Build-It-Yourself Attachment KITS...How much interest would there be???

[jim_wilson]

Watching this thread to see if these kits become available. I'd be interested in a grapple kit.

 

[Redneck in training]

Watching this thread to see if these kits become available. I'd be interested in a grapple kit.

Click here:
Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Build - Page 19

 

[jim_wilson]

Click here:
Everything Attachments Wicked Grapple Build - Page 19

Thanks. I ran across that thread - which is actually what pointed me back to this one. I can't find any info though indicating that the kit is actually available - that thread was just to detail the build for the one kit that EA gave away to test the concept.

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks. I ran across that thread - which is actually what pointed me back to this one. I can't find any info though indicating that the kit is actually available - that thread was just to detail the build for the one kit that EA gave away to test the concept.

We're still sitting at the concept stage.

 

[Baby Grand]

Roger is still building his grapple. I suspect when he finishes, there'll be some communication with EA about changes/potential improvements. Then a wait while EA digests the results and figures out what they need to tweek in the kit, then another wait for EA to figure out what their next move will be.

I have to think that EA is presently burning their lamps late into the night, filling their Spring equipment orders that actually make them a profit, rather than putting manpower on this project which will remain a loss until they sell some kits. So be patient.

 

[crazyal]

I was hoping they would give us a list of the attachments they are thinking about turning into kits and an idea of savings over the completed attachment.

 

[CliffordK]

You could exclude parts that don't require machining (in example square or round tubing) and can be sourced localy. Or at least it should be an option. It will save on shipping cost.

+1
To add, similar to another post- for the parts that you can purchase locally, if they require cutting or drilling- include a single use template. Maybe exclude common fastening hardware that can be bought locally- would save a lot of weight.

Perhaps a "piece it together" option. Disc harrow as an example- maybe someone has access to or already has the discs- no need to buy them....

I agree,
There are some things that are easy to build at home.
Others that are more complex.

One option would be A-la-carte ordering of certain items depending on a person's skill and what is needed.

For example, on a brush hog, one might need a gearbox, PTO shaft, blades, and perhaps some hitch parts.
Many of the other parts are flat, and could be cut out from locally sourced steel, or recycled steel.

Rear blades often have a subtle curve. So, while some of the hitch parts might be locally fabricated, it would be a pain to bend the curve into the blade.

It may involve redesigning some of the equipment for the home assembly market. So, a piece that you might just butt weld in the factory might be bult with tabs to aid with assembling and positioning of parts prior to welding.

 

[sparc]

I was hoping they would give us a list of the attachments they are thinking about turning into kits and an idea of savings over the completed attachment.

This subject would be a good candidate for a poll thread where people could select more than one item from a list of possible kits.

So if I am interested in a land plane, a box blade, and a grapple I can vote for each and maybe rate which one is more appealing to me on a scale of 1 to 5 or something like that.

 

[sparc]

I was hoping they would give us a list of the attachments they are thinking about turning into kits and an idea of savings over the completed attachment.

This subject would be a good candidate for a poll thread where people could select more than one item from a list of possible kits.

So if I am interested in a land plane, a box blade, and a grapple I can vote for each and maybe rate which one is more appealing to me on a scale of 1 to 5 or something like that.

 

[aczlan]

This subject would be a good candidate for a poll thread where people could select more than one item from a list of possible kits.
So if I am interested in a land plane, a box blade, and a grapple I can vote for each and maybe rate which one is more appealing to me on a scale of 1 to 5 or something like that.

The "scale of 1-5 for each attachment" would need an external poll to do, but "which of these 10 attachments would you like to see as a kit" wouldn't be hard to do right here on the forum.

Aaron Z

 

[sparc]

The "scale of 1-5 for each attachment" would need an external poll to do, but "which of these 10 attachments would you like to see as a kit" wouldn't be hard to do right here on the forum.

Aaron Z

ok on having to do an external poll. i know that vBulletin has the capability to do this as other forums that use the same software have it and its not because of a add-on from what I was told. You can create time-limited polls or open-ended ones, and choose to have radio buttons (choose one only) or check boxes (multiple choice). I thought it would be available here too.

