LA302 Quick Hitch forks

[600rider]

I was going to tag this on the end of my La302 Quick hitch build but decided it should have its own thread.

You know why I made the QH for the loader don't you? Yep next on the agenda is a set of FEL forks! I got a set of 42" forks last summer from our jitney repair man for scrap price $.15 a lb. x 80 lbs ea = $24.00! I got started on them tonight. Sorry no pics (phone was on charge!) I am using 2.5"x2.5"x.5" angle for the top and bottom rail that the forks slide on with 2.5"x.375" flat bar for the uprights. I notched the top bar from the center to the outside edge 2.50" on center, 7 notches each side. I made a 4" notch in the bottom center to facilitate removal. That's about all I got done tonight. I will post pics tomorrow.

So here are the picks from last night

The last pic is of the first project a set of steel saw horses I made because I build heavy things and my plastic horses don't hold up.

 

[600rider]

here is the link for the QH http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/233248-kubota-b1402-loader.html

I got the sides welded to the cross pieces and the bushings welded to the mount plates tonight.

Note to all: When you are welding heavy objects on horses don't be pushing and shoving the object so much it falls off the horses!!! OUCH it fell and whacked my right arm between the fork and saw horse! I should have tacked it to the horse. My arm is all black and blue and it took my breath away it hurt so bad!
Notice the "clamp holding the frame to the horse? Hind sight is 20/20!!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[nick95rs]

I'm very interested in the build. I read your Quick Attach tread also. I actually saw it after I ordered a quick attach for my LA 302. It is made by ATI. I just happen to run across it a couple of weeks ago while I was online. Called and talked to them, and found out it was the last one they had. They stopped making them because of lack of sales. It is made just like the factory Kubota QA. I hope to have it next week. I have pallet forks already, but they will have to be adapted to the QA. By the way, you did a great job on your QA.

 

[600rider]

I got some more done on the forks tonight.
The first thing I did was to weld a 1/2x7/8 bar on the backside of the top rail for the forks to slide on. Pic 1

I decided to make the headache guard match the brush guard on the tractor. I used some 3/8x2" bar to make the frame. I heated it with the torch and bent it in a vise. I bent it to 73* 10"s from the end to match the angle and height of the brush guard. pic 2

Then made 3 braces for it out of 1/4x2" and welded it all together. pics 3 and 4

The last thing I did was to fit the pieces of 1 1/2x2 1/2x1/8 wall rectangle tube for the mount and called it a night. Tomorrow I should be able to get it finished.

Oh yeah I scored big time today at work I got a bundle of about 60 to 75 2x4's 6', 12' and 14' long for free!!!! all I had to do was take my trailer and the Jitney driver loaded them for me! I will post pics of the bundle maybe tomorrow.

 

[600rider]

I got the hitch mounts done and welded to the frame all works great but...... My forks weigh 80# each and the frame probably weighs 120# so the capacity is down to about 500#. This is a guess. But now I can "lift things up and put them down"! :laughing:

 

[kbrothers]

Am presently building a FEL for my Cub and am really impressed with your QA setup GREAT job

 

[600rider]

Am presently building a FEL for my Cub and am really impressed with your QA setup GREAT job

Thanks Kbrothers, The QH was a fairly simple project after I checked a friends out on his LA402. I didn't have enough ambition to build my own FEL. but have seen others tackle the job and look forward to watching yours progress!

 

[600rider]

Here is a link to my bucket level indicator. made it in about 3 hrs. another simple job! http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/235653-la302-bucket-level-indicator.html

 

[600rider]

I didn't like the 42" forks for my little LA302 so I swapped them with a friend for a set of 36" forks. They weigh less and should limit what I try to pick up so I don't over do it.

 

[600rider]

Well I just couldn't wait for warmer weather so I took the forks off today and painted the frame!! I think I will shoot a second coat maybe Monday. I shot it with spray bombs and I think it turned out pretty nice........ but then I am biased!!