Something different

[DEON]

I have been modifying my CK25 loader. My purpose is to do 5 things. I wanted better visibility, more lift capacity, more curl strength, eliminate the sloppiness of the QA loader and end up with a self leveling bucket. Unfortunately I ran out of time so I did not complete the self leveling parts. The snow will soon be here so I put it together as is until spring.
I used the boom lift cylinders for the curl. As they are longer, I was able to space the curl pins farther apart to gain over 40% in curl strength.
I replaced 1.77" ID boom cylinders with 2" ID cylinders and spaced the boom pins farther apart to gain about 50% more break out force. I lost about 3" height at full lift but I seldom lift the bucket all the way to the top as most of my loader work is dirt and snow, no hay and no fork work. I also spent a good amount of time reinforcing the loader frame bass so as not to break the tractor transmission/engine assembly. I compared my front axle and pivot assembly with other tractors with much stronger loaders like the L 3940 Kubota and LA724 loader rated at 3403 lbs. breakout force. The CK25 is built almost identical if not stronger then the much larger L3940 with a longer loader that extend much farther forward so I felt comfortable with my added loader capacity.
Anyway, I did not take any photos while building but you can see the old loaders towers in the background in one of the photos. Have fun looking. I will post again when the self leveling is completed. Oh, I put it to the test today in an old pile of pit run and did a little driveway grading. I am amazed at the added strength, stability and precise control. Feels like an industrial tractor.

[Johndeere3720]

Very nicely done.

[leveller]

Deon, I am very interested in your self leveling bucket idea. I have been trying to figure one out for my Bobcat tractor. Please post pics if you start building it. I am also interested in your cab. Did you build or buy it?

[DEON]

Originally Posted by leveller

Deon, I am very interested in your self leveling bucket idea. I have been trying to figure one out for my Bobcat tractor. Please post pics if you start building it. I am also interested in your cab. Did you build or buy it?

I will be posting photos when the self leveling parts are complete but that will only be in the spring. I built the cab myself.

[leveller]

do you have any more pics of the cab? It looks very nice, what is the roof made of? Did you leave the ROPs in place? I am about to start building my own cab and hope it turns out as nice as yours

[DEON]

Originally Posted by leveller

do you have any more pics of the cab? It looks very nice, what is the roof made of? Did you leave the ROPs in place? I am about to start building my own cab and hope it turns out as nice as yours

Leveller, I purchased the tractor used with a SIMs cab. I didn't like it because it was mostly sheet steel and very little glass. Couldn't see a thing. Plus it was mounted to the floor and jumped up and down on every bump practically wrecking my tractor. I saved the roof panel, door latches, one wiper and the heater and a few pieces of metal. Everything else is newly made with 2 x 2 x 1/8" square steel tubing. I rubber mounted the cab at the front with steel welded to the loader frame and at the back to the cut off sections of the ROP lowers. I have a heater mounted in the back of the roof that collect air from outside through filters to keep the condensation off the windows and 2 small heaters in front of my feet. It is super comfy in there. I've heard complaints of people with factory cabs that could not get heat to their feet. I know that some will say I am not suppose to modify the ROP system but it's my tractor and I am much better protected with 6 post and a steel framed roof over my head than the ROPs system can ever do. If you need other photos of specific areas, you can email me with your request. I'll take photos of what you need. Can't wait to see what your cab will look like.

[leveller]

Thanks for the pics. I too was thinking of removing my ROPS as it gets in the way of my cab design. I want to make my cab removable for summer, and would reinstall the ROPS. I see no danger of me rolling my tractor clearing snow in the Canadian prairies! I see you have hinges and door handles mounted to holes in your glass. Did you have the glass tempered? Did your door glass come from your old cab or did you make them? Thanks again, and I may have more questions. Hope to start my cab build soon

[mcd176]

Deon,

Nice cab!

Levellor,

I sent you a PM