Quik-change 305 loader to skid steer conversion

[Semipro]

I hope to buy a 3032e soon. I've been shopping for a while, thought I wanted a MF 1532, then visited my local JD dealer again and got a much more favorable impression than I had previously. While there I found the relatively new 3032e and its now the tractor I go to bed at night thinking about....sadly, really. Holy cow I want a tractor and now the one I see in my dreams is green!

Anyway, one of the things I'd like to be able to do is use skid-steer implements on the loader. The 3032e comes with the 305 loader which has a Quik-change bucket.

Can anyone tell me what's would be involved to be able to attach skid-steer implements? I say "attach" because I realize there's the hydraulic aspect I'll also need to work out but I'll probably hit that in another post. Is there an adapter that can be bought or built. I have the ability to fabricate within reason (no really thick plate). I'd just like to know before I buy the tractor that its reasonably doable or that its something I shouldn't plan on doing.

Thanks in advance.

[GreatWhitehunter]

I don't know on the 305 but on the 300cx there is an option for the skid steer style quik tach. I may also be available on the 305. The weight is the major factor with skid steer attachments. CUT loaders just don't have the lifting abilitys.

Matt

[kennyd]

What do you think you wan to attach to your loader? I ask because a lot of hydraulic SS attachments cannot be run on a tractor due to the limited hydraulic flow available and the weight of some of them.

There are three things that work well...all of witch are readily available with the JDQA setup:

Bucket
Forks
Grapple

[Semipro]

Good points on both replies. I hadn't thought that the weight or hydraulic requirements of the SS attachments would tax the loader/tractor. I obviously need to consider that.

I was thinking of rock breakers, augers, backhoe as far as SS attachments that I could readily rent and use on the FEL. I realize that augers and backhoes are available for the 3PH but the ones for SS are easier for me to rent.

[kennyd]

Originally Posted by Semipro

Good points on both replies. I hadn't thought that the weight or hydraulic requirements of the SS attachments would tax the loader/tractor. I obviously need to consider that.

I was thinking of rock breakers, augers, backhoe as far as SS attachments that I could readily rent and use on the FEL. I realize that augers and backhoes are available for the 3PH but the ones for SS are easier for me to rent.

-You can get a "low flow" HPHD (hydraulic post hole digger) that your tractor would power, usually in the 5-10GPM range, but I am sure the rental place does not have them. Most certainly the HPHD's they rent won't work on your machine.

-Breakers are again "high-flow", and even if it would work it would beat your tractor into submission. They are very hard on machines.

-Those BH attachments are super heavy and stick out real far from the SSQA making the weight "feel" even heavier. Even if you could lift it-it would probably twist the FEL arms into pretzel like shapes when you used it.

Unfortunately these tractors, while they perform a huge amount of task's quite well-and are considered like Swiss Army knives because of all the attachments for them are just no substitute for a SS.

Add to all that, and consider that the SSQA stick's out a little further and weighs more than the JDQA setup compounding the problem of picking up super heavy loads/items.

I personally think the JDQA is a perfect setup for our small to mid-sized tractors. It provides a lightweight, fast and efficient way of attaching things to the FEL and a low cost also. It is also very easy to duplicate so making things like your own forklift carrier is very easily if you can weld/fabricate.


These are just my opinions...They may be worth just what you paid for them

[Semipro]

Originally Posted by kennyd

-You can get a "low flow" HPHD (hydraulic post hole digger) that your tractor would power, usually in the 5-10GPM range, but I am sure the rental place does not have them. Most certainly the HPHD's they rent won't work on your machine.

-Breakers are again "high-flow", and even if it would work it would beat your tractor into submission. They are very hard on machines.

-Those BH attachments are super heavy and stick out real far from the SSQA making the weight "feel" even heavier. Even if you could lift it-it would probably twist the FEL arms into pretzel like shapes when you used it.

Unfortunately these tractors, while they perform a huge amount of task's quite well-and are considered like Swiss Army knives because of all the attachments for them are just no substitute for a SS.

Add to all that, and consider that the SSQA stick's out a little further and weighs more than the JDQA setup compounding the problem of picking up super heavy loads/items.

I personally think the JDQA is a perfect setup for our small to mid-sized tractors. It provides a lightweight, fast and efficient way of attaching things to the FEL and a low cost also. It is also very easy to duplicate so making things like your own forklift carrier is very easily if you can weld/fabricate.


These are just my opinions...They may be worth just what you paid for them

Thanks for the info. As usual, when you actually get the facts you get a dose of realism at the same time. It sounds like I should use the tractor for loading and 3PH use and rent a SS on occasion for heavier chores. Unfortunately, not having to rent machinery was one of my justifications for buying the tractor. Thanks again.