FEL, TORO Groundsmaster Put Together

[Xfaxman]

Got a request from MBTRAC to do a build thread on what is pictured in my Avatar. So here it is.

Started with this 1990 TORO Groundsmaster Traction Unit. It didn't have the rotary deck on it. Notice the seat is offset to the left, the decks are offset to the right to mow around trees like a zero turn.



Got it in September, 2004, had just over 3,000 hours on the 3 cylinder, 22 horsepower Mitsubishi diesel engine.
It drives a hydrostatic transmission bolted to a Spicer automobile type axle rated at 1800 pounds.

Here is a better view of the axle (don't ask how I got it ):


Changed the turf tires to ag type:

[Xfaxman]

Got the Kwik-way loader at an auction in June of 2005, was told it came off of a Wheel Horse like this one:


I don't think it had been used much, the bucket is 42" wide.



First thing I did was make sure I could mount the pump, the second option was drive it from the PTO.

The first option worked!
Bought a fan drive pulley and used longer metric bolts


Cut the original pump bracket and drilled new holes to match where the fan belt shield was mounted, at the back of the engine.

Then I removed the pump so I could drive the TORO while I was doing the rest of the put together.

[Don87]

I like that.

[Xfaxman]

Cut the loader mounting frame at the width of the TORO frame. Welded it to a piece of ¼" angle that bolts to the TORO frame where the ROPS would go. There is 2" square tubing that the bolts go through.


Flattened and drilled tubing ends to brace the towers, used existing holes in the TORO frame.


Extending the loader arms. The tubing slides over the tapered loader arm. Will drill the tubing and bolt through the the original ¾" pivot hole.


Extensions are long enough to clear the front of the TORO.

[Xfaxman]

Mounting the control valve.

Cut, drilled and welded a mounting bracket.


Installed the valve bracket, had to remove the toolbox. Used an existing hole on the left, had to drill the first hole in the TORO for this project, on the right end.


Got the longer cylinders installed. The pins are on bronze bushings and spacers as required.
The temperature gauge appears to be upside down, but sitting on the seat with your left hand on the valve handles, looking at it under your armpit, the numbers are right side up in relation to your head, which is kinda upside down!


More tomorrow.

[mjncad]

That's pretty cool, thanks for sharing. What PSI does your hydraulic system run at? The reason I ask is that it looks like you used some common (e.g. Home Despot) threaded plumbing fittings in some places.

As a side note...Mohammad; if you're listening, please incorporate a modern pop-up photo gallery viewer to make threads like this easier and more enjoyable to read.

[MBTRAC]

Thanks Xfaxman,

Much appreciate you taking the time to detail your build in this thread - the Toro's can be picked up quite reasonably over here - it's prompted me with a few more ideas & to get started on something similar for garden duties I've been considering for a while ( as they say so many projects, too little time )

[willi67]

I just saw something similar .. don't know if this was a factory option on these machine .. nice job Xfaxman
COCKERAL MOWER TORO BRAND | eBay

[Xfaxman]

[QUOTE=mjncad;3204128]That's pretty cool, thanks for sharing. What PSI does your hydraulic system run at? The reason I ask is that it looks like you used some common (e.g. Home Despot) threaded plumbing fittings in some places.

I set the pump relief at 1150 lbs. At this point in the put together the only fittings I added are on the suction line out of the reservoir where the temperature gauge is. Everything else came with the loader, and has been working for almost 8 years now.

[Xfaxman]

Thanks Xfaxman,

Much appreciate you taking the time to detail your build in this thread - the Toro's can be picked up quite reasonably over here - it's prompted me with a few more ideas & to get started on something similar for garden duties I've been considering for a while ( as they say so many projects, too little time )

Well thanks for asking me to do it. I hope it does give guys ideas to build their own versions.
There are many brands of out front mowers to choose from. I would recommend using a 4WD.