What do you think about this idea?

[bnixon]

For all out there with a <font color="blue"> NH 7308 Loader </font> you know that unless you have some thing to butt the bucket against when you are putting it back on the tractor you end up just pushing the loader all over the place.

Here is a little brain fart I had the other day and would like to get some feed back as to if you think it would work and what problems you see with the design.

These two devices will be made out of flat bar with a stop welded at the end to butt the loader bucket against. The tires would rest on the other end thus holding the bars inplace while pushing agains the loader to install it. The attached pic should help clearify my confusing description. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

What do you think?

 

[Darren]

That ought to work. Nice drawing BTW. On the quick attach setups I've seen the tractror end has a hook that come up under horizontal pins on each side. As you come up under the bucket or forks and roll the FEL back the hooks engage. Then it's just a matter of inserting and fastening the lower pins.

That means I can park the bucket or forks anywhere and still pick them up.

 

[bnixon]

My thoughts exactly. And these should be pretty easy to store when not in use!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The nice thing about your idea is that the stops are portable and can be positioned anywhere. I had thought to just drill some holes in a 4x4 and drop it over a couple of pieces of rebar sticking up out of the ground, much like parking lot bump stops are installed, but that would mean that I always have to put the FEL in the same place.

 

[Mrwurm]

Brandon, great Idea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Another variation would be to make the hooks that grab the bucket come around from the outside. That way, you could drop the loader wherever you want and then come back with the attaching fixture whenever you want. As the bucket would not rest on the bars, you could walk'm over and set them up at any time. Your idea is much simpler to build. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[bnixon]

Well I started doing some serious thinking the other day after I nearly ripped the hood off of my TC33D!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Luckily there was only a few scratches and torn decals! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I took the loader off the other day in my garage as I had done a thousand times before. I had it butting up against my box blade. When I went to put it back on one of the sided of the box blade lifted and the whole loader twisted very quickly to the left. This slapped the right upright on the loader into the side of the tractor. Then as I backed up it nearly ripped the hood off.

After I got the loader and tractor out of a bind, and changed my shorts /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, I said to myself....."Self, There has to be a better way!".

I will get the material to build these things next week and see how they work. I will post pics of the project and keep you all up to date.

If you think of any improvments please speak up. Much easier to change before you start welding! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Mrwurm]

Brandon, I have also heard that if you curl the bucket into a full-dump position before you remove the loader it will be easier to reattach. I was told that the 7308 manual used to list this as the proper procedure, but has since been omitted. Could be a case of 'what was old is new again'.

 

[bnixon]

Tried that! Doesn't work on smooth garage floor. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

How about a towing strap? Just attach the hooks before you lower the bucket, and use the same principle as with the steel.

 

[bnixon]

Well, Finally got them built and they work great. Here are some pics.

 

[bnixon]

Here is a side view. The only thing I found that I have too do is use 4wd or the front wheels stop turning and it slides it around. But works awesome in 4wd!

 

[bnixon]

Here is one of the bucket hooks.

 

[bnixon]

Now that these are built and work so good I hope to not have anymore destruction when the loader desides to kick to the side! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gifsee attached.

 

[cstocks]

Ouch! Those are some pretty nasty looking little scars! You know how the saying goes... necessity is the mother of invention! I may have to copy your idea someday if/when I get a place to take off and store my front end loader.

 

[bnixon]

Hey Chris,

Actually I was happy to see the scars. When it happened I thought it was going to tear the whole hood off of the tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

So I am happy to see the scars /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The idea is all your to use or anyone else that likes it for that matter.

I did try the tow straps as suggested earlier and they worked but were a pain to get lined up and straight. These were supper easy to laydown and line up.

later,

 

[JRP]

1. If you mount/dismount outside you could weld some pins on the bottom to stick into the dirt.

2. Some cross pieces would keep the assembly square.

3. Cross pieces along the front could be used to position the bucket centered over your invention.

4. Some kind of spring loaded casters could be used. Keeps the system on wheels until the tractor front tires push down. Rubber on the botton could prevent sliding on concrete.

My loader supports (M6800 Kubota with LA1162 loader) sink into soft ground. I'll use your great invention to allow storage on dirt.

Thanks for sharing a great idea.

 

[bnixon]

Glad to help!

I might try the rubber, but they really work fine like they are.

As far as the wheels and bracing. They really aren't needed. I used 2" x 1/8" flat bar stock. They are pretty light weight and once you get them on the ground they line up easily and are very easy to store.

The welded on spike is a great idea and would work well if you used them in the dirt. Mine are used on concrete so are not needed.

Take some pics of yours when they are complete and don't forget to share them with the rest of us!