FEL on 7520

[Dunham Farm]

I went to a open house last weekend and saw the new 7520 4WD. Why do they have to put a brace on the loader frame? This scares me. I looking for around large tractor that I can carry big rocks out of the field. I have now a AC 6080 2WD but need a good 4WD.
Thanks Brian

 

[DavesTractor]

I went to a open house last weekend and saw the new 7520 4WD. Why do they have to put a brace on the loader frame? This scares me. I looking for around large tractor that I can carry big rocks out of the field. I have now a AC 6080 2WD but need a good 4WD.
Thanks Brian

Brian, what brace are you referring to? Generally braces don't scare me, just the opposite. With 3900 lbs lift capacity, it's good to spread the load on the tractor structure.

 

[Dunham Farm]

It's the brace down low that goes back to the rear.

 

[Westendorf-RR]

Typically we refer to that as a Rear Axle Kit. Some loader/tractor combinations require it, some do not. On some we offer it as an option. It strengthens the frame of the tractor and makes the loader/tractor combination feel more stable during operation. Did the loader sit quit a way out front of the tractor? It distributes the added weight of the loader and any payload weight through to the rear axles so the front ones don't take all the strain. I would be more concerned if it didn't have one.

 

[Dunham Farm]

No the bucket was close, I was just concerned that in hard use the tractor frame wouldn't be strong enough.
Brian

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

No the bucket was close, I was just concerned that in hard use the tractor frame wouldn't be strong enough.
Brian

That hasn't been a problem I have heard about.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Did the loader sit quit a way out front of the tractor?

That has been my observation, that the bucket does indeed seem to stick out more that other loaders I have been on. It sure does have a high reach.

All I can say is that when I have the grapple bucket on my 7520/276 clamped onto a load of trees is "Man what a beast".

 

[bindian]

It's the brace down low that goes back to the rear.

Dunham Farm,
I have a 6520 4WD which uses the ML 275 loader just as the 7520. However, I have a backhoe. My backhoe subframe runs from the rear and attaches forward under the mid (tower) mount for the loader. I think you saw a backhoe subframe.
hugs, Brandi

 

[SPYDERLK]

Dunham Farm,
I have a 6520 4WD which uses the ML 275 loader just as the 7520. However, I have a backhoe. My backhoe subframe runs from the rear and attaches forward under the mid (tower) mount for the loader. I think you saw a backhoe subframe.
hugs, Brandi

I have the same and that was my thot. I dont like it hanging down so far, but Im sure glad to have the reinforcement for heavy loader activities. That loader/tractor will do some work! Maybe MtnViewRanch will chime in. He doesnt have the BH and I didnt see bracing in his pics.
larry

 

[rback33]

I can tell you THAT loader and tractor has undergone more hours of testing than any other tractor and loader combo we have worked on. It will stay together.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I can tell you THAT loader and tractor has undergone more hours of testing than any other tractor and loader combo we have worked on. It will stay together.

Does that combo have steel struts leading to the rear axle when a BH subframe is not mounted? I KNOW its tuff with the BH frame. I have used mine so hard that the clevis eyes spread out and displaced the pin clip at the front pin loader arm connection to the SK quick attach. The eye is also spreading at the vertical post where the lift cyls push. I machined&threaded the ends of the pins to accept 5/8" flange nuts with washer to take the place of the circlips.
With the hard use not a single mounting bolt has loosened in 400 hrs.
larry

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have the same and that was my thot. I dont like it hanging down so far, but Im sure glad to have the reinforcement for heavy loader activities. That loader/tractor will do some work! Maybe MtnViewRanch will chime in. He doesnt have the BH and I didnt see bracing in his pics.
larry

Yes, those braces are on my tractor also. I have bent the heck out of the short cross brace. I will look at some of my pics and if I find some that show the bracing, I will post them.

 

[bindian]

Yes, those braces are on my tractor also. I have bent the heck out of the short cross brace. I will look at some of my pics and if I find some that show the bracing, I will post them.

Brian,
Here is what Durham Farm said in post #3.
It's the brace down low that goes back to the rear
It doesn't sound like he is referring to a cross brace.
hugs, Brandi

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Brian,
Here is what Durham Farm said in post #3.
It's the brace down low that goes back to the rear
It doesn't sound like he is referring to a cross brace.
hugs, Brandi

I have two square tubes that go to the rear axle, each one of those have a factory bend in them, but under those tubes there is a cross brace that I have bent up. The cross brace is about in the center of the tractor between the front and rear axles. Does this make any sense?

