How to build a Skid Steer to 3pt adapter?

Mosey · Mar 3, 2003

I was able to find a dealer that sells a Bradco "Skid Steer mount to 3pt hitch adapter" for $370. It has adjustable lower brackets and an adjustable upper bracket, but it's not a quick hitch like the Worksaver Kasco one.

I'm leaning more and more toward the idea of getting 3 blank skid steer plates and putting them on each of the implements I plan to use on the FEL. I can do that for under $300 and have less weight overall.

Spencer · Mar 3, 2003

Mosey, I like the look of that Bradco unit. I especially like the double sided hook (I have to turn my hook upside down to hook up my boom pole) they have on top and the large adjustment range of that hook. I wouldn't worry about it not being a quick-hitch type, I would probably actually prefer it, It is $70 more than the 3 plates would cost you but if you end up with a fourth attachment it will cost you $30 less, plus there will be no welding or modifications involved. If you wanted to sell or trade in any of your 3-point attachments you would be better off if they weren't modified. Also you could sell the Bradco unit someday but you could never get your money back out of the plates. I do agree with you about the less weight issue though.

Mosey · Mar 4, 2003

You make some good points Spencer. I've got some time to think about it, since my FEL is not here yet anyway. I've been trying to think of what else besides the boom pole, pallet mover, and grader blade that I might get someday and want to use on the FEL. So far, I haven't come up with anything.

Mosey · Mar 4, 2003

Spencer - I was reading your thread My Personnel Lift Project. Very impressive! I came across the picture of the Bobcat quick-tach plate. I found a dealer in Indy that sells them for $90 and another in Ft. Wayne that sells them for $79 (I can stop by the next time I make a trip to MI to visit family). I'm glad I saw your picture, I didn't realize the inside would be open, I expected a solid plate. Next time you get a chance (no hurry, I don't have the FEL yet!), would you mind measuring the overall width and height and the width of the open part in the middle? The dealer didn't have any in stock. depending on the width of the opening, I might have to add a cross brace across the bottom to attach it to my 3pt implements, so I wanted to get an idea what would be required. How much work I have to do will affect my decision on whether to use the plates or get the Bradco adapter.

Hoeman00 · Mar 5, 2003

Bradco also has blank plates and they are solid face.
U can see them at:
http://www.abcgroff.com/ic/indust.htm
Click on Bradco, then misc, then adapter plates.

Mosey · Mar 5, 2003

Thanks Hoeman00. I checked them and unfortunately they are a lot more money. The cheapest I could find was $180.

Hoeman00 · Mar 5, 2003

I was thinking u could build something like it.
Do u have any fab shops near by?
A new company built a shop down the road and I'm going to buy a full sheet of 1/4" plate and get it sheared and bent to the right specs plus it will give me 4 plates at the price of 1 store bought.
I bought some forklifts at auction and used the parts off of a 4 K walkie to go on my SSL.

Spencer · Mar 6, 2003

( Spencer... Next time you get a chance (no hurry, I don't have the FEL yet!), would you mind measuring the overall width and height and the width of the open part in the middle? )

Mosey, sorry this took so long but I haven't been able to get outside to measure this until today. These are fairly rough measurements (see attachment) I didn't have a lot of time. The 19 1/8" measurement is from the top to the very bottom of the angled flange (not just the flat part).

Mosey · Mar 6, 2003

Thanks a lot Spencer! That was a big favor (going out in the snow and cold) for someone you've never actually met. I really appreciate it!

Spencer · Mar 6, 2003

( ... for someone you've never actually met.)

Ya, my last plan to buy you dinner didn't work out. I might be passing by again around the end of the month. There is a job down in Lebanon Kentucky that I might get. I'll let you know.