Universals Skid Steer quick-attach upgrade to a Ford 7108Q FEL

[AlgorLangeaux]

I am hoping to be able to change to a universal skid steer quick-attach plate system for my Ford 7108Q FEL, so that I can use/rent/build skid loader attachments and not be stuck with "just a bucket".

I am guessing that there have been plenty of folks on the forum that have done this before... any suggestions? Anyone got any CAD for this gear by any chance? I have found good CAD plans for the SAE J2513 standard bucket plate, but plans for a tractor-side universal mount is far less common.

In an ideal world I would just pony up for an ATI Tach-All and let someone else worry about it, but my world has never been terribly ideal... I am not opposed to spending a bit to get a pre-fabbed mount if it comes to that - but suggestions starting closer to $200 to $300 would be better than those starting at $869.

Thanks for your input!

[RickB]

Your $200-300 budget might buy the ingredients to build a device, but you won't find a new, complete one for anywhere near that. I have figured out that if you want something (and I bought an ATI Tach-all for my Ford 735 loader) just write the check and be done with it. The pain ends when you balance the checkbook the next month, then it's all good after that.

[AlgorLangeaux]

I wasn't assuming I would be able to buy a complete unit for that price. I would really prefer to fab my own, actually - hence the request for CAD drawings of universal adapters if anyone had them. Half the fun for *me* is building it myself... but I also recognize that I may not be able to find good plans out there and may have to resort to buying a pre-fab mount and welding pin mounts onto it, which was where the $200 to $300 price tag came from.

I can always throw money at a problem, but it is more fun to put a piece of stock on the CNC mill and come away an hour or two later with a custom finished product... (Especially since I have already thrown money at the CNC mill and welding rig.)

[RickB]

Well if I had my own mill would have a different outlook, that's certain. Having spent most of my career either turning wrenches or selling parts, I look in other directions for entertainment.

[AlgorLangeaux]

I may well end up going that direction, but was mostly curious as to whether anyone had tried rolling their own before.

What are your impressions of the ATI unit? I get that each application is going to be slightly different because they are specific to each loader package, but I was wondering about what sort of weight it added? If memory serves, the lift capacity of a 734 is around 3800 lbs... which is considerably more than my 7108's rating.

[EverythingAttachments]

We sell many more of the WR Long Quick Attach Adapters than the ATI. They add around 135 pounds+/- and the price is pretty much the same for all loaders whereas the ATI can get pricy for certain models. We never hear of any problems with a WR Long adapter.

[Zebrafive]

I've seen just the S.S. latch boxes on ebay in the $400 range. You would still have adapt to your loader.

[RickB]

I may well end up going that direction, but was mostly curious as to whether anyone had tried rolling their own before.

What are your impressions of the ATI unit? I get that each application is going to be slightly different because they are specific to each loader package, but I was wondering about what sort of weight it added? If memory serves, the lift capacity of a 734 is around 3800 lbs... which is considerably more than my 7108's rating.

I would imagine the ATI unit I bought weighs 140 lb minimum, but I haven't wrestled it around in a while. One we got in a few weeks back for a 7308 was more to scale for that loader. An ATI QA device for a 16LA New Holland loader arrived today and the bill of lading said 115 lbs which very likely included the weight of the pallet it was strapped to. I have no experience with WR Long, but as a dealer for ATI I can tell you their quality and customer service cannot be surpassed.