charlz
Elite Member
Yep, another quick attach thread! This time for an old, small tractor though.
I've wanted a quick attach for a while so I could make other loader attachments. I have clamp-on bucket forks that I use for a variety of uses but have seen their limitations. I would like a 'real' set as well as a light duty brush grapple. Moving tree trimmings/brush cuttings in particular is what I want the grapple for. Seems like I am always snagging what I am carrying on other trees, gates etc and have to climb off, restack etc etc. I could go with an add-on grapple to my bucket and continue to use the clamp on forks for limbs/brush but then I wouldn't get to build as much stuff!
I chose the 'skidsteer' style as anything I build could potentially be used by a future 'new' tractor. Other quick attach solutions would be lighter but not offer me the same future flexibility.
Couple of challenges, my loader is rated at 500lbs... although I have picked up 800lbs of wood pellets with it. I have a round back-bucket, not as easy to work with as a flat-back bucket.
So I started out by first building the adapter plate that would go on the bucket. I figured this would help get my dimensions, alignment, etc. down when building the tractor side. It took some deciphering of the specifications, looking at lots of pictures and other builds here on TBN but this is what I ended up with:
All the parts cut out of 1/4 plate using my plasma with a straight edge and drag tip. Corners cut using a piece of pipe as a guide. I bought a bunch of it cheap off Craigslist and the original bucket brackets are made from 1/4 so that is what I used.
Here it is tacked up on my 'work bench', I had the bottom angle wrong but luckily I caught it before getting too far and was able to knock it off and weld on at the proper angle.
I thought it turned out pretty good... but it weighed in at 40 lbs, too heavy! But it would work to help me set up the tractor adapter.
I've wanted a quick attach for a while so I could make other loader attachments. I have clamp-on bucket forks that I use for a variety of uses but have seen their limitations. I would like a 'real' set as well as a light duty brush grapple. Moving tree trimmings/brush cuttings in particular is what I want the grapple for. Seems like I am always snagging what I am carrying on other trees, gates etc and have to climb off, restack etc etc. I could go with an add-on grapple to my bucket and continue to use the clamp on forks for limbs/brush but then I wouldn't get to build as much stuff!
I chose the 'skidsteer' style as anything I build could potentially be used by a future 'new' tractor. Other quick attach solutions would be lighter but not offer me the same future flexibility.
Couple of challenges, my loader is rated at 500lbs... although I have picked up 800lbs of wood pellets with it. I have a round back-bucket, not as easy to work with as a flat-back bucket.
So I started out by first building the adapter plate that would go on the bucket. I figured this would help get my dimensions, alignment, etc. down when building the tractor side. It took some deciphering of the specifications, looking at lots of pictures and other builds here on TBN but this is what I ended up with:
All the parts cut out of 1/4 plate using my plasma with a straight edge and drag tip. Corners cut using a piece of pipe as a guide. I bought a bunch of it cheap off Craigslist and the original bucket brackets are made from 1/4 so that is what I used.
Here it is tacked up on my 'work bench', I had the bottom angle wrong but luckily I caught it before getting too far and was able to knock it off and weld on at the proper angle.
I thought it turned out pretty good... but it weighed in at 40 lbs, too heavy! But it would work to help me set up the tractor adapter.