Found a FEL in my steel pile

[joes_427_vette]

One of the projects I started this cold winter is almost finished ( except for the paint ). It turned out better than expected and under budget. It reaches a bit over 8' and reacts faster on the hydraulic side than anticipated. Haven't attached the weight box as it is being used on the box blade to smooth out a few rough spots in a couple fields. I incorporated the mmm attaching points in the mount so I can drop the bucket and leave the loader frame on the tractor while mowing.

 

[hr3]

Looks very nice,,you did a good job,,,one question,,not about the loader,,but,,,what is that bent piece of metal behind the seat??

 

[Scotty370]

Very nicely done! HR3 When I first got my JD4200, my neighbor thought "Wow! This is great, He'll plow our snow filled drives!" As I attacked my first one, I prompty took off a 40" aluminum awning on a side door that exits onto their 'ever so well plowed' drive! Didn't even phase the ROPS! I think that quelled their enthusiam! I suspect Joe's 7', brick-surrounded, garage door has a little more stamina that an aluminum awing!! ~Scotty

 

[kennyd]

Looks good Joe

 

[joes_427_vette]

The bent piece of metal behind the seat lets me sneak into the garage. I'm storing it under the car hoist. I could leave it outside and let mother nature paint it but it would be hard to wax .
Now that I have the steel rack organized I bet there are more attachments hiding within. Oh ... the possibilities !

 

[David Devuono]

Excellent work and I like the bucket roation, but I guess with 8' of lift you need a lot of rotation. My lot is very uneven and I have had to drop my bucket quickly to stop a rollover, so be very very careful in uneven terrain and don't travel at all with the bucket up high until the last possible moment. I can imagine a bucket that size can carry a 1,000 lbs of sand? When lifting a full bucket pay close attention to any movement in the subframe or brace. I say this because the brace appears to form a box rather then a triangle.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Thanks for the comments guys... but I'm not that talented. I measure, cut, grind, tack, grind, recut, tack and hopefully weld ! It is so much fun with the right tools one can make anything happen. A loaded steel rack is also a blessing. Never realized how much or type of steel was in the pile. Kind of like pick up sticks.
The high reach will come in place for lifting items up for storage in the pallet racking. A counter weight ( 780# ) should keep the rear wheels in place while being on a cement floor will keep it stable. I have to locate some 1x3 steel tube for the forks ( or something similar ).
It was a fun project that will be very useful and a cheap alternative to a new JD attachment.

 

[plowking]

Looks good! On my first and current tractors,I put a spill shield on top of bucket. I didn't put the shield on my first machine until my wife accidently tipped bucket back too much with loader at full extension and dropped a big rock[ boulder] on my hood,head light housings can be expensive. plowking

 

[rbutterfield]

Very nice work Joe.
Great job!
Gee I wonder what color you are going to paint it.

 

[4runner]

Joe,
Nicely done. Good work.
Did you change the geometry at all from your post earlier this year when you just had the loader arms mocked up?
Bob