 

[sparc]

The "scale of 1-5 for each attachment" would need an external poll to do, but "which of these 10 attachments would you like to see as a kit" wouldn't be hard to do right here on the forum.

Aaron Z

ok on having to do an external poll. i know that vBulletin has the capability to do this as other forums that use the same software have it and its not because of a add-on from what I was told. You can create time-limited polls or open-ended ones, and choose to have radio buttons (choose one only) or check boxes (multiple choice). I thought it would be available here too.

View attachment 312098

 

[aczlan]

ok on having to do an external poll. i know that vBulletin has the capability to do this as other forums that use the same software have it and its not because of a add-on from what I was told. You can create time-limited polls or open-ended ones, and choose to have radio buttons (choose one only) or check boxes (multiple choice). I thought it would be available here too.
View attachment 312098

Radio button and checkbox type polls are available, what isn't available is "on a scale of 1-5 how interested would you be in each kit"

Aaron Z

 

[CliffordK]

One could, of course, have a "retail poll".

Pick out a few items targeted to the homeowner/small farmer such as a box blade or cultivator, and offer it as a ready to weld kit.
Just see how many you sell.
And, also monitor the impact to your other sales.
And, of course, solicit feedback from the customers.

Be wary of critical welds that could pose a significant danger if the welds failed.

 

[crazyal]

The problem is that most of us would have no clue how hard it would be to assemble any of the kits. After watching the grapple build I bet few of us would realize the amount of welding required. you can look at the grapple and see the welds but to assign an amount of time and materials needed is usually something only a professional could accurately do. So when we look at an attachment we need to know how much welding and painting there really is. If not much of each then a kit wouldn't offer much of a price break.

For example would you buy a disc harrow kit that was only $100 cheaper than the assembled attachment? If there's not much welding and little steel to paint then there may not be enough savings. However if the discs would need to be assembled that could add to the savings.

 

[bcp]

I've been reading this thread off and on for the last 6 months, but don't recall seeing these ideas.

1. Designing some bolt-together kits, with any absolutely needed welding already done. Many people may be good assemblers but not welders.

2. Selling sub-assemblies. For example, a quick-attach compatible implement front-end, or a rake to replace a blade, etc. (Will EA already sell sub-assemblies of their implements?)

3. Offering some kits based on really popular build-it-yourself threads on this site.

Bruce

 

[CliffordK]

I admit that sometimes I find it a pain spending an hour or two assembling a piece of furniture or such. One of Mom's neighbors regularly calls me to assemble something she has purchased. So, I'd probably pass on buying a thousand dollar "ready to assemble" kit that required clamping, welding and painting.

That said, there may be a market for things like tractor buckets and backhoe buckets that are 90% assembled, but missing the mount. Perhaps you could also fabricate custom mounts for a variety of backhoes and loaders that would be ready to be welded in place.

Of course, another option would be to have a portion of your business dedicated to custom fabrication.

So, for example, someone here was looking for a Ford backhoe bucket.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/276139-new-holland-backhoe-replacement-bucket.html

You could have a stock bucket that you would just fabricate the mounts, weld them on, and ship it out... ok, so not "do-it-yourself", but providing a valuable service.

Same thing for tractor buckets, and bucket forks that might be mounted on dozens of different loaders.

It looks like you already do that to some extent.

 

[LD1]

1. Designing some bolt-together kits, with any absolutely needed welding already done. Many people may be good assemblers but not welders.

I thought about mentioning that, but it most likely would cost more than just having them weld it. With the added cost of designing and implementing mounting tabs, drilled and tapped holes, etc. It probably wouldnt be worthwhile

 

[CliffordK]

Yes, one might have to weld on ears to make the bolt together parts work.
However, one advantage might be lower cost in packing and shipping, at least for some units.

There likely would be some re-designing even if one is welding as one might design joints that were stable without clamping, and without a jig to make mocking up the part to weld easier.

 

[sparc]

I thought about mentioning that, but it most likely would cost more than just having them weld it. With the added cost of designing and implementing mounting tabs, drilled and tapped holes, etc. It probably wouldnt be worthwhile

and not as strong i would think too.