Building a Groundsmaster FEL, need dimensions of TORO Dingo quick attach bracket

[Millnturn]

I am in the process of designing a FEL for my TORO Groundsmaster 325D. I have gotten a lot of inspiration and ideas from Xfaxman and others similar builds. I am really focusing on making this machine as versatile and rugged as possible. I definitely want to incorporate a quick attach system, but feel the SSQA system is too large and heavy for my machine. The bare machine is only 1650 lbs, and my goal for the FEL is to have a lifting capacity of 800-1000 lbs. This puts it in right in the range of the TORO Dingo mini loaders. Their quick attach system is like a mini version of SSQA. I have found 1/4" blank Dingo QA plates on ebay for $69 with shipping, which will help keep attachment costs down.

I just ordered a plate, but was hoping someone on here has a Dingo, and would be willing to take some measurements for me. I would like to get some design work done this weekend, and this would be a big help.

Dimensions I am after are: overall width, height, thickness, pin diameter and center to center spacing, distance from face to pin center, etc. I have searched the internet high and low, but have not found a dimensioned drawing anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Sprinklerman]

If you are close to a rental yard you may want to see if they have a mini skid like a dingo , I believe they are universal , you could measure and take pics

 

[Xfaxman]

Hi Millnturn, good luck on your project.:thumbsup:

I couldn't find any dimensions, only a drawing from the TORO Parts Website.

Toro |

From the OP Manual: Toro |

Here is a plate with dimensions from Berlon: Attachment Mounting Plate for Toro DIngo Compact Utility Loader | Berlon

One from Bradco: Bradco Weld-On Skid Steer Loader, Skidsteer Mini Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach Plate

 

[Millnturn]

Hi Xfaxman. Wow, thanks for the info! The Toro manual does provide some good views and design queues. I ordered a blank plate from Titan, should be here Thursday. Once in my hands, the design work should go pretty quick.

I keep having these crazy thoughts about using a little cylinder I have and making it hydraulic quick attach. Nuts, I know! With the open station and forward seating position on the Groundsmaster, it would be like a remote control for a car stereo...pointless, but kinda cool.

I'll design the pins similar to the Dingo, but leave room for the cylinder, just in case.

 

[Fallon]

Hi Xfaxman. Wow, thanks for the info! The Toro manual does provide some good views and design queues. I ordered a blank plate from Titan, should be here Thursday. Once in my hands, the design work should go pretty quick.

I keep having these crazy thoughts about using a little cylinder I have and making it hydraulic quick attach. Nuts, I know! With the open station and forward seating position on the Groundsmaster, it would be like a remote control for a car stereo...pointless, but kinda cool.

I'll design the pins similar to the Dingo, but leave room for the cylinder, just in case.

An electrical linear actuator will probably be cheaper & lighter. They aren't hard to find rated to several hundred pounds & weatherproof.

 

[Xfaxman]

------------- I ordered a blank plate from Titan, should be here Thursday. Once in my hands, the design work should go pretty quick.

---------------------------------

Titan has a history poor fitting SSQA plates, so check the measurements carefully, especially the distance top to bottom.

Since your loader arms will be wider than the Mini QA, I recommend an offset to make them equal to or slightly narrower than the back of the MQA .

That will avoid the problem that Happy Gilmore​ ran into with his SSQA: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-quick-tach-plate.html?highlight=#post3981088

The sides of the adapter plates hit the wider mount for his SSQA. Evidently there is no specification for how deep the edges are, because there is nothing on a skid steer that it can contact.

How is the design coming along?

That brings up another suggestion, consider keeping the bucket closer to the front axle than mine is, it would require less counter weight.

I used an existing loader and needed nine feet of lift, but you could make your loader arms vertical at the cross bar on the front of the frame.

 

[Xfaxman]

Any progress?