L3400 Where to mount Tool Box?

[SCRich]

Any suggestions or pictures on where to mount a small sized tool box on the L3400, hopefully some place out of the way. I always find myself going back to the garage to find a cresent wrench, 15/16, some pins, gloves or a 5lb hammer and it's becoming a drag.

I have been thinking for a few months now on where it could be bolted and where I can find a somewhat watertight box that would fit. Only place I can see is the outside of the rear fender but it would probably end up getting torn off soon after installation or placing too much stress on the metal from all the off road bouncing I do.

 

[MDM]

How about in the large hole in either side of the loader mount, down by the floor board. All you need is some way to cap it off. I've been going to do this for a while, just haven't got aroung to it yet.

 

[SCRich]

I'd have to measure that and check it out. The other large hole IN the loader mount I have set aside for chain and a tow strap. Actually I got to look at that hole you mention and see if I can slide some PVC in there. If a piece of PVC will fit in there SNUG you could plug it off one side with glue and cap it on the other side so that you don't have to go fishing for tools, just make it long enough to fit the wrenches. Gloves would provide some "sound cushioning" but I doubt that a 5lb sledge would fit.

For the chain I was thinking of plugging both ends and making some handle for each end to pull the PVC out either side. I would notch out about 1/4 of pipe the entire length to make it like a cradle/boat to hold the chain. It would basicly become a round drawer.

 

[N80]

Rich, there was a guy on here that found some type of expanding rubber drain plugs that fit in those tubes. They have a metal cap and a rubber disk under that. A bolt goes through the middle with a washer on the 'inside' and a wing nut on the outside. When you turn the wing nut the rubber disk expands and holds into place and is watertight. He said they come in various sizes and can be found in the plumbing sections of the big box stores. I'm sure they have a name and if someone knows it they should be easy to find.

Does the L3400 not have a little toolbox. My L4400 has a flimsy brace across the back of the rear fenders and it came with a little gray toolbox bolted to it. That tool box is too small and rattles like crazy. I took it off and bolted a plastic tool box configured like a metal ammo box. It is light. Has more room and is watertight and cost $9 at Northern Tool here in Rock Hill. The brace is still flimsy and needs to be beefed up but it works fine and no more rattles.

You can see it in the picture below. Its not huge but it holds a large adjustable wrench, a few screw drivers, channel locks, vice grip, extra pins and clips a few large zip ties and a pair of gloves..... you know, the kind of stuff that keeps the world going!

 

[SCRich]

Hey George, long time. I think this weekend is the first time I have been on the forum since we moved in. Been real busy but have slowed down enough to think of some improvements to make things easyer on us.

Nope the 3400 did not come with anything but that brace is an option to think about. I bounce a lot on this property so like you said it may be a bit too noisy for my tastes but it's an option. I can't say I have seen the plugs at the store but I have seen things like them somwhere. I got to see if I can find some PVC that would fit first so I can limit the tool movement. PVC with some inside fitting plug on one side and that expansion plug on the outside would be a good choice.

 

[Hedgy]

This may be the thread with with the rubber plugs referred to above ...

Toolbox on the L3400/LA463

If you Google for "Test plugs" you'll find a few places that sell them online, such as plumbersurplus.com.

 

[loopyl]

Go to Wally World and get a steel toolbox. Mount it where the Klenex sized box is behind the seat. I did that and it works fine. On the fender will probably be damaged easily.

 

[N80]

Apparently his did not come with the little toolbox or the brace that it sits on.

You know, this is a weird thing. Almost anyone with a tractor wants to be able to carry a few tools and there are so few places to carry them on most tractors. Why aren't the tractor makers making space and arrangements for a decent sized tool box. I mean, good grief, my tractor even has a cupholder! Why not a good toolbox? In any case, it seems to me that this is a simple thing that would make a good selling point. Kubota lists the cupholder on my tractor as a 'feature', seems like real toolbox would be a good 'feature' too.

Rant over.

 

[SCRich]

Hey George, today I went and spent a few minutes outside washing down the tractor I just needed to relax a bit, call me wierd.

While just washing away I noticed the brace, the brace you pointed out between the rear fenders. It was there but I never noticed it since it has the safety triangle on it and no tool box. I really don't need a safety triangle since I don't go on the road and I can probably just hang it from below instead of stand it from the top and bolt a real or plastic ammo box to the top.

Cheaper than Dirt and Bass Pro usually has the large plastic ammo boxes, maybe WallyWorld has them I will need to check them out in the morning. Between that box and some chain/straps inside of the horizontal loader tube (pivot point, I don't know what it's called) I'll be set. Well kind of I got to find another spot to mount a box tp mount a 2way radio along with a waterproof speaker on the outside and a waterproof microphone. When I zone out and have the tractor at full throttle a little portable GMRS radio just does not snap me out of it. Maybe that's a good thing?

