FEL Question

[tnhomestead]

Size question -- have some plans for a FEL for a garden tractor, will 2 inch square tubing 1/4 in thick be strong enough for a small trator? Plans call for 2 in square 3/16 thick, with the upright made from 2.5 square 3/16th will upgrade that to 1/4 thick as well. Running a beaver satoh 15 HP diesel willpower from a PTO pump. All I want is to be able to handle 500 pounds or a bit more. Thnx for any help, need to keep it as light as possible!

 

[MJPetersen]

There are so many variables. That tubing would normally be enough, but it would be possible to over load it and tweek something. It really depends on the engineering in your FEL.

Are you planning on using plans? Say p.f. engineering plans? I really do not know what they have as requirements, but I do know that they started designing something for a Garden tractor but many people have built FELs for sub cuts and CUTs from their plans.

Mike

 

[mcd176]

What are you planning to use for a rear ballast? 500# is a lot of weight for a small garden tractor, Just use carefull engineering and look at a lot of loader designs, the #1 factor is safety!

I wish you luck in your building!

-Mike

 

[tnhomestead]

Tractor weighs about 1200 mt and my 7 foot adds another 360, plans came from machinebuilders.net free plans section(see attached). figure I cann add a counterweight to the 3 point hitch if needed,has a lift capacity of about 750 to 1000 if I remember right.
Thnx for the responses, right now gathering materials and planning( dont want to need stuff I cant afford!)