Bucket --to-- Forks really Fast.

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

I didn't have a set of forks for my bucket but I did have a old set of forks off a old fork truck, so I built a frame for the forks and they worked great. But, It was greasy and messy to change the things so I came up with this.
I think it should be mandatory for the dealer to put this baby on every tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

Going on the forks

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

A little closer.

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

I forgot the take one with them on. sorry, my son was around and I was worried about him. Here's a shot of the little man and My thumb i just put on.

dummy · May 10, 2005

Nice, clean and simple approach. Did you make the thumb too ?

Mike_C · May 10, 2005

Very nice. That would be tough for me to do on my bx-22 because I only have one cylinder in the center of the bucket.

beenthere · May 10, 2005

Nice fabrication and design.
Looks similar to the Deere quick attach, and I like it a lot.
The lower attaching 'point' doesn't require a pin to be inserted, but a lynch-pin instead through the alignment stub.

I find I switch back and forth between forks and bucket a lot because it is easy and quick to do it. When I purchased forks, I didn't realize how handy they would be for so many different jobs.

Now, I suspect you could make those for the dealer, and probably if you paid yourself $50 for each set, and then another $50 for materials, cutting, boring, welding, and painting, the dealer would sell them for $200. Worth it? Or not high enough? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

Hey Dummy,

LoL, sounds funny to be calling someone besides myself...dummy. Yes I made the thumb. and all the other stuff , I love to create stuff for my toy.
I'm pretty good a AutoCad so I start there and end up with what you see. Not bragging..just love to do it.

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

Very worth it, about 7 ft of 3/8*3 and 6" of 3/4*3" stock and about 3 hours design and build time...Pretty good deal.
Thanks

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

Not sure about a BX22...I bet I could design on if I had a picture.. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

KubotaTrax · May 10, 2005

I got the forks on. it take a standard 1'*6" TSC pin. Just need to put the lower pins in.
I like this, no GREASY hands.

aardvark · May 10, 2005

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( Not sure about a BX22...I bet I could design on if I had a picture.. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

some BX loader CAD pics

HomeBrew2 · May 10, 2005

Aard, Have you had a chance to make the forks yet? I am to mercilessly abuse my BX yet again but need to make QA forks to do so (can't lift enough with the clamp-on's). Just wondered if you got a chance to test your design ...

aardvark · May 10, 2005

My projects and work have had me too busy to finish the forks and rootrake as of yet. I've gone through about four design iterations on each, making them simpler to cut and assemble, while minimizing time on the laser and steel plate used. I have all my assembly drawings and part drawings and laser cut patterns done, I just need to send the files to the sheetmetal vendor. The hydraulics on the grapple are done also.

I suspect the forks will be plenty durable. The tines are 2"x2"x1/4" tube, 36" long. The revised design just has the tube bent at 90 degrees rather than a welded assembly. This should increase the load capacity end where the weld joint used to be. My stress analysis says each tine will carry 480 lbs at the tip with a safety factor of about 2, and about 750 lbs 24" out from the loader pivots. These numbers are higher than the BX23 will actually lift, so I think they are fine capacity wise.

jim_wilson · May 10, 2005

How about the FEL quick connect you had detailed? Did you get anywhere with that? I have been seriously contemplating building a quick connect setup for my BX bucket by adapting John Deere style bucket quick attach points and then converting the FEL to dual tilt cylinders from the single that it has now. I would be curious to see how you were intending on making your quick attach setup work.

tcb · May 10, 2005

that looks great, i don't suppose you have a spare set of plans lying arround do you. i think i will have to copy your work. any direction would be appreciated.

tim

aardvark · May 10, 2005

Jim, I've been trying to get the implements done first, so when I have the quick change done I can try it. Since Feb when those pics were posted, I've put into manufacturing and shipped two products at work, and I'm working on shipping four more products before the end of the year. I've just been slammed for time, and only have a few hours here and there to work on the "fringe" projects like the loader accessories, when my required projects at home and work are piling up unfinished. I will get to it, but I'm running out of time.

DanR67 · May 11, 2005

KubotaTrax -

Nice work! I have some additional forks myself & have been mulling over esstentially the same concept - now I know it is doable!

Question: I remember reading in another thread how the "adaptor brackets" (for lack of a better term..) move the bucket forward several inches. Have you noticed any difference in "bucket performance" / do you feel that lifting capacity is compromised / reduced? Any concerns - or what design detail did you incorporate to address this?

*****************

Just thinking aloud: instead of the lower, fixing pin - wouldn't it be cool to have some kind of spring catch that would lock the attachment into place - but which could be released from drivers' seat? I am thinking in terms of some long bicycle / motorcycle brake cables - where a cable moves inside a protective sleeve....then you could swap attachments literally in *seconds*.... (Am I THAT lazy? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Thanks for the pics!

Dan

jim_wilson · May 11, 2005

I know how that is - it has been raining a lot up here - pretty much every weekend for the last month or so. It's been killing my schedule to get a foundation hole dug so I can get a garage built this summer. I was just curious if you had made any progress. I have been throwing around a bunch of different quick connect ideas in my head for my BX because having a set of forks would really help me when I go to do the garage instruction. But like you I am running out of time to actually build something and I still can't come up with a good idea of how to make the perfect quick connect for the BX FEL.