Tractor side SS quick attach build

[mwb]

Pin plates are now welded on and test fit on the tractor. I have to use a small rubber mallet to tap the pins in, that will loosen up when I use it.




Almost ready for paint! I have to make a cover for the QA mechanism first.

 

[bx24]

mwb

Very nice clean job. I hope this fits your next tractor since I am willing to bet everything else will wear out long before your QH!

 

[mwb]

My QA is complete and has been in use for a couple of months now and I really like it. Having the ability to release both sides at once is very fast and will also allow me to add a power release in the future.

I have also completed a second set for an L3400; it has been in service for about a month. I will start a new thread now with some pics.

 

[mjncad]

I just came across this thread; but I will say that you did an excellent job of making the SS adapter.

 

[mwb]

I just came across this thread; but I will say that you did an excellent job of making the SS adapter.

Thanks for the complement! I am very happy with it and having one twist to lock / unlock is very convenient. I notice a HUGE difference in the amount of play from the old QA - now there isn't any.

Another nice thing about this is that it is made from off-the-shelf stock; you don't have to have custom metal bent, etc.

I still haven't put a handle on the lock tube; with my forks i can easily grip the 1" tube enough to lock it but the bucket is harder because the tube is so close to the back of the bucket (about 1") -hard to get two hands around and the tube is slippery.

I did a lot of research before building this and I was surprised that no one had made one for themselves. I thought it would be a popular item and thats why I posted all the plans and parts list.

I guess more and more new machines are coming with them also... kind of like intermittent wipers - option for the first ten years then standard equipment

Cheers,
Mike

 

[mjncad]

It's amazing how creative one can get to create something with the tools they have at hand. I wish I had a lathe, mill, shear, break, press and other stuff to make more complicated things; but I do the best I can with what I have.

 

[UP Brett]

Very nice build I like the one handle for changing very easy to automate. Like the idea of not climbing in and out of tractor. Thank you for sharing your plans and material list. I will be in the process of builing one for my MM M670 super gas. The previous owner hacked a cab on it, I believe its off a Interational.

Brett

 

[G.P.S.Investments]

RE:electric bobotach as shown on the skid steer forum which a 12volt LINEAR ACTUATORS with a static load of 500 lbs.Use this to switch from one piece of equiment to another without even leaving the seat.The pic's of the idea is in the skidsteerforum under the the home made section.Don't quote me, but I think one person got bobcat to install one for him for HUGE amount of $$$$$$$$.Another gentleman used linear actuator used one that he had as a spare,I figure that was a Idea.

 

[mwb]

I keep forgetting to post the finished pictures. I built and installed the same QA on my Dad's Kubota L3400. Here is a pic of the finished product that shows the single lock tube. I will try to get a pic of mine this weekend.

 

[leveller]

You did an outstanding job on your QA.Thanks for posting, I would like to build one too, and I will come back to this post often when I start my build. Really like the one handle idea, Greg

 

[UP Brett]

Heres the link to the linear actuator used in the skidsteer forum.

http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=22705

Brett

 

[J_J]

Heres the link to the linear actuator used in the skidsteer forum.

http://www.skidsteerforum.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=54&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=22705

Brett

Thanks for posting that link. I had that picture, but do not know where it came from. Nice setup, and inexpensive to make. Thanks

 

[tlbuser]

I keep forgetting to post the finished pictures. I built and installed the same QA on my Dad's Kubota L3400. Here is a pic of the finished product that shows the single lock tube. I will try to get a pic of mine this weekend.

View attachment 152089

I missed this whole thread somehow. WOW, awesome job. Can we see a pic of the lock lever set-up on the torque tube?

 

[mwb]

I missed this whole thread somehow. WOW, awesome job. Can we see a pic of the lock lever set-up on the torque tube?

Yep; finally got around to getting the final pics. This has been in use for eight months or so and it works great. The orange handle has a rare earth magnet cemented to the inside; it sticks to the torque tube when not needed.

To unlock the QA, hinge the handle down and rotate up about 90 deg, the compression springs are released. Pull the handle up to release the pins (this can require a little force. Fold handle against the torque tube and then rotate the tube to fully retract the pins.

Bucket locked

handle swung down (pins still locked)

Compression springs released

Handle parked again and tube rotated to fully retract the pins

Another view of pins retracted and handle parked.




Sorry for the Kubota orange on the handle; makes for good visibility though.

Remember, Friends don't let friends drive orange tractors!

 

[dcyrilc]

Yep; finally got around to getting the final pics. This has been in use for eight months or so and it works great. The orange handle has a rare earth magnet cemented to the inside; it sticks to the torque tube when not needed.

To unlock the QA, hinge the handle down and rotate up about 90 deg, the compression springs are released. Pull the handle up to release the pins (this can require a little force. Fold handle against the torque tube and then rotate the tube to fully retract the pins.

Sorry for the Kubota orange on the handle; makes for good visibility though.

Remember, Friends don't let friends drive orange tractors!

Awsome build.

 

[cowsrus]

This a great, i've been searching for plans for making one of these. Thanks

 

[wvpolekat]

Is this doable with fairly basic tools? Angle grinder, hand drill, stick welder?

It looks like it is, but wanted to make sure.

 

[mwb]

Is this doable with fairly basic tools? Angle grinder, hand drill, stick welder?

It looks like it is, but wanted to make sure.

I designed this specifically to be buildable using basic tools. You can make your job really easy by having your metal supplier cut the rectangular tube (45 and 60 angles) on their saw - they should be able to give you nice square cuts.

The only 'special' tool I used was a metal lathe and it was only used to turn the plastic push plug that rides on top of the spring, and to fit the lock collars to the 'torque tube' (part with the orange handle). You can do both of these using other means - I suggested alternatives in my post. You can replace the plastic plug with a nylon bolt - should be available at any fastener store. The lock collars were turned down slightly to center themselves in the cross tube but you could use other means to line them up before welding.

A drill press would be a lot easier to use than a hand drill but there is no reason why you can use it.

I also recommend getting your bucket-side plates or borrowing a finished bucket to fit to; this makes it very easy to square parts up. Also, don't make the tractor side to tight - I suggest 1/16" undersize when fitted to a bucket - it is much easier to build it up slightly than it is to grind it down if the finished part is a little too long.

Overall, I think this is a fairly easy build as long as you pay attention to the details. I believe this post contains all the info you need to make it.

Good luck!
Mike

 

[wvpolekat]

The post was very complete, just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything I was missing.

I have access to a drill press, so I may well use it.

My supplier charges excessively for cuts other than 90 degrees. Something like $20/cut. So, I will angle grinder those. For the amount they would want, I could buy a bandsaw for these cuts and have the tool left over. I will also have to cut another pair of the cylinder attachment brackets. May be worth the investment.

I had thought about getting the plate ahead of time to help with fitting/building. I will go ahead and do that.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I will also have to cut another pair of the cylinder attachment brackets. May be worth the investment.

I had thought about getting the plate ahead of time to help with fitting/building. I will go ahead and do that.

I removed my cylinder brackets from my bucket and reused them on my SSQA , for me it was just as easy to do that then build a new set. Also using a plate is a good idea, I had a set of factory built pallet forks a friend loaned me, and used them , made a real nice jig for fitting and tack welding together and everything I've hooked to so far has fit really nice.