. My dad also recently purchased a 'bota L3400...

www.tractorbynet.com

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/skid-steer-quick-attach-specs.152201/post-1751217

Are Bob Tech and SSQA the same?

New to the SSQA world. Looking at a grapple bucket that came off a Bobcat 943 for my NH WM 70. Owner says it’s Bob Tech but that it won’t fit my SSQA. I‘ve seen a bit on the net saying that Bobcat developed the Bob Tech standard and the it was adopted by other manufacturers and sold as SSQA...

www.tractorbynet.com

If in doubt, you can search for "Bob tach" "specification" on your favorite search engine.

All the best,

Peter

 

[PowerTracManiac]

So if your implement plate is 44.5in wide like in this diagram at the top and your ssqa plate on your machine is only 39.5in wide at the top do u need to weld some blocks on the sides of the implement plate at the top bracket to make the spacing less wide at the top to keep it from moving side to side or do the bottom pins pretty much hold everything in place?
It seems that there are slightly different sizes of ssqa plates and implement backing plates? I would never have thought that it would be the possible to have slightly different sizes because I assumed that ssqa was a standard for a reason and that all this ssqa shizzzz would fit each other perfectly?

 

[ponytug]

View attachment 884367

So if your implement plate is 44.5in wide like in this diagram at the top and your ssqa plate on your machine is only 39.5in wide at the top do u need to weld some blocks on the sides of the implement plate at the top bracket to make the spacing less wide at the top to keep it from moving side to side or do the bottom pins pretty much hold everything in place?
It seems that there are slightly different sizes of ssqa plates and implement backing plates? I would never have thought that it would be the possible to have slightly different sizes because I assumed that ssqa was a standard for a reason and that all this ssqa shizzzz would fit each other perfectly?

Isn't it wonderful when a "standard is "kinda, sorta"?

The image you posted sums things up, but yes, there variations on the original BobCat design. The inner pins are for smaller variants, and the 1m vs 43.5" upper plate is, I think, manufacturer variations for patent and strength reasons. A wider plate can transmit and receive larger forces without damage. While the variations may be somewhat to try and keep customers within one company's products, I think that there are engineering considerations as well.

Bottom line there isn't just one SSQA, but 1m wide, with wide pins will fit most implements.

I would point out that "the" PT QA plate comes in different sizes and thickness to sort implements by their weight, and their ability to receive force.

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

Keep in mind that I don't actually know. My guess is you should test fit your adapter on the attachments you intend to use. While my MTL grapple has the extra pin slots, my Kubota bucket does not for example.

I suspect that the SSQA is locked in place whether it is the nearly 45" width or not because the angle of the top mount and the angle of the bottom plus the pin wedge the SSQA in place on the attachment. But....extremely important that the pins are properly locked in place.

 

[ponytug]

Width can be an advantage as it gives the attachment and skid steer or tractor more lateral engagement.

The Bob Tach is technically an ISO standard, but many manufacturers do not adhere to it.

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

I think that's right if starting from the point of having two loader arms spread wider to the 45" width.

Since we are already starting off with a narrower PT plate, having a narrower SSQA adapter would seem stronger than if we were trying to span almost the entire 45" width given the same material sizes.

But having come this far, I don't see any turning back for PowerTracManiac other than to see if the adapter fits his attachments and then how it performs.

 

[PowerTracManiac]

That's right 2many--no turning back--full steam ahead!
Finished up the angles and cleaned up some unnecessary bits of the 3pt. portion of the ssqa.

Moving onto the bottom support angle iron. Bought some 4 by 4 angle iron at the local metal shop. There were very nice to me and cut this piece to exact length and sold it to me without having to buy the whole stick.




Notching the bottom of the angle iron to fit up to the old 3pt side supports and trimming one side so its at the right height and the PT plate can rest on it and get welded to it.


I am happy with the concept and the fit up.



Ready for welding. Don't have a welder and never welded before. Wish another member was close by and could teach me?

 

[2manyrocks]

Looks great so far.

 

[ponytug]

That's right 2many--no turning back--full steam ahead!
Finished up the angles and cleaned up some unnecessary bits of the 3pt. portion of the ssqa.
View attachment 884476
Moving onto the bottom support angle iron. Bought some 4 by 4 angle iron at the local metal shop. There were very nice to me and cut this piece to exact length and sold it to me without having to buy the whole stick.


View attachment 884477

Notching the bottom of the angle iron to fit up to the old 3pt side supports and trimming one side so its at the right height and the PT plate can rest on it and get welded to it.
View attachment 884478

I am happy with the concept and the fit up.
View attachment 884481

View attachment 884479
Ready for welding. Don't have a welder and never welded before. Wish another member was close by and could teach me?

View attachment 884480

Looks great!

What kind (brand and type) of welder do you have? If you have the patience, there are some good welding channels on YouTube, some like "I c weld" use a variety of techniques, some like "cutting edge engineering" (mostly MIG, but easily the best welder that I have ever seen) or "Welding tips and tricks" (mostly TIG). Fireball tools have some welding videos, but they are heavy into using their own jigs and tools. However when the rubber meets the road, it is also a manual skill, and tips on surface cleaning, alloys, wire & rod choices, current, heat response, pre-heat, and setup only take you so far. At some point, you need to go do some, and then critique your work, and go back to the training materials with new eyes, and then back to the metal with new eyes and hand coordination. I remember a story about a beginning potter who was instructed by his elder teacher to throw away his first 3,000 pots. Think of how many shots Steph Curry takes day in day out... I will say that computer controlled welders, especially of the synergistic variety do lower the barriers, as does HF start welders for stick and TIG. I.e. you can buy yourself some expertise. I made myself some copper spuds for backing shields and high power edge to edge welding when I was just starting. I will take any help that I can get.

If you are wanting to learn, how about a local vocational or junior college class or two?

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

You've already done all the difficult fabrication work. I would think your local welding shop could weld this up quickly and inexpensively?

 

[2manyrocks]

For comparison, look at the work required to take two latch plates and try to build a frame between them. Had to notch the tubing in order for the latch handles to clear the tubing. Already had the tubing on hand.

 

[PowerTracManiac]

Nice setup. Obviously u have way more fabrication skills than me. Glad u are moving ahead with your project and I am looking forward to seeing your build!

 

[2manyrocks]

Idk, looks like your fab skills are pretty dang good to me. I'm not so sure but what I should have returned the latch plates and copied your build.

 

[2manyrocks]

The loader arms on my PT1445 have an outside width of 18 5/8. My thinking is that I need to transfer the load at this point off the plate onto the adapter so I welded two support tubes at about that width. The two tubes welded to the latch plates are mainly there to create additional weld surface.

Placing one of the tubes on top of the other gives me a plate angle of about 12 degrees. However, it is my intention to add bevel cut tubing between the pt plate and the tubing on the adapter.

Any suggestions about which angle to install the PT plate relative to the adapter tubing? Or how do I measure my Kubota bucket to find the right angle?

 

[ponytug]

I like the tube to transfer stress. I think it is a great solution to the problem.

I would put your SSQA implement on flat ground, with your adapter on it, and drive the PT over with the PT adapter plate on it. You can put a 4x4 or a 6x6 under the attachment edge of many implements to get an idea of the curl that you might need.

Some attachments like forks and buckets need quite a bit of curl toward the tractor on occasion. Other like augers need the reverse, the ability to get the plate (nearly) horizontal.

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

Thank you. I didn't realize it was this much, but am finding a 69 degree angle between the flat bottom of the bucket and the side.

 

[SpringHollow]

My PT has a limited curl range which makes it hard to find the sweet spot, especially for a bucket. I can empty well or carry well or do both sort of ok. I tried several modifications which did improve it a little but not great. So I finally have invested in a 4 in 1 Bucket. I went with the next size larger bucket than what they make for my tractor so that it would be as wide as my single wheels so I still need to weld on the correct adapter plate for my size tractor.

 

[m5040]

That is an issue with the Z bar linkage. I copied the angle on a PT bucket for my adapter and in general all the attachments work OK. It would be nice if they had a greater degree of bucket movement. It is worse if you have to dump into a screening plant, that is why I bought a 4 in 1 bucket.

 

[2manyrocks]

Guessed at the angle. Haven't tried it on any attachments yet.

 

[m5040]

It would be nice for other people in the future that want to make an adapter if you measure the angle and let everyone know how it functions.