FEL quick attachment ideas

[ddonnell]

I have a Simplicity Legacy XL FEL loader rated for 500lbs.. I am looking to fab a quick attach system that will mount to the loader arms and tilt cylinders with minimal weight and forward extension of the implement. I am building adjustable forks and would like to be able to switch between my bucket and forks with nothing more than sliding in a pin.

I already realize that the Legacy (Kwikway) bucket brackets probably will need to be modified, but I would like help in designing a simple (I'm guessing male) bracket attached to the loader, that would mate with an appropriate (again, I'm assuming female) bracket welded to an attachment such as the forks I am trying to fabricate. I don't want skid steer stuff as the attachment system itself weighs too much. I have looked at the Deere attachments, which are great, but I am still looking for something that might work equally well with less weight. Lightweight hook and pin setup. Any pictures and descriptions would be great! Thanks

Dave

 

[kennyd]

Sounds like a great project, any may here could help but are probably unfamiliar with your FEL and tractor. Could you post some pictures?

 

[ddonnell]

Here are a couple of pics of the loader. Pretty standard 2 cylinder setup.

 

[Farmerford]

I did a set for a Kubota B2400HSD (700# capacity) a few years ago that only extend the implement a couple of inches. They probably weigh 50#, but I think they could have been lighter. I will take a picture next week and post it.

 

[ddonnell]

I am building my quick attachments for my loader and am now at a decision point. I am going to use a hook system to slide under and catch the top pins of the implement (see first picture). However, I'd like some input from those of you that use the Deere type attach as to any advantages to its lower linkage method (picture 2) as versus a horizontal tab and pin design (picture 1). My thanks to Kubotatrax for his ingenious design and pictures (his design is picture 1).

 

[kennyd]

I think either system will serve you well. I use the Deere QA system but from the pictures it looks like the other style would do just as good.

 

[GT2]

Have you seen this? eBay: Quick Attach PLAN (14 pages) for Front End Loader (item 180086921778 end time Feb-24-07 06:53:30 PST)

 

[ddonnell]

GT2,

Yes I did see that and it looks like it would work also. The only problem is that it would require that I modify the bucket's existing brackets which I'd like to avoid. The direction I'm headed lets me use the existing bucket brackets and adjust the QA to fit them so that some possible future owner could go back to the OEM hookup if they wanted to. I'm also building a fork attachment which I can set up to mate with my new QA, and any future attachments I might dream up would be designed to fit my homemade tractor QA also.

Thanks, Dave

 

[MrJimi]

Why would anyone pay for plans? most members here willingly share their ideas, I do
Jim

 

[tlbuser]

I am building my quick attachments for my loader and am now at a decision point. I am going to use a hook system to slide under and catch the top pins of the implement (see first picture). However, I'd like some input from those of you that use the Deere type attach as to any advantages to its lower linkage method (picture 2) as versus a horizontal tab and pin design (picture 1). My thanks to Kubotatrax for his ingenious design and pictures (his design is picture 1).

The disadvantage to method one - you need two fasteners (pin and keeper)

The disadvantage to method two- more fabrication time for mounts and attachment mounting points.

Personal opinion- from the pic's. Kubotatrax has the winning design, maybe add a coarse threaded weld-on nut to the inside edge (unless it's there and we can't "see" it.), then weld a wing to a coarse thread bolt (like a thumb bolt)for the retaining pin, that way only one pin to lose and no tools required.

 

[GT2]

Why would anyone pay for plans? most members here willingly share their ideas, I do
Jim

Most "members" including myself would look at those pics and drawings and be able to make them themselfs without buying the plans!

 

[Renze]

Do you need the dimensions for Euro standard QA ? Before i cut plates for mine, i measured 3 different brands of loaders to make sure my loader would accept any Euro tool, and that when i sell my bucket, pallet forks i get payd a price, instead of a scrap price

Maybe Euro style with 1000mm center is a bit too wide for the CUT loaders anyhow..

 

[blacksmith]

I'm in the process of making a set for my smaller tractor simular to JD.

 

[McDenny's]

I have a MF 1445 with quick attach bucket. It has 2 pins that are spring loaded that you pull. When you pull the pins you just turn them a little with the handle and they stay open. You drop the attachment and hook the next you want to put on. You hook under it, lift it, then roll it back and both pins spring back into place. I can take pics if anyone would like to see it.

Dennis

 

[ddonnell]

Dennis,

I'd love to see some pics.

Dave

 

[McDenny's]

I will take some pics for you guys, just give me a day or two to reinstall the loader, I have the snowblower on now and it would be better pics if you get to see it work.

Dennis

 

[tlbuser]

I'm in the process of making a set for my smaller tractor simular to JD.

Looks like you're building more than just the QA

 

[blacksmith]

Check out my thread "Front tires for loader". I'm building a loader for my GT with a quick attach feature.

 

[ddonnell]

Thought I'd post a few pictures of the QA that I'm making. Still in the rough stage. Some grinding and paint will help a lot. I have to say that I am a big fan of metal cutting hole saws! All of these 3/4" holes (16 so far) in 3/8" and 5/8" plate were made with the same Ridgid hole saw, and it still has a lot of life left. Proper cutting oil certainly helps too. I had to drill 4 holes in my bucket brackets, freehand, with a 3/4" bit and that was not too much fun.

Sweet thing is, the QA actually works (after a little selective grinding here and there). The stops I put under the bottom of the lower link line up the holes so slipping in the pin is a snap. I think it puts the bucket about 3-4" further forward so I may lose a little lifting capacity, but it will make going from the bucket to the forks (which are almost done) quick and easy. Kubota Trax - thanks for a great and simple design and thanks to everyone else for their input. I thought long and hard about the Deere design, but it would have required adding a mounting plate to the bucket brackets which I didn't want to do. This way, if some future owner wants to go back to OEM, he can. BTW, I can't say enough about the HTP 2400 mig I got to do this stuff. That bad boy has some guts.

 

[tlbuser]

Thought I'd post a few pictures of the QA that I'm making. Still in the rough stage. Some grinding and paint will help a lot. I have to say that I am a big fan of metal cutting hole saws! All of these 3/4" holes (16 so far) in 3/8" and 5/8" plate were made with the same Ridgid hole saw, and it still has a lot of life left. Proper cutting oil certainly helps too. I had to drill 4 holes in my bucket brackets, freehand, with a 3/4" bit and that was not too much fun.

Sweet thing is, the QA actually works (after a little selective grinding here and there). The stops I put under the bottom of the lower link line up the holes so slipping in the pin is a snap. I think it puts the bucket about 3-4" further forward so I may lose a little lifting capacity, but it will make going from the bucket to the forks (which are almost done) quick and easy. Kubota Trax - thanks for a great and simple design and thanks to everyone else for their input. I thought long and hard about the Deere design, but it would have required adding a mounting plate to the bucket brackets which I didn't want to do. This way, if some future owner wants to go back to OEM, he can. BTW, I can't say enough about the HTP 2400 mig I got to do this stuff. That bad boy has some guts.

Cool. Neat and simple, what more can anybody want??