 

[bindian]

I have two square tubes that go to the rear axle, each one of those have a factory bend in them, but under those tubes there is a cross brace that I have bent up. The cross brace is about in the center of the tractor between the front and rear axles. Does this make any sense?

I need to ask Travis if my 6520 had the two square tubes you mentioned before he installed the BH subframe. I have a wide "C" channel (just looked at it with a flashlight and it looks about 1/4 thick) cross brace bolted to the subframe right under the mid loader mount, right about half way from the rear and front axles. Right above it is the front driveshaft cover and I have a 5 inch concave dent there.
hugs, Brandi

 

[BobG_in_VA]

I need to ask Travis if my 6520 had the two square tubes you mentioned before he installed the BH subframe. I have a wide "C" channel (just looked at it with a flashlight and it looks about 1/4 thick) cross brace bolted to the subframe right under the mid loader mount, right about half way from the rear and front axles. Right above it is the front driveshaft cover and I have a 5 inch concave dent there.
hugs, Brandi

He should have those square tubes somewhere....I did my own 511 hook up (with 3 good friends and a heavy duty impact wrench and hydraulic floor jack). I'm pretty sure that my Mdl 264 FEL and your FEL are very similar. The replacement braces (replacing the square tubes for the BH) would probably hold a bridge up.....BobG in VA

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have two square tubes that go to the rear axle, each one of those have a factory bend in them, but under those tubes there is a cross brace that I have bent up. The cross brace is about in the center of the tractor between the front and rear axles. Does this make any sense?

Its good to know about those braces. This highlights a problem. Those of us who bought the tractor with a BH were shorted those box tubes. If we ever decide we dont want the BH anymore we have to buy a part that should have been included with the loader. Id be interested in pics.

Brian & Brandi, On your cross brace - see if you can turn the C channel over and mount it flange up. I did this for ground clearance and ruggedness. As I recall, it took some very slight mods to the channel ends to accomplish. A worthwhile change, I think.
larry

 

[MtnViewRanch]

This highlights a problem. Those of us who bought the tractor with a BH were shorted those box tubes. If we ever decide we dont want the BH anymore we have to buy a part that should have been included with the loader. Id be interested in pics.

Brian & Brandi, On your cross brace - see if you can turn the C channel over and mount it flange up. I did this for ground clearance and ruggedness. As I recall, it took some very slight mods to the channel ends to accomplish. A worthwhile change, I think.
larry

Larry, you are correct about you guys getting gypped out of those square tubes, you paid for them when you bought the loader. They should have given them to you loose. I will get pics Sunday and post ASAP.

Yes I do need to turn the channel over, just another thing that needs to get done. Did you ever get around to making a skid plate? I should do that also.

Later

 

[SPYDERLK]

Brian, it occurs to me the skid plate may be able to tie in to eliminate/substitute for that cross brace. Been sizing it up. Still searching for a spherical tuit.
larry

 

[bindian]

Its good to know about those braces. This highlights a problem. Those of us who bought the tractor with a BH were shorted those box tubes. If we ever decide we dont want the BH anymore we have to buy a part that should have been included with the loader. Id be interested in pics.

Brian & Brandi, On your cross brace - see if you can turn the C channel over and mount it flange up. I did this for ground clearance and ruggedness. As I recall, it took some very slight mods to the channel ends to accomplish. A worthwhile change, I think.
larry

Larry,
I just checked and it looks like I can turn the channel over with out cutting the end(s). I have a long bolt that may be in the way, but a washer stack swap should make it clear. That would give about 3 more inches clearance there. It's amazing how you can look at something and never think about it, but then sometimes look at something and light bulbs go off in your head on how to make it better.
On closer look just now, when I took that 5 inch ding in my driveshaft cover (right above said C channel brace), if the C channel would have been on top, it would have stopped the dent from happening. As it stands now, the dent also has the cover contacting a protected line. I need to remove the cover and beat the dent out.
My salesman, that installed my BH, is out fishing now so I will have to email him.
hugs, Brandi