Quick Connect for FEL Bucket

[puckgrinder85]

You could use that, they are called linear actuators if you google them. I was searching around and someone said 250lb pull is the lowest you should go if you use them. They go higher but the expense does as well with the force applied. Electric would be way easier and likely way cheaper as I've looked at doing it to mine. I think i'll still pull levers for a while.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Do the linear actuators work in both directions? Needed to open and close the levers.

 

[farm boy00]

Why not just tie a rope to the pin. Make a spring compression system. Then u just make a lever at the operators seat. Make the lever lock in place while ur moving to ur other equipment. SimpleFast And cheap. Google trip loaders for ideas

 

[puckgrinder85]

Do the linear actuators work in both directions? Needed to open and close the levers.

Yes, push and pull. It works just like a hydraulic cylinder in its action but there is a worm gear mechanism that does the work. There was only one documented install I've seen when I went searching to do this. It was on another forum but I saw those pictures floating around here as well at times. What the guy did was fabricated the actuator to connect between both QA handles, at the point where the pin/ spring assembly attaches to the handle itself. This gives the actuator enough leverage to fully disengage and engage apparently. The hydraulic ones use the same setup, OR they can have two smaller cylinders to actuate the pins independently.

The only dowfall is if the actuator were to fail is you're not moving it, they lock in place and are often used on atv dump trailers for the dumping function.

If you google search this " linear actuator bobtach " and go to the images tab of google, the top row of images shows what the guy did on his bobcat.


The hydraulic version is called "bobtach" by the way. Use these terms when searching as it will provide more results.

 

[motoman3b]

Just converted my kioti over to quick attach, it originally had a woods 1009 loader with a pin on bucket. Bought the adapter plate on ebay from RVM I believe it was and the backing plate for the bucket from Titan. If you can weld and have a few hours it wasn't that hard at all cut the tabs off your bucket weld them on to the adapter then weld the ssqa plate to the back of your bucket and your done

 

[kneedeep]

Aww, go ahead and get on and off the tractor! :cool2:

We don't get enough exercise anyway!! :dance1:

 

[Sodo]

Why not just tie a rope to the pin. Make a spring compression system.

Thats what I'd do. A spring holds it engaged. Pull a rope from the seat to unlock. Then when everything else is worked out I'd add electric actuators and if I got a bunch of free hydraulic components,,,,, and,,,,, figured out some other uses for this hydr. circuit ,,,, might plumb it in.

A spring-held lock is probably safe for testing, but consider it has to be all protected from branches and stuff pulling the rope. A heavy lever could "unlock" if the bucket jerks or slams. A hydr or electric actuator that has a positive lock/unlock action is more certain to remain locked.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Remote (hydraulic) operated from the seat can be done, just a matter of how you set up the locking levers and cylinder or cylinders. I went the manufacture route and bought the SSQA, and all of Bobcat's current QAs are designed with ability to add the hydraulic function.
The lock levers have holes in them for the cylinder mount. Nice part of this design is if the hydraulic mal-functions you and pull a pin and unlock the normal manual way.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=396860"/>

I have a grapple bucket so I run both QA and grapple from the same control using a diverter valve at front of the loader. Lock on the bucket and close the levers, then get off the tractor, push the button on the diverter and hook up the grapple.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=396861"/>

There quite a few threads on here about building SSQA and wouldn't take too much to hydraulic cylinder function.

What's the part number for that valve? Might be the ticket for what I've got planned

 

[SSdoxie]

What's the part number for that valve? Might be the ticket for what I've got planned

I got it at Northern Tool - (Metro Machine Selector Valve, 1/2in. Port, 20 GPM Flow
Item# 2071)
Northern lists it at $100. Didn't need the 20 GPM or 1/2" ports but that is simplist & cheapest they had.

 

[skyhook]

My JCB has that type of set-up.
I'm thinking out loud here but, couldn't you just replace the spring loaded pins with two small hydraulic cylinders with the heads cut off. The cylinders would have to be the same diameter as the spring loaded pins or you could modify the quick attach to accommodate the new cylinders.