Tool Boxes on Fenders

[The Deerslayer]

Welcome to TBN! :welcome: Mounting them on the fender would work, however I might be concerned about the weight (depending what you place in them) coupled with the vibration.
The factory box on mine was way to small. I opted for a rear mount which holds everything I need and is easily accessible when on the ground, which has always been the case for me.



Another handy add-on was a couple magnetic hooks placed on the rear of the ROPS. I use them for pins and washers when hooking or unhooking implements.

 

[SmallChange]

That's a good point, about needing tools when on the ground rather than when in the seat. But I've been thinking of putting a small box on the right fender, which has nice flat spots with holes for a handle, but no handle (the holes are plugged). What I want in it are a pair of pruning clippers, for those leafy little branches that want to thwock me in the face. And maybe a pair of gloves.

 

[Imold]

Here is my 16x6x5 tool box on a 1705 behind the seat.


Jim.

 

[oosik]

"behind the seat". Probably a whole lot better than my fender location. It shouldn't rattle & shake back there.

 

[mikester]

Ammo boxes work great, are relatively cheap and are waterproof. I mounted mine on the loader tower as it already had two threaded holes available.

You might want to rethink mounting on the fender because your toolbox tends to get heavy full of metal bits and you end up with a large cantilevered and vibrating load on a thin sheet metal and/or plastic fender. Expect fatigue cracks.

 

[edgarrian]

I ziptied tool pouch to mine and its worked great. I posted this sometime ago and a lot of people were asking how many times I have lost a tool. Its been on for over a year and I haven't had one tool come out of the pouch. It looks nice and the tools are easily accessible. I also park my tractor inside so it doest get weathered.

 

[California]

Not a direct answer to 'toolbox' but here's where I carry chain and a long handle pruner: a kid size golf bag. I have another golf bag lashed vertical on the ROPS to carry the shovel and hoe I need for maintaining little watering ponds around new orchard trees.

 

[cooksmtn]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents here. I've owned several tractors over the last 35 years or so. I'm currently the owner of a Mitsubishi D2050, a pretty small tractor with limited options for locating a a tool box. I decided an ammo box would be just big enough for the biggest crescent wrench I would need for routine adjustments, along with a variety of other tools and junk that should be on the tractor.

I chose the ROPS mounting pad for the location.



I was careful to make sure it wouldn't bang me or obstruct my vision to the rear.



I carefully transferred the location of the two main ROPS bolts to the tool box, and added a 1/4" bolt straight down through the mounting pad. I used some spacer washers between the tool box and ROPS to clear the weld at the bottom corner. I also used hose washers against the tool box at each bolt location, along with some bicycle inner tube between the toolbox and pad.

I use since the installation, everything seems rock solid. We'll see how it holds up this fall during road maintenance.

As a new member here, I need to thank all who have posted so much useful information.

 

[ovrszd]

That looks great!! Solid. Vibration free. All weather storage. Nice work and attention to detail!!!

Welcome to TBN.

 

[tmcj]

I wanted a small tool box above the fender also, but I used a piece of fiberglass angle attached to the ROPS to extend over the fender and support the tool box. Kind of ironic, but I used wingnuts on the inside of the box so I could quickly remove it without tools if needed, lol. The box has small compartments on the lid which is great for storing pins and small items, which are handy to have extras at the jobsite. I got the angle from my workplace, $6 toolbox, U bolt and a couple 1/4-20 bolts. All in all about $10.

 

[Imold]

^^^^^Nice^^^^^^

 

[Gary Fowler]

I mounted one to the FOPS on my B26. It is just at eye level so easy to see inside it. Not a real good photo but if you can zoom in it is good. It is hard to see in the photo, but it has the top platform box for the tool box and then a 45 degree stiffener brace underneath. The frame is all welded together and then bolted to the FOPS. It is very secure. I had to drill 4 holes (1 at each corner) in the bottom of the box to attach it to the box frame.

 

[Ffterman]

I mounted mine on the rear. It’s out of the way from the 3 pt hitch arms and it’s lower so I can reach my tools.
It’s works so far.

 

[shovelmike]

I agree that the tool box needs to be easily accessed from the ground, 3 point hitch. My 64 year old TO35 has the tool box made into the inside of the left fender, just room for lynch pins and a small ball peen hammer.
My new Mahindra has a plastic box mounted to the ROPS, easily reached and sufficient size for my needs, time will tell how it holds up.

 

[Cougsfan]

If you have a tractor with a cab, your number of options drop considerably. I mounted an ammo box to the fender of my Branson 4720ch. It has worked OK, but an ammo box doesn't hold much. I even had to go to Harbor Freight to buy a smaller version of the most important tool a person needs; a hammer.

 

[Alan W.]

Fender mounts will eventually break the fender. My L3650 has the valve for the rear outlets mounted on the fender. The fender has cracked and is vibrating worse. Other side is like new. I am going to put in some bracing and weld the fender back.