Attaching 3pt implements to FEL

[Mosey]

Has anyone fabricated their own adapter for attaching 3pt implements to a FEL (Front End Loader)? I'm wondering if there is a way to build an adapter of some sort that would bolt or weld onto the FEL bucket itself. It seems like a simple bracket could be permanently attached to the top of the bucket for the top link to hook on to. But, the bottom 2 attachment points would be harder to do and would need to be either out of the way or fairly easy to take on and off, plus there needs to be a way to adjust the spacing between them. Even something that would take a half hour to take on or off would be acceptable for me. Anyone done this or have any ideas?

 

[hazmat]

Mosey,

Not to rain on your parade, But I'd go with Spencer's setup vs. attaching to the bucket. Anything holding you back from that besides the cost?

 

[Mosey]

hazmat - It's the cost that's holding me back from Spencer's really nice setup. I have to be careful I don't spend too much on the loader with boom pole setup just to build the pole barn. I'm sure there will be other occasions to use it, but not a lot.

 

[Mosey]

I just found this thread: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=photos&Number=93590&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>DFB..Plow to bucket</A>

What I have in mind is something similar to what Thomas did, except not with a snow plow but with 3pt attachments.

I'm wondering about using a 5' piece of 2" (outside measurements) square steel, with 2 pieces of 2" (inside measurements) sections slid onto it. Then, by welding a piece of flat steel to each end of it, it could be bolted to the sides of the bucket. Then, weld eyelets for the 3pt pins to each of the 2" (inside measurements) sections to act as the lower hitch arms. Holes could be drilled for 2" tow hitch type pins to go through to hold the eyelets in the desired postion. I tried to draw a picture (attached).

 

[Hoeman00]

Your set-up would work, I would add a
brace in the middle to the back and to the bottom
of the bucket.
w/ the leverage of boom pole and rough ground
(high shock forces on bottom pins) it
could bend.
If u mounted the end plates flush w/ bottom
of 2" tube it could rest on floor of bucket,
then put a tab on it for 3/4" bolt thru floor
of bucket.
I know clear as mud

 

[Mosey]

Hoeman00 - "I know clear as mud"

I think I understand what you're saying. Good idea!

 

[rdbrumfield]

Mosey;
Does your bucket remove from your loader easily?
I have built a couple of things that I have fabricated the same attach points as the bucket. It is nothing to remove a couple of pins and slip into the other attachments.