BX24 Quick Attach FEL Bucket / Forks / Trailer Spotter

[bx24]

Almost since I got this tractor, I have wanted to make a QA FEL bucket so I could better leverage the limited lift capacity of this tractor (especially with forks)

These images represent my first attempt at forks and while they worked pretty well, the extra distance from the fulcrum point didn't help with the lifting capacity

 

[J_J]

What images.

 

[bx24]

So after himming and hawing for years trying to figure out how to make this effort work with the center tipping cylinder, I finally said screw it and took out the cutting tools and went for broke

 

[bx24]

The next step was to patch the holes in the bucket, and fabricate the QA

 

[bx24]

I designed the bracket that is permanently attached to the FEL to serve multiple duties:

- provide a QA attach mechanism for the FEL bucket (similar concept to how Deere does it using a spring clip to lock the bucket)

- serve as a frame to directly attach lightweight (hollow) forks

- also provide a mounting spot for a trailer spotter

Because I used 2" square tubing for the frame, I was able to cut some hitch receivers in half (longways) to use as the "hooks" on the bucket and forks

 

[bx24]

The forks go on very quickly and easily (start them in the middle and slide them from there) And they work well ...

 

[bx24]

Last but not least, I move trailers around quite a bit with the tractor so this is what I came up with for this new QA system. So far so good and the big advantage over the old system is how low to the ground I can lower the ball. To save room, I put the boat on top of the tandem axle trailer (using the spotter)

 

[bx24]

All in all I am glad I did it. There have been several days where I have swapped the attachments several times. It was a bit of a pain to do all of the cutting and patching, but now that it is done, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.

Next project, creating a mechanical grapple ... I will keep you posted on that project (hopefully in the next six months or so)

 

[Ductape]

Hey, great work ! :thumbsup:

 

[zmansmac]

Nice job BX24. I just finished a quick attach project for my B7500. I also incorporated some 2 inch tubing with a hitch receiver and hooks attached. I like your design because it puts the lift point even closer to the pins which is important on a subcompact. I just don't have the guts to cut big holes in my bucket though.

JohnZ
B7500

 

[bx24]

John

I was the same way (hesitating to before major mods) but two things made it easier for me .... Age of the tractor and lack of other options

This tractor is approaching 5 years old and I finally went through a "mid-life" crisis moment asking myself "I know I will one day do this ... what am I waiting for"

As for carving up the existing bucket, the only other alternative that I could come up with was to go from one tilt cylinder to two but that would have been even more "major surgery" on the FEL arms as well. At least this way only the bucket had to be modified. I hope to get some orange paint back on it in the coming weeks (I used whatever color rattle can paint I had laying around just to stop the rust)

 

[GE222]

Excellent job! It really worked out nice.
And the hood is back on too!

 

[Just2quickz28]

Great work! Keep an eye on the center cylinder bucket attachment point. That was the failure point for when ATI produced theirs. I have had no issues with mine with the ATI model, after 2+ years of hard work.

 

[Ductape]

Great work! Keep an eye on the center cylinder bucket attachment point. That was the failure point for when ATI produced theirs. I have had no issues with mine with the ATI model, after 2+ years of hard work.

Are there a few pictures on here of your ATI set-up? If there is, could you link to the thread?

 

[Just2quickz28]

Are there a few pictures on here of your ATI set-up? If there is, could you link to the thread?

Here is the old thread on it. There are some pictures in there somewhere.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/113942-bx-fel-bucket-quick-attach.html

 

[bx24]

Great work! Keep an eye on the center cylinder bucket attachment point. That was the failure point for when ATI produced theirs. I have had no issues with mine with the ATI model, after 2+ years of hard work.

I used 1/4" thick 2" square tubing for the top bar / rail. As I tested it a bit loading up the forks I did not get any measurable deflection. I probably made it beefier than I needed to but so far everything has worked out great. Of the three attachments (bucket, forks and trailer spotter), I probably use the spotter the most followed by the forks. I am looking forward to building a couple more attachments for the front

 

[bx24]

BTW to everyone ... when I pulled out the pins for the bucket they had grease on them but apparently not enough because there was some wear on both the pins and the DOM tubing they sit in. Make sure you grease the cr-p out of your pivot points!

 

[gtrippleb]

Thanks for the ideas and the pictures. I've been looking at making my bucket quick attach capable for awhile now but haven't taken the plunge yet.

For $699 you could have picked up one of these:

Tach-N-Go, Loader Buddy, small loader Quick attach and attachments



The sc2400 has pretty much the same loader design as the BX. I wish Yanmar would have went with the double arm/cylinder design like they did on the 2305 and their "Red" version of Sc2400. It would be a lot easier making the loader Quick Attach capable.

 

[G.P.S.Investments]

:thumbsup: sweet !!!! as my kid would say.