Copying Bseries loader feasible?

[ericher69]

Don't know if anyone out there has tried this but would it be feasible to "copy" the kubota Bseries loader??

At $4000.00plus from the dealer I do not plan to spend this $$ as I could use it other places ...but would really like a FEL

I have a coworker that has the same machine with FEL and was thinking of copying this loader to the millimeter.

I do not want an aftermarket loader and do not plan on buying P.F. engineering plans.

Let me know

 

[kennyd]

Don't know if anyone out there has tried this but would it be feasible to "copy" the kubota Bseries loader??

At $4000.00plus from the dealer I do not plan to spend this $$ as I could use it other places ...but would really like a FEL

I have a coworker that has the same machine with FEL and was thinking of copying this loader to the millimeter.

I do not want an aftermarket loader and do not plan on buying P.F. engineering plans.

Let me know

Go for it! But wouldn't your home-built FEL be considered "aftermarket" also?

 

[David Devuono]

I sort of copied the B-series idea of a single dump cylinder if that is the one you are talking about. Cost about 1,500 to build.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am just wondering how much you can save?

Valve $350
Cylinders $500
Hoses $300
Nuts and bolts sleeves bushings zerks $150
Steel $500
Paint ect $100

From my calculations you would have about 2 grand in the supplies. Yes, this is a savings but it will take a lot of time and work.

It can be done and will be a fun project but think it out first and get a good shopping list.

Chris

 

[Kernopelli]

I am just wondering how much you can save?

Valve $350
Cylinders $500
Hoses $300
Nuts and bolts sleeves bushings zerks $150
Steel $500
Paint ect $100

From my calculations you would have about 2 grand in the supplies. Yes, this is a savings but it will take a lot of time and work.

It can be done and will be a fun project but think it out first and get a good shopping list.

Chris

I think your calculations are generally correct, I certainly won't argue that you could spend that on those items. I was able to build mine for much less though ( for a loader larger than a B series type). I purchased the metal from the local scrap yard for $0.25/lb. The cylinders and control valve were (mostly) various new old stock items I purchased off ebay. I will admit that I watched many auctions and waited patiently to find the best deals I could but ended up with about $275 in those item including shipping. The control valve was a New Holland unit with bracket, fittings and quick connect set up that retailed for about $700, the tilt cylinders were new ( I had to cut down and reweld them) but were only about $50/pair. The lift cylinders were good used but only about $75/pair. I bought all of my hoses, fittings, zerks, pins, bushings and paint at Rural King farm supply store. I really don't have an "exact to the penny" figure on everything but I feel comfortable in saying that I have about $600 in everything I have spent on it including welding and cutting consumables. I will emphasise that it took close to a year to collect everything I needed to build it so that was a lot of patient auction watching and several trips to the salvage yard but I like to do that anyway so it was not a real burden for me and was really a part of the "challenge".

I think that anyone with decent welding skills and basic cutting tools can tackle this job. It may seem a little intimidating but it really isn't that difficult and as they say, " Rome wasn't built in a day"....start with a plan and begin making it piece-by-piece. Before too long you've got something that is coming together and you realize this is something you really can do yourself. A couple of months of weekends in the garage/shop and you've got it whipped.

 

[ericher69]

Thanks for the replies;

I know that the US version of the same Canadian loader costs $1000.00 less.

So I would be down to $3000 plus exchange.

Will probably attempt since I really enjoy welding and fabricating.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Do you ever plan on upgrading/trading/selling your current machine? I only ask because from a resale point of view a loader (especially a factory loader) is a critical piece of the puzzle....

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I really enjoy welding and fabricating.

Go for it! Absolutely!

Plans would be nice to help out with some of the geometry, but not necessary.

I'm working on a backhoe, and I've stopped a number of times after hours at rental yards to take measurements and get ideas.

 

[ericher69]

Spudland Dave,

Yes a factory loader is nice but what I am talking about is basically an identical copy or an L364 loader. Stickers and all.

I would tell people that I did copy and build it but nobody would know the diffence unless they asked

 

[RoyBrooks]

I would look at selling the tractor and finding one with a loader first, if the costs were comparable. I traded my b6200 for a b7500 and the cost difference was well worth it to me, lower hours on the b7500,larger loader, power steering, more horsepower , 12 years newer and larger 3pth cap.