 

[N80]

Hey George, today I went and spent a few minutes outside washing down the tractor I just needed to relax a bit, call me wierd.

Then I'm weird too. Nothing like a clean tractor. And the truth is, its a good way to do a thorough inspection too.

Here is the one I got:

Sport Utility Dry Box | Tool Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

Its a piece of junk. But, it has several things going for it: 1) Its cheap 2) It is waterproof 3) Its light and fairly narrow so it fits and does not torque that bracket which is fairly flimsy 4) It does not rattle. No metal on metal.

There was no room for the safety triangle with the tool box on there. But, I rarely go on the road and never at night. If I need it, I can find a place to put it temporarily.

 

[SCRich]

I'm in Northern's parking lot now and got a bit larger one. Wanted to make sure my 5lb sledge fit in the box. Thanks George, I'll be bolting it on this weekend, I'll probably sandwich a couple of scrap pieces of metal to the inside and out bottom to give it some more meat. I sometimes bounce a lot going over logs and that hammer may be too much for the bolt mounting points and snap the plastic at the bolts if I don't strengthen it.

 

[Zick]

Then I'm weird too. Nothing like a clean tractor. And the truth is, its a good way to do a thorough inspection too.

Here is the one I got:

Sport Utility Dry Box | Tool Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

Its a piece of junk. But, it has several things going for it: 1) Its cheap 2) It is waterproof 3) Its light and fairly narrow so it fits and does not torque that bracket which is fairly flimsy 4) It does not rattle. No metal on metal.

There was no room for the safety triangle with the tool box on there. But, I rarely go on the road and never at night. If I need it, I can find a place to put it temporarily.

Man that was like one I was thinking about buying too, except it was the larger version. Sport Utility Dry Box With Storage Tray | Tool Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment
What exactly don't you like about it since you said it was a piece of junk?

 

[Zick]

I'm in Northern's parking lot now and got a bit larger one. Wanted to make sure my 5lb sledge fit in the box. Thanks George, I'll be bolting it on this weekend, I'll probably sandwich a couple of scrap pieces of metal to the inside and out bottom to give it some more meat. I sometimes bounce a lot going over logs and that hammer may be too much for the bolt mounting points and snap the plastic at the bolts if I don't strengthen it.

Missed this, did you get this one? Sport Utility Dry Box With Storage Tray | Tool Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

Let me know how you like it.

 

[canoetrpr]

I bolted it to the outside of my fender.. see this thread.

If I were to do it again, I would bolt it at the place George showed his toolbox on the L4400. I didn't because of the SMV sign in the way but ultimately moved the SMV sign over to the ROPS and just put it on there with a band clamp. Band clamp seems to hold the SMV sign just fine.

 

[mcnitt]

N80-

I don't know about you, but I would refer to the cup holder not as a "feature", but rather an "inconvenience". Hey Kubota, put the cup holder on the front of the rear fender - like a Deere!

 

[SCRich]

Missed this, did you get this one? Sport Utility Dry Box With Storage Tray | Tool Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

Let me know how you like it.

Yep that is it. I have not used it and I can't speak for George but I can see things that concern me. a) The Gasket is really wimpy, not a big deal, weatherproof tape can fix that b) The latch is not what you know it to be like on a 30 or 50 cal. ammo can, it's wimpy also and may pop open if you are like me driving over pine tree tops all day long from the logging operations. I rarely touch dirt but it's getting better, I am usually driving over the top 10ft of pine trees.

As far as mounting the triangle on the rops, that's another idea but knowing me I'll find a way to slice my head open on a corner. I am going to see if I can invert it on the bar or just forget about it since I am never on the road.
Yesterday I cleaned the deck by the pedals real well and sprayed it with truck bed liner a few times, finished up this morning with one more coat and it looks good. Gravel and dirt was cutting into the bare metal and I had worn the paint and primer on the edge of the step. Between coats I was looking at the triangle and I think it is too big to invert but I may be wrong.

Can't want to try the step and deck on a wet/muddy day, don't know how many times I have slipped off the stirrup climbing up and taken my shin out on it!

 

[N80]

What exactly don't you like about it since you said it was a piece of junk?

Rich already hit the main points, primarily it is not like a real ammo box after which it was designed. The lid does not 'snap' tightly closed like the old ammo boxes, but it does close tight enough. I probably should have been more clear when I called it junk. I'm not sure it would hold up well with day to day use, especially full of something heavy. However, I've had mine for about a year now. No leaks, no cracks.

Again, what makes me like it is the small size, the light weight, the cheap price and the fact that it is in-fact waterproof...even after spending the last year outside.

I initially had plans to re-enforce the bottom, but I think it had fairly thick 'waffled' bottom and I ended up just using big washers.

 

[Zick]

Thanks for the info guys!