nimblemotors
Silver Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2011
- Messages
- 104
- Location
- Sacramento, California
- Tractor
- Case 530 CK Sold, Ford Ranger DIY Project
Going to build a bucket loader starting with a 1985 Ford Ranger 4wd auto with 4cyl engine.
Instead of a skidsteer, I'll just use the truck wheels to do the turning since it already turns, but I will put the loader in back over the rear wheels,
so the truck will drive backwards and be a rear-steer setup. I will strip off all the bodywork, leaving just the frame and drivetrain,
and rig up something to steer and brake facing backwards.
I will replace the rearend with a limited-slip 8.8 I have from an explorer. I will eliminate the suspension springs, and attach the frame
directly to the rearend and the front twin-beams that won't move anymore.
I was doing some math to see how big and long a lift cylinder I need, perhaps someone can check my math.
My lift capacity will be only 1,000 lbs, which is 1/3 a yard of sand, so a bucket size of 1/3 yard or 4ft wide, 1.5ft tall, and 1.5ft deep is 9cf or 1/3 yard.
I'm seeing if I can use a 2in cylinder with a 20in stroke, as one is available to me. it has a ~9,000 lb force,
so to lift 1000lbs, I can use a max 8:1 ratio on the lift arm, which would raise max 8 times 20 inches or 160 inches or 13 feet.
If I limit the height to 10ft, I can use a 6:1 ratio, which would bump up the lift capacity to (9000/6=1500lbs).
Do I have that right? lol
The loader will be a one-arm bandit, like this Volvo loader:
Instead of a skidsteer, I'll just use the truck wheels to do the turning since it already turns, but I will put the loader in back over the rear wheels,
so the truck will drive backwards and be a rear-steer setup. I will strip off all the bodywork, leaving just the frame and drivetrain,
and rig up something to steer and brake facing backwards.
I will replace the rearend with a limited-slip 8.8 I have from an explorer. I will eliminate the suspension springs, and attach the frame
directly to the rearend and the front twin-beams that won't move anymore.
I was doing some math to see how big and long a lift cylinder I need, perhaps someone can check my math.
My lift capacity will be only 1,000 lbs, which is 1/3 a yard of sand, so a bucket size of 1/3 yard or 4ft wide, 1.5ft tall, and 1.5ft deep is 9cf or 1/3 yard.
I'm seeing if I can use a 2in cylinder with a 20in stroke, as one is available to me. it has a ~9,000 lb force,
so to lift 1000lbs, I can use a max 8:1 ratio on the lift arm, which would raise max 8 times 20 inches or 160 inches or 13 feet.
If I limit the height to 10ft, I can use a 6:1 ratio, which would bump up the lift capacity to (9000/6=1500lbs).
Do I have that right? lol
The loader will be a one-arm bandit, like this Volvo loader: