Storing the Loader in the fully up position

[splotkin]

I just mounted the Kubota ballast box to my BX1850. The tractor shed is just shy of 12 feet long. With the Ballast Box installed the only way to fit the tractor all the way in is to raise the bucket almost all the way to the roof.

In the past when I had to do this I placed a 4x4 post cut just the right, length under the bucket, in case it leaked down.

I mentioned this to a friend and when he is working under anything with a hydraulic cylinder he will place a large piece of angle iron wrapped with duct tape on top of the exposed cylinder, so it cannot close down on him.

I liked the idea but I had no angle iron around. Instead I used a couple of pieces of Schedule 40 PVC pipe. I cut out a piece of the pipe lengthwise about an one and one half inches thick. These I can slide over the cylinder rods to keep the loader from lowering as the fluid leaks down.

I am concerned that the pipe is not strong enough. Especially when it goes down to minus 20 F. I did install them and then put the loader valve in float position. It seems to hold things up OK. I will probably try this overnight but with the tractor outside so there is not an accident if the pipes fail.

Do any of you have an opinion on how strong this PVC set-up is? Does anyone else have a suggestion on a light weight way to hold the loader up from the cylinder?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[rbargeron]

...... I used a couple of pieces of Schedule 40 PVC pipe......

I notice that tractor dealers and repair garages often park units with loaders up high. For smaller machines I think your sched 40 pvc pipe crutches are a good idea. I'd leave the valve in the center position - so if they fail the bucket won't move down quickly - it will just revert to leaking down slowly as it did without them. They probably won't fail - they may get brittle when cold - but not weak. More likely they'll bow or bend in hot weather. Of course if there's any chance of children being around the tractor the safest place for the FEL and 3ph attachments is usually flat on the ground.

 

[john_bud]

Do any of you have an opinion on how strong this PVC set-up is? Does anyone else have a suggestion on a light weight way to hold the loader up from the cylinder?

Thanks,

Scott

Scott, It's probably as strong as a new born kitten.

At -20 the PVC will get VERY brittle and will shatter. The shards can be painful if they hit you and expensive if they hit something else.

I would go to the store and get the angle iron. Actually, I would park where the bucket dropping wouldn't harm anything. Better would be parking with the bucket on the ground. Especially if you have any little ones that like to play farmer. Tractors are "attractive nuisances" like a pool.

jb

 

[kennyd]

I couldn't/wouldn't trust plastic either-I would always doubt it and it would bud the crap out of me.

Get the angle iron and use zip ties to hold it on-you will sleep better.

 

[nh DRAGON]

Scott, I agree that you should put it tractor in a position where if the loader does fall it will not hurt any thing. Last year I had so much hay in that I ran out of room so I had to put the bucket up over the hay to get it in and I set the lock. I use the rig every week once or twice and for the three months I did this the bucket never fell an inch once. this year I have hay, the landscape rake and the weight box in and the BX with the loader up and the tiller on and it sill has not moved! I do like the angle iron idea just have not go one cut yet.

 

[splotkin]

Thanks for all the advise. I have a huge mouse problem and need to keep the shed as tightly closed as possible. At this point the tractor with the loader up is the only option. I have pretty heavy roof joists. I am thinking that I can cut a chain to just the right length to allow me to hook to the joist in case the loader starts to leak down. The shed was designed to allow a crossbeam to be set on the top plate for hoisting engines etc. up to 500 lbs or so. I think this should be enough to hold the loader up. Worst case is the loader will come slowely down and push open the double hinged doors.
I was just hoping that some one had designed a locking collar of some sort similar to the use of the angle iron, that was strong and safe.

thanks,

Scott

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Perhaps the schedule 80 (gray) PVC pipe would be better for this application?

 

[tommu56]

1st make a bucket trap for the mice

and slit a piece of schedule 80 steel pipe like you did the pvc.

tommu

 

[stuarth]

How about leaving it outside and put some toys (motorcycles) in the shed?

 

[Berniep]

How about pull the tractor in the other way and make some reinforcements to the back wall so the bucket can rest against it or even install a ledge for it to rest on, or a loop of chain you could put the bucket into. Just an idea not having seen your shed.