metalbender
Veteran Member
I'm all for diy, but don't intend to reinvent the wheel. Unless one has the neccessary material on hand, a used fel, modified to fit, will probably give superior performance compared to a home fabricated one.
FEL build
- Thread starter dabwood40
- Start date
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I’m planning to get some front arms on my machine too. I’m going to use it exclusively with forks and I want capacity. Given that, I would like to keep the forks as close to the grille as possible and also mount the arms further back on the tractor so I can hopefully pick up more weight. Given these needs I’ve started planning my build too (but first to get it running right). I understand the need/want to make your own to fit your needs. In my case getting the arms low and pivots mounted far back forces me to build it myself. I have started planning my wood arms first. After wood arms fit and swing where I need them then the shape can be cut manually or transferred to CAD and laser cut.
Xfaxman
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2013
- Messages
- 12,887
- Location
- Guthrie, OK
- Tractor
- Toolcat 5610 G - Bobcat V417 - TORO+Loader
Why would further back allow it it pick up more weight? Any weight picked up will be on the front axle/spindles. The hydraulic pressure and diameter of the lift cylinders will determine how much weight it can pick up.
I bought a used loader and lengthened the ams to clear the front of the machine: FEL, TORO Groundsmaster Put Together
LD1
Epic Contributor
Cant really add much other than I agree with others about trying to find one or to retro one.
But if you are dead set on building, pay a visit to a dealer (after hours would be fine), and take a notepad and tape measure. Find a similar sized tractor and copy the design. May make several trips
But if you are dead set on building, pay a visit to a dealer (after hours would be fine), and take a notepad and tape measure. Find a similar sized tractor and copy the design. May make several trips
The further back the pivot is the less likely I'll be to pickup the back tires. The heaviest thing it would see is probably in the 1500lbs range (maybe 2000 lbs once a year at most). I don't know how much I have to worry about weight transfer but I figure moving the arm mounts back could help.
LD1
Epic Contributor
To actually lift 2000# is probably exceeding what a loader made for that tractor was designed to do. Figure out what the OEM loader was, and what its capacities were, and duplicate
Xfaxman
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2013
- Messages
- 12,887
- Location
- Guthrie, OK
- Tractor
- Toolcat 5610 G - Bobcat V417 - TORO+Loader
I don't think it makes any difference where the arms pivot. Do you have any thing that explains it?
What I think is the front axle is the pivot point. The amount of weight picked up by the FEL determines when the rear tires come off of the ground.
On my machine the boom pivots over the rear axle. It will pick up over 6,000 pounds with the boom retracted and the rear will stay on the ground. As the boom extends the rear axle will come off the ground.
This tree weighed about 2,600 pounds and the grapple weighs 1,168 pounds:
At the burn pile I extended the boom until the rear came up, then slowly raised it more for the picture:
Lowered the rear back down and opened the grapple:
I don't have anything such as a picture but I can try to explain it. Just look at the reverse - imagine trying to pickup a weight up against the back of your forks. Now try and pick up that same weight but with forks that are 10 feet longer and the weight on the tip of the forks. If its heavy enough, you will pick up the back tires (or maybe won't move). Does that make any sense? Moving my arms back helps the weight transfer. Of course everything is relative and again the tractor has to be able to take it all - and I can't go too long because it will be tough to get into and I really don't want arms that can chop me in half next to me lol
ptsg
Super Member
Since you have just planned to use only forks, have you considered a forklift mast mounted in the 3pt? Maybe an used one from an old forklift. Or do you need the forward reach that a loader provides?
The rear mounted forklift would be ideal but a couple doors we have are only 7ft tall. The reach of loader arms isnt as vital as the need keep it low. I have considered finding a truckers mast forklift and installing that...those are usually only 4-5 feet tall. Seems like front lift is just more convenient than looking backward to lift something too. Quick question for you. When you use the forks and are driving aren't you limited to the weight capacity of the hitch cylinder?