FEL build

[metalbender]

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.

 

[NoPaint]

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]

I知 planning to get some front arms on my machine too. I知 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.
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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]

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

 

[NoPaint]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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.

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:

 

[NoPaint]

I don't think it makes any difference where the arms pivot. Do you have any thing that explains it?

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]

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?

 

[NoPaint]

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?

 

[ptsg]

This tractor is not mine. It's just a picture I took from a local ad. But yes, it can be the limiting factor. It's very common to use those over here but they are built for tractors to move pallets full of fruit from orchards. And those pallets weight a lot. They usually have to deal with hills also and will use a lot of counterweights on the front, plus filled tires I would assume.

I have an old electric forklift. The batteries are dying a bit too fast for my liking. It simple doesn't worth getting new batteries. So I will either convert it to diesel with hydraulic drive or just take the mast and use on the tractor but it's a really heavy one so I'm not sure about this. The tractor can lift 2500 lbs at the ball ends so I'm probably limited already.

This is the forklift:

 

[Xfaxman]

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

That just proves my point that it is the distance the weight is in front of the front axle that causes the back tires to come up.

Here is another visual. This bucket full of dirt when extended lifted the rear:

Retracted the rear came down as it got closer to the front axle. Then I lifted it to max angle for the picture:

 

[Xfaxman]

Are you wanting this loader for your MF35?

They make 3 point forklift attachments: 3 point forklift attachment at DuckDuckGo

I had one on my MF240D because it didn't have a FEL. A hydraulic toplink is a necessity:

 

[NoPaint]

Are you wanting this loader for your MF35?

They make 3 point forklift attachments: 3 point forklift attachment at DuckDuckGo

I had one on my MF240D because it didn't have a FEL. A hydraulic toplink is a necessity:

View attachment 589355 View attachment 589356

View attachment 589357 View attachment 589358

I have a hydraulic 3 point hitch top link but how did you feel about the power of the unit? Would it lift 1500 or so? Id much rather find a mid rise trucker mast like that over building a front end loader.

 

[Xfaxman]

I have a hydraulic 3 point hitch top link but how did you feel about the power of the unit? Would it lift 1500 or so? -------------------------------------------.

Yes, easily but it was Cat 2. The front tires were loaded and extra weight on the brush guard. It would lift the other tire completely off the ground if
the forklift was raised higher:

Removed the driveway with it:

:confused3: You didn't say what tractor you are wanting to use or what it will be lifting :confused3:.

 

[dabwood40]

How do you post pictures on this forum?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Like this...
When I hit reply, below where I'm writing says photos,files.
Click on that. Then it says pick source, I chose photos. Pick that one.

 

[Xfaxman]

How do you post pictures on this forum?

This is how I do it on a computer: Photo Posting How To - Post # 98

 

[NoPaint]

I have a Massey 35 perkins diesel. Usually just pallets loaded down to around 1000lbs. But I would want to know I could go up to 1500-2000 if needed. At the least 1500 though and lifted to truck/dock height. Its always nice to be able to go up higher than dock height if you want to pick up something like an engine with a chain. Would yours go maybe 36" higher than a tall pickup bed?

 

[Xfaxman]

I have a Massey 35 perkins diesel.

I had one once and a gas engine MF35:

Didn't get a good picture of it until after I traded in on a MF235:

----------- Would yours go maybe 36" higher than a tall pickup bed?

Possibly, I sold it about nine years ago. And it isn't made now, so can't check specs.

You could check on the Cat 1, 3 point forklifts that are available now to see how high they lift and when down if it clears the 7ft doors.

There are a lot of threads about putting forklifts on the front, but don't know what your axle and spindles are rated for.

Good luck and keep posting on what you build for the front or get for the back :thumbsup:.