Need Suggestions for 7800 tool/choke chain carrier

nharrold · Aug 2, 2004

On my B2150HST, I installed a plastic milk crate on a wooden platform that I'd assembled between the ROPS verticals, using 2x6" lumber and large u-bolts. I use it to carry up to four 15' choke chains, 30" loppers, snatchblocks, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and Gatorade, plus whatever else I'll need out in the woods.

I need to do the same on my B7800, but there are obstructions in the way: primarily lights, the foldable ROPS, and the hydraulic hoses for the top 'n tilt system.

I've attached a photo of the B7800 area behind the seat where I'd like to put the carrier. And I'd like to ask if anyone can offer any ideas or suggestions on how I might get this done.

ronjhall · Aug 3, 2004

nharrold

Here are a couple of threads that I found by searching for Chain Box.

Click Here

Click Here

I plan on making something similar to one of these for my B2910. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

nharrold · Aug 10, 2004

Thanks for those links, Ron. But I'm looking for something bigger, as I need to carry not only my choke chains, but loppers, hammer, wedges, Gatorade, first aid kit, and sometimes one of the chainsaws. But I got a few ideas from those photos; plan to visit a local fabricator to see what he can come up with for me.

RandyBX · Aug 10, 2004

I use my empty ballast box to carry all the items that I need. Works great, but would only work for you if you do not have the 3 point hitch already in use.

JOELENAHAN · Aug 10, 2004

What type of implement do you carry on your 3ph, I usually have my box blade on therefore, I attached a carrier on it. It is a 50 cal. ammo can that can store about 30 ft of chain. I am sure that you can modify the type of container to hold other types of equipment. It might be easier to modify your most used implements than your tractor.

nharrold · Aug 31, 2004

Sorry for the delay in replying, Joe; I've been busier than a cat burying **** on a hot tin roof. I often use my box scraper on the 3PH, but much more often, I use the drawbar to haul log splitters, carts, and other implements. So I can't put a carry box down there. Since I originally submitted the question, I've worked with a nearby fabricator to have hooks welded on the bucket, and now to fabricate the box I need. It must be sturdy enough to carry 60' of 3/8" chain, hand tools, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, gatorade, etc. So he took the measurements and is going to make it out of heavy-duty steel mesh in an angle-iron frame. That'll provide good drainage in wet weather, and will give me better visibility when I'm backing up to put my drawbar ball under the hitches on my implements. I've also got to find a clamp-on hook that I can clamp to the ROPS to hold my 30" loppers. (I'll have to find another place to put the SMV sign.) If he does a decent job on it, I'll sandblast it and paint it Kubota orange, maybe have it powder-coated, then post a picture of it. But I'm relatively low on his work-order list, so it may be another week or two, yet. Appreciate your posting.

MadDog · Sep 2, 2004

nharold: I moved the SMV sign to the outside of the ROPS post by attaching the mounting bracket to the opposite post.

...it is just as functional and will leave you more room for your tool/chain carrier.

nharrold · Sep 8, 2004

Maddog, do you find yourself walking into that SMV sign when it's mounted on the outside of the ROPS? I suspect I'd manage to walk right into it every time I rounded the machine!

(Still waiting on the fabricator to make the box.)

nharrold · Jan 18, 2005

Well, it's been awhile since I originally requested help, but here's what I finally ended up with (photo attached). I had a fabricator make a box for me, and I installed it on the FOPS. I then had to move the SMV emblem to the back of the seat, using stand-off bolts to keep it as vertical as possible, so as to reflect the greatest amount of light.

This set-up represents a lot of cut-and-fit work and a lot of compromises in size, location, etc., so is not at all perfect. If I had to do it again, I'd do a few things differently. Live and learn. However, it does a satisfactory job of carrying most of the items I need when I'm out in the woods on a job. It does not interfere with putting the FOPS in either the folded or extended position. Note also that the pierced metal allows the operator to see what's happening with the 3PH and drawbar.

While some may be put off by my attaching it to the FOPS, Kubota left me no other options. I need that box. And when I weighed the priorities of attaching it to the FOPS or having no box at all, the FOPS lost out. Based on experience, I expect that I'll get more than enough benefit from having the box where it is, with no weakening of the FOPS structure itself due to the several 5/16" holes drilled in it.

MadDog · Jan 18, 2005

Neet looking box, Norm. It does have the potential of reviving Henro's now classic "I drilled my ROPS" thread. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Any reason why the box couldn't be attached to the ROPS verticals with U-Bolts? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Seriously, I don't really think that the bolts will adversely affect the integrity of the ROPS at all.

JASTN70D · Jan 18, 2005

It could be that the angle iron braces you placed across the ROP's may have made it stronger.

In fact if one wanted to strengthen such a structure that is a good way to start

Nice job on the box /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

btolle · Jan 18, 2005

Nice looking box.

You could move the SMV sign to the back of the box. It could be near one side and down low so it wouldn't block your view any more than necessary and would be a lot more visible (safer) there than where it is now.

Just a suggestion.

Bill Tolle

sneaky_pete · Jan 18, 2005

( Nice looking box.)

Ditto.

( You could move the SMV sign to the back of the box.)

That's exactly what I did on my .223 ammo can tool box; got the idea from another thread right here on TBN. Works well for me.

nharrold · Jan 18, 2005

MadDog, I considered using U-bolts, as it wouldn't have required a lot of drilling; in fact, that's how I'd fastened the plastic milk crate base to my B2150 ROPS. However, I rejected that approach this time for two reasons:

a. It would have required a projecting extension to the upper crossbar, which would have caused hang-up problems; as in, the shoulder of my coats, and the choke chains when going in and out of the basket; and

b. There would more likely be a tendency for the heavily-laden basket to slide down on the FOPS verticals, possibly interfering with the extension of the top-n-tilt ram. I neglected to mention above that one of the positioning criteria for the basket was that it allow full range of motion for that top ram when using any of the implements. Finally, I wrapped all the tnt hydraulic hoses with some twist-on plastic protector stuff ("Rhino Wrap") that seems really tough; got it from the local logger hydraulic shop.

Note: I had also considered drilling & tapping the FOPS verticals, but the metal wasn't thick enough to provide enough threads to securely hold the weight of the basket without stripping out. So I ended-up drilling all the way through the FOPS, back to front, and using carriage bolts with nylon locknuts.

PS: I was born & brought-up in "Winchestah" MA. Left there in '57 and haven't been back since. Military service, gummint service, etc.

Henro · Jan 18, 2005

Norm, nice work. Looks real good.

And while this thread is not that old, it sure is an excellent example of how a thread can be brought back to life in a very meaningful way...

Hope our "earth-toned" relatively-new member takes note! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Thanks for the update! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MadDog · Jan 18, 2005

Thanks. Wrapping the hydraulic hoses is a great idea. They seem to chaff a lot on other things, particularly when the hydraulic toplink is not being used (such as when I am using either my PHD or BH). I think I'll check with my local Kubota dealer to see if he has Rhino wrap.

m7040 · Sep 26, 2006

I am thinking about mounting a 24 inch truck box on my m7040. It seems to fit on the right side of the cab between the wheels. Will have to remove the steps and fabricate a support bracket to mount the box to. Has anyone seen this done before? Dimensions are 24 long by 18x18 with full front door that swings down for access.