SSQA pads fixed together vs not fixed together - why?

[Jim Timber]

My tractor's SSQA adapters aren't fixed to the same plane, so if one is rubbing on the attachment and not lined up right the other will move out of sync.

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

The reason I'm asking is that I want to put a hydraulic cylinder on the latch levers and it would be much easier to do if they remained in the same plane all the time.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Is this a factory JD ssqa? All the JD ones I've seen have a small diameter timing bar, between the two pads to keep them in sync, the bar is held in place by bolts or pins. Did you buy yours used, if so maybe the PO broke, bent, or lost the bar? Here is a pic of a small JD loader you can see the silver bar between the two plates.

 

[Jim Timber]

The timing bar at the bottom is a common axis the top of the pads are free to rotate as they want.



This is from the manual and doesn't even have the timing bar in this one.

 

[Jim Timber]

From doing some digging, it appears my timing rod isn't doing what it's supposed to, but since it's always done that I didn't know anything was amiss.

Looks like I'll need to address that issue and then think of how to handle my hydraulic actuator.

 

[RickB]

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

Cost is the only reason I have ever come up with. Cheap design, expensive paint.

 

[Jim Timber]

The latch arms are a heavy cast part that dwarf most other's designs.

Post up yours.

 

[DK35vince]

My tractor's SSQA adapters aren't fixed to the same plane, so if one is rubbing on the attachment and not lined up right the other will move out of sync.

Other than cost, why are they made this way, and is there any reason to not fix them together?

The reason I'm asking is that I want to put a hydraulic cylinder on the latch levers and it would be much easier to do if they remained in the same plane all the time.

All SSQA I have ever worked around were fixed solid together.

 

[DK35vince]

The latch arms are a heavy cast part that dwarf most other's designs.

Post up yours.

Heres mine on a 35 HP tractor.
Mine is heavy enough between the latch arms I welded in a hook and use it for lifting.

 

[rd_macgregor]

My DK45 has a single lever to operate the pins. The whole arrangement is part of a backing plate, so the spacing between the pads is constant. I wonder if the single handle setup makes this amenable to hydraulic operation/conversion?

 

[Jim Timber]

Single lever would make things easier.

Mine won't be too bad, but it'll take some added material.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Our JD 640 has such independent operation. A very stupid design! The hydraulic circuit to the one side is longer so the two sides never move at the same speed and unless full in or out, are never in the same location. Worse when oil is cold. Makes you wonder where they find these "engineers".

 

[Jim Timber]

My cylinder just showed up, so I'll be bringing that with when I go up to the woods this weekend.

 

[Jim Timber]

I looked at my loader today and discovered the pins are fine, but the holes just aren't tight to them.

This is as far out of time they'll go.

 

[Xfaxman]

I looked at my loader today and discovered the pins are fine, but the holes just aren't tight to them.

This is as far out of time they'll go.

Shouldn't be a problem if you allow for it in the cylinder mounts on the handles.

They will be in line when up against the attachment and rolled back, ready to latch.

This is how Bobcat did it on the Toolcat, two cylinders with very little slop because they can't move out of line, like your handles.

 

[Jim Timber]

I could've gotten 2 cylinders, but all that'd do is slow things down.

I've got a couple options: build a frame to tie the pads together, or allow for some slop in my cylinder mount.

I'm leaning towards the latter. I can make a mount that goes over the timing tube and uses it for the fixed point with minimal work.

 

[Xfaxman]

Bobcat had to use two because one wouldn't clear the center linkage, I was just showing how it attached to the handle.

I see no reason to tie the pads together.

I don't understand the need for a fixed mount?

Each end of the cylinder goes on a handle.

 

[4570Man]

The latch arms are a heavy cast part that dwarf most other's designs. Post up yours. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=457433"/>

What makes your cast arms any better than others? Mine are 3/8 or 1/2 steel. I managed to bend one of mine pretty good. I took it off, threw it in the press and straightened it out. It now works fine and the fix didn't cost anything. Try bending cast and then bending it back into shape.

 

[DK35vince]

I see no reason to tie the pads together.

I don't understand the need for a fixed mount?

You mean other than making it a lot easier to mount attachments.
Uneven pads look like it would be a PITA to mount attachments to me.

 

[4570Man]

How are you powering the cylinder.

 

[Xfaxman]

I see no reason to tie the pads together.

I don't understand the need for a fixed mount?

You mean other than making it a lot easier to mount attachments.
Uneven pads look like it would be a PITA to mount attachments to me.

I thought the fixed mount was to mount the cylinder on. :confused3:

The uneven pads will line up when you push against the attachment, raise it and rollback before locking the latch pins.


Edit: Jim we need a picture of the cylinder